I was going to say GET OUT OF MY SEAT but I was on a different aircraft, so no need to look down the side of the seat for the 50p I dropped. Watching this in my Virgin Atlantic pyjamas (yes, it's 1230pm). Great reminder of a flight that was over far too quickly. Thanks Mark
I wonder if that 50p’s still there? Probably done a few miles if it is! Cheers Steve, you’ve just reminded me, I must try and remember the pyjamas on my flight back in a few days time 😊👍
Cool landing view from the undercarriage camera. I enjoyed that.. can’t believe that you had to hit the tube whilst you were so tired.. you’re a trouper!
I know, it was dreadful getting back home. That’s the only thing with being so far from London. Think I’ll try coming back in the day next time. Gotta be worth a go. Virgin arrivals lounge is decent though 👍
I fly most weeks for my job - generally 3 night trips. Going west, I try to take the latest departing flight possible and then shower and go to bed when I arrive so I'm ready for work the next day. Flying east, I try to take the earliest flight possible - hopefully landing around 6am in London. And if I can get home before 10am, I'll shower and go to bed for 4 hours (ideally no more) I then do everything I can to stay up until around 10 or 11pm and then sleep as normal. I don't enjoy the early morning flights East. They skew my body clock more than anything.
Thanks for the tips. I’m normally fine going west. I guess I’m just a leisure traveller so when I’m flying in biz I want to make use of the lounge pre-flight. Coming back with the early arrival into LHR I’ll make use of the arrivals lounge but it absolutely destroys me for about a week afterwards. I’ve been thinking of maybe an early morning flight from BOS maybe and overnight in London before heading home. Might try that next 👍
Way out of my price range but i still loved watching this. Nice to see you got your moneys worth in the airport lounges. Must be so refreshing to have a shower pre/post flight. Thanks for sharing Mark 👍
A great watch as always. It looked like you had a super time. I had the pleasure of flying Upper Class a few years back and what an experience it was. Just an incredible product. I even managed a game of pool at JFK - but I had to surrender my passport before being given the pool balls.
Surrender your passport lol, really! I did get a bit carried away with it all tbh but yolo and all that I guess (once I’d recovered). Doing it again in a few days from Tampa so I hope I’ve learnt my lesson 🤞😊
It can, however only flights scheduled to land before six can land before six. All other early transatlantic flights must enter the holding pattern until six. I personally like the holding pattern on a nice day: 6pm west bound flights for me!
I love Virgin Atlantic. They are my favourite airline. I have flown them 6 times now and due to fly them in 2025 to Delhi then some other airline to Melbourne. You need try the Heathrow Club House lounge. Very, very friendly staff, as were the checkin staff, and very attentive. I now have 6 cruet sets, give some to the rest of the family, and several pairs of pyjamas too. Food is always brilliant on VA flights but I have heard that aircraft catering in general is sub standard when flying back from USA due to the American caterers. Great video and keep up the good work👍🙏
Great review! I like the more fast less detail approach to it! Virgin are always pretty damn good, I wish they were still running the WCML! Also love the external camera, always thought its a good feature!
@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes, avanti is pretty poor! I saw your tweet about getting back to Shrewsbury and it's a crime that towns like Shrewsbury don't get the services they deserve!
Cheers David, have a good one yourself! Yes th toilets were a bit of a nightmare but I so enjoyed the experience (from a newbie pov) that, although it was quite a concern, it kind of got lost in the overall positive experience tbh.
Great review! Glad to see you hitting the high points with Upper Class and NYC! Any trip in Business Class is awesome! though I feel Upper Class isn't as Upper Class as it used to be - back in the day on the 747's and A340s they had a beautician offering manicures etc. Plus a bar with a chess table. I was lucky enough to sit right behind on a couple of flights so had time to look at what I couldm't afford haha! Keep travelling!
Haha, cheers HN. I only travelled in cattle class on the 747 a couple of times. I wish I’d been doing this TH-cam thing a few years ago because I’d have definitely been on that upper deck 747 once or twice. A bit more difficult these days but never say never. Lufty?
