Virgin versus any other Airline.

[dc1964]

I gather from these boards that there is a consensus that Virgin are a superior airline to any other, I have travelled with them along with Travel City direct and also Airtours and I could not fault any of them. Is it a Sanford V Orlando International problem.
I have used Travel City direct a dozen or so times, excellent service every time....Any thoughts?

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I would not say they are a superior airline to any other, Singapore knocks them into a cocked hat, but for us, along with BA, they are a better airline than the charters by a long way.

Both Virgin and BA have flat beds, they have revivals lounges for returning to the UK, a shower, shave and brekkie before travelling home is great.

BA have better food, we think Virgin have a better flat bed than the BA enclosed units, but the Virgin Clubhouse kills BA dead with its facilities.

However, VA are losing the plot with the economy food in upper class and the attitude of the younger staff. We now choose depending on the price between the two. In the past that would not have happened.

 

[dc1964]

can't argue with the business class or first class facilities on BA or VA, but i i was thinking about the average holiday maker that goes to Orlando, usually in economy, why is there a perception that Virgin is superior.

 

[Netty]

I have flown on quite a few different airlines and went on virgin atlantic for the first time last year.
Travel city was compared to freddy laker airways (by a passenger)last time we went with them-the plane was so old! I believe they have now improved.
I don't think Virgin is a superior airline, just the fact that they are direct and go straight into MCO does it for me.

 

[Laurafoster]

I would always pick BA or Virgin over a charter airline as in my opinion they are better equiped to deal with most issues. That being said the only reason i tend to fly Virgin is price. In December we got return flights for £300pp, and in Sept we have return flights for £360pp. At the time i booked my flights i couldnt find a cheaper option.

The other thing that sways it for me is that alot of the charters use smaller planes - and dont have a seatback TV.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

can't argue with the business class or first class facilities on BA or VA, but i i was thinking about the average holiday maker that goes to Orlando, usually in economy, why is there a perception that Virgin is superior.

Not flying economy, I can only go on what has been said on this and other forums, that they are now not the superior economy service they used to be.
In fact, it looks like a few of the Charters have caught up and passed them.
Many of the American airlines give you greater leg room, but charge for drinks now, a few of the charters still do not have seat back TVs like Virgin, but this is changing, other airlines are starting their versions of downtown disney check in and twilight check in, food, is airline food, so nothing changed there!
All in all there is not much it seems that makes Virgin stand out now against the pack

 

[dc1964]

I have flown on quite a few different airlines and went on virgin atlantic for the first time last year.
Travel city was compared to freddy laker airways (by a passenger)last time we went with them-the plane was so old! I believe they have now improved.
I don't think Virgin is a superior airline, just the fact that they are direct and go straight into MCO does it for me.

I am not anti Virgin, i think they are very good, i quite like flying into Sanford, direct with TCD,it is a quick airport to get out of, only one place to pick up your baggage and never had to wait for car hire queues.

Yes the planes are older, no seat back TV, but they get there just as quick as any other airline.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I agree with what Jeanette and Obi say.

We use Virgin because they fly direct from Manchester to MCO.
We generally stay at the Hyatt MCO on our 1st night, mainly for Joshua's benefit.
Virgin have always looked after our special needs for Josh and hence we remain faithful to them.

I do think their customer service levels have dropped over the last couple of years, however in our cirumstances they remain our number 1 choice.

 

[Laurafoster]

Yes the planes are older, no seat back TV, but they get there just as quick as any other airline.

It also depends on who we are travelling with, if its just us then fine! But a 9 hour flight with no seatback TV with 2 kids under the age of 8

 

[dc1964]

It also depends on who we are travelling with, if its just us then fine! But a 9 hour flight with no seatback TV with 2 kids under the age of 8

good point....when they work!

 

[wayneg]

I only fly economy, I certainly dont class them as superior to others for most things (have you read some of my posts since I got back at the weekend?)
But there is no competion for them. Look at my trips for this year. Xmas wanted 11 nights and direct, Easter OK 14 nights could have used a lot of airlines but Virgin MandM £291!!. August 25 nights prefer direct again.
Who else could I use? so even though I put them near bottom for service, food, cleanliness they are still my first choice. Their Direct service from Manchester, Miles and money system and don't have to go for 14 or 21 nights makes them superior for the main reasons.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Initially, I used to choose Virgin due to their price and standard of service. I travel "cattle" class. However, over the years, from my experience, Virgin's standard of service has dropped tremendously. Last year I flew BA because they were cheaper than Virgin. Also, their standard of service was far superior to what Virgin's had become.

Having said that, I am flying with Virgin again this year because, this year, they are cheaper than BA. I'll probably have a report at the end of October describing my latest experiences with Virgin.

Are Virgin superior, well that is a matter of opinion I suppose, and until Singapore Airlines start a service to Orlando.........

