Overall though, Virgin are often viewed as the holy grail.....usually by joe public these days, but they really aren't as innovative as they once were. They aren't a bad airline at all but some do expect more than what they actually get and can be dissapointed. I'm not at all saying that you were one of these people.
They're absolutely not these days. The feedback on the LGW / MAN B744 fleet is utterly appaling as is the punctuality out of Gatwick. Quite why this is I am not sure as they have a morning only operation with the exception of the 1pm LGW-MCO and more than a two hour turn for each of the aircraft. LGW is far from a slick machine which given it's still technically home base has got to be a concern.
They seem way more concerned with changing the pretty colours and the font on the aircraft than overhauling a former world leading brand where it matters. Having said that even the website maintains the old vibrant purple branding from 2000 with the exception of the header on the top LHS.
They can't even buy new A330s and get them into service without a massive balls up in the project management of the new Premium product. This meant having two brand new aircraft dropped into leisure routes at the last minute instead of premium routes out of LHR and the rest desperately leased out at the last minute leaving the leases on the ageing A340-300s to be extended again. As for each of the Virgin airlines talking to each other, forget it!