I recently travelled to the US on Emirates. Emirates unfortunately does not fly to the US, so they connected me through Continental from London to Boston. Continental has a code share with Virgin, which means that while my ticket has a Continental flight number (CO441) I will be flying on Virgin Airlines.
I was pretty excited that I was flying an airline run by the great maverick Richard Branson - I had read his autobiography and so naturally was impressed. Unfortunately, my excitement was totally misplaced.
For one the airhostesses were so rude (Could it have been because I was the only Indian on the plane?). It took me 45 minutes to get my lunch. And ultimately I couldnt even get a glass of water. When I asked for it, I get a neat ’’We are busy clearing up now, you will have to wait’’. The plane landed and I cleared immigration while I was waiting. Even my fellow passengers left a lot be considered. A couple of them were actually reading some kind of hard core pornographic magazine right through the journey. I dont mean to be a prude or even judgemental - I state it only as an indication of the kind of people I was travelling with.
The story doesnt end there.
When I went to baggage claim in Boston, I find that neither of my two suitcases have come with me. I filled in a ’’Mishandled baggage report’’ and went to my brother’s place and twiddled my thumbs waiting for these idiots to tell me whats happening. Several phone calls and faxes went unanswered. I managed to speak to one joker who suggested that I should speak to Richard Branson who he felt wouldnt have been able to do much either. I was in the US for two weeks on important business work and I spent one week trying to get my luggage since I had all my important business papers were in the bags. The manager of the baggage department very sweetly offered to reimburse me upto 75$ for buying any clothes that I might have needed. Underwear in the US costs 30$. See what I mean?
Ultimately, what pissed me off the most was the reaction. Nobody cares. ’We lost your bags. So sorry, we have to go home and have a hot coffee’. That sums up the attitude.
On my way back I found that they dont even carry soda on the plane. I just grinned and bore it. I was happy to get off the damn plane.
Virgin is not a budget airline - it is a cheap airline. Believe me, you wont find me on a Virgin Aircraft ever.