What is happening to Virgin flights?

[nannyj]

Virgin Flights from Gatwick seem to be all over the place at the moment. Does anyone know why? We fly at the beginning of Oct and I am getting slightly worried.:confused:

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Virgin Flights from Gatwick seem to be all over the place at the moment. Does anyone know why? We fly at the beginning of Oct and I am getting slightly worried.:confused:

in what way?

[Richard Bruvofetc]

I've been looking at them as well. Earlier in the year they seemed to continuously be leaving late and I thought "by the time I go in October it will all be sorted out". There doesn't seem to have been any improvement and in fact it appears to have got worse. 2, 3, and 4 hours delay seems to be becoming the "norm".

I know Virgin are meant to be refurbishing some of their aeroplanes, so maybe when one has a technical hitch there isn't a back-up available. Hopefully, this is the case and when the refurbishment programme is complete they'll be back on line in October.

[lisaj]

Where do you check the departure and arrival times?

[bwoodhouse]

OK - so that's got me worried :scared1:

We fly on Wed from Gatwick - where are you getting the delay info from?

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Where do you check the departure and arrival times?

OK - so that's got me worried :scared1:

We fly on Wed from Gatwick - where are you getting the delay info from?

I get them both from the Virgin Atlantic website and the BAA website stating the actual take-off times. The Virgin site is notoriously, ehem, optimistic with their departure times (i've normally taken off a good half hour after their stated times).

Even if you take the "official" Virgin times it doesn't look good:

VS015:(yesterday)
Scheduled departure time 06 Sep 12:45
Actual departure time 06 Sep 15:52

VS027:(yesterday)
Scheduled departure time 06 Sep 10:45
Actual departure time 06 Sep 14:16

VS015:(today)
Scheduled departure time 07 Sep 12:45
Actual departure time 07 Sep 13:48

VS027:(today)
Scheduled departure time 07 Sep 10:45
Actual departure time 07 Sep 12:30

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Why is it that people expect airlines to run like clockwork when notheing else ever does???

Look, sometimes a delay can be a maintenace problem, can be a crew problem, food delivery problem, a late inbound flight, passengers who fail to get to the gate until thei name is called, passengers who don't get to the gate on time and their cases have to be unloaded, air traffic control airport having a backup of aircraft, Air traffic control down route being on strike as this week with Italian ATC.
plus many, many more reasons.

VS15 has an ontime (i.e leaving the agte on schedule) of 46% with an average dealy of 56 mins, but this is effected by quite a few inbound flights from Las Vegas being late

VS27 59% on time with an average delay of 70 mins, again, awaiting inbound flights from Orlando normally

VS75 72% on time, average delay 42 mins

all USA flights from gatwick, on time performance 77%

You are on holiday, why stress about it, you CANNOT make it take off any quicker than it does!

Bwoodhouse, check the flights from Orlando the day before, they will give you an indication as to if the flight will be delayed.

[Claire L]

Why is it that people expect airlines to run like clockwork when notheing else ever does???

Look, sometimes a delay can be a maintenace problem, can be a crew problem, food delivery problem, a late inbound flight, passengers who fail to get to the gate until thei name is called, passengers who don't get to the gate on time and their cases have to be unloaded, air traffic control airport having a backup of aircraft, Air traffic control down route being on strike as this week with Italian ATC.
plus many, many more reasons.

VS15 has an ontime (i.e leaving the agte on schedule) of 46% with an average dealy of 56 mins, but this is effected by quite a few inbound flights from Las Vegas being late

VS27 59% on time with an average delay of 70 mins, again, awaiting inbound flights from Orlando normally

VS75 72% on time, average delay 42 mins

all USA flights from gatwick, on time performance 77%

You are on holiday, why stress about it, you CANNOT make it take off any quicker than it does!

Bwoodhouse, check the flights from Orlando the day before, they will give you an indication as to if the flight will be delayed.

