Virgin Complaints
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Funnily enough, I have flown VS internationally since 2000, and exclusively so. The most complaints I've seen are MAN-MCO or LGW-MCO, or from LHR to JFK or LAX.
Every flight I've had with VS has been, on average, good. I flew with BA internationally once (as a 'refugee' after AF had to cancel my flight due to an ATC strike in France) and it was horrible. I felt like I was only barely tolerated.
My most recent flight on VS was sheer bliss, and I'm happy to fly VS again. :-)
In Europe I do prefer BA (probably because VS doesn't do regional).
:-)
S.
Every flight I've had with VS has been, on average, good. I flew with BA internationally once (as a 'refugee' after AF had to cancel my flight due to an ATC strike in France) and it was horrible. I felt like I was only barely tolerated.
My most recent flight on VS was sheer bliss, and I'm happy to fly VS again. :-)
In Europe I do prefer BA (probably because VS doesn't do regional).
:-)
S.
VAFPAX
What is the difference between long haul crew and short haul crews? I thought they worked together regardless of routes. (Some short haul crews can fly long haul routes on the 767) What makes you think you could be barely tolerated by long haul crew? What did they do that was so awful?
I flew with BA internationally once (as a 'refugee' after AF had to cancel my flight due to an ATC strike in France) and it was horrible. I felt like I was only barely tolerated.
In Europe I do prefer BA
Join Date: May 2005
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Flown around 30 sectors with Virgin over the last 3 or 4 years.
Service is rarely bad, though I may be generous, Crews have a young informal attitude which may not appeal to everyone - I like it and find it much more accomodating and fun than many airlines (LH,KL,BA).
There is inconsisitency, from adequate to superb and I've had more of the latter.
VS food is not stunnnig.
Service is rarely bad, though I may be generous, Crews have a young informal attitude which may not appeal to everyone - I like it and find it much more accomodating and fun than many airlines (LH,KL,BA).
There is inconsisitency, from adequate to superb and I've had more of the latter.
VS food is not stunnnig.
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Sorry but I do not see how a flight delay caused by a safety issue can be viewed as incompetence on behalf of the airline. Incompetence would be putting people on aircraft not fit to fly. I also fail to see how this should be interpreted as $$$ payouts for passengers. We are all inconvenienced by life at some stage, but I don't immediately assume it means a compensation payout for me.
Increasingly I find this particular attitude to be pervasive and somewhat ridiculous. Just when did life become all about compensation?
Increasingly I find this particular attitude to be pervasive and somewhat ridiculous. Just when did life become all about compensation?
Join Date: Apr 2008
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What is the difference between long haul crew and short haul crews? I thought they worked together regardless of routes. (Some short haul crews can fly long haul routes on the 767). What makes you think you could be barely tolerated by long haul crew? What did they do that was so awful?
The short-haul service I've had since 2004 has been sterling, hence my selecting BA as the preferred airline for EU flights. Occasionally, other national carriers have better connections, but usually BA wins out on price, schedule, and courtesy on board and check-in. If VS were to start regional services (I never got to try TV before they merged with SN), I'd try them too and perhaps switch.
Sorry if I wasn't clear the first time round.
S.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: I'll go and ask the Captain
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Most of the time I like to think that I have a good flight and offered my passengers that have paid their hard earned cash, an experience that they are satisfied with and hopefully we exceeded in their expectations.
I have also forgotten the amount of times when I am driving home and trying to keep my eyes open, that there was the passenger who asked me for a drink/paracetamol/tissue/newspaper/extra bread roll/shoulder to cry on/directions from the airport etc. etc. And I forgot to go back to them.
I am only human and in the grand scheme of things that I have to do when I am at work dealing with a couple of hundred customers, it is a forgivable oversight, but for that passenger I am hopeless. And that passenger may well decide that my airline is useless and will never go back.
