Virgin Atlantic - worth doing anything?

[Pinklepurr361]

We had the most amazing holiday to WDW and returned last week. We paid over £900 extra to upgrade to PE on the return flight (2 adults/2 children).

The only good thing about it was the extra legroom. Service was poor, food awful and entertainment didn't work properly.

To top it off, an inconsiderate male passenger decided to stand leaning over the stairwell with his back to my row (80 K/H) and have a loud conversation with the crew for hours. I might add that this was when all the cabin lights were off and people were trying to sleep. I was seated by the window with my son sleeping beside me on the aisle seat so I could not get his attention (short of yelling at him - I was tempted). Why do people do that? People complain about kids on flights. There was at least 10 kids in the bubble and not one of them was noisy or running up and down. I know this was not VA's fault, but the crew were engaging him in conversation and did nothing to encourage him to return to his seat.

As a result of these combined factors I don't feel that we got value for money.

I am considering writing to VA. Has anyone else complained in the past? What was the end result?

Next time we will either save hard for UC or try BA (who were excellent on my last experience with them)

PP

 

[orangetiggs]

i would complain! we complained about something a few years back and we got vouchers but it was va's fault where as your problems were for passengers but its the price of a stamp so i say go for it

 

[Chilly]

You should definately write to them.

 

[luke]

Yep, definitely worth complaining.

When we flew with VA (thru VH) last year, the headphones didn't always work properly on the way, and the seatback tv didn't work properly on the return flight.

My fiancee sent them an email to complain about it - mentioning that we would be considering using them next year (for our wedding as it turns out) and they sent us £100 worth of vouchers!!

So definitely worth at least an email - and i'd mention that you're planning to use them soon, even if you're not

 

[matty624]

We had the most amazing holiday to WDW and returned last week. We paid over £900 extra to upgrade to PE on the return flight (2 adults/2 children).

The only good thing about it was the extra legroom. Service was poor, food awful and entertainment didn't work properly.

To top it off, an inconsiderate male passenger decided to stand leaning over the stairwell with his back to my row (80 K/H) and have a loud conversation with the crew for hours. I might add that this was when all the cabin lights were off and people were trying to sleep. I was seated by the window with my son sleeping beside me on the aisle seat so I could not get his attention (short of yelling at him - I was tempted). Why do people do that? People complain about kids on flights. There was at least 10 kids in the bubble and not one of them was noisy or running up and down. I know this was not VA's fault, but the crew were engaging him in conversation and did nothing to encourage him to return to his seat.

As a result of these combined factors I don't feel that we got value for money.

I am considering writing to VA. Has anyone else complained in the past? What was the end result?

Next time we will either save hard for UC or try BA (who were excellent on my last experience with them)

PP

Yep, I'd fire off an e-mail or letter.
That said, inconsiderate passengers can be found on most transatlantic flights, BA included. The best flights we've had were with Globespan. But that may have been due to my tolerance to things being at an all time high, due to the low cost of the flights!!!
Having flown with Virgin a few times (this summer included!), we've had problems with inflight entertainment almost every time. One year, none of our head phone sockets worked (how can 4 seats, together not work I ask you!!!), so the cabin crew offered us portable DVD players, great with a 3 and 4 year old!!!! In the end, I remember watching cartoons (with DD) until I lost the will to live totally!!!!!
Matt

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

the last time I complained by email, they sent me one back saying that this was the wrong email addres to email complaints too !

 

[wayneg]

People complain about kids on flights. There was at least 10 kids in the bubble and not one of them was noisy or running up and down.

I am considering writing to VA. Has anyone else complained in the past? What was the end result?

PP

We returned this morning economy both ways, coming back no problems at all, slept for 7 hours but going a lady behind me never stopped talking, I kept falling asleep but then everytime I woke she was still talking, she must have been talking for about 6 hours, had a horrible loud voice. At one point she shut up and started sneezing, at least 20 times, after about 20 times she said I think I need to blow my nose. she blew it and stopped, then back to talking. With it being Easter the plane was full of children, no problems with any, I always find adults worse than kids.

