Has anyone flown long haul with virgin????

[fifiandtheflowertots]

I am going to New York next weekend with dp,mil and ds who is 9 month and was just wondering what the flights with Virgin are like?
Do they have facilities on board for babies, and whats the skycots like etc???

flew with them a few years ago, so not with kids, but they were the worst i have ever flown with long haul. they ran out of drinks and meal choices so advise taking plenty of your own! cabin crew were also too busy chatting each other up to help any passengers. hope your experience is better and they have improved.

we flew to orlando with virgin two years ago. Ds2 was 2yrs old at the time so didn't need the skycot. We found the service to be absolutely fine although I wouldn't say the air hostesses were particularly child friendly. We are flying with them again in two weeks so they can't be that bad!

I've flown with them lots and they're absolutely fine. They do have skycots which are the same as everyone else's (ie a padded box with a blanket in and annoying straps), not sure what other facilities a baby requires... there are changing tables in the toilets.

Depends, but not sure on what. Have had excellent service and really really awful, rude, abusive service which resulted in me complaining in writing.

Flew long haul to Vegas then back from Florida with them when dd1 was 18mths, they were great both ways didn't use the cots tho, ensure you book one online before you depart and book any special meal requirements you need as well. Just remember you can't take jars of fruit into the states if your heading that way, with out upsetting immigration.

In fact would advise you take a powdered porridge or powdered meal with you, so that you at least have some baby food for arrival, as little ones always need feeding at odd times.

It seems that the standards of service has gone down over the years whereas ten years ago they were seen generally to be innovative.

Virgin aircrew in my experience of them can be either really good or really indifferent to pax. It very much depends on the attitude of the chief steward, the others usually take this person's lead. Their aircrew's average age are younger than other airlines.

Their nappy changing facility is in the toilet; you pull down the nappy changing facility from the wall. There are no nappy changing things in there, you will need to bring your own wipes, nappies etc.

I would suggest you change the nappy before boarding the aircraft if at all possible.

Would take your own food for your children and would not rely on them to fully provide for them. Infact the food service on there can take a long time both for it to arrive and be taken away. BTW if you want an extra drink you will have to visit the galley for this, they only come around with one drink.

With regards to the visa waiver forms you will all need to complete (one parent will sign the form for your child) do these well ahead of time. Read and complete them carefully, both sides need to be filled in.
These will be given to you at check in.

We flew Virgin to South Africa last August (2006) they were fabulous on both outward, and inward flights, decent (for airline) food, good provisioins fort he children and decent entertainment - definitely fly them again.

flown virgin a couple of times longhaul.

once with DS1 who was four months old and second time with both him and DS2 (DS2 was 7 weeks old).

They were great. Preferential check-in for those with young kids (ask if they don't offer). Early boarding too.

Yes they do skycots - but as somebody else said, they really are just boxes with a little bit of padding. I used DS2's sheepskin to make it more comfy. Not sure how well a 9 month old would fit into one.

The other thing they were really kind about was to block the seats on the end of my row when I travelled alone with DS1 - meant I had the whole row to myself.

Have fun :-)

Thanks everyone.
We've automatically been allocated a sky cot but tbh i dont think ds will go in it but its useful to have.
i will take food for ds for the flight as i dont think he'd be able to eat a child meal, and will rememeber to take a couple of jars/sachets for when we first arrive.
Just the temperature to worry about now, next week its -8 in new york!!

DSs both enjoyed sitting up in the skycots flirting with all the people seated behind us

I would definitely take food for your ds just in case - we flew with United when dd was 21 months old - they had no children's meal left for her and presented me with a couple of jars of babyfood!

My kids are older so can't comment on the baby issues.

We've flown Virgin long haul on at least half a dozen occasions and they've always been great. No problems with meals, service, staff or drinks.

Like it so much that would always choose Virgin over any other airway if possible.

airline of course

My LO at 8mths was too big for the skycot
Crew were okay first time and second time when he was a toddler and I was obv pg they were very helpful

Thanks again for the replies.
ive just been told that when you land in the usa they take any baby milk or food off you, is this true?
I was planning on taking enough food for the flight plus a extra bottle and jar for when we get there

Sorry, I read the title as has anyone flown longhaul with a virgin. For a split second, my mind boggled.

I can't remember if we took any milk or food through customs but we probably did.. don't recall any issues

Used to take sealed baby milk in tins and foodstuffs in jars in my suitcase. It was never confiscated.

I k now its ok if its in sealed containers which i'll have in my case but i will have ready made up bottles for when we arrive, i'll just chance it and see what happens