manhattankate

I've flown Virgin many times and although it can be very cramped, it's not that much worse than other transatlantic airline flights. I've found that the cabin crew are pleasant, I like the food and the drinks flow freely. If you fly on a 747 rather than an Airbus, then the entertainment system is better than any other airline - choice of about 50 movies which you can stop, rewind, pause at your leisure. I have been upgraded to Upper Class a couple of times - and wow - that's another experience altogether. They also have never had a fatality, if that sort of thing worries you.

SFImporter

Wow, glad I'm not fat or that comment would have really stung. 5'6" and 145lbs. does not a fat person make.

The television control is just bad industrial design. Sounds like your seats were wider than mine. Perhaps we flew on different aircraft.

Intrepid

Well, the one detail we didn't get told is how BIG is the original poster?

cindiloowho

Can't reply re: Virgin Atlantic, but all the airlines in coach have the same problem--same size seats, larger Americans. But we want cheap tickets and thus, we get what we pay for. If you need comfort, get a business class ticket...we do, and it's well worth it. A long flight on coach sets me back at least three days...that's three days of holiday that I can't enjoy. So either poke up the money or get used to it.

Calamari

While I am so sorry to hear that everyone has had a rough experience on Virgin, I am finally over the fact that I missed out on that take a friend for $1 promotion. I was so upset that I missed out. A few years ago I was able to fly Virgin's "Upper Class" and what a treat that was! Spoiled for LIFE! I had assumed that their econ class would be better then all the others. We eventually booked with British Airways. While the seats were small I was amazed at how nice it was. We were definately cramped but the individual entertainment screens kept the kids happy. The plane was clean, food almost eatable, plenty of water, comfortable headrests. I would fly British again if it weren't for the fact that I will never go back to the UK.

escholtzia

He may as well say don't go to Europe. The flight is no fun but it's worth it to get there. I have flown VA many times and liked it just fine. Our most recent trip in the Spring, we flew BA since we got the fares on sale. It was just fine too, and the attendants smiled more than on VA. I guess you can enjoy the trip or focus on the small stuff...

UKUKUK

Virgin is no worse than many others. Flight experience varies hugely from one flight to the other. It depends on your mood, the mood of the flight attendants you deal with etc. The fact that you were charged US$75 would have annoyed you and so you will have been upset for the duration of the flight and left with bad feelings for Virgin. I got a free flight on Continental. I have to say that the attendats on Continental are among the fattest and ugliest I have ever met and the way they attempted to get US$5 off me for a bottle of wine really annoyed me. I would never fly Continental again as I view them as nothoing more tha a long haul Southwest. But you would probably disagree. Get used to economy or fork out for business in future.

cabicou

I am flying Virgin to London from Boston and then Iberia to Barcelona. Never have flown Virgin but I do have a friend who swears by them even in coach. I've been lucky to have been able to fly first class and business with electronic upgrades and using miles. Sometimes I have had shear luck and have been upgraded.
I was disappointed with my first class experience to Honolulu and back with American in first class. Yes, it was comfortable but the food was meager and the service lacked a first class feel to it. The flight attendant was a flake and treated us as if we were high school or college kids."What can I get you guys?" I am not a snob but I don't like this familiarity especially in first class. Plus there were crying kids amongst the first class passengers. I wont even go there!!!!
Well, I've been loyal to AA but I did get a decent fare to Barcelona with Virgin in coach. I've been spoiled with the comfort of first class but hell, flying in coach will make me appreciate first class all the more the next time. Is it possible to become a jaded first class passenger?

nabstam

As I am reading all of these postings, I am getting very worried. My husband and I will fly VA this Nov from NY to London. I do not want to be cramped up for hours. I am thinking about changing airlines NOW...before it is too late.

fiona

this posting is absolutely incredible! I've heard it all now-someone gets a ticket for $1 and actually complains about it! Economy is cramped whichever airline you take.THen we get other hysterical postings fretting over taking the flights.
For seat pitch look up
www.uk-air.net/seatpitch.html

og719

After three years of reading Fodor's, I'm not sure I have ever encountered a bigger group of ()s than this...