My Brother usually flies Virgin UC but flew with BA last year, in First class(I think thats what they call it) he was not impressed, seats all close together and uncomfortable. He complained to BA and got 50,000 airmiles added to his account, always worth an email if you are not happy.

 

[SammieG]

we really were not impressed with VA for the journey out here.. to the extent that I am already DREADING the trip home

Rude inconsiderate staff... bad entertainment system (yes headphones didnt work properly.. even using my own headphones)... advertised films not on. Films on wrong channels.. and the most uncomfortable plane seat i have ever sat in!

im going back to BA for sure next time

 

[crabbie1]

I would definatly complain but I would send a letter recorded and an email to make sure.We had a few issues with our flights when we got married and I must admit it took about 2 months to sort out .As we booked through VH at the time they bounced it back to VA. VH did send the chocolates and champagne that we should hve had and VA sent a letter and £400 of vouchers which we could use off our next VA flight or VH.

To pay all that extra money to listen to some bloke rambling on with his back towards you is disgusting.Let us know how you get on.



back wayne How was the cruise

 

[matty624]

we really were not impressed with VA for the journey out here.. to the extent that I am already DREADING the trip home

Rude inconsiderate staff... bad entertainment system (yes headphones didnt work properly.. even using my own headphones)... advertised films not on. Films on wrong channels.. and the most uncomfortable plane seat i have ever sat in!

im going back to BA for sure next time

If you're there now, WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON HERE?????? I dunno, you go through the torture of a transatlantic flight, only to check out the disboards!!!!
In all our trips, we've never had internet access, but our short list of properties all have pcs (or at least wireless for my PDA), so I may do just the same this year!!!!
Matt

 

[SammieG]

If you're there now, WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON HERE?????? I dunno, you go through the torture of a transatlantic flight, only to check out the disboards!!!!
In all our trips, we've never had internet access, but our short list of properties all have pcs (or at least wireless for my PDA), so I may do just the same this year!!!!
Matt

sadly the weather is TERRIBLE! We checked in at beach club villas this morning. My son got into Stormalong bay and within 3 minutes was asked to get out and the pool has been closed since. We have had 4 inches of rain this afternoon according to the news! and its still raining!

To top it off i appear to have bronchitis! grrrrr, so i dare not go out in the rain....

So near to epcot and yet so far!

 

[natalielongstaff]

I would complain .......I don't think you will get a result thogh, virgins customer care seems to be sadly lacking these days !

 

[aaronandterri]

looks like its gonna pick up towards the end of the week weather wise so hopefully youll still have a nice few days.x

 

[gavvy]

VA customer service is Dire - be prepared to write at least 3 letters before your concers are answered. They are really bad at given boilerplate answers that dont address anything in your letter.

 

[matty624]

sadly the weather is TERRIBLE! We checked in at beach club villas this morning. My son got into Stormalong bay and within 3 minutes was asked to get out and the pool has been closed since. We have had 4 inches of rain this afternoon according to the news! and its still raining!

To top it off i appear to have bronchitis! grrrrr, so i dare not go out in the rain....

So near to epcot and yet so far!

That's terrible!!! The only time i've ever been properly ill (rather than man flu as my dw would call it) was back a few years ago just before hurricane Charlie hit. My throat was so bad when we were checking into Portofino, the receptionist had to get a translation from dw! Turned out (after our first and only visit to a US doctor, very thorough btw) that I too had bronchitis and a severe throat infectiont to boot! It cleared up after a bucket load of meds from the dr! (I'll use the amercian term for medicine, rather than 'drugs' as i was going to say!)
Oh, and we finally chose a villa for this summer, and it's NOT got internet access!!!! Oh well....
Hope you're feeling better.
Matt