You certainly did enjoy the hospitality! And why not🤣 I cannot believe the toilet situation, really was unacceptable having no running water, never mind only one in order! Great vlog as always👏
Cheers Sheila. I’m not one of those TH-camrs who can afford to do this all the time (nor do I have the inclination too tbh), so when I do, I’ll be sure to tell you about it (as a bit of a novice and in a non-technical way). As such, I will tend to get a bit carried away with the hospitality thing and like you said, why not. It’s something I never imagined I could experience a few years ago. Now I can, well, yep why not 😊👍
Love it! Especially - did you buy anything from the Lego store? There are definitely some NYC themed sets! On boarding, what was that announcement? "If staff ask you not to use equipment to take photos or videos..."? Did they ask ? (I assume not, as the video is here!) The salt and pepper pots actually say "pinched from Virgin Atlantic" on, don't they? Are you able to "buy" the mugs? They do look good! Love the landing perspective! Shame you didn't get much sleep - for my only NYC-LHR flight was the BA daytime flight, probably the best option eastbound! Great video - cheers for now :)
I didn’t buy anything, Lego, mugs - I was thinking that on the way out whether I could buy a mug. I’ll ask on the way back if I remember! The announcement was fine as I guess the crew could ask if anyone filming was ‘less than discreet’ but no one did. All-in-all, pretty good crew BUT the flight I’ve just taken out here to Austin, the crew were better!
Hello Mark, thanks for the video. I hadn't realised how easy it would be to reach JFK by public transport. Yes LHR has an early morning curfew but a limited number of arrivals are permitted before 0600. There are arrivals from Asia which land before 0600. Currently from HKG there's CX arriving at 0500 with BA landing at 0550. From SIN there's BA at 0525 and SIA at 0555. From KUL there's MAS at 0535.
Cheers Alex, interesting that about the flights from the far east. Yes I found the subway pretty good and felt reasonably safe too. Easy enough change at Jamaica and all sorted.
Tips for sleeping on a flight, go easy on the food and pick light easy to digest items watch the booze intake as it will dehydrate you and when you do wake up you will feel horrible, and to really knock you out a valium and a good scotch, the last part had me out for nearly eight hours when flying from Kuala Lumpur to London.But for the toilet situation looks like you had a good flight, till next time stay safe and cheers.
I forgot about the Scotch! Cheers Simon, yep like I said, bit of a novice on this tbh but thanks for the tips, I’ll try some of them out in a few days time 👍
Hi a great video and no I would not waste that amount of Money to go first class. My frame of thinking is I would rather stay in a nicer hotel in place I was going to on holiday. I would be happy with just Economy class. I feel you don't need first class on a 5 hour flight. I really enjoyed the landing viewing it through the camera on in the inboard entertainment.
Cheers Bobby. Yep I’m thinking next time I’m over there getting a morning flight and I’d be quite happy in economy doing that then maybe a hotel for the evening once I get to LHR.
What I “Think” is that you paid for a premium experience and regardless of fault you should request a pretty substantial flight credit for the restroom issue .
Yes an announcement about filming and photography as in ‘if the crew ask you to stop’. Well they didn’t so I just assumed there was no problem. Interesting though as I didn’t get anything like that on my flight out to Austin this week and that was also VS.
Far Eastern flights can land at LHR after 0415hrs approx, Transatlantic flights are allowed to land before 0600 but there are only limited slots for airlines to do this. If they have the opportunity they will normally delay departure so to arrive after 0600, however if circumstances change en route then obviously they will have to land before 0600. Transatlantic airlines are given an allowance of early pre 0600 but they try not to over use this.
