I was not looking forward to my first long haul flight (the longest being 2 and half hours).
Being a little frightened of flying, and having narrow ear cannals (which causes the pain on take off and landing), as well as having to go without a cigarette for 9 and half hours, you can see why I was not too keen on the idea.
I was assured that the room on these long flights was a lot better than the charter flights, and we were going to sunny Florida so I got used to the idea.
This was the first time I had flown with virgin, and I can say it is my last!
There was no extra room for legs, and the aisles were no wider than a charter! You still had to battle your way to the loos past trolleys in the aisles.
Onboard staff were very rude, and did not want to help. They made me feel like they were doing me a favour when I asked for something. We had also booked a child seat, but when the meals arrived we were informed that we had to book the kids meal. Where’s the sense in that? I booked a kids seat for my kid and I expected a kids meal!
Reluctantly they found him one.
I found myself going to the galley for things and standing there waiting whilst they were busy chatting. Isn’t it their job to come and make sure we are ok, and if we need anything?
On top of everything else, the flight out was delayed for over an hour (acceptable), but on the return journey it was delayed by over 4!! We were not invited to have a free meal, we had to go and ask for it (made us feel like beggars).
If I had got this holiday from the Internet or from the teletext at a reduced price, I would have no cause to complain, but our holiday was booked via a travel agent and we paid nearly £2, 000 for the 3 of us!!
They did supply my son with a back pack which contained colouring pencils, books, comics, sweets and other goodies, which was very good, and they gave us all a decent little package containing toothbrush, paste, socks, eyeblind, mints, notebook, pen and ear plugs, inside a bag which is handy for the kids PE stuff!
Food was something to be desired, and was eaten just because we were hungry! I fancied a coke to drink as they advise not to drink too much alcohol whilst flying, but the only coke they had was virgin cola, understandable, but what if we do not like the taste of it, like I don’t?
I have been advised to fly American Airlines for my next trip to the US.