Virgin Atlantic’s “Golden Girl” Airbus A330 – Photo: Alastair Long
I recently flew Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick (LGW) to St. Lucia (UVF). It was a first-time experience for me, both flying the airline and riding on an Airbus A330-300. The flight was part of a Virgin Holidays package that my wife and I bought at the last minute, although flights to the island from London at this time of the year are also available with British Airways. I’d read mixed reviews about the Virgin Atlantic product, but my wife is a big fan – so I kept an open mind and we opted for the red livery.
I was excited to experience Airbus’ smallish wide-body over the distance, even though I understand Virgin operates the route with a 747 from time-to-time. The closest Boeing equivalent I’d flown on was a British Airways 767 from Moscow a few years ago, and I’d also enjoyed Etihad’s A340 from Abu Dhabi a few months ago ’“ both en-route to London Heathrow – so I relished the prospect of adding a new aircraft type to my repertoire.
Now, I’m a European LCC short-haul aficionado for both personal and (formerly) professional reasons (I used to be the Airports and Ground Ops lawyer for a UK airline). Minimalist seat width, pitch, a single aisle, and scratching around for euros or pound coins to pay for coffee and a muffin are my norms, so frankly any change from that is a win in my book. Actually, that’s rubbish. I love luxury, pampering, and upgrades as much as the next person. I was just full of AvGeek zeal and excitement on the day. Even the delay at LGW security whilst my Kindle Fire was tested for explosive substances was good-natured and efficient.
Down the aisle in Economy – Photo: Alastair Long
We flew economy as the upgrade options were limited. Besides, we were off to the Caribbean for a week’s holiday so I figured any discomfort from the sub-10-hour-flight could be set off against lying on the beach with a cocktail in due course.
My legroom in seat 61F – Photo: Alastair Long
The seat itself was slightly hard, but not uncomfortably so. I could live with it easily enough over the distance. The winged headrest that could be shaped into position and adjusted to your choice was nicely functional, but I didn’t need to use it in the end. And the leg space was also an unexpected boon.
Our seats, 61D and 61F, were the first in a set of three in the middle, as opposed to four, as the fuselage narrows towards the rear of the aircraft. I initially kicked myself for not checking in as early as possible (the customary 24-hours before departure) in order to select a berth of two with a window, but assumed that staring out at large stretches of the Atlantic would be nothing special. 61G was empty so we had even more space. However, the wider aisle space between 61D and 61C became a bit of a nuisance, with people perching there to chat to others within their traveling party. We eventually shifted ourselves across one seat to 61G, where the aisle space between it and 61H wasn’t wider, after more than one accidental elbow and/or behind in the face.
IFE touch screen was functional – Photo: Alastair Long
I enjoyed some IFE for most of the trip, especially the brilliant safety demonstration video, delivered as a cartoon using several different themes ranging from westerns to superheroes, police chases and, of course, a 007 moment. You can tell that these guys like to have fun and live in a world of bright colors and funky music.
The IFE system is not as smart as the one I’d experienced a few months ago on an Etihad A380 to Abu Dhabi, complete with noise-cancelling headphones, but the range of films was decent. There was a broad range of Bollywood choices, which I put down to VA’s popularity on Indian Ocean routes. Adjusting the volume on screen was the only real annoyance ’“ it was too fiddly.
Beef burgundy, red wine etc. Quite a red theme. – Photo: Alastair Long
Having enjoyed some tonic water with lemon and ice (too early for a Bombay Sapphire, at least for me anyway) an hour into the flight, it wasn’t that long before I was tucking into the main meal. I chose a very pleasant beef burgundy, over Spanish-style chicken and veggie bolognese, and a hearty bottle of Spanish red wine to accompany it ’“ I have my doubts about people’s ability to maintain a discerning palate for claret at FL39, but it was good enough for me to enjoy whilst wondering whether Bradley Cooper would take the shot in American Sniper, playing on my IFE.
Heaven in a tiny pot: GU – Photo: Alastair Long
Despite the longer flight time than scheduled, the headwinds didn’t generate more than light turbulence. Typically, it always seemed to arrive when we were delicately balancing different miniature foodstuffs and cups of liquid on the tray table. Fortunately, turbulence didn’t interfere with the delicious GU Chocolate & Orange Ganache. Something that is essentially a cake filler or icing can, in its own right, corner the market in airline desserts for chocolate-lovers. Virgin is inherently brand-conscious, so a dessert from GU is a pleasant addition to the meal.
The Fab icecream was fab – Photo: Alastair Long
A couple of hours later, cabin crew passed by with another mini treat. It was a mini Fab ice lolly from Nestle. I did a quick bit of research and found out that the Fab was originally launched by British firm J Lyons & Co Ltd. in 1967. I wonder if they could ever have imagined it being served on the ’œGolden Girl’ en-route to the Caribbean. There’s something quaintly British about it all and, although not a big ice lolly fan, I enjoyed it and the affected sense of occasion, immensely.
Not long after we’d all been ’œfabbed’, I took a discreet cabin picture for the sake of posterity. I’d not flown on an A330 before and had expected to feel cramped at the back. A few rows behind us were empty though, so that must have added to my sense of peace, calm, and feeling distinctly un-cattle-like.
