Virgin Atlantic

[PAXboy]

I try not to harp on the South Africa route but it is my most regular trip (from when I was 9 years old!) Since BA have obviously sorted the local problems, VS should have been able to do so. I do understand that VS thought they could make more money elsewhere (this long before the Delta days) BUT as the routes have always been cash cows for BA - how not for VS? As mentioned, you only have to list the 744s, T7s and 380s that arrive at JNB + CPT everyday to know that this is a prime route.

Now, of course, there is no hope of building it back as everything has to be decided in Atlanta. Full membership of Sky Team must be on the cards!

[pholling]

Originally Posted by Wycombe

Indeed, apparently due to Union rules. The ramp workers can't come out to play until there has been no lightning detected for 15 mins within 5 miles (I think). We sat watching the bolts came down counting-up the further 15 minute delays :-)

I don't know who handles VS in MCO, but if it is DL, who do handle VS in other US locations, it won't have anything to do with union rules as the ground crews are not unionised in most cities. However, the companies all take lightning quite seriously. Something many Brits don't really appreciate is how serious lightning can be and how quickly it can appear on the edge of a building storm.

[FFMAN]

Originally Posted by PAXboy

Full membership of Sky Team must be on the cards!

Yes please. That can't happen soon enough IMO - I'd be inclined then to make VS my first TATL choice from MAN. I find it pretty galling that when I fly across the pond with VS on a Delta ticket (this project has a US based employer) with my AF/KLM SkyTeam card I do not get a single point for my troubles purely because of the fact that the flight is VS op.
Now that annoyed me on principle in January so I flew the time after that with UA through EWR to bolster my *A points just to spite 'em. Ha!
(Edit: before anyone suggests it, no point in joining the VS flying club - especially now - you never get the critical mass from a single airline unless you fly from a a conventional hub).

[Wycombe]

I don't know who handles VS in MCO, but if it is DL, who do handle VS in other US locations, it won't have anything to do with union rules as the ground crews are not unionised in most cities.

Well I guess the Capt/crew are misinformed as that's what they told us. Handling is by Alliance Ground Int'l I believe.

Even in Mickey's parks there were warnings that lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the core of the storm. For me the daily lightning shows just made the holiday a bit more interesting!

[116d]

Originally Posted by 22/04

Yes indeed. VS decided they really didn't want any seasonal routes ( misguided Brits go to Orlando in summer) - they cost more to promote and operate. The transatlantic and Delta feed are now the most important market. Am surprised by Tel Aviv though expect it will be okay- there is a lot of competition but the premium and Upper options may tempt those prepared to pay a bit more.

BOS, LAS and LAX from MAN are all seasonal. Hopefully that will change in the future for some of these routes, but we shall see.

Also not all passengers who fly to MCO have the Orlando area as their final/only destination or are interested in the parks. For example, to get to the Gulf Coast from MAN the choices are to either fly to MCO and drive (only 2hrs from MCO to the beaches in the Tampa Bay Area), drive to LGW (4-5hrs drive depending on traffic plus stops) for the TPA flights with BA or Norwegian, or to change somewhere (whether it's in KEF or somewhere in the US).

[116d]

Originally Posted by pholling

I have never been able to figure out why there isn't more UK-MCO traffic during the autumn and winter half terms and Easter. A much better time to get your Mickey fix, especially the half-term breaks when all the Americans are in school. Anyhow, VS's UK-US ops are now very much in the hands of the planners in ATL. So any changes there are well thought through by those folks. Now that DL and AF/KL have the vast majority of shares I would imagine similar treatment will be given to other ops, which were only partially controlled by ATL in the past.

As for lightning, that always closes the ramp. Can't place or remove the jet bridge, fuel, or unload/load baggage for the duration. A pain, but everyone is equally affected.

