New Virgin Atlantic Paint Job
"It makes the company look a bit 'Low Cost'. Quite an appropriate image for them in my opinion. My last flight with them was hopefully my last Virgin flight ever. Awful service"
Are you refering to your last flight as an F/O with Virgin Atlantic? Since departing you have never been able to resist the opportunity to use these forums to spread a little vitriol Virgin`s way. It`s been a few years now, maybe it`s time to relax and just let it go...
No. I enjoyed my last flight working for them. I'm refering to my last passenger flight. I live in a city served by VS and frequently took flights with them back to the UK when we had to travel full fare. Over the years we have noticed a steady drop in the standard of service. The last flight we took was about a year ago on the way back from London and it was one of the worst long haul flights in my memory. We checked in at LHR at one of the automatic points, got referrred to the desk as there was a problem with our booking (not of our making) where we received a less than friendly reception. On board, the food was inedible and the service indifferent. In between services, the cabin crew were nowhere to be found and getting a drink, even water was self service from the galley. And the new seats are very uncomfortable with less pich than before. We vowed it would be our last flight with VS unless there was no other choice.
I know from speaking with my friends in VS that Flight Deck Crew morale is at rock bottom and this seems to be endemic throughout the company. I met a friend off the VS flight a few months ago. He was travelling on a SUBLO J ticket, but had to travel in Y. He had been in VS as a Captain for over 20 years and also a manager, he said he was shocked to find out how bad things have become. We both agreed that VS was heading towards the low cost standard.
Hence my comment.
It used to be a great service, I was very happy to fly with them as a passenger in the past. But now they are my last choice between LHR and HKG.
As for the 'Vitriol', I won't give it a rest. VS used to be the best airline in the UK to work for. That changed after 9/11 and the way the pilot workforce was treated then was apalling. The memory of that will never fade, and as something similar happened in the latest round of redundancies - the bad feeling is still there. When someone comes on these forums all starry eyed at the thought of working for VS, they need to be remined that it is an airline like any other and will hire and fire as soon as the wind changes.
Are you refering to your last flight as an F/O with Virgin Atlantic? Since departing you have never been able to resist the opportunity to use these forums to spread a little vitriol Virgin`s way. It`s been a few years now, maybe it`s time to relax and just let it go...
No. I enjoyed my last flight working for them. I'm refering to my last passenger flight. I live in a city served by VS and frequently took flights with them back to the UK when we had to travel full fare. Over the years we have noticed a steady drop in the standard of service. The last flight we took was about a year ago on the way back from London and it was one of the worst long haul flights in my memory. We checked in at LHR at one of the automatic points, got referrred to the desk as there was a problem with our booking (not of our making) where we received a less than friendly reception. On board, the food was inedible and the service indifferent. In between services, the cabin crew were nowhere to be found and getting a drink, even water was self service from the galley. And the new seats are very uncomfortable with less pich than before. We vowed it would be our last flight with VS unless there was no other choice.
I know from speaking with my friends in VS that Flight Deck Crew morale is at rock bottom and this seems to be endemic throughout the company. I met a friend off the VS flight a few months ago. He was travelling on a SUBLO J ticket, but had to travel in Y. He had been in VS as a Captain for over 20 years and also a manager, he said he was shocked to find out how bad things have become. We both agreed that VS was heading towards the low cost standard.
Hence my comment.
It used to be a great service, I was very happy to fly with them as a passenger in the past. But now they are my last choice between LHR and HKG.
As for the 'Vitriol', I won't give it a rest. VS used to be the best airline in the UK to work for. That changed after 9/11 and the way the pilot workforce was treated then was apalling. The memory of that will never fade, and as something similar happened in the latest round of redundancies - the bad feeling is still there. When someone comes on these forums all starry eyed at the thought of working for VS, they need to be remined that it is an airline like any other and will hire and fire as soon as the wind changes.
