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Virgin Atlantic Review

We've never flown long haul before so were unsure what to expect.

Outbound Flight - VS75

This left at 10.25am from Manchester Airport. It was delayed by around 10 minutes due to the volume of passengers boarding.

We checked in online the day before using our e-ticket number. We couldn't reserve seats and so were unsure where we would be sitting, if together.

We were able to specify seats for the return journey. We also completed pre-entry visa requirements for the USA online at Virgin Atlantic's website.

We checked in 2.5 hours before the flight but before we had a chance to sit down, the flight was boarding. Perhaps it was because we hadn't been to Manchester before but by the time we were ready to have a coffee, the flight was boarding.

Our seats (economy) were 44J and 44K, which is on the right hand side as you look forward, just behind the wing. Seat 44K is a window seat and 44J is a middle-of-the-row seat. Waiting on each seat was a pack (eye mask, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, pen) contained within a snazzy shoulder bag, pillow and blanket.

The flight was long (although nothing to do with Virgin) and we were bored after about 4 hours. Each chair has it's own built-in TV screen and one of the channels shows a live map of where in the world you are. We breezed over Ireland quicker than you could blink. The Atlantic took and age and so did the east coast of the the USA.

Cabin crew service was pleasant and speedy. Food was plentiful and of good quality for airline food. An hour after take off we were served drinks and a small bag of pretzels. An hour later we were served our main meal. We had a choice of three options but opted for the hot spinach pasta. On top of this we were given a pot of cold pasta salad, a roll (with butter), a bottle of water, a rectangle of cheese, a set of cracker biscuits, and a cup with milk ready for tea or coffee which was brought around soon after.

About an hour before we landed, we were offered a sandwich and cereal bar.

We had to fill in customs forms despite filling them online. Whilst the website does not say this, the website is only a trial and is being run alongside the paper forms.

The only negative aspect of the flight was that when we landed, a zip and padlock had been completely snapped off in-transit. We visited the Virgin Atlantic baggage desk at the Orlando International Airport where a man filed a claim for us, although he was a bit sketchy on how the claims procedure works, telling us to call Virgin when we arrived back home.

Virgin Atlantic

Inbound Flight - VS76

This flight was an overnight flight which meant that we would spend an entire day awake, try to sleep on the plane back (didn't work like that!) and then spend a full day awake once landed.

We checked in early. There were no electronic check-in booths so we had to queue. We were allocated different seats to the one's reserved when checking-in on the outbound flight. We were allocated 40J and 40K - 4 rows in-front of the outbound seats, more or less overlooking the wing.

Waiting on each seat was a pack (eye mask, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, pen) contained within a small pouch, pillow and blanket.

The flight was pleasant and once it got dark, the lights were dimmed and the window blinds closed.

We were more prepared on the return journey and so took our puzzles and music players out of the hand luggage before stowing it in the overhead locker.

The food was similar to the outbound flight. I had beef and mashed potato with gravy whilst the other half had chicken with green beans. These were served with a salad and pot of ranch sauce, a roll (with butter), a bottle of water, a rectangle of cheese, a set of cracker biscuits, and a cup with milk ready for tea or coffee which was brought around soon after.

The morning snack was an egg bagel.

There were no negatives to report on the way back.

Website: Virgin Atlantic

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