Well said I'd prefer a delay to make sure everything is just right than a rush and safety is compromised just to take off a bit more on time. Delays happen for all kinds of reasons most are unavoidable.

Claire ;)

[bwoodhouse]

Why is it that people expect airlines to run like clockwork when notheing else ever does???
You are on holiday, why stress about it, you CANNOT make it take off any quicker than it does!

Wouldn't you agree that people have a right to expect airlines to stick to their published schedule (as best they can) otherwise what's the point in having a schedule?

People accept that delays happen and problems can occur but if something (anything) is late more often than not (VS015 achieving less than 50% on-time) then why should this be accepted as 'normal' and tolerated without a moan on DIS?

Bwoodhouse, check the flights from Orlando the day before, they will give you an indication as to if the flight will be delayed.
Thanks - will do.

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Obi, you may wish to stick to your published figures;) . However, my figures show an "on-time" record of 25% and 30% for the Virgin departures. This is also backed up by my own personal experiences and those of my colleagues. As said, I have always departed half an hour later than the Virgin published times.

We all know there are going to be delays every now and again, but even on Obi's optimistic figures we're looking at a continual 50% failure rate.

Taking into account everything said about why aircraft get delays, if you look at BA (the brunt of many peoples' comments), they have a far better record with just over 70% on-time departures (again on my figures - BA quote even higher), and the majority of charter flights are also performing better.

Why do we get stressed about delays? Well, I've paid close on £2000 for 3 tickets to Orlando in October. I have to pack, load car, travel to 2 hours to the airport, get there 3 hours before take-off and if I'm 1 minute late for my flight, well Tough T*tty! However the airlines seem to have this "we're airlines and if we're late it's tough on you" attitude.

I want to get to my holiday destination in the most relaxed state I can. Get to my hotel, freshen up, have a nice meal, before retiring to bed. Not, get to the airport "x" hours late, get to the hotel at such a late hour that I am too shattered to have a meal (that's if the restaurant is still open) and go to bed hungry. Some people this week didn't get to their hotels until midnight (5.00am UK time having probably been up since 5.00am the previous morning). A lot of those will also have hire cars, in which they have to negotiate in a foreign country, looking for their hotel in the dark, whilst being absolutely shattered - a very dangerous cocktail.

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Wouldn't you agree that people have a right to expect airlines to stick to their published schedule (as best they can) otherwise what's the point in having a schedule?

People accept that delays happen and problems can occur but if something (anything) is late more often than not (VS015 achieving less than 50% on-time) then why should this be accepted as 'normal' and tolerated without a moan on DIS?



A schedule is like going to the Doctor, or any other appointment or timetable. It gives you an estimation of take off,

Because you are on holiday, what on earth does it matter?
It takes 7-8 hours to fly regardless.

Lets complain about Disney then, having queues, how dare they take up more time on your holiday than the waiting time for a delay on an aircraft (I really want a tounge in cheek emoticon!!) :rotfl:

[diddldonna]

I am so hoping things will be okay when we go in November, the last 2 times we flew with them in 2004 and 2005, we had no delays and we have been going on about who great virgin is compared to others we have flown with. My mother-in-law is coming with us after alot of talking to, shes worried about the length of flight (Longest she has has ever done), if they add more ground time onto that, she may kill us, so fingers crossed things get better.

Donna

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Obi, you may wish to stick to your published figures;) . However, my figures show an "on-time" record of 25% and 30% for the Virgin departures. This is also backed up by my own personal experiences and those of my colleagues. As said, I have always departed half an hour later than the Virgin published times.

The data I have supplied is the ACARS based data, not virgins own. This is the data used by the airports to identify via the ATC an aircrafts position.


We all know there are going to be delays every now and again, but even on Obi's optimistic figures we're looking at a continual 50% failure rate.