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Having made a spectacular loss for the last year, its not just the aircraft that need a refresh; its their entire operation both on the ground and in their offices. Also, I would have thought that the first priority was a refurb of the LGW 744s which took tired, dated and very tacky. Maybe they are being left like that for when the A330's come and VS can claim a fresh new look...
Re the A380's I doubt if we will ever see these in VS's livery. Someone from Virgin Towers may prove me wrong.
Re the A380's I doubt if we will ever see these in VS's livery. Someone from Virgin Towers may prove me wrong.
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I have unsurfaced more information about the rebrand and the paint:
Virgin Atlantic to give its planes a new look ? USATODAY.com
Virgin Atlantic to give its planes a new look ? USATODAY.com
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The current brand is less than five years old.
Rather than deal with falling service standards they decide to re-order every piece of signage and stationery in a different font? Repaint the ENTIRE fleet even though most are still looking good painted in the 1997 livery?
The compaints from fare paying peeps are about the INTERIORS, not the font on the ticket.
It's not even a new livery, it's a tweak in the model of airfrance. Utter waste of money, marketing can really get too far up it's own backside.
Rather than deal with falling service standards they decide to re-order every piece of signage and stationery in a different font? Repaint the ENTIRE fleet even though most are still looking good painted in the 1997 livery?
The compaints from fare paying peeps are about the INTERIORS, not the font on the ticket.
It's not even a new livery, it's a tweak in the model of airfrance. Utter waste of money, marketing can really get too far up it's own backside.
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I agree with you. VS have been postponing the revamp of the LGW fleet for so many years so it must be a case of if the plane is fit to fly who gives a fig about the pax who pay for the service? Virgin are simply papering over the cracks of a badly run airline. They have to rely on other airlines misfortunes just to make money. OK they have attracted the pax from BA when it comes to keeping them then the game will be up. The only jewel is VS's J class but other airlines are catching up. Air NZ and AC have caight up and EK and SQ are way ahead of them.
As for their W and Y cabins- they are simply appalling. Tired, worn faded interiors with uncomfortable seats and bored cabin crew.
Paint jobs won't fool the travelling public if your service is rubbish. People aren't that stupid...
As for their W and Y cabins- they are simply appalling. Tired, worn faded interiors with uncomfortable seats and bored cabin crew.
Paint jobs won't fool the travelling public if your service is rubbish. People aren't that stupid...
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Marketing Speak - be afraid
Virgin Atlantic in brand identity refresh - Marketing news - Marketing magazine
I love living my brand values. Money well spent. Oh wait, I meant ****ed up a wall. Argh!
Virgin Atlantic Airways - Popup
Replacing the iconic union jack winglets. Important to have the name of the airline there, just in case granny's gotten on the wrong plane again, silly old girl that she is.
I know I'm harping on about this but it concerns me that they've gone for a "stand out" look by "simplyfying the brand" which is incoherent which explains the last few years at VS.
Joe Ferry, head of design for Virgin Atlantic, said: "It is essential that we set a firm, confident foundation for the future of the Virgin Atlantic brand, one which is relevant in the new commercial environment. It’s critical that we portray and live our differentiating brand values."
Virgin Atlantic Airways - Popup
Virgin script on the inner side of the aircraft winglets, visible to passengers onboard the plane
I know I'm harping on about this but it concerns me that they've gone for a "stand out" look by "simplyfying the brand" which is incoherent which explains the last few years at VS.
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Agree with the comment about the new AF livery- at least its different. VS is just throwing money on the colour scheme when they should have other priorities. Like service on the ground and in the air. I would much rather fly in an a/c that has a great interior rather than on what it looks like on the outside. Its where you will be spending your time travelling.
Its a shame but its just another example of an airline and its management that has lost its way and where the management is due for an overhaul. VS have under performed for the last few years now and somehow I can't see it changing.
Lets see how the BA mess has impacted on VS when the pax they have poached realise that they have been duped and return to BA.
