Virgin America Opinions

[pipervali]

Hi all. Myself and three friends are flying from PHL to LAX in October. I booked the airline tickets back in March when I found a fare on Kayak for $255 nonstop RT. US Air at the time was the only remotely comparable fare, but I kind of hate them after a few bad experiences, both that I've had personally, and family members.

At the time of booking though VA hadn't even started flying out of PHL(I believe it began service in April), so I had no point of reference for them. Just wondering what people who have used them in the past have felt about their experiences.

Thanks!

 

[KuyaJeff]

I personally had a great time flying Virgin America from LAX to MCO. Definitely made a 5 hour flight "fly by". They have so many options to keep you busy with television channels, on-demand movies, documentaries, and a music playlist that includes everything from Justin Beiber to the King himself, Elivs....the best part, this is all included with your flight!

The moment you hop on, you realize this isn't the airplane your mom and dad used to fly...I often refer to it as a nightclub in the sky with its blue, purple and pink mood lighting.

They had complimentary beverages and snacks for purchase that you could order through the touch-screen, in-flight entertainment system. You don't have to wait for the flight attendants to do drink services and then have to come back with your drink after a few minutes. Once you order what you want, it comes promptly regardless of when you order.

After flying Virgin America, you almost dont want to fly any other airline. Their main cabin (coach) feels a lot better than most first class cabins...and at a great price! I had no regrets flying them, and I'm pretty sure you won't either.

 

[bumbershoot]

They are AMAZING, and my fave airline.

If DH didn't have status with Alaska and United, and miles to burn with them, I'm sure we would use them all the time. As it is, we rarely use them b/c they are so much more expensive (especially when compared to using miles already earned), and we suffer for it!


LOVE that airline.

 

[pipervali]

Thanks for the replies! It's awesome to hear too. I honestly haven't been stressing much about it, because since I booked I've done a little research, but it's always great to hear from personal experience, especially here at the DIS forums.

I gotta say, the mood lighting and the cabin appeal is one big plus that I've been excited about since we booked the tickets. I am NOT a good flier at all. I'm scared of heights and I get easily motion sick. The last time we flew down to Orlando, I was sick to the stomach for 3 days because of a unsettled flight. In fact, this will be the longest flight I've ever taken, it's usually just PHL to MCO, which is less than 3 hours. This coming trip is double that. So a nice relaxing cabin with plenty to keep me distracted sounds perfect.

 

[KuyaJeff]

I gotta say, the mood lighting and the cabin appeal is one big plus that I've been excited about since we booked the tickets. I am NOT a good flier at all. I'm scared of heights and I get easily motion sick. The last time we flew down to Orlando, I was sick to the stomach for 3 days because of a unsettled flight. In fact, this will be the longest flight I've ever taken, it's usually just PHL to MCO, which is less than 3 hours. This coming trip is double that. So a nice relaxing cabin with plenty to keep me distracted sounds perfect.

For myself, heights can sometimes be overwhelming if I'm stationary. But flying seems to put me at ease. For some reason, most of the people during my flight didn't open their windows, so it kind of made you forget you were so high up. The entertainment options alone were enough to keep me distracted.

I'm not sure if it's your cup of tea...but they have a decent alcohol selection. I ordered a sandwich/white wine combo for about $18, and was surprised that they gave me the whole bottle. While it was smaller than your usual bottle of wine, it was enough to make me feel like I was flying higher than usual...led to an interesting experience walking down the aisle to restroom with a sudden burst of turbulence.

 

[MichelleVW]

Virgin is awesome!!! I was reluctant to fly them because I had never flew them before, but we flew from DFW to LAX in Jan and they are the best!! I wish they flew to MCO from DFW.

 

[snesguy]

Another positive experience on Virgin America. I flew them a couple of times and they were great as others have described.

 

[MichelleVW]

If you have the funds to upgrade to first class....it's AMAZING up there! Seats recline pretty much all the way back and the front of the seat comes up like a leg rest....it was awesome!

 

[bumbershoot]

If you have the funds to upgrade to first class....it's AMAZING up there! Seats recline pretty much all the way back and the front of the seat comes up like a leg rest....it was awesome!

I've never done it, but here's a hint. When checking in, they sometimes (depending on factors for your flight) offer an upgrade to first class (or just to the class just above coach) for a greatly reduced price. I've never done it, because it's been offered to me for very short flights where it just doesn't feel worth it (the value isn't there for me), but someday I'll take it.

 

[pipervali]

If you have the funds to upgrade to first class....it's AMAZING up there! Seats recline pretty much all the way back and the front of the seat comes up like a leg rest....it was awesome!

I've actually been giving that some thought. Unfortunately one of the members of our party is on a very tight budget, so I'm pretty sure it's not going to be feasible for her. And at least 2 of us abandoning the other 2? Probably not the best way to start off a vacation lol. It's a cross country flight, so I'm thinking it would be considered the long haul charge to upgrade. I was looking at our flight though, and with 3 months out, there's only about 15 seats selected as though they're booked. I'm now worrying about the chance of them canceling or consolidating the flight with the later one that morning out of PHL.

 

[MichelleVW]

I've never done it, but here's a hint. When checking in, they sometimes (depending on factors for your flight) offer an upgrade to first class (or just to the class just above coach) for a greatly reduced price. I've never done it, because it's been offered to me for very short flights where it just doesn't feel worth it (the value isn't there for me), but someday I'll take it.

That's always when I ask!!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

They had complimentary beverages and snacks for purchase

is it complimentary or for purchase???

 

[bumbershoot]

The beverages are mainly complimentary; the snacks are for purchase.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

The beverages are mainly complimentary; the snacks are for purchase.

well hey bumbershoot...long time no talk...thanks for the answer

 

[socalduo]

I've never done it, but here's a hint. When checking in, they sometimes (depending on factors for your flight) offer an upgrade to first class (or just to the class just above coach) for a greatly reduced price. I've never done it, because it's been offered to me for very short flights where it just doesn't feel worth it (the value isn't there for me), but someday I'll take it.

How much more is it to upgrade to first class on this deal? I'm flying Virgin to DW from California a week from Sunday.

 

[bumbershoot]

How much more is it to upgrade to first class on this deal? I'm flying Virgin to DW from California a week from Sunday.

It just depends on how much they want to fill those seats. I don't remember how much the upgrade has been, but I know it has been too much to be a value *to me* for a flight from SFO to SEA (to be really specific).

 

[pipervali]

I'm finding myself with an extra ticket for my October trip, the fourth member of our party backed out. I'm assuming if I just cancel the ticket, the remaining balance of it after the cancel fee will just be put into a travel bank. Since the ticket isn't in my name, but someone else's, even though I paid for them and got the Elevate points because of my purchase, I'm going to assume I can't use that credit to try and upgrade myself at the gate either.

Oh well, I got a really good deal on the tickets, so I can't complain, just sucks that the remaining ticket is basically going to end up going to complete waste.