Travelling to Gatwick in September

Hi everyone! It's that time of year again for me to make my annual pilgrimage to England from Barbados. I'll be on VS 29 September 15th. It's going to be my first time on the ex- Air Berlin aircraft and have a couple questions.
1. Is the interior for Economy the typical 'Virgin' experience? or is it still Air Berlin? By that I mean if the seats and leg room etc have been changed or will be by my travel date.
2. Is the WiFi worth it? I am definitely thinking about paying for the messaging option, but is the speed and reliability worth the money to try to stream my own entertainment?

Now, a question about Gatwick. I've never paid any attention to it before, so I really can't remember. I need to buy a SIM card. Is there anywhere in the Gatwick North Terminal Arrivals area where I can buy one? If so, whats the provider or costs attached?

Thank you everyone

1. The aircraft is showing as an Airbus A330-300 which is not an ex Air Berlin aircraft. Even if it was, the economy section has been Virgin-ified.


2. I have been able to use the Wifi on one flight out of about 8. It's worth it if you need to check messages but I prefer to switch off or download entertainment before I board.

3. There are places you can buy Simcards at Gatwick, can't remember the names but Lenara Mobile is one of them. If you use a lot of data Three Mobile is generally the best
pricewise.

All-you-can-eat data.
£35.00
1 month Advanced plan
All-you-can-eat minutes
All-you-can-eat texts
30GB Personal Hotspot
Go Roam Around the World
Go Binge

There are also cheaper options if unlimited data, is too much and on many of them streaming Netflix, Apple Music etc. does not come out of your data allowance.

Thanks for the reply. The aircraft must have been changed in recent days because it was definitely an A332 before. And now my group's seating assignments have all changed. Definitely won't need loads of data. Its mainly to keep in touch and to use the various transportation and map apps while exploring. I found something called Lebara and not Lenara. Is that correct?

[mitchja]

Regarding the mobile phone plans. You will not be able to purchase a pay monthly plan including SIM only as in order to buy those, you would need to pass a U.K. credit check and not living in the U.K. means you would automatically fail that. Your only option is going to be PAYG (pay as you go / prepay) as those don’t require any checks. You pay for the usage up front often with the SIM card pack.

There are usually vending machines or concession stands in most airport arrivals areas selling SIM cards aimed at tourists. You just need to make sure your handset is unlocked in order to use different SIM cards in it.

Sealink means 'Lebara Mobile'

Though I would check what packages your current provider offers for going abroad

That said there is a wealth of free wifi available over here in shops, cafes and museums, trains, buses and tubes etc and in some towns as well so consider whether you really need to pay for data. Sure you may need to click a few keys to get online but free is free. I managed a week in New York using only free wifi so it can be done. Just remember to turn data roaming off!

I use an app called 'city mapper' which has maps you can use when off line

Thanks again for the replies. Using my local provider is definitely a bad idea so if I do decide to use data, I will definitely use a UK SIM. And thanks for the free wifi idea. Gives me a little more to think about. Only concern now would be if I have to make any phone calls. And I will download and have a look at the citymapper app

Hi everyone! It's that time of year again for me to make my annual pilgrimage to England from Barbados. I'll be on VS 29 September 15th. It's going to be my first time on the ex- Air Berlin aircraft and have a couple questions.
1. Is the interior for Economy the typical 'Virgin' experience? or is it still Air Berlin? By that I mean if the seats and leg room etc have been changed or will be by my travel date.

I returned yesterday from Barbados, both trips on the 332.
I am not a regular flyer, but the interior was in good order, but I feel was cramped, I have read elsewhere about aged and tired interiors, both aircraft were in good order, but my family all felt cramped in economy, although it was a full flight both ways. I imagined the experience to be more Virginfied than they were.. TR's to follow...

2. Is the WiFi worth it? I am definitely thinking about paying for the messaging option, but is the speed and reliability worth the money to try to stream my own entertainment?

Now, a question about Gatwick. I've never paid any attention to it before, so I really can't remember. I need to buy a SIM card. Is there anywhere in the Gatwick North Terminal Arrivals area where I can buy one? If so, whats the provider or costs attached?

Thank you everyone

where are you staying in Barbados

where are you staying in Barbados

I imagine at their house

OP is visiting the UK.

OP I meant ask your supplier if they had an international bolt on package rather than just pay as you go roaming fees

Hello there,

[quote="Sealink"]1. The aircraft is showing as an Airbus A330-300 which is not an ex Air Berlin aircraft. Even if it was, the economy section has been Virgin-ified.
[img]https://content.virginatlantic.com/content/vaa/gb/en/virgin-experience/our-a330-200-aircraft/jcr:content/main/assetgallery_3542/images/item_1.img.795.MEDIUM.jpg/0.jpg[/img]

2. I have been able to use the Wifi on one flight out of about 8. It's worth it if you need to check messages but I prefer to switch off or download entertainment before I board.

3. There are places you can buy Simcards at Gatwick, can't remember the names but Lenara Mobile is one of them. If you use a [b] lot[/b] of data Three Mobile is generally the best
pricewise.

All-you-can-eat data.
£35.00
1 month Advanced plan
All-you-can-eat minutes
All-you-can-eat texts
30GB Personal Hotspot
Go Roam Around the World
Go Binge

There are also cheaper options if unlimited data, is too much and on many of them streaming Netflix, Apple Music etc. does not come out of your data allowance.[/quote]

Thanks for sharing beautiful information with us. I shocked 30 GB Personal Hotspot data how can we use this. Can you please tell me which is the airplane provide this service please suggest to me after I decide & book tickets in September. One question asks for everyone can you please tell me this airplane tour in California either no please tell me?