Its a shame but its just another example of an airline and its management that has lost its way and where the management is due for an overhaul. VS have under performed for the last few years now and somehow I can't see it changing.
Lets see how the BA mess has impacted on VS when the pax they have poached realise that they have been duped and return to BA.
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We have travelled twice over the last couple of years LGW-LAS with the beardie bunch. Not very impressed with the economy or premium economy offerings. So when I was planning a 25th anniversary trip for us this September I was tempted by the BA service LHR-LAS in club world. However, with all the nonsense going on it seemed to be tempting providence. I thought that Upper Class on VS would be a lot better.
My question is: Are Virgin taking advantage with their pricing while BA suffers this dispute? Pricing it up VS wanted £8369 for the two of us upper class (cheapest option over a 10 day period) return. Digging a bit deeper, BA asked for £6575 club world LCY-JFK and after a couple of days in New York, JFK-LAS with AA in first and the same return trip. A difference of £1894. More than enough for excellent hotels and some lobster/blackjack. I could probably get it cheaper using AC, AA, Delta etc throughout but I like to keep some money in the UK economy.
Seems like a bit of judicious fare pricing going on.
My question is: Are Virgin taking advantage with their pricing while BA suffers this dispute? Pricing it up VS wanted £8369 for the two of us upper class (cheapest option over a 10 day period) return. Digging a bit deeper, BA asked for £6575 club world LCY-JFK and after a couple of days in New York, JFK-LAS with AA in first and the same return trip. A difference of £1894. More than enough for excellent hotels and some lobster/blackjack. I could probably get it cheaper using AC, AA, Delta etc throughout but I like to keep some money in the UK economy.
Seems like a bit of judicious fare pricing going on.
Rhayader
BA have stated that that they will run a 100 % operation, if , and thats a big IF , the striking Minority of Cabin Crew take any further Industrial action , so taking Willie at his word I would go with BA.
, so that opens up direct LHR-LAS flights for you........ Going on your original route you will find that the LCY operation was completely un affected by the last action.....( the A318 is operated by LGW cabin crew )
BA have stated that that they will run a 100 % operation, if , and thats a big IF , the striking Minority of Cabin Crew take any further Industrial action , so taking Willie at his word I would go with BA.
, so that opens up direct LHR-LAS flights for you........ Going on your original route you will find that the LCY operation was completely un affected by the last action.....( the A318 is operated by LGW cabin crew )
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Excuse the thread drift, but what route (s) does Virgin fly the 7474's on from Manchester?
From Apr 2011, one of the MCO flights and the LAS flights will be on A333 rather than the B744
Paxing All Over The World
Well, it's all been said. What the heck are they wasting their money on? A slight adjustment? In the middle of a financial meltdown, NO company should be wasting money on a re-brand that isn't a re-brand. Talk about mid-life crisis. Sheesh!
On their web site they state:
OK - so you already stand out from the crowd? Good reason to change it then? This is just marketing junk. I understand about using less paint and less masking, if you do away with the purple edge band, then it's cheaper to do. BUT it was not necessary to do it in the first place!!
On their web site they state:
We believe we stand out from the crowd, and for this reason we've transformed our livery
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VS were getting lots of flak on a number of sites about the state of their aircraft - both inside and out. Refits are due within the year for the LGW fleet.
A repaint was clearly needed.
The new paint is supposedly considerably less weight than the original and the minimal design reduces this even further. It is also supposed to last much longer before needing further work.
The redesign may well be more to do with prudent cost saving rather than just marketing.
A repaint was clearly needed.
The new paint is supposedly considerably less weight than the original and the minimal design reduces this even further. It is also supposed to last much longer before needing further work.
The redesign may well be more to do with prudent cost saving rather than just marketing.
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A repaint was clearly needed.
Seven of the thirteen B747-400s have already been recently re-painted (one even went on lease soon afterwards) and consequently will be painted yet again....