Great vid. I have just come back with Virgin from NYC so great to contrast. I travelled Premium Economy both ways ways on their A330 300 from Manchester. I could have upgraded on the way home for around £330 but decided against it. First of all the A330 UC layout is very poor compared to the A350 you travelled on and the bed system is dated. The short flight time, though an hour longer, would still have only meant around 3.5 hours hours downtime and with the time difference by body would think it was only 1am upon landing and not ready for much sleep. I was very impressed with PE especially the food which I thought was almost UC level. The IES is poor on the 330 so I did not use it but I loved the camera options you had. The seating in PE is poorer on the A350 is as it has 2-4-2 config rather than 2-3-2 on the A330 and I lucked out that the middle seat was free. I took the Subway and bus to and from JFK to avoid the $8 Air Train fee but I was just being tight. I was amazed how big Terminal 4 was it took me over 15 mins to walk the entire length. I flew AF 777 BC to and from NYC 5 years ago and was very impressed and that was a 7 hour return flight leaving at 23:30 so better for sleep. Agree a shower at the airport is very appealing after a day sightseeing.
Sounds like a decent experience overall. I haven’t tried the 333 but have just come back on the new 339 from Tampa and that was quite nice with the sliding door in UC making everything quite private. I had a ‘swift supper’ or something like that, tried the loft with a cocktail then had a triple whisky to help me sleep. I reckon I slept for the Atlantic crossing bit, waking up around Cornwall- probably 4-5 hours which is quite good for me. I went in the Revivals lounge again and was much more awake after another shower. I wouldn’t fly from TPA again - the lounge was very disappointing. I’d try an early morning flight from NYC or maybe BOS just in economy and stay at the Premierinn T4 LHR when I arrived. I reckon that would be better than a red eye flight for me. Dunno though, I’ve no plans to go back to the US for a while now. It has become quite expensive all round tbh.
@@LetsMakeaTrip The food was the most expensive thing for me by far. Only in Albuquerque where the train stopped for 40 mins and I nipped to an excellent deli did I think I got good value. The pound was so weak everything seemed expensive. Coupled with all the miles of walking I did it no wonder I lost a couple of kg.
I was like that Shaun a few years back. All I would say is there’s loads of ways of accumulating stuff like tier points, mileage, loyalty via flying and cc spend etc. just make a plan, focus on your preferred programme (i.e one world, Sky team, star alliance) and just go for it and you’ll be surprised what you can get. Good luck!
€1200 for a seat on a deluxe seat on an trans-atlantic flight? Virgin Atlantic surely has the most luxurious trans-atlantic flights! P.S: The external camera is one pro point for that €1200 flight pricetag. I hope Iberia will put an external camera to watch how's the ocean from its trans-atlantic flights to Central & South America
Yes it's a good business class but I wouldn't say the "most luxurious." That description belongs to SIA which operates MAN-IAH (Houston) and FRA-JFK. SIA's business class is great and first class is superb. Also JetBlue is making its name for itself with transatlantic Mint Suites.
Yep, don’t forget I only came back in business (still not a bad price though). I’ve only flown BA in business prior to this. Outside of the transatlantic flights, Qatar were way ahead tbh!
Cheers Gary, I reckon it depends which direction you’re travelling in to a point. Virgin Atlantic cabin crew told me when I got over here in Austin, TX, try and stay up as long as possible on the first night.
Were you tired or tipsy when you arrived at London? Looked a great flight, excellent food and drink, for a flight that I certainly could never afford. It looks like you made the most if it and had a great time.