Taking into account everything said about why aircraft get delays, if you look at BA (the brunt of many peoples' comments), they have a far better record with just over 70% on-time departures (again on my figures - BA quote even higher), and the majority of charter flights are also performing better.

BA have one flight per day to Orlando and a huge backup fleet if an aircraft goes tech, the Charters do not fly every day and can make up time by having a day to reposition an aircraft. They still have with small fleets major delays sometime of up to 36 hours.

Why do we get stressed about delays? Well, I've paid close on £2000 for 3 tickets to Orlando in October. I have to pack, load car, travel to 2 hours to the airport, get there 3 hours before take-off and if I'm 1 minute late for my flight, well Tough T*tty! However the airlines seem to have this "we're airlines and if we're late it's tough on you" attitude.

And you have there one of the reasons why aircraft can miss their slots, be held up at gates and have major delays on flights! You are not 1 Minute late if the gate has closed, you are at least 40 minutes late!


I want to get to my holiday destination in the most relaxed state I can. Get to my hotel, freshen up, have a nice meal, before retiring to bed. Not, get to the airport "x" hours late, get to the hotel at such a late hour that I am too shattered to have a meal (that's if the restaurant is still open) and go to bed hungry. Some people this week didn't get to their hotels until midnight (5.00am UK time having probably been up since 5.00am the previous morning). A lot of those will also have hire cars, in which they have to negotiate in a foreign country, looking for their hotel in the dark, whilst being absolutely shattered - a very dangerous cocktail.

You are in Florida, there is no shortage of 24 hour diners. You should NOT be driving whilst shattered and ALL holiday companies tell you that it is advisable because of this to collect you car the next day. You choose to take that risk.
Why are you up from 5am? if you need to be at the airport at 8am, then get a hotel near the airport.
Would you really prefer a plane to take off with a potential problem than be late and sort the problem out? is being "on time" more important to you than being alive??
Why are you shattered anyway? you have been sitting for at least 8 hours, not taking part in a marathon race!!

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

VS015:(yesterday)
Scheduled departure time 06 Sep 12:45
Actual departure time 06 Sep 15:52

VS027:(yesterday)
Scheduled departure time 06 Sep 10:45
Actual departure time 06 Sep 14:16

VS015:(today)
Scheduled departure time 07 Sep 12:45
Actual departure time 07 Sep 13:48

VS027:(today)
Scheduled departure time 07 Sep 10:45
Actual departure time 07 Sep 12:30

yesterday the Italian Air traffic control was on strike and had a knock on effect on all flights.
This also has had a carryover to returning flights this morning.

Today
VS15 took off 63 mins later than scheduled, is estimated to arrive however, only 25mins late

VS27 took off 105mins late (after VS 28 arrived at 09:45, some 170 mins late)
arrived 84 mins late

so a good turnaround in difficult conditions.

[UKDEB]

Richard, both the scheduled departure times and Virgin's published actuals, are the push-back times, not the take-off times, so that probably explains that anomaly. The only times that really matter are the arrival times. Our flight to Miami a couple of weeks ago was 3/4 late taking off (due to a sick passenger having to be offloaded), but the flight time was 1 1/2 hours quicker than the scheduled time, meaning that we actually landed 45 minutes ahead of schedule. The figures for the LGW - MCO route, though, don't make good reading:

VS27 - on time 55%, average delay 1 hour, late 45% (19% > 15 mins, 1% > 30 mins, 25% > 45 mins);

VS28 - on time 48%, average delay 27 minutes, late 52% (31% > 15 mins, 10% > 30 mins, 11% > 45 mins);

VS15 - on time 48%, average delay 1 hour, late 52% (15% > 15 mins, 6% > 30 mins, 31% > 45 mins) ;

VS16 - on time 39%, average delay 58 minutes, late 59% (23% > 15 mins, 6% > 30 minutes, 30% > 45 mins).

