Virgin Atlantic didn't live up to their hype.

“Virgin Atlantic didn't live up to their hype. ”

Written on: 11/11/2011

Just returned from Sydney with Virgin and I must say I was surprised with the poor quality of all aspects of the experience. I have travelled this route many times over the years with other carriers, Singapore airlines Emirates BA and others and as I flew Virgin years ago and was happy with the service I chose them again this year.

The inflight entertainment on the A340-600 was so out of date with other airlines it was a bit of a joke, the controller was housed in the side of the armrest and was difficult to access and almost impossible to switch off as every time you moved it switched the screen back on, great when you're trying to sleep! Food service - most airlines charging in excess of £1000 per ticket give you a menu for the coming flight a pre-dinner drink and decent food,not Virgin, no menu no drink and the quality of the food was very ordinary, and cardboard coffee cups top off this quality offering!!
The snack on this leg was a small bar of chocolate. After a 9hr flight from Hong Kong to Sydney looking forward to breakfast the small, very small bacon roll wrapped in foil wasn't really acceptable. I received an e-mail from Virgin that they had a new initiatve to their economy passengers, a menu. Well they did have one on the return leg to London but unfortunately only one selection was available, never mind. It sounds like a bit of a food obsessed gripe but their's not a lot to do for 24 hrs cramped in a small seat. The attitude of the cabin staff was professional but certainly not up to the standards of most other carriers. Guess it takes more than tight red skirts to provide quality service. Next time Singapore, Emirates and others with more modern aircraft will get my money. For not a lot more money you get a whole lot more quality. Pity really their aren't a lot of British carriers left. So think again when you see the claims on Virgins latest ads