Turbulence on Virgin flights

[gemmamouse]

just wondered if any of you have ever had bad turbulence on your flights to florida, does it tend to be worse certain times of the year and is there good and bad areas to sit on the plane to avoid such a rough flight

 

[AndRu]

I've been twice. The first flight in Jan '97 (across the Atlantic then down the US eastern seaboard) had more turbulence than the Virgin trip in Sept '03 which went directly across the Atlantic. But that might have just been those daily conditions. I'm not an experienced flyer by any means but I would think that turbulence can happen at anytime on any flight depending on the conditions.

As for best seats, I don't think it really matters as the plane will get buffeted just the same? Just close your eyes and think of walking down Main Street USA in MK - that should calm you down

 

[SimonV]

To be honest, the time of year makes little real difference. You can get turbulence at any time and in any flying conditions. I had a particularly hairy return flight with Virgin (nothing to do with the plane!) in November one year, and yet I flew out and back twice last November with little or no turbulence. In some 60-70 flights in the last 10 years, that is probably the only one that sticks in my mind, so you'd be pretty unlucky to get anything really noticeable.

 

[Cochise]

It is purely down to the conditions at the time. We have flown the same route to Spain time and time again and only had one rough flight. The rest have had the usual judders but I am happy with that.

Turbulence is air movement that normally cannot be seen. It may occur when the sky appears to be clear and can happen unexpectedly. It can be created by any number of different conditions, including atmospheric pressures, jet streams, mountain waves, cold or warm fronts, or thunderstorms

Most turbulence is this : Light chop - slight, rapid and somewhat rhythmic bumpiness without noticeable changes in altitude or attitude. You know the one, it is basically bump bump....few seconds gap....bump bump bump.

 

[Goofyish]

I have read that you feel the turbulence more if sat near the tail of the aircraft due to the 'flexing' of the body. Not sure if this is true. We have only ever sat at the back and can't say whether it's any worse than any other part of the aircraft.
On our 3 trips to Florida we have only had very minor turbulence (slight shaking and small sudden drops).

Have flown back from Ireland in an ATR72 aircraft in strong winds and driving rain - now that's turbulence

 

[Tron[ADS]]

It is purely down to the conditions at the time. We have flown the same route to Spain time and time again and only had one rough flight. The rest have had the usual judders but I am happy with that.

Cochise, I was wondering if you had any turbulance that year when your family flew to Spain and you went on the coach 2 days earlier and met them there? hehe


I must be a bit strange, as I actualy quite like turbulance, its like being on a ride

 

[Cochise]

Cochise, I was wondering if you had any turbulance that year when your family flew to Spain and you went on the coach 2 days earlier and met them there? hehe


I must be a bit strange, as I actualy quite like turbulance, its like being on a ride

I can see you were really busy then today Dave, all i can say is thank god my collapsed ear drum finally worked itself back into shape, i wouldnt be flying still due to the pain.

Tim (Think it was Tim from our chat on the transatlantic) the rear of the plane can be worse, I believe especially in Clear Air,. There have been stories of the piolts feeling not much more than a small change in height to the back of the plane riding the Hulk coaster.

 

[daipp]

Apparently you know it's bad when the Captain tells the cabin crew to return to their seats "immediately" !!!

 

[signtalker]

Apparently you know it's bad when the Captain tells the cabin crew to return to their seats "immediately" !!!

LOL

never really expreienced any turbulence myself!!!!
Jules

 

[MsPennieLane]

We had that in September - the pilot announced that hot drinks wouldn't be served because people would get burnt and then 5 minutes later told the staff to sit down and strap in! I hate turbulence so I was in tears, it was pretty bad but only for about 25 minutes. I hope I never get any turbulence worse than that, I'm a bad enuf flyer as it is! I've also heard that if you sit at the back you get the worse effects of turbulence so I never sit there.

Anz

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

We had awful turbulance coming home off our last trip in July, the plane kept dipping, which frightened the life out of me, everyone was ushered to there seats and the cabin crew was seated, it lasted what seemed like ages,and the result was nearly half of the people around us had thrown up,and there was You know what all over the aisles in the end,they covered them with blankets as there was so much! it was horrid! I was just pleased I wasnt one of the Puke group! I have to admit that was the worsest turbulance we have ever had on a virgin flight!

 

[Cochise]

Its the one thing that they wish they had instruments to predict this. Planes are unbelievably strong and nothing to worry about.