I currently don't have kids and completely agree with you. I've been in September a couple of times shortly after Labour Day and providing you accept the fact that you may be impacted by a hurricane due to the time of year, you are rewarded with 25-30c temperatures and more comfortable levels of humidity, cheaper accommodation rates and much shorter queues at the parks (so much so you can get on some rides more than once within a short space of time whereas a few weeks prior you could be waiting for over an hour or so). Ditto with Mediterranean destinations - quieter, cheaper but the weather generally just as good/more comfortable than a few weeks prior.

Lightning disruption can be a pain, but I fully respect any decision taken due to the risks. They deal with lightning on a far more regular basis than us Brits, so I acknowledge that they wouldn't be hiding inside just because they feel like it and they know what they're doing.

[andrewn]

Originally Posted by 116d

I currently don't have kids and completely agree with you. I've been in September a couple of times shortly after Labour Day and providing you accept the fact that you may be impacted by a hurricane due to the time of year, you are rewarded with 25-30c temperatures and more comfortable levels of humidity, cheaper accommodation rates and much shorter queues at the parks (so much so you can get on some rides more than once within a short space of time whereas a few weeks prior you could be waiting for over an hour or so). Ditto with Mediterranean destinations - quieter, cheaper but the weather generally just as good/more comfortable than a few weeks prior.

Lightning disruption can be a pain, but I fully respect any decision taken due to the risks. They deal with lightning on a far more regular basis than us Brits, so I acknowledge that they wouldn't be hiding inside just because they feel like it and they know what they're doing.

Off to the world of the mouse in exactly a months time, flying VS, MAN-MCO. Never been WDW or flown VS, so a few firsts for us. Appears as though we have avoided the dreaded school fines as well, their not compulsory apparently...

[Wycombe]

......although I've talked quite a bit about the stormy (and hot/humid) MCO we experienced last year (June/July) our previous trip was at this time of year. Mainly sunny, warm enough (70's), no storms or humidity. Very pleasant as I remember and less queues in the parks, although a few (esp. waterparks) were closed. Also managed to do a bit of space (Cape Canaveral) and aviation (The Kermit Weeks/Fantasy of Flight Museum at Polk City). Have fun.

Sorry for going OT!

[andrewn]

Originally Posted by Wycombe

......although I've talked quite a bit about the stormy (and hot/humid) MCO we experienced last year (June/July) our previous trip was at this time of year. Mainly sunny, warm enough (70's), no storms or humidity. Very pleasant as I remember and less queues in the parks, although a few (esp. waterparks) were closed. Also managed to do a bit of space (Cape Canaveral) and aviation (The Kermit Weeks/Fantasy of Flight Museum at Polk City). Have fun.

Sorry for going OT!

thanks Wycombe, I checked and the waterparks re-open just before we go.

Back OT, I paid a little extra for the Virgin Economy Delight offering, thinking the extra legroom would be worth it. It's a 744, not sure if anybody else has tried it?

[Airfrance7]

Originally Posted by andrewn

thanks Wycombe, I checked and the waterparks re-open just before we go.

Back OT, I paid a little extra for the Virgin Economy Delight offering, thinking the extra legroom would be worth it. It's a 744, not sure if anybody else has tried it?

I have had the pleasure of using the Premium Economy experience on Virgin. A good service and worth the extra premium. However, it is a case of pot luck as some of the Virgin 747 equipment is old and dated.

Dont let that put you off.

Enjoy

AF7

[Wycombe]

VS PE is indeed very good - way better than BA WT+. I've used it on 744, 346 and 330.

In my opinion, the best seats in economy (with no extra charges) on the 744 are at the very back on the main deck (last 3 rows I think), the side seats where the fuselage narrows are 2-across with extra space between the outermost seat and the side-wall. Nice if travelling as a couple.

[andrewn]

Originally Posted by Wycombe

VS PE is indeed very good - way better than BA WT+. I've used it on 744, 346 and 330.

