Virgin Atlantic generally have a great reputation. Find out how we found them on a recent flight to the USA on a B747 (currently the same plane which operates the Orlando flight) and what facilities they have onboard in economy.
Virgin Atlantic economy seats
Virgin now have economy delight and economy classic as options. They are both exactly the same seat pitch and width (as is economy light) but leg room varies. Economy delight seats are emergency exits and non bassinet seats but they may be immediately next to a bassinet.
We sat in a normal classic seat 32A and 32C – the spare seat trick worked so we ended up having a little more space on our 10 hour flight.
The seat has a blanket, pillow and headset on it. There is no longer a little amenity pack with toothbrush, eyeshades etc. The headrest is leather and moves up and down but the ‘wings’ do not move.
The TV screen has a USB port to charge your devices. You can also plug in your iPod and listen to your own music or movies.
Virgin Economy service
The rest of the service was very efficient and regular. The crew were excellent and attentive. Some of the best I’ve encountered recently! Regarding meals we had:
Drinks and pretzels
Hot towels
Main meal ( I chose the vegetarian pasta option below)
Tea/ coffee
Ice cream
About an hour later drinks cart again
Hot pasty (vegetarian option was available. -Pasty wasn’t listed on the menu) with water/juice
Afternoon tea – sandwich, biscuit, crisps, a mint and drinks
Love hearts – a mini packet of sweets before landing.
Virgin Atlantic Kids’ Pack
Virgin Atlantic Kids’ Packs
The kids’ packs are fairly basic and more suited for older kids. There is a puzzle book, colouring pencil, socks and eyeshade in a little pouch. You can request for a flight log book to log all your kids air-miles! We have one from another airline and it is a nice way to keep track of where they have been.
Virgin Atlantic inflight entertainment
Although there is a good choice of TV, games and movies I felt the inflight entertainment (IFE) was frustrating to use. On the B747 I was on, there was no quick search button and no handset.
The touch screen sensitivity was very hit or miss. My best tip to minimise your frustration is to save any possibilities as favourites as you go- to save going backwards and forwards.
The same applies for games. Playing games which involved speed without a handset was almost impossible.
I would have liked to have seen a quick access button to the kids inflight entertainment too. Instead you need to go to each category and then select ‘genre’ and then ‘family’. If you have a younger child, you may prefer to being your own inflight entertainment- purely for ease of use!
Virgin Baby Bassinets
The Virgin Atlantic bassinets usually come with straps meaning you don’t need to remove your baby if there is turbulence. However, currently on the B747 this is not available and you must remove them.
The maximum weight on a B747 is 9kg and 11kg if on another aircraft type. The bassinet sizes do vary slightly depending on the aircraft. Full details on airline bassinets are here. On the Boeing 747 the bassinet positions are 30D (x 1bassinet) 53D and G and 40D and G. The armrest between E/F on the bulkhead/bassinet comes up.
Virgin Atlantic Baby Meal
Although I didn’t get to see the baby meal available on our flight from London to the USA, I had a chat with the crew. Outbound flights from the UK have Ella’s Kitchen organic pouches as baby meals, but from outstations this can’t be guaranteed as it depends on what that country has.
As with all airlines, a baby meal is jars of pureed baby food. Even if your child is weaned or very close to age two, all airlines ( bar Singapore Airlines) have this an option as they dont have their own seat. So it is always best to pack your own food for your weaning or weaned child under two.
Just a point to note, Virgin no longer carries a baby box onboard with emergency baby supplies ie nappies, SMA baby milk etc so don’t forget yours!
Virgin Atlantic Child Meal
Virgin Atlantic also provide a child meal on request. It must be requested at least 24 hours in advance. It is usually a pasta hot dish both ways, with a salad, crackers and cheese plus a Gu dessert from the UK and from the USA some hummus and fruit is added. The snack is usually exactly the same as everyone else – for us a cheese and tomato sandwich outbound to the USA.
Flight Prices
Obviously prices vary throughout the year. For the latest prices and to find low fare offers directly on Virgin see here or compare prices with other airlines below.