A large proportion of flight delays are outside the control of the airline, but the fact that Virgin's record is consistently one of the worst is a cause for concern (both for us as passengers and Virgin itself). We could, of course, vote with our feet, but actually our options are extremely limited. The only directly comparable service to Orlando is BA. Whilst most of us undoubtedly possess the intelligence to adopt a fatalistic attitude, and many of us even a "c'est la vie" approach (in a bid to avoid potential stress), these perpetual delays are exceedingly frustrating nonetheless and its not a situation we should simply resign ourselves to.

[Richard Bruvofetc]

The data I have supplied is the ACARS based data, not virgins own. This is the data used by the airports to identify via the ATC an aircrafts position.




BA have one flight per day to Orlando and a huge backup fleet if an aircraft goes tech, the Charters do not fly every day and can make up time by having a day to reposition an aircraft. They still have with small fleets major delays sometime of up to 36 hours.



And you have there one of the reasons why aircraft can miss their slots, be held up at gates and have major delays on flights! You are not 1 Minute late if the gate has closed, you are at least 40 minutes late!




You are in Florida, there is no shortage of 24 hour diners. You should NOT be driving whilst shattered and ALL holiday companies tell you that it is advisable because of this to collect you car the next day. You choose to take that risk.
Why are you up from 5am? if you need to be at the airport at 8am, then get a hotel near the airport.
Would you really prefer a plane to take off with a potential problem than be late and sort the problem out? is being "on time" more important to you than being alive??
Why are you shattered anyway? you have been sitting for at least 8 hours, not taking part in a marathon race!!

BA's Huge back-up fleet. I pay approx the same price for a Virgin ticket as I would for BA. Are you telling me I'm paying premium prices for a 2nd rate airline?

With regards to the 1 minute you know exactly what I am saying, don't play with words:rolleyes: .

24 hour diners: Yes there are plenty, however if you read what I said "to the hotel at such a late hour that I am too shattered to have a meal " you would realise that this could mean me missing my evening meal. Also if I am shattered I do not particularly want to try and find a decent restaurant at a late hour.

You're correct. You shouldn't be driving when tired. A pretty good reason for wanting your flight to take off on time I think.:rolleyes: "ALL holiday companies tell you that it is advisable because of this to collect you car the next day", so this is the reason that when you book on the Virgin, BA sites etc your car hire is automatically set to be picked up and dropped off at the airport. I did pick my car up the following day once. A driver finally turned up at 10:30 in the morning - 20 minute drive to the pick up point - 20 minute paperwork - 20 minute drive back to the hotel (luckily I didn't miss a turn). Therefore, by the time I picked up DW and DD half my day had already gone.

Getting up at 5:00am - did I say that. Please read my post - I never said I got up at 5:00am. I said that some people who arrived at their hotels at 5.00am (UK time) on a flight earlier this week may have been up since 5.00am the previous morning.

"Why are you shattered anyway? you have been sitting for at least 8 hours, not taking part in a marathon race!!". I think most people will agree that even sitting on an aircraft for 8 hours, in cramped, dry, stale air makes you tired. Couple with the 3 hours check in time and probably 2 hours getting to the airport (13 hours in total). Never mind the time people got up.

Yes, I do book a hotel the night before - many people can't afford to do that - which does help, but as we all know, flights are notoriously tiring.

Of course, I wouldn't expect an aeroplane to take off with problems, but Virgin do appear to have a lot of problems recently.

Now, I'm officially bored of this post. I know what my feelings are on this subject, and no matter how many people try to defend whatever airline they want to, it still doesn't change the fact that flights are taking off with extremely long delays, which to me, is unacceptable.:bored:

[Jakey Rowling]

Guess I'm sitting on the fence here so I'll get it from both sides. :)

My pet hate since arrival time were introduced as a metric is the time an airline leaves for the flight time in order to achieve "performance".
Shuttle from EDI to London, typically 50-60 minutes but now usually stated as 90mins for example. All airlines seem to do this now.

