Virgin's flights to Vegas
Discussion
Just wondering if the planes are much cop and whether it's a decent run?
Flown with Virgin before but not to LAS, won't be Upper Class this time sadly as I'm paying for it myself and don't much fancy spending north of 4 grand, but premium economy is nice enough looking from a Google image search, and it's way cheaper than BA this year - plus I'm normally unconscious as soon as they finish take off.
Last couple of years I've gone NCL > LHR > LAS with BA, once in their version of premium economy and once business, both were fine. This year Virgin are coming out a lot cheaper and previous experience with them to other destinations has been positive - just worried they might save the junkers for Vegas or something
Any thoughts as to which is the preferable place to spend a few hours?
Flown with Virgin before but not to LAS, won't be Upper Class this time sadly as I'm paying for it myself and don't much fancy spending north of 4 grand, but premium economy is nice enough looking from a Google image search, and it's way cheaper than BA this year - plus I'm normally unconscious as soon as they finish take off.
Last couple of years I've gone NCL > LHR > LAS with BA, once in their version of premium economy and once business, both were fine. This year Virgin are coming out a lot cheaper and previous experience with them to other destinations has been positive - just worried they might save the junkers for Vegas or something
Any thoughts as to which is the preferable place to spend a few hours?
You can find out which aircraft fly which routes if you have the flight number and check to see how old the aircraft is. The trouble with Virgin is they run some quite old planes and in the past I've found economy to be a bit tatty.
For example, the Gatwick flight VS043 that left today was a 747 almost 15 years old.
Those engines it is running have also been around since 1985, so it would be noisy compared to a modern aircraft.
For example, the Gatwick flight VS043 that left today was a 747 almost 15 years old.
Those engines it is running have also been around since 1985, so it would be noisy compared to a modern aircraft.
I've flown Virgin to LAS (from LGW) at least twice, but for most recent few trips have used BA from LHR. I can't comment on the classes as I'm strictly on an economy budget, but would pick BA as preference for this route, for the following reasons (not all apply to everyone, I know)...
- BA T5 connection is much better than Gatwick (for me at least, as LGW has iffy connections from Glasgow)
- BA planes are newer, as noted above (normally 777 but was on a 747 last trip)
- BA in-flight-entertainment much better with more choice (Virgin IFE was old and screen was a pain to look at, although this might have changed)
- Arrival/departure times are slightly better for BA (especially departure from LAS at about 8pm) so you feel like you are getting an extra half day on either side of the trip, with no early starts
If you route thru LAX you are not missing much as international terminal at LAS is lousy, but getting replaced this year I think
- BA T5 connection is much better than Gatwick (for me at least, as LGW has iffy connections from Glasgow)
- BA planes are newer, as noted above (normally 777 but was on a 747 last trip)
- BA in-flight-entertainment much better with more choice (Virgin IFE was old and screen was a pain to look at, although this might have changed)
- Arrival/departure times are slightly better for BA (especially departure from LAS at about 8pm) so you feel like you are getting an extra half day on either side of the trip, with no early starts
If you route thru LAX you are not missing much as international terminal at LAS is lousy, but getting replaced this year I think
marcosgt said:
You might as well send yourself air freight if you're really unconscious by the time they complete take off!
I've only flown Upper Class twice (to SF once and back from there once), but it would seem a terrible waste to have missed it!
M.
I've only flown Upper Class twice (to SF once and back from there once), but it would seem a terrible waste to have missed it!
M.
Upper class I made the effort to stay awake for the first time, but normally I'm zonked - I usually stay up all night the night before and work, stick a podcast on or something and after 5 minutes I might as well have been given an anaesthetic. Always feel brand new when I get where I'm going though 
Judging of it I'll probably stick with BA this time, business class is almost a grand more than last year though, so I'll probably end up in world traveller plus on the basis that it's another grand to blow at the tables in LV
Must admit I do enjoy T5 as far as airport terminals go and I'd hate to get stuck on an old clunker even if I am going to spend most of the trip inspecting the inside of my eyelids. Was hoping it'd be a great Virgin route, nevermind.
I flew Virgin's service at the start of April and was disappointed. It was uncomfortable and noisy, the in flight entertainment was rubbish and kept on breaking (sadly, not before I had the misfortune to watch Johnny English 2). The food was pretty poor and the complimentary booze ran out after 2 hours.
