Flying with Virgin - any advice welcome please

[notquitesobigfatmummy]

Hi

We're off on our hols soon and flying to Florida with Virgin.

We're taking our 2 DC - one aged 4.5 and one aged 3. It's the first time we've flown with the children and was wondering if anyone had any idea on what would be provided by Virgin, ie, drinks, snacks, goody bags etc for the children. I'm not too sure what we actually need to take on the plane for them - other than loads of "bits and pieces" to try to keep them entertained...

Also, any general tips welcome - am getting quite nervous about such a long, first time flight with them!

Thank you.

Hi

Yep I personally think near the back is the best bet, for me the set of 2 seats would be ideal but otherwise the middle row of 4 would be good too. I feel less claustrophobic at the back as the bulk of the people are all in front not entirely surrounding you! You'll get the drinks and meals first as well since one trolley starts at the back and works up the plane.

It might've changed but the configuration of the jumbos for the Orlando route used to be economy class on the entire lower deck with first class and premium economy upstairs so it might be nice to sit right up at the front where the configuration will be different as well?

You wont be able to have door exit seats unless your kids are 16 years or above.

"Yet another question then, any tips on where best to sit on the plane? We were looking at the seating plan and were wondering about right at the back (near the loos hmm) but also seem to remember there is some "extra" space near the doors which may be handy for stretching legs etc. Any thoughts...?"

Have a look at www.seatguru.com. There are both good and bad points about those particular seats you mention.

I'd personally go for a middle row of four nowhere near the toilets. On those planes as well people stand near there and the galley sections talking as it is one of the very few places where you can move about!!.

On Virgin these days Upper Class is at the very front of the plane, whereas Premium Economy is situated in the middle of the aircraft (its all PE upstairs as well). Economy tends to be in the last third of the aircraft.

With the children in tow you won't be given any seats near exit doors (also on VA you have to pay for emergency row seats!).

Not specific to Virgin, but if you take any meat on board make sure you dump it before you go through security/leave it on the plane.

They have dogs that smell all the hand baggage to detect meat, It happened to the couple ahead of us and they got taken back to the security desk for about half an hour of questioning!

At this point I remembered the box of sliced chicken breast I had in our hand luggage that my DD hadn't eaten - Boy did my blood run cold!

Don't forget you can't take liquids through security, so buy drinks on the airside of the terminal after security.

TeeJaye - Airlines don't assume you want a child meal with a child ticket, though.

We have never thought to order a child meal for DS, so he's always been given the standard stuff.

What do they serve as children's meals?

If you go into the little galley behind the curtain you can ask for - or help yourself - to a non-stop suply of drinks and snacks such as pretzels, biscuits, small choc bars etc.

anyone know if kids are allowed in premium economy ( virgin) ie sitting on laps?

Yep, they are allowed.

cheers x

The only thing good about a Virgin Flight was the Luggage allowance......The checking in was terrible to say we did it on line the food was terrible and the in seat entertainment was not as good as we were lead to believe and Orlando Airport......... it'll be Sanford for us this year!