I err towards the passenger in terms of the regular delays but appreciate the real cost of flights is reduced from years gone by.
Safety has not been compromised but something has changed, probably the behind the scene support activities. Sub-contracting and subsequent resource sharing plays a large part I suspect.

Me, I'd rather save the money and accept the fairly regular and predictable delays which occur for a variety of reasons.

[mikki.young]

I can see both sides of this. If a rail company in the UK (lets take GNER as they do long distance) publish a timetable but you book a train and it is an hour late then you can ask for compensation. If they make time up, as they do, then great. But if they leave late and arrive late then there may be compansation. It doesn't matter whether it is because of the inbound train being late or the weather (although that does give them a technical letout that they do not normally take) but if the delay is a certain length then if you ask they give you some money back in the form of vouchers.

Virgin planes tend to have longer routes. This can make it easier and more difficult for them to make up time. If there is a timetable is it reasonable to expect them to keep to it? Probably yes to at least a 15-30 minutes timescale. Would we all prefer not to drive at the other end? Yes! And when I can arrange it that way I do.

Travelling is tiring, the lower the class the more tiring in my experience. I am lucky enough to be able to use Premium Economy mostly now and I wouldn't want to do economy if I can avoid it. Upper Class is lovely but we can't all do that. Until then timetables are the best we can work with in working out our plans and if they are hours out then it does not seem unreasonable to be a bit unhappy about that.

[SimonV]

This is starting to look increasingly like a personal argument here, so perhaps I can persuade people to stick to the topic, which is Virgin's current run of late departures.

This summer has certainly been one of the worst I've noted for airport delays in general, and there doesn't seem to be any one reason for it. It is annoying and frustrating, and extremely vexing to be caught in the middle of it. But Virgin do not have a long track record of late departures (their Orlando popularity has been extremely high in the past) and I think we owe it to them to give them a chance to get things sorted out, as they remain a company with a good service ethic.

If we are still having this debate in 6 months, it might be time to revise our thinking.

[tttessa]

Hiya,

I have also noticed lots of delays on Virgin flights lately and do hope that things get better.
I think both sides are right too, to some degree - whilst it is always right if the delay is safety related, I would hope there are NOT sooooo many safety problems planes are delayed for that reason up to 70% of the time??? If it is down to bad management, then things do need to change.

We expect to arrive with daylight there to assist us finding our villa in a foreign country, driving on the other side of the road etc - that is why we booked that particular flight and not one which arrives later and doesn't require an overnight stay to add to the cost.

If all this happens smoothly then we are unstressed happy people. :cloud9: So fingers crossed.

If not - 2 young kids, entertain, feed in expensive trapped airport environment, arrive in dark, pick up key from drop box, find villa, get food etc etc, delays the start of the FUN FUN FUN...

Cheers

Tessa

[Hilary]

Deb, are your figures actual arrival times against scheduled arrival times? I think that's what you're pointing out, but not sure. If not, is there a list anywhere that would give arrivals statistics?

Like Deb, we've often been late taking off, but not very often late on arrival (hope I'm not tempting fate here!). I assume the estimated arrival times err on the generous side to allow for varying flying conditions, but do they also add a bit of slack to allow for a delayed take off?

[Mike&Mel]

not sure if this helps anyone looking at times etc etc

http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByRoute.do;jsessionid=BCF56F901840E8F3 E50F0D6559C1A0B5.barney:8009?departure=%28LGW%29+G atwick+Airport%2C+London%2C+EN%2C+GB&arrival=%28MCO%29+Orlando+Intl%2C+FL%2C+US&departureDate=2007-09-07&x=6&y=13

[mark&sue]

The Disney resorts and DVC allocate rooms on a first come first served basis so if a flight is late you get the worse room in the resort! This how it is perceived to me anyhow.