Customer service is fickle, somedays you get it right somedays you don't. At 37,000 ft we don't have a lot of options to redress a problem. I can't get off and get another vegetarian option if you don't like cheese. I will try and be pleasant as I tell you that I can't help and maybe thats where the problem lies. It's HOW we let you down and explain why we can't help. And don't get me started about folk wanting an upgrade!
6
I have also forgotten the amount of times when I am driving home and trying to keep my eyes open, that there was the passenger who asked me for a drink/paracetamol/tissue/newspaper/extra bread roll/shoulder to cry on/directions from the airport etc. etc. And I forgot to go back to them.
I am only human and in the grand scheme of things that I have to do when I am at work dealing with a couple of hundred customers, it is a forgivable oversight, but for that passenger I am hopeless. And that passenger may well decide that my airline is useless and will never go back.
Customer service is fickle, somedays you get it right somedays you don't. At 37,000 ft we don't have a lot of options to redress a problem. I can't get off and get another vegetarian option if you don't like cheese. I will try and be pleasant as I tell you that I can't help and maybe thats where the problem lies. It's HOW we let you down and explain why we can't help. And don't get me started about folk wanting an upgrade!
6
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Sorry but I do not see how a flight delay caused by a safety issue can be viewed as incompetence on behalf of the airline. Incompetence would be putting people on aircraft not fit to fly. I also fail to see how this should be interpreted as $$$ payouts for passengers. We are all inconvenienced by life at some stage, but I don't immediately assume it means a compensation payout for me.
Increasingly I find this particular attitude to be pervasive and somewhat ridiculous. Just when did life become all about compensation?
Increasingly I find this particular attitude to be pervasive and somewhat ridiculous. Just when did life become all about compensation?
The compensation culture (which I admittedly loathe, I cheered the day Claims Direct went bellyup) was mentioned because "engine problems" absolve an airline of paying out for someone missing one night of their holiday.........something like carelessly forgetting to, say, load essential paperwork probably wouldn't?
Join Date: Jul 2007
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I just realized we now live in a "complain as much as you can society".
It's not just the passengers, it's everyone.
Unfortunately this is the sad truth; even Mr. ATS, who is one of the most laid back, happy person i know, complained about a Tesco's Finest piece of meat he bought and after he cooked it (and believe you me, this man can cook) and had a bite of it he discovered that you could actually make shoes out of it... So he took it back, and got his money back.
Which leads me to the point that it's not about the fact one complains, it's about how is one complaining and grounds of ones' complaint.
But to keep it on the VS crew subject, i have never flown with VS but i know VS crew. One of the most delightful men i ever met left my company and went to VS and this guy provides an excellent service, trust me. And i am sure the vast majority of the crew are just like him: hard working, helpful, looking after hundreds of people at a time.
Now i know, and i said it before, there's bad eggs in every basket but who's fault is that? Is it the airline's, the recruiter's?
(note to self : when I grow up and start my own airline i shall change the age restriction to 25 or over but that's another issue on the agenda...)
Ever since flying was made available to all walks of life (yes, i am referring to that "special" category we call CHAVS ), flying hasn't been the same. It's sad but true.
People, in general, are never happy with what they have, it has to be more. When the "more" is not available for various true reasons, people complain. And blame the uniform, the flag, the person representing the company - the crew. And this is when the "bad" reviews from "My wife and I" are written on a "comparison" site.
And then again there is always the suggestion: Don't like it? Don't fly it then. Ah, but that could be the only carrier that goes to that destination or you realize, the price is good.
I've learned a long time ago to just let complaints go over my head. As long as I know i did my best, i am a little happy bunny and i have nothing to feel bad for.
Gosh it took me a while...
Rgds,
ATS
hat, coat, door
It's not just the passengers, it's everyone.
Unfortunately this is the sad truth; even Mr. ATS, who is one of the most laid back, happy person i know, complained about a Tesco's Finest piece of meat he bought and after he cooked it (and believe you me, this man can cook) and had a bite of it he discovered that you could actually make shoes out of it... So he took it back, and got his money back.
