Go All The Way With Virgin......
Written: Sep 17 '00 (Updated Sep 17 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Friendly staff, superb in-flight entertainment
Cons: Limited routes into the US (sadly!)
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| akaMum's Full Review: Virgin Atlantic |
You have to love an airline that blazons "Virgin" across its tail as it flies across the Atlantic! It simply is the ONLY way I'll grab the kids and fly to the UK.....
If you read my essential skin care products review (you haven't? My goodness WHY NOT?!), then you know I spent my courting days (ah...!) flying back and forth from London to San Francisco. To be honest the actual flight itself was not exactly paramount in my mind! I wanted to go to the States as cheaply and as frequently as I could!
I will not share my in-flight horror stories on the other airlines here. I guess I should save that for another Epinions review (have to love that!), Suffice it to say, they include no meals (ten hours without a meal is pretty grim); over-sold flights (I know the policy, but don't you just hate it!); delays and flight attendants, whose only mission is to make you feel fat, frumpy and in the way
So, Virgin Atlantic had this great seat sale and I thought I would give them a try. You see, I used to work for the other British carrier across the Atlantic and I viewed Virgin Atlantic as the young "whipper snapper". I imagined the in-flight service would be something resembling "fix your own" and quite frankly, I hate flying with 'supermodel' looking flight attendants, who look like they would be more concerned with chipping a nail, than actually saving my life in the event of a disaster.
Prejudices aside, I boarded their flight and my worst fears were confirmed. Their flight attendants were beautiful and sweet and YOUNG! There is something reassuring about a rather large, matronly figure taking care of you when you fly... ... OK, ok, it's a female thing! Ten hours on any flight has most of us looking tired, haggard and a mess; and you just don't want to be confronted with these visions of beauty!
The first thing I discovered when I sat down was a large hole in the back of the seat in front of me. Curious to investigate, I realized it was a TV screen. I have flown many times on flights where I have missed the movie because it's way off in the depths of the aircraft, over a sea of heads! One look at Virgin Atlantic's In-flight Entertainment Guide and I was in heaven! Here is what they offer to keep you (and the kids) amused:
Movies:
On most of their flights, there are seven or eight movies to choose from covering all genres. The great thing is that they loop, so I watched about four movies - more than enough to keep me busy for ten hours!
TV/Audio:
Virgin has its own radio station in England. It does not hurt that they have their own music label too! The audio channel features superb music covering all tastes - spanning the generations. The TV channel features comedy shows, such as "Friends"; drama shows and documentaries. There is also a city information feature - an excellent guide to what you need to know when you arrive at your destination.
Nintendo:
My son (and my husband) spent an entire flight to London hooked to the computer games. There are also games such as "hangman" and word puzzles. A general knowledge game has you pitting your wits against other passengers - who WAS that "smarty pants" in seat 29A?
Skymap:
I spent one flight counting down the 5,000 or so miles to San Francisco from London to be with my love...(ahh!!). The skymap shows the routing and position of the plane. I was hooked!
The flight that day was superb. The food was excellent and the crew worked really HARD to make us feel as comfortable as possible.
Problems do arise on flights - invariably passengers get frustrated with delays, incorrect meal selections and irritated with their fellow travelers. I had a guy in front of me, who insisted on having his seat fully reclined throughout the flight, which made it difficult to eat my meal. The sweet flight attendant charmed the man into submission!
Well in case you were wondering? I married that long distance love and now live happily ever after in San Francisco. After that initial flight with Virgin Atlantic, I have never flown any other airline to the UK. Now with two kids in tow, Virgin Atlantic is a lifesaver. Other reviewers have called Virgin Atlantic the "child friendly" airline and I have to agree. All airlines cater to children, but somehow Virgin Atlantic understands that kids are mini-adults and just a little bit trendy these days! The kids backpack is the best in the industry. It is packed full of goodies, including healthy snacks. My son Alex loved his cool sunshades and baseball hat. The kids have their own channel on the TV and, obviously, the Nintendo was the biggest hit with him! In-flight meals for kids are the typical chicken nugget/pizza style of eating (do kids eat anything else?!).
Taking a baby on Virgin Atlantic? No problem. The airline carries baby supplies on board including diapers, though it makes sense to bring your own. They have facilities to warm baby food, to change diapers and they supply skycots (bassinets) for babies under a year. I would recommend you bring your infant carseat on board the flight even though toddlers under the age of three years do not usually get a seat. The check in staff will invariably seat you onboard the flight next to an empty seat (assuming the flight is not oversold!) so that you can place your baby next to you.
From the excellent in-flight meals (even the vegetarian option was delicious!) to the entertainment, Virgin Atlantic has it covered. Parents get their own goodie bag too, which includes eyeshades, lip balm, toothbrush and paste, earplugs and the brightest pair of socks this side of Las Vegas!
This review was based on my travels in economy class only and considering coach can be quite an experience, whichever airline you travel with, then Virgin Atlantic really is a "jewel" in the budget travel crown.
Happy flying!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
akaMum
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Location: Bay Area, CA but now Seattle, WA
Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 72 members
About Me:
Life after Epinions? Yes, and I intend to find one!
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