In my opinion, the best seats in economy (with no extra charges) on the 744 are at the very back on the main deck (last 3 rows I think), the side seats where the fuselage narrows are 2-across with extra space between the outermost seat and the side-wall. Nice if travelling as a couple.

But I'm not actually sure we are in what you call PE? If you look athe link there's the 3 different Economy flavours (of which we are in Delight), Premium and Upper Class.

[rog747]

Originally Posted by andrewn

But I'm not actually sure we are in what you call PE? If you look athe link there's the 3 different Economy flavours (of which we are in Delight), Premium and Upper Class.

Y Delight is just extra legroom 34'' in main cabin and full Y fare extras - but well worth it on long flights

W is Premium Y
separate smaller cabin and bigger seats, enhanced service and meals

[andrewn]

Thanks Rog - I thought as much

[116d]

Originally Posted by andrewn

thanks Wycombe, I checked and the waterparks re-open just before we go.

Back OT, I paid a little extra for the Virgin Economy Delight offering, thinking the extra legroom would be worth it. It's a 744, not sure if anybody else has tried it?

The Economy seats in the rear half of the bubble on the 747 are sold as Economy Delight seats along with a number of seats in the main cabin. I am 6ft tall and the legroom does make a difference having sat up there coming back from JFK 3 months ago and downstairs on the way out, plus the bubble has a more quiet, intimate atmosphere and there's storage bins at the side in between the windows and the window seat (the overhead bins are there as well, but are slightly smaller than downstairs). As the front half of the bubble is also PE, you will be let off the aircraft before the rest of the Economy cabin which will be just what you need when you land at MCO to avoid the immigration queues.

If you can, make sure your Delight seats are in the bubble. Although if you can wangle an upgrade to PE, you won't be disappointed.

That's right about the water parks. I know that during the winter months Disney closes one of them at a time for annual maintenance (they call it "rehabilitation"), but best to check beforehand which one will be open as they don't close them in the same order every year. I saw why in March 2016 as Blizzard Beach was open whilst Typhoon Lagoon was closed and, maintenance aside, it wasn't that busy - mind you it was a weekday. In the previous couple of years before, Blizzard Beach was closed at that time.

Anyway, back on topic...enjoy the 747 experience!

[116d]

Originally Posted by azz767

In my experience a week just isn’t enough for the land of the mouse. The problem with half term is going for longer than a week at these times means taking your child out of school, which now means our stupid government give you a stupid fine meaning you have to spend stupid money on going in the holidays. I have however seen cases where the fine for taking the child out of school has worked out less than the increase in cost for going in summer so the parents have swallowed the fine

Last off-topic post from me!

It depends if it's your first time or not. If you're going for the first time then I agree a week isn't enough and 2 weeks is needed to do all of them at a reasonable pace and still have time for a chill day by the pool or shopping or go further afield. If you're going in low season, you could get away with doing it in 10 days if you're prepared to do 2 parks in one day. If you know what you want to do and what you don't want to do, then you might get away with 1 week.

It also depends on the individual/group. For example, I find there isn't enough at Epcot or Magic Kingdom to keep me there for the whole day (again, please remember I don't have kids), so I once visited both in the same day. I also find that Epcot only really has enough rides of interest to keep me occupied for half a day and the World Showcase is heavily food & drink orientated, whereas Magic Kingdom is great for the day if you have young kids/families.

[PAXboy]

Virgin Atlantic drops mandatory makeup for female cabin crew
Airline says crew can work without makeup but must follow chosen palette if they do
The Guardian

[goldeneye]

Brazil

Virgin Atlantic are launching flights from Heathrow to São Paulo from 2020.*

https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...merican-route/

[Charlie Roy]

Virgin Atlantic are launching flights from Heathrow to São Paulo from 2020.*

Good choice, and I bet they'll code share with GOL giving very good access to a lot of South America.

[ATIS]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...im-unfair-pay/

good luck to the cabin crew.

I just don't understand why in Europe it's a constant battle with so called "management"