Obvious pun, nice crisps – Photo: Alastair Long
An hour-and-a-half before landing came what the menu said was that great British tradition of “Afternoon Tea.” A chili chicken wrap and crisps probably stretches that concept somewhat, but I willingly participated anyway. I chuckled to myself at the ’˜plane’ flavored crisps; it’s a nice touch and even at the end of a nine-hour trek across the Atlantic, it’s oddly heart-warming.
The best glimpse I had of our outside view – Photo: Alastair Long
We passed over the green, mountainous Lucian terrain and touched down gently at UVF at about 1pm local time. Well, I caught a few glimpses of it anyway. I didn’t get any photos on the descent into UVF because of both my central seat and the on-board reminder that all photography of the airport, ramp, and surrounding infrastructure was forbidden. I’m not sure how strict the handling staff would have been if I’d snapped a few cheeky ones once on stand, but we were on a week’s break, and the prospect of beginning it with a dressing down from some Lucian official didn’t appeal, so I bottled it and put the camera away.
Anyway, to sum up, I like Virgin Atlantic. At least I do for long-haul on what is mainly a holiday sector. They’re a nice airline and clearly have fun doing these routes. I can’t help but have Divine Comedy’s ’œNational Express’ playing in my head as I write this. The service is perhaps less refined or slick than BA and the other legacy carriers of this world, but the experience nevertheless gets the “thumbs up” from me.
This story was written by Alastair Long for AirlineReporter. Alastair is a Brit AvGeek and an aviation services lawyer, with a passion for all things aircraft, airport, and flight.
Alastair, great read! Thanks for contributing.
JL Johnson | AirlineReporter
My pleasure! It was good fun reporting on it.
Thank you for sharing. Enjoyed your summary.
At the start of May 2016… Me, my wife and 16mnth baby travelled to Las Vegas for 5day.
It was our 5yr anniversary and also one of the countries off my wifes bucket list as she suffers from Cystic Fibrosis which is a chronic lung disease resulting in shorter life expectency
We travelled with Virgin Atlantic. They had issues at Gatwick which resulted in us queueing for 2hrs and running to the gates so that we do not miss our flight. However the person who checked us in assured us that there would be no issues.
When we arrived at Vegas and waited an hour only to find out our luggage had been lost! The luggage had my wifes medication along with her nebulisor, niether of which can be purchased over the counter as this is prescribed from her hospital where she is a permanant CF outpatient. Further to this all 3 of our clothes.
We then filled in details at the baggage counter and made our way to the hotel.
When we got to the hotel we countacted Virgin to find out details of our baggage and assured that our luggage will be with us the following day and someone will be in contact.
Did anyone contact? No!
I contacted them everyday to get the same generic response from their baggage team and also be told that some will be in contact. Why say that if you dont plan to contact the customer?!
We received our baggage the day before we left!
During this time my wife was neglected of her medication which she has to use twice a day. Not only was she poorly through lack of medication but also all her clothing, jewellery etc which I’m sure every women can understand. There are days where her illness can take over her mind and take her into depression which is usually cured through comfort of friends and family when we are in the UK. However we were in Vegas for our 5yr anniversary but no medication and clothing essentials for us or our baby to enjoy our holiday you can imagine what that did to her.
We stayed in our hotel room for almost the entire holiday and only went out the day we got our luggage. I had to go out to get food and it was a struggle to get her to eat.
Virgin ruined our anniversary, our holiday and most importantly affected my wife’s health.
Whilst in the hotel room I took to emailing Richard Branson, as a result when we got to the airport to return to the UK Virgin upgraded us to premium economy and use of lounge.
When we got back I emailed Richard Branson and Craig Kreeger regarding the entire issue.
They had a member of their customer service team from baggage department contact me to reimburse me for the essentials purchased.
I obviously responded with indication that this does not rectify the holiday in which has been ruined and cost 2.5k
I now sent an email to Richard Branson and all senior associates of his team. Mark Anderson got back to me and let me know that someone from the executive office will be in contact.
Baggage Customer service contacted me again and this time offered me a £500 gift voucher to compensate me?
I again responded to Richard Branson and associates stating that I was not happy with the outcome and that I had spent 2.5k on this holiday along with outlining all issues this has caused.
I then received another email from the Exec customer service manager stating that they are being more than generous with regards to the £500 gift voucher? Quoting airline policies etc and advising me to contact UK Civil Authority.
I’m not after a £500 gift voucher, I simply wanted to return to the same country and enjoy the holiday which they had ruined in the first place.
So alarmed that I sent Richard Branson and several of his associates (with proof) of me and my families issue. They either haven’t read all my emails or ignored the facts of;
1) My Family Holiday (me, with and 16mnth baby) and our 5yr anniversary
2) My wife suffers from Cystic Fibrosis
3) Our Luggage lost containing wife medication and all 3 of our clothes
4) As a result wife felt poorly (health wise) and went into depression
5) Stayed in room for most of stay.
6) Holiday cost 2.5k and is it our fault it was ruined?
My wifes illness means she has a shortened life span and everything we do and countries we visit are for her to have good memories of us however this holiday was the only one that has ever been ruined and we have flown with several different airlines.
No one from the top of the Virgin chain even bothered to sympathise here and intervene considering they have been sent emails and customer service team clearly haven’t been able to help.
This outcome and handling has led me to believe Virgin do not care about people, only money! Definitely didn’t care about my wife’s Cystic Fibrosis despite given proof. Money obviously falls out of the sky for them as some of us have to work hard to treat our wifes with life threatening illnesses.
Do not Fly Virgin, they do not care!