ron

I found that the cheapest fares are definitely on Virgin Express, bar none. Less than half price of even the other cheapies like go-fly.com. They are so suspciously low, it kind of makes me wonder if I'll get to where I'm supposed to go? <BR>Any comments on flights, planes, reliabilty,service, financial soundness?<BR>Thanks,<BR>Ron<BR>

Keith Legg

I've never flown with them, but they are a low-cost airline like easyjet and Ryanair as mentioned elsewhere on this board. They use Brussels as their only hub, so you will have to pass through there at some point.<BR><BR>AS for financial soundness, they are something like 60% owned by Sir Richard Branson and are part of the Virgin group which incorporates Virgin Atlantic, so although they're small you should be OK.

jr

I flew them to brussells on business. They were on time and the service was fine as well as cheap fare. Would fly them again, espaecially as they fly from Heathrow.

ron

Thanks for the replies. Just to mention too, I also found Ryan air, but because of their measley 15kg weight limit, the excess baggage I have will cost not only more than the flight, but more than the cost of the stuff packed in my suitcase!! I am not sure of Virgin Expresses weight limit, but I am hoping it is a little more generous than Ryan's. Any info on this aspect?<BR>Ron

jim

I flew the from Orlando to London last year and they provided a satisfactory service. The seat rows are quite close together - I suspect they get more seats per plane than most airlines. Also, they don't really have reserved seats. They give you a "requested" seat, but then it's pretty much first-come first-served when you arrive at the airport. On both our flights we did not get the seats that we thought were assigned to us because others checked in before we did and got the seats we thought were ours. They said they wanted to get families seated together so that's why they did it that way - this is more of a problem out of Orlando since many people from England are visting the Disney family.<BR> But, everything considered I'd use them again if the price were much lower.<BR><BR> Jim

Mel

I don't know if Virgin Express if different from the Full size planes but... I fly to Gatwick last year via Continental- the return flight was on Virgin Atlantic. Flying VIRGIN was like being in 1st class! I was amazed at the Service and Perks! Food & Drinks were plenty...they even served Ice Cream! I don't know if this is the norm- but I would always opt for Virgin Flights in the Future- even if they were a bit more!<BR><BR>As for Ryan Air, I fly that from London to Dublin...I was VERY unimpressed with their Service and the plane was a bit neglected- Lap Trays were broken, etc... It made you wonder if everything else was up to par.<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip!

Don

Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Express, while both a part of Branson's travel and entertainment empire, are separate airlines targeting different routes. Virgin Atlantic serve long-haul routes and are hubbed at London. Virgin Express is the rebirth of a Belgian startup airline that sold to Branson in '97(?), with hub retained at Brussels. Virgin Express targets low-fare short-haul routes within Europe. Online www.virgin-atlantic.com and www.virgin-express.com

Carolyn

I flew Virgin Express from Brussels to Barcelona 2 weeks ago. I was fortunate enough to be upgraded to first class after already being seated in my coach seat. The coach seats were unbelievably scrunched together, far worse than any I’ve encountered before. The seats in both first and coach were dirty and worn. On the other hand, the crew was super friendly and good humored (at least in the front cabin) and the flight went smoothly.

ttt

apropos to a question asked today...<BR>