In 2004 we went to the Grand Floridian for my 40th birthday present and as a result of a 3 and a half hour virgin delay were informed that as we were so late we got the worse room (the one behind the pool building). I always blamed my late flight for that view and have since tried to get the earliest flight of the day.

We paid £3,000 for our three virgin economy seats this august and I find delays soooooo stressful. However this price is because it is a school holiday. If I paid half that would I be happier with a delay? Probably not.

Having said that we were early this year and still got a bad room by the time we cleared customs etc to arrive at the resort. Many DVCers suggest staying the first night somewhere else if you can't arrive earlier.

I am shattered everytime I fly as I find the whole esperience an ordeal. I am a terrible flyer and delays make me feel even worse.

We plan on driving to Spain next year!!!


Susan

[nannyj]

Wow, I did not mean to generate so much feeling regarding Virgin's timetable - I was just a little worried that's all!

[Mike&Mel]

Wow, I did not mean to generate so much feeling regarding Virgin's timetable - I was just a little worried that's all!

LOL i know what you mean, we a little worried and not flying till April 08 :scared1:

[Red-Snapper]

All I can say is we flew out in August - left 5 mins early, arrived at MCO 25mins early and flew back dead on time.

Whilst sat in the clubhouse at Gatwick all the Virgin flights were on time that day.

[UKDEB]

Deb, are your figures actual arrival times against scheduled arrival times? I think that's what you're pointing out, but not sure.
Both the "on time" and "late" figures are, yes, meaning that on the LGW-MCO route, around 28% of the outbound flights are more than 45 minutes late and around 20% of the inbound.. The "average delay" stats refer to take-off delays.

[Andrew DEREK UK]

This debate has been going on a long time, I remember contributing to a thread on Virgin delays in June/July/August 2006, before the security problems on 11th August. I stopped posting as some posters had 'different' opinions

Then the Virgin flights had been delayed a lot, nothing to do with security, I had a flight on 13th August that was security related and delayed 8 hours.

I must agree, we pay the same on BA as Virgin, yes fleet sizes are different. Yes there outside factors, Airports, weather etc, they do factor in some slack on the flight times to cover this, and sometimes they can catch up.

In this consumer led environment it is fair to expect Virgin try their very best to leave on time, -in my opinion thats within 30 mins of the advertised departure time.

It is fair for people to post here their 'disappointment' on delays as its a long trip to Orlando or USA, and you do have to get to the airport early, or stay overnight in a local hotel, and there as stated is a knock on effect.

Most USA hotel rooms allow for check in to get rooms from 3pm, so the early arrivals can request the best rooms.

I arrived at Royal Pacific resort at 1am from my flight, it was hard to drive, after a long flight, knowing Orlando well I was happy but if it was my first time, I wouldn't have liked car hire at that time.

And I wouldn't like to travel to any 24 hour restaurants with my kids, Orlando is reasonably safe, but like London, you do not go about late at night, unless you have to.

There are a few good reasons, when flights are delayed, our security, both on the plane from maintenance and from global events. But this shouldn't be the 'norm' every day.

Everyone is entitled to their personal view,

In summary, we have a reasonable right to expect every airline to do their best to leave on time, if there is a delay we should be advised why. I whilst it caused me to loose a day, understood why I was delayed 8 hours for my families security.

This week I will decide of BA or Virgin who will get my £8,000 for flights, departure times is a factor, good service another, price is close, other factors like BA not allocating seats in advance of on-line check in is another.

Everyone has a right to their views and requirements.

[waltfan1957]

Why is it that people expect airlines to run like clockwork when notheing else ever does???

Look, sometimes a delay can be a maintenace problem, can be a crew problem, food delivery problem, a late inbound flight, passengers who fail to get to the gate until thei name is called, passengers who don't get to the gate on time and their cases have to be unloaded, air traffic control airport having a backup of aircraft, Air traffic control down route being on strike as this week with Italian ATC.
plus many, many more reasons.