Which leads me to the point that it's not about the fact one complains, it's about how is one complaining and grounds of ones' complaint.
But to keep it on the VS crew subject, i have never flown with VS but i know VS crew. One of the most delightful men i ever met left my company and went to VS and this guy provides an excellent service, trust me. And i am sure the vast majority of the crew are just like him: hard working, helpful, looking after hundreds of people at a time.
Now i know, and i said it before, there's bad eggs in every basket but who's fault is that? Is it the airline's, the recruiter's?
(note to self : when I grow up and start my own airline i shall change the age restriction to 25 or over but that's another issue on the agenda...)Ever since flying was made available to all walks of life (yes, i am referring to that "special" category we call CHAVS ), flying hasn't been the same. It's sad but true.
People, in general, are never happy with what they have, it has to be more. When the "more" is not available for various true reasons, people complain. And blame the uniform, the flag, the person representing the company - the crew. And this is when the "bad" reviews from "My wife and I" are written on a "comparison" site.
And then again there is always the suggestion: Don't like it? Don't fly it then. Ah, but that could be the only carrier that goes to that destination or you realize, the price is good.
I've learned a long time ago to just let complaints go over my head. As long as I know i did my best, i am a little happy bunny and i have nothing to feel bad for.
Gosh it took me a while...
Rgds,
ATS
hat, coat, door
Join Date: Oct 2008
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I flew to Orlando with Virgin in June.... it was the worst Commerical Flight I HAVE ever been on...! First of all the Passenger were hauled around like Cattle, appreciate that we are after SLF, but there is a Limit! We flew Premium Class £3000 Each. It came to the Drinks..... I wish we never bothered I had a cup of Coffee that was Cold, not Warm! My Wife had a Coffee which Cold, plus they put Milk in it, after asking NO MILK! INFlight Food was Crap.......... it went on all the way to America... and the Flight back was not any Better! anyway enough ****agram Writing.... I will fly BA now..... never VIRGIN again Poor V. POOR !
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Used Virgin twice. Crew were fine - it was the rest of the operation. First time no IFE o/b & CC split us up on return leg due to screw up on the allocating somewhere and again with 5 hour outage on the IFE. 2nd time Upper Class fine o/b, downgraded i/b. Havent used them since (nice lounge tho)
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"I think you might have missed the point I was alluring to; namely that Virgin were citing "engine problems" when there might have been another, more mundane reason, for flipping a 767 around and flying 3 hours back to LGW and dumping 280 passengers into hotels for the night (when it was probably only another 4 hours to the destination)."
More conjecture too.....VS have never flown 767s!
More conjecture too.....VS have never flown 767s!
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Hi there, I never intended to post when I signed up, but I would like to on this thread.
I am quite nervous when it comes to flying, not to the point of telling anyone, just inwardly bricking it. This is why I enjoy reading the forum as you get an informed reason of things happening like landing gear bangs on take off etc. Thanks for all the sensible advice you guys give.
Anyways, earlier in the year we (me and dearest) flew with Virgin from Gatwick to Vegas on a 747 which having never been close to one before filled me with dread. It was the best flying experience I have ever had from start to finish. We were to the rear of the plane, and the service was top class, really friendly and helpful crew. I can't even say the food was bad, as it seems is most peoples impressions. I left that plane feeling like we had known these people as friends and that made a huge difference to the rest of our holiday.
Keep it up guys, look forward to flying with you again next year!
I am quite nervous when it comes to flying, not to the point of telling anyone, just inwardly bricking it. This is why I enjoy reading the forum as you get an informed reason of things happening like landing gear bangs on take off etc. Thanks for all the sensible advice you guys give.
