Random Virgin In-Flight Movies Question

[seobaina]

I know this is a bit random to ask but...

I've never flown with Virgin before and on all other carriers the in-flight movies could be played at any time you wish. We all had our own screen and could pick from the movie and tv choice, start them, pause them, etc on your own schedule. A friend told me recently that although virgin have a wide choice of movies they all start at the same time on a preset schedule. Is that true? Does the question make sense?

Thanks

 

[UKDEB]

On the Orlando routes that's true, unfortunately. They have a sub-standard entertainment system (Nova) thanks to the fact that they bought a cancelled Air Italia order of 747s some years back. You do get your own seat-back screen, but a choice of just 10 (?) movies. I find it a real pain because I invariably miss the start and then can't be bothered. Once all the movies have finished, the whole lot is re-run.

 

[fizz13]

yep just like deb said, the whole entertainment programme starts at the same time and then loops back to the beginning once everything is finished, so if u pick the shortest movie, you have to wait for all the others to finish before u can watch a new one

 

[seobaina]

That's a pain! Everyone always raves about virgin so I'm surprised they are kinda behind in this. Thanks for the explanation.

 

[amberandolly]

Yep, once you've been spoiled by v-port on the LHR routes, the other IFE systems are a bit rubbish in comparison.
The films for April don't look too bad, I hope they put some good ones on for our return in mid-may.

 

[seobaina]

Haven't been to look recently, will do later.

 

[Jets fan]

Is this the same for Upper class as well on the Gatwick orlando route? I went to Barbados in August last year in Upper and the entertainment system was brilliant.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Such a shame some planes arent equipped with the new systems.
Relatives flew outbound to Las Vegas with BA and had the new hightec equipment,they could pause/rewind so on,and also had head rests what pulled out to sleep on.
The came home on Virgin and wasnt happy it was the old system,and felt the flight could of been better,staff was rude,and no drinks reguarly! I'm not worried though as long as it gets us there

 

[SammieG]

we just flew for the first time with virgin for at least 10 years.. having been travelling with BA in that time.. and i hated it! entertainment system and choice of films was very poor.... and the cabin crew were unbelievably un-attentive seeming to prefer to talk to eachother about boyfriend troubles!!

Films ..there were 10 supposedly showing but at least 2 of them were not showing!

im back to BA in future

 

[seobaina]

argh. I was hoping they were good cause they are blimmin expensive

 

[UKDEB]

Is this the same for Upper class as well on the Gatwick orlando route? I went to Barbados in August last year in Upper and the entertainment system was brilliant.

The Barbados route tends to be assigned the configuration 3 747s which are fitted with the Odyssey system - better than Nova, but not as good at V-Port which has the full catalogue of films and pause/rewind functions.

 

[lyn9856]

I've heard nothing good about Virgin recently either. Unfortunately I didn't have much choice when looking for scheduled flights so booked anyway. Last few flights we have taken have been Emirates, Thai Air and BA and all had the latest watch on demand IFE systems so I know we've been spoilt. I'm sure I read a post recent where a whole row of seats had no IFE working at all for the whole flight home Sounds like some of the charter carriers like First Choice are now better than Virgin.

But, hey its a relatively short long haul flight....will soon go.....and its getting us to Mickey land
Lyn

 

[AZDisneyDan]

I know this is a bit random to ask but...

I've never flown with Virgin before and on all other carriers the in-flight movies could be played at any time you wish. We all had our own screen and could pick from the movie and tv choice, start them, pause them, etc on your own schedule. A friend told me recently that although virgin have a wide choice of movies they all start at the same time on a preset schedule. Is that true? Does the question make sense?

Thanks

That question was by no means random, in fact with all things equal I will look at these factors before booking a flight. Unfortunatly BA has the same older system on their London to Orlando route on the 777 planes as Virgin. Apparently, both airlines will be upgrading their systems, but who knows who will first and when.

I have flown long haul flights both with and without the start/stop entertainment system and it makes a huge difference. If you do not like a movie you can stop it and start a new one, or if you have to use the toilet you can pause and not miss anything.

Anyway, I hope one of these two airlines will quickly upgrade their fleets so we can all enjoy this entertainment system on the London-Orlando route.

 

[Soprano]

Interesting.

We're flying to LA next week from LHR, what kind of system will they be using?

A few years ago 10 films to choose from would be a dream come true!

 

[UKDEB]

We're flying to LA next week from LHR, what kind of system will they be using?

It'll either be an Airbus or a 747, but either way you'll get V-Port on that route.

 

[UKDEB]

I have flown long haul flights both with and without the start/stop entertainment system and it makes a huge difference. If you do not like a movie you can stop it and start a new one, or if you have to use the toilet you can pause and not miss anything.

Totally agree. We had V-Port flying LHR-MIA last August and it was my best flight ever. I didn't even mind that we were in economy. Normally I watch one film, but with the on-demand system, I managed three and the time flew by. It also prevents the queues for the toilets you normally get at the end of each film.

 

[wideeyes]

we had odyssey on our flight which had games. I have never flown long haul or had seat back TV on a till last year so i was easily impressed as it was all new to me. The only thing I would like would be more choice for kids maybe a channel each for younger and older kids.

 

[Soprano]

It'll either be an Airbus or a 747, but either way you'll get V-Port on that route.

Oh goodie! Thanks

 

[seobaina]

Don't suppose that the bad reports have been on London-Orlando flights by any chance? I'm going from Manchester and still hoping that they are better from there...at least cabin service wise if not entertainment.