Virgin Atlantic Cutbacks....

[oceanscape]

Just read this on V-Flyer....

One Cabin crew member has been cut off each aircraft.

On flights after 1900 local a drinks service is not offered in premium or economy, just straight out with meals.

Cheese and biscuits in the Economy meal are going to be removed from the beginning of May.

Pretzels snacks and Virgin Vie towel will be removed from the first drinks service in premium and economy.

The small water bottle will be changing back to a cuplet on the meal tray in economy.

Across all classes we will be simplifying the choice of newspapers and magazines.

Shame they aren't putting the prices down

 

[bombhead444]

Naughty really, they are keeping the prices and we end up losing the benefits.
Always the little man that gets the harsh deal. Ho-hum

 

[Goofyish]

With the quality of the meals I usually end up only eating the cheese and biscuits!

 

[bombhead444]

With the quality of the meals I usually end up only eating the cheese and biscuits!

You are not far wrong!!!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The one good thing is them horrid Pretzel snacks that they have been serving for years and years.
Lost count of the number of packets I have stuffed down seats and cubby holes

 

[bombhead444]

The one good thing is them horrid Pretzel snacks that they have been serving for years and years.
Lost count of the number of packets I have stuffed down seats and cubby holes

Oh I dont know, I found them quite useful in lodging under the ear phone jack so both ears would work!!

 

[Goofyish]

The one good thing is them horrid Pretzel snacks that they have been serving for years and years.
Lost count of the number of packets I have stuffed down seats and cubby holes

We are not fans of the pretzels either. Last trip we took a big bag of peanuts with us to snack on during the flight. Just before take off there was an anouncement that a child in economy had a severe peanut allergy and so no one was allowed any peanut products - just the smell could set the allergy off apparantely. So we ended up not having any snacks

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Oh I dont know, I found them quite useful in lodging under the ear phone jack so both ears would work!!

We are not fans of the pretzels either. Last trip we took a big bag of peanuts with us to snack on during the flight. Just before take off there was an anouncement that a child in economy had a severe peanut allergy and so no one was allowed any peanut products - just the smell could set the allergy off apparantely. So we ended up not having any snacks

Now that's what you call bad luck Tim!

 

[gemmybear83]

With the quality of the meals I usually end up only eating the cheese and biscuits!

This confirms I am bringing my own food on the plane this time!

 

[londondude]

Having just come back from Las vegas last week via Virgin, I must confirm most of the above to be true.

Few things i would like to add, virgin now charge £75 for exit row seats,

On our out bound flight i was sitting next to a crew member who was flying out to Vegas for the weekend, and the stories that person came out with, has made me think not to fly Virgin out of gatwick again.
Most of the cabin crew who work out of gatwick hate working the routes due to the planes being in such a poor state.
Quote Virgin Mangers" riff raff planes for riff raff customers"

all in all virgin use to be the best, now after flying with them over 14 yrs Id say they r very poor. which is a great shame.

 

[fairytale]

We are not fans of the pretzels either. Last trip we took a big bag of peanuts with us to snack on during the flight. Just before take off there was an anouncement that a child in economy had a severe peanut allergy and so no one was allowed any peanut products - just the smell could set the allergy off apparantely. So we ended up not having any snacks

Guilty party here Goofyish. Our DS6 has a severe peanut allergy and Virgin therefore always make the same announcement for him prior to take off. (at this point he is sinking into his chair whilst our elder DS8 son makes it known to all around him who the air steward is referring to)

If like my DS its not the actual smell of the peanuts but the peanut dust which is expelled upon the packet been opened which can send our DS into anaphlaxtic shock.

The strange thing is, we always fly PE as we once attempted to book UC and was told that this is the one area that they cannot with draw the nuts from on the Bar.

 

[gemmybear83]

Having just come back from Las vegas last week via Virgin, I must confirm most of the above to be true.

Few things i would like to add, virgin now charge £75 for exit row seats,

On our out bound flight i was sitting next to a crew member who was flying out to Vegas for the weekend, and the stories that person came out with, has made me think not to fly Virgin out of gatwick again.
Most of the cabin crew who work out of gatwick hate working the routes due to the planes being in such a poor state.
Quote Virgin Mangers" riff raff planes for riff raff customers"

all in all virgin use to be the best, now after flying with them over 14 yrs Id say they r very poor. which is a great shame.

I am starting to really wish we had stayed with BA (prices were the same) rather than fly Virgin

 

[oceanscape]

I've heard that before, it's sad but true that the cabin crew all hate doing the LGW routes and refer to the passengers as "rif raf". Really professional

IMHO Virgin's LGW and MAN planes are really showing their wear and tear now. Desperately in need of a re-fit. Our friends travelled economy in March and said it was a mess - the seats were torn, 2 of the TV sets didn't work......etc...

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

My opinion the planes have been showing wear/tear for a while that said I'll always fly with them unless I got a better deal with another airline.
I've read so many negative/positive comment's it's really upto your own individual opinion.

That said I am not fussed they are cutting back,I dont eat "plane food" nor the snacks,and I take my own always have! lol

 

[UKDEB]

It still amazes me that we're able to fly a 9,000 mile round trip for as little as we do. The increase in prices is almost entirely due to taxes of one kind or another and the fares themselves have reduced over time. I don't envy the airlines. I'm sure they'd prefer to maintain or improve services, but they know the market wouldn't stand the inevitable price increases.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I must admit we flew once again with Virgin last month , PE both ways and the service was excellent.
Can't ever remember having a cabin crew who were as friendly and hepful, constantly smiling throughout the journey(s).

 

[wideeyes]

They are making the cuts so they don't have to put the prices up, I feel like they are in a win/lose situation, and people will complain if they put the prices up or make cuts.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

They are making the cuts so they don't have to put the prices up, I feel like they are in a win/lose situation, and people will complain if they put the prices up or make cuts.

Excatly,DP just said this also.

 

[oceanscape]

They are making the cuts so they don't have to put the prices up, I feel like they are in a win/lose situation, and people will complain if they put the prices up or make cuts.

BA don't seem to be cutting back or firing up prices......

I appreciate that it's difficult times for the aviation industry (as it is for MOST industries), and it's obviously a case of supply and demand in that VA will charge the highest they can before losing passengers, but they really have neglected the "bucket and spade" routes IMO. I have always been a fan of VA, especially their upstairs PE cabin, but I think we will start considering BA on our trip. The one time we flew economy with VA there were nowhere near enough cabin crew as it was, it will be a nightmare with one fewer.

 

[Dimplenose]

I'm not complaining - as everyone is having to make cutbacks these days. But it is nice to be prewarned as DD will only eat the crackers, bread rolls and pretzels!!! At least I can bring snacks - I assume that will be OK in handluggage and I'll but bottled water once we're through security (I like to be able to drink when I choose to.)

Personally I quite like the VA food.