The whole sorry story is thus: (apologies for the rant...)
We were flying from Manchester to MCO on 16 October, and home on 30 October.
When we arrived at Manchester on 16th, we noticed that there was another Orlando flight scheduled for 11.15 am. They got a liveried plane, we got a white plane which we were told was Air Atlanta Europe, but was actually an old Iberian airways plane. Maybe that's the same thing. Seats were very comfortable actually, and we got all the Virgin freebies, but none of the entertainment which was a big deal for our party.
The letter we were given said that our plane was delayed owing to unspecified technical difficulties, and we were given 10% future a Virgin flight. We don't think this is appropriate compensation as we are unlikely to be in a position to take it up for at least 2 years. Also, I think it would have been better if they had just admitted that the good plane had gone to the people who had been delayed for 24 hours. It was quite obvious to us all.
On the way home, we were 10 minutes from boarding when they announced that they had noticed a small tear in the skin of the left wing, which needed to be repaired. We were given hourly bulletins, firstly awaiting approval for the repair to be done, then extending the repair time, then awaiting approval, and finally at about 11pm were were told we had to go to a hotel. Only people with "special needs" were allowed to retrieve their luggage.
We were given 4 x 3 minute phone cards for 10 of us - which was immediately increased to 8 when I gave the Virgin rep a "look". Then coach driver got lost on the way to the hotel - the Adam's Mark at the Florida Mall. I could have got us there without a map.
Fortunately the hotel was lovely and we were well fed and watered. Unfortunately Virgin had told us that breakfast was from 8-9, when it was actualy 9-10.30, so we could all have got more sleep.
No Virgin staff in evidence at the hotel, and the hotel staff didn't seem to know what the plan was. My mum texted me with our new planned arrival at Manchester, which she had got from Teletext, so we deduced that our flight was to be 5.30 pm.
When we got to the airport, the poor people who were supposed to be flying on 31st had had their flight cancelled so we could have their plane.
On the plane on the way home, the children's games consoles didn't work, there was no soap in the toilets, there were insufficient kids' meals and they didn't bother coming round with the pre-landing sweets.
We have 50% off our next Virgin flights (not sure if we can add them together and make 60%??) but do we ever want to fly Virgin again? At the moment, I have no intention of doing so. Maybe I'll feel differently in a few days.
I've just worked out I've slept for 17 of the past 24 hours. Better go and load the washing machine!!
Heard about the Manchester delays when we checked in at Orlando on Friday afternoon - what a pain the in the bum - did they look after you all OK?
Sorry to hear about all of your troubles with the flights.