VS15 has an ontime (i.e leaving the agte on schedule) of 46% with an average dealy of 56 mins, but this is effected by quite a few inbound flights from Las Vegas being late

VS27 59% on time with an average delay of 70 mins, again, awaiting inbound flights from Orlando normally

VS75 72% on time, average delay 42 mins

all USA flights from gatwick, on time performance 77%

You are on holiday, why stress about it, you CANNOT make it take off any quicker than it does!

Bwoodhouse, check the flights from Orlando the day before, they will give you an indication as to if the flight will be delayed.

so vigin are actually below the average, cant really see how that can be defended

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Then Andrew Derek, you choice is clear, fly BA

Ifd taking off by the times specified is your main concern on a holiday then go with who you feel gives you the best on time take off.

You have come from somewhere probablky not to the time scale you set, you have checked in not oin the time scale you set, you will not get your car within a set time scale, you will queue up for Disney rides more than you set but what bthe hell, so long as the flight takes off on an arbitasry time you will be fine right?

Just choose the airline than fulfills you demands.

That is what choice is about.

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

so vigin are actually below the average, cant really see how that can be defended

Personally I dont care what the average says. I just want to get there eventually in comfort. that is waht choice of flights is about. Dont fky Virgin if you dont like thei on time performane!

What is it with people who want their flights to take off on an abitary time regardless to the state of the aircradft, the attitude of late ticket holders, the 1,000 otherv reasons a flight can be late.

ALLL AIRINES HAVE LATE DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS why should virgin be singled out??

If you don'tlike it, fly another airline! I am sure that TCD or Globespan or even Britis Airways can fulfuill your needs!

Whilst you at it, tyell Disney off for not allowing you to walk onto rides, how dare they keep you waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

don't they know that your safety comes second to making sure they meet your 10 mins to next ride requirements????

[waltfan1957]

Personally I dont care what the average says. I just want to get there eventually in comfort. that is waht choice of flights is about. Dont fky Virgin if you dont like thei on time performane!

What is it with people who want their flights to take off on an abitary time regardless to the state of the aircradft, the attitude of late ticket holders, the 1,000 otherv reasons a flight can be late.

ALLL AIRINES HAVE LATE DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS why should virgin be singled out??

If you don'tlike it, fly another airline! I am sure that TCD or Globespan or even Britis Airways can fulfuill your needs!

Whilst you at it, tyell Disney off for not allowing you to walk onto rides, how dare they keep you waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

don't they know that your safety comes second to making sure they meet your 10 mins to next ride requirements????

if you dont care why did you put the figures in that you did then put in the average was higher at 77% surely you must of realised people would notice this and what has this to do with disney they dont tell you you can go on ms or any other ride at 9.40, 10.30 or any other time your argument here shows no logic

[Boss Hogg]

Whilst you at it, tyell Disney off for not allowing you to walk onto rides, how dare they keep you waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Not too sure that this comparison holds much water. Disney do not run to a timetable with rides, shows maybe, but not rides. I cannot think of a show I have ever been to that has started late? That having been said I am sure someone will come along and show me the error of my thinking.

For me the point is that all Airlines, whether it be Virgin or any other, run to a schedule and should stick to that schedule.

Whilst I agree that there are always going to be issues which affect their ability to get planes away on time, it does appear that Virgin are not improving terribly in this department, which is a shame.

After all, with Virgin you are paying a "good" price for the fact that they are a scheduled carrier, have a longer turnaround time and a better service. Adherence to their own schedule should be as much an issue for them as anything else.

A schedule is like going to the Doctor, or any other appointment or timetable. It gives you an estimation of take off,

Not sure I would agree with this. For a start, going to a GP is slightly different as you have not directly paid for the privilege (yes I know NI contributions etc.etc.). But, with private dental care nowadays the norm I expect them to be on time with an appointment, and mine certainly are. I would imagine the same with private health care (albeit I have yet to have any reason to use it) - surely a large part of the offering is being punctual, and I know from anecdotal comments that this is the case.