 

[Netty]

I am not anti Virgin, i think they are very good, i quite like flying into Sanford, direct with TCD,it is a quick airport to get out of, only one place to pick up your baggage and never had to wait for car hire queues.

Yes the planes are older, no seat back TV, but they get there just as quick as any other airline.

Yes i agree Sanford is quicker to get out of,but also further away, there are swings and roundabouts for both airports, but at the end of the day with me i prefer MCO, thats why i now go with virgin. I have in the past gone indirect with BMI but sitting in washington airport for 7 hours was the last straw!!

 

[scottishsue]

We usually go either BA, Virgin or KLM. There's really not much between them.

BA and KLM do win it for me over Virgin though, as we can fly from Aberdeen.
Admittedly we do have to change either at Gatwick or Amsterdam, but its worth it rather than travel with a charter airline.

And to have the seat back t.v.s is a god send with children, whether young or teenagers.

 

[dc1964]

I only fly economy, I certainly dont class them as superior to others for most things (have you read some of my posts since I got back at the weekend?)
But there is no competion for them. Look at my trips for this year. Xmas wanted 11 nights and direct, Easter OK 14 nights could have used a lot of airlines but Virgin MandM £291!!. August 25 nights prefer direct again.
Who else could I use? so even though I put them near bottom for service, food, cleanliness they are still my first choice. Their Direct service from Manchester, Miles and money system and don't have to go for 14 or 21 nights makes them superior for the main reasons.

That is a good point actually with charters you are stuck with 7 or 14 days normally, they cant deal with odd length holidays.

 

[Soprano]

The key thing with me using Virgin is online check-in, DTD check-in and the ability to add a few extra days. And at the moment, they have late flights back so you can head back to MCO at 6pm on your last day. The entertainment system is ideal, but if other airlines can offer the same, then I would try them. Virgin have been good for us, but when I wanted to change my holiday, I was told by their Indian call centre it would cost me £333.00 one day, then and £670.00 by someone else the next. It was clear to me they had no idea as most of the talking consisted of "ummm….", "ahhh…."

 

[Ruth B]

Have used Virgin due to;
booking 15 nights not 14
Seat back TV and Games
Freed drinks
Kids pack
Pre-bookable seats
flying into MCO

genrally i have found there customer service good once on borad. Have been increasley frustrated with the delays time that we experienced last summer.

I would happliy fly BA or Virgin in MCO but may try someone else as flight prices seem to be so high this summer- we have paid £600ish pp!

 

[Twilight Terror]

Have used Virgin due to;
booking 15 nights not 14
Seat back TV and Games
Freed drinks
Kids pack
Pre-bookable seats
flying into MCO

genrally i have found there customer service good once on borad. Have been increasley frustrated with the delays time that we experienced last summer.

I agree with everything you've said, and it's why we use them, although not to do odd holiday dates. The customer service levels have dropped dramatically in recent years, but then I've found so have the levels with every company in this country, across the board. The Indian call centres are highly frustrating, but again, they are not the only company to do it, in fact there are only a rare few that don't. Their levels may have dropped, but only in line with everyone else in the service industry.

We have always flown Virgin, and unless their prices go incredibly high, and BA go incredibly low, we shall probably remain with Virgin. They work for us, so why fix something that isn't broken?

 

[islandmum]

we dont fly charter but use fly transatlantic at least 3 times a year so have got used to the BA Virgin comparisons...

we now use Virgin over BA for the following reasons:
when we fly PE (about half the time) Virgin PE is HUGELY superior to BA, much better and bigger seats, for our route they use a 747 so its upstairs seating for PE which is SO roomy its amazing, love the entertainment system too.

when we fly business Virgin also knocks spots off BA - the upperclass seats are far superior to Business BA, the area comes with a bar, feels very exclusive and the clubhouse is UNBELIEVEABLE. BA's business class feels like cattle stalls all forwards and backwards everywhere, I dont like it at all. Plus the car service with upper class is awesome and BA dont do anything like that.

Where Virgin fails appallingly for us is the professionalism of the staff. I Like the BA more polished, generally a bit older and surrey accented flight staff! Virgin tend to be Gemma, age 20, from *wherever* having a blast going round the world shopping .... her job being second fiddle. Not being discriminatory just saying the experiences we've had the Virgin staff are on the whole far less quality than BA - but everything else.... better! Less atantion, more of a giggle with their mates comparing make-up techniques from what we've seen

 

[tashasmum]

I am not anti Virgin, i think they are very good, i quite like flying into Sanford, direct with TCD,it is a quick airport to get out of, only one place to pick up your baggage and never had to wait for car hire queues.

Yes the planes are older, no seat back TV, but they get there just as quick as any other airline.

We prefer Virgin due to the fact they land at MCO, the double bag collection is a bit of a pain, but as we are frequent Virgins theres a seperate queue at the Car Hire Desk and you get to the next available operator or you could do what my DB does, he sends DW to pickup bags, he goes straight to car hire desk sorts that out beating any queue