Next time I'll fly BA.
Next time I'll fly BA.
HarryFlatters said:
I flew Virgin's service at the start of April and was disappointed. It was uncomfortable and noisy, the in flight entertainment was rubbish and kept on breaking (sadly, not before I had the misfortune to watch Johnny English 2). The food was pretty poor and the complimentary booze ran out after 2 hours.
Next time I'll fly BA.
My experience at the end of 2010. They rebooted the AV system countless times & it stayed stuffed!Next time I'll fly BA.
tr7v8 said:
My experience at the end of 2010. They rebooted the AV system countless times & it stayed stuffed!
Mine was worse. I flew about 6 months ago and got a very old plane which didn't have on demand films/music. Even then, my screen didn't work so it didn't actually make that much difference. The new Virgin food approach is pretty poor too - all show and little substance. On the other hand, when I flew BA out there last month it was a fairly decent plane and a definite step up on Virgin.
We flew back from Vegas last December, Premium Economy. Old 747, upstairs. It was quite cramped compared to the Airbus we had on the outward trip (into JFK). I suspect that if we'd chose PE downstairs it would have been a more comfortable flight. I'd still take Virgin over BA anyday though.
yajeed said:
The new Virgin food approach is pretty poor too - all show and little substance.
Didn't think there was that much show either to be honest!It's an odd one with Virgin, flew with them over ten years ago and they had great food, drink and inflight entertainment. Now, at least on some of the planes, it seems like they've taken a big step backward!
I think they are replacing the older planes soon though.
I remember reading somewhere that Virgin are upgrading the cabins on some of the older 747's. I came back from Vegas PE and they are in a bit of a state. Lots of complaints of non-working entertainment systems too. Also, having been on the A380 a couple of times the 747's are unbelievably loud!
mike80 said:
Didn't think there was that much show either to be honest!
It's an odd one with Virgin, flew with them over ten years ago and they had great food, drink and inflight entertainment. Now, at least on some of the planes, it seems like they've taken a big step backward!
I think they are replacing the older planes soon though.
I've been religiously flying Virgin for years, but they've gone downhill of late. It's an odd one with Virgin, flew with them over ten years ago and they had great food, drink and inflight entertainment. Now, at least on some of the planes, it seems like they've taken a big step backward!
I think they are replacing the older planes soon though.
The 'show' I was referring to is the new 3 course idea they're trying to pull off with flashy menus and air hostesses with ice cream trays.
I'd sacrifice changes to avoid BA previously but if it wasn't for Virgin miles, I'd choose BA at the moment.
Blimey, sounds like I've dodged a massive bullet by not going with Virgin, was hoping they'd be ace, but never mind, and thanks everyone for the feedback
I swore I'd never use BA after a bad experience a while back and the more recent strike action saga, but have had to a couple of times recently and found them great - way better than I recalled. Then again I frequently fly with Delta and IMO they're the best of the awful bunch that make up the US operators, so hammering red hot nails into my genitals would probably be considered a treat too.
I swore I'd never use BA after a bad experience a while back and the more recent strike action saga, but have had to a couple of times recently and found them great - way better than I recalled. Then again I frequently fly with Delta and IMO they're the best of the awful bunch that make up the US operators, so hammering red hot nails into my genitals would probably be considered a treat too.
marcosgt said:
Funny you say you like T5 - Most people do, but it leaves me cold.
M.
Compared to most of the terminals I go through it's fine for me - plenty of places to eat, a few shops to poke around, always somewhere to sit down and bash out some work, and I'm not forced to pitch camp on the floor like a hobo to get a power outlet if I dare venture out of the lounge. I wouldn't choose to go there for fun, but it does the job and the time always seems to pass quickly M.
All 7 of the B747s flying out of Gatwick and Manchester are having new seats fitted in Premium Economy and Economy during this summer. The Upper Class cabin is also getting a refresh at the same time, and all cabins will get a new inflight entertainment system.
The Gatwick-Las Vegas flight will have a refurbished aircraft on it from late July.
The Gatwick-Las Vegas flight will have a refurbished aircraft on it from late July.
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