I have my own business, and if I give people a time to meet, then that is the time I meet. If I am continuously late, then I will not have much a business left, as people expect a professional service and part of this professionalism is the question of punctuality.

After all of my rambling, I'll conclude by saying that it is frustrating and disappointing that Virgin's record is not better, or showing any real sign of improving. They should either improve or maybe make alterations to their timetable to allow them to be more "on time". Sure they will have issues occasionally which will inevitably cause a delay, but they simply seem to have too many at the moment.

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Then Andrew Derek, you choice is clear, fly BA

Ifd taking off by the times specified is your main concern on a holiday then go with who you feel gives you the best on time take off.

You have come from somewhere probablky not to the time scale you set, you have checked in not oin the time scale you set, you will not get your car within a set time scale, you will queue up for Disney rides more than you set but what bthe hell, so long as the flight takes off on an arbitasry time you will be fine right?

Just choose the airline than fulfills you demands.

That is what choice is about.


Personally I dont care what the average says. I just want to get there eventually in comfort. that is waht choice of flights is about. Dont fky Virgin if you dont like thei on time performane!

What is it with people who want their flights to take off on an abitary time regardless to the state of the aircradft, the attitude of late ticket holders, the 1,000 otherv reasons a flight can be late.

ALLL AIRINES HAVE LATE DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS why should virgin be singled out??

If you don'tlike it, fly another airline! I am sure that TCD or Globespan or even Britis Airways can fulfuill your needs!

Whilst you at it, tyell Disney off for not allowing you to walk onto rides, how dare they keep you waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

don't they know that your safety comes second to making sure they meet your 10 mins to next ride requirements????

I think you do yourself a big injustice with your answers, (and spelling), this is nothing to do with Disney, the post below is well constructed,and thought out response. Posters are free to express their disappointment with late take offs.

if you dont care why did you put the figures in that you did then put in the average was higher at 77% surely you must of realised people would notice this and what has this to do with disney they dont tell you you can go on ms or any other ride at 9.40, 10.30 or any other time your argument here shows no logic

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Not too sure that this comparison holds much water. Disney do not run to a timetable with rides, shows maybe, but not rides. I cannot think of a show I have ever been to that has started late? That having been said I am sure someone will come along and show me the error of my thinking.

For me the point is that all Airlines, whether it be Virgin or any other, run to a schedule and should stick to that schedule.

Whilst I agree that there are always going to be issues which affect their ability to get planes away on time, it does appear that Virgin are not improving terribly in this department, which is a shame.

After all, with Virgin you are paying a "good" price for the fact that they are a scheduled carrier, have a longer turnaround time and a better service. Adherence to their own schedule should be as much an issue for them as anything else.



Not sure I would agree with this. For a start, going to a GP is slightly different as you have not directly paid for the privilege (yes I know NI contributions etc.etc.). But, with private dental care nowadays the norm I expect them to be on time with an appointment, and mine certainly are. I would imagine the same with private health care (albeit I have yet to have any reason to use it) - surely a large part of the offering is being punctual, and I know from anecdotal comments that this is the case.

I have my own business, and if I give people a time to meet, then that is the time I meet. If I am continuously late, then I will not have much a business left, as people expect a professional service and part of this professionalism is the question of punctuality.

After all of my rambling, I'll conclude by saying that it is frustrating and disappointing that Virgin's record is not better, or showing any real sign of improving. They should either improve or maybe make alterations to their timetable to allow them to be more "on time". Sure they will have issues occasionally which will inevitably cause a delay, but they simply seem to have too many at the moment.

Matt, good points.

[Andrew DEREK UK]

PS

I will be booking either Virgin or BA on Wednesday, whilst Virgin is the subject here I had delays on both BA flights this summer. 3 hours and 1 hour.