Anyways, earlier in the year we (me and dearest) flew with Virgin from Gatwick to Vegas on a 747 which having never been close to one before filled me with dread. It was the best flying experience I have ever had from start to finish. We were to the rear of the plane, and the service was top class, really friendly and helpful crew. I can't even say the food was bad, as it seems is most peoples impressions. I left that plane feeling like we had known these people as friends and that made a huge difference to the rest of our holiday.
Keep it up guys, look forward to flying with you again next year!
Join Date: Mar 2008
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I have never posted before, but just wanted to add my comments. I have flown Virgin a few times. The first time my family and I were on stand by out of New York (Newark maybe?) with British Airways. Unfortunately despite having however many flights per day into the UK, they wouldn't put us on any of them, but Virgin did...in Upper class...for free! I was sat next to some Aer Lingus stewardesses (they shared the check in desk at the airport I think) and they kept giving me all the freebies that the Virgin crew were giving them. It was great!
Last time I flew with them was the dreaded LGW-MCO-LGW route on my honeymoon. Outbound was great (champagne and sat in the cockpit for landing - bet you can't do that now) but inbound was awful, we had no overhead locker space due to the woman next to us taking up the whole thing, so we had to put our bags under the seat in front, and then we were the last row before the galley and the CC had stuffed loads of empty boxes or something behind our seats and they wouldn't recline, so we had a long night flight with no leg room and no seat recline! Just to top it off, one of the CC decided to lean over the back of my seat and chat to the woman next to me about the best place in New York to get a manicure!
When I got back I complained and got a free fruit basket, but in hindsight I probably should have said something at the time - I was young and shy then!
Anyway, I'm back on the dreaded LGW-MCO-LGW with Virgin next year with the kids to Disneyworld and I can't wait!
Last time I flew with them was the dreaded LGW-MCO-LGW route on my honeymoon. Outbound was great (champagne and sat in the cockpit for landing - bet you can't do that now) but inbound was awful, we had no overhead locker space due to the woman next to us taking up the whole thing, so we had to put our bags under the seat in front, and then we were the last row before the galley and the CC had stuffed loads of empty boxes or something behind our seats and they wouldn't recline, so we had a long night flight with no leg room and no seat recline! Just to top it off, one of the CC decided to lean over the back of my seat and chat to the woman next to me about the best place in New York to get a manicure!
When I got back I complained and got a free fruit basket, but in hindsight I probably should have said something at the time - I was young and shy then!
Anyway, I'm back on the dreaded LGW-MCO-LGW with Virgin next year with the kids to Disneyworld and I can't wait!
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More conjecture too.....VS have never flown 767s!
Photos: Boeing 767-31A/ER Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
Technically it was operated by Martinair on behalf of Virgin Atlantic and it didn't operate out of LGW either so StaceyF couldn't have been on a Virgin 767.
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Have a look here :-
Photos: Boeing 767-31A/ER Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
Technically it was operated by Martinair on behalf of Virgin Atlantic and it didn't operate out of LGW either so StaceyF couldn't have been on a Virgin 767.
Photos: Boeing 767-31A/ER Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
Technically it was operated by Martinair on behalf of Virgin Atlantic and it didn't operate out of LGW either so StaceyF couldn't have been on a Virgin 767.
It doesn't change what we were told on the ground out there about them flipping it around and using an "engine problems" excuse.
Just out of curiosity, and generically speaking, what paperwork would have had to be missing to prevent a jet from landing anywhere? On a flight to the Dom Rep last year we had seats right next to where the guy appears at the hatch when you've landed and upon opening said hatch a bundle of documentation was handed over immediately?
Passenger manifest?
Join Date: Jan 2001
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what paperwork would have had to be missing to prevent a jet from landing anywhere?
It would be an extremely rare situation for an a/c to turn back just because of paperwork problems, but not rare to turn back because of engine problems.
Just because someone said it was paperwork, doesn't mean it was right. The story could have changed several times due to "chinese whispers" as the info passed down the line to the person you heard or they didn't understand the nature of the real technical reason and so made something up that they thought passengers would understand - happens all too often unfortunately.