Hi Mark. I really enjoyed this review, I liked the fact that you didn’t get too technical about the seats etc, and just concentrated on your overall experience, fantastic 😊 I hope to go to NYC later in the year, and it’s my dream to go upper class Virgin Atlantic. I’d have to travel from Manchester though, and even this far in advance it’s 5 grand return! Hard to justify really, maybe upper out economy return (though I’m not sure I can handle an overnight trip in economy 😢😢! Really interesting though, great trip all round, love all your travels and videos. Cheers 👋 ✈️✈️
Cheers Andrew. There are ways and means to get these kind of flights. As Richard said, you can get miles and sign-up bonuses with credit cards and you can redeem the points, use them for an upgrade etc. there’s no way I would pay 5k for a flight. None of my business class long haul flights have cost me much over 1k and if that means flying out in economy then so be it and it’s not so bad in the day tbh. I decided not to be too technical with these reviews tbh there’s many more experienced and knowledgeable people out there doing those kind of videos. If I can encourage people to do the same as me, that’s good enough in my book. You can do it, just plan in advance, save your miles, do the research and it’ll come right in the end. Good luck! 😊👍
Keep up the good work on these new airline reviews and make your own mark, Mark. I appreciate them more and more. Don't fall into the trap of Noel's constant nagging repetition of destination and plane make at every dialogue change, or his now beginning-to-annoy huffing and puffing. Keep away from non-stop Dan's nonstop banter and his exasperating and tiring 'jump cutting' that leave no dialogue space to breathe. Watch the tag questions, though. They are a very British thing and good video dialogue can do with less of them. Yes, more please. Just a thought: would like to see more 'Premium Economy' reviews overall on the airline review scene. Consider.
Flew virgin last year and wasn’t overally impressed. They almost gave my travel companion nuts after he told them about his allergy. If I didn’t spot it we could have had a serious issue. Like yourself I did find the staff friendly though
ODD QUESTION: Going from JFK TO LHR - Virgin Upper. Will have 10 hour wait at LHR. For a 10 hour connection - does that mess up luggage where it gets forgotten about, or is it usually ok. Thanks
I would travel on a later flight, eat in the lounge, have a nightcap, onboard, get some zzzs 💤 would be interested in how you gor such a bargain fare ..
Seoul flights are now confirmed! Because of the merger of Korean and Asiana, the UK Competitions and Markets Authority have requested that Virgin operates LHR-ICN to ensure competition.
Not good at all for most toilets to be out of action. Airlines nowadays use their aircraft intensively and it could be that VS would get better attention from its ground team in London (rather than having to delay the flight out of JFK for hours while repairs were carried out). But overall it's a health issue and one wonders whether, during the height of the pandemic, that aircraft would have been allowed to operate in such a state.
Yes I was very surprised about the toilet situation. I think if I was a frequent business traveller it would’ve really got to me, but I was so enjoying the whole upper class experience it kind of passed me by when really, it wasn’t a great look was it?
Not good was it. Everything else I was pleased with and these things when there are issues, I’m not really one for complaining but yes I bet others do. Maybe I should be more savvy with that kind of thing.
@@LetsMakeaTrip another new viewer and subscriber. Like your snappy videos. I would agree with the complaint comment ref the toilet issues. I recall being on a Bom-Lhr flight on Club with BA some years back and the entertainment system was down. BA, without prompting, offered about 10k FF points. Surprised Virgin did not, at the very least, do something similar. Worth a shot.
All the airports in the US are government owned and operated, so you will find non airline staff just couldn't give a monkeys, their jobs are safe, a bit like British rail in the seventies and eighties lol
I was going to say GET OUT OF MY SEAT but I was on a different aircraft, so no need to look down the side of the seat for the 50p I dropped. Watching this in my Virgin Atlantic pyjamas (yes, it's 1230pm). Great reminder of a flight that was over far too quickly. Thanks Mark
I wonder if that 50p’s still there? Probably done a few miles if it is! Cheers Steve, you’ve just reminded me, I must try and remember the pyjamas on my flight back in a few days time 😊👍
The bad thing about good experiences is that they seem to last shorter than they actually do. Seems like you had a lovely experience
I did, cheers mate 😊👍
Really enjoyed this video and review with Virgin Atlantic from New York to London Heathrow.
Cool landing view from the undercarriage camera. I enjoyed that.. can’t believe that you had to hit the tube whilst you were so tired.. you’re a trouper!
I know, it was dreadful getting back home. That’s the only thing with being so far from London. Think I’ll try coming back in the day next time. Gotta be worth a go. Virgin arrivals lounge is decent though 👍
That is a good value for money, thanks for sharing.
Pleasure Robert 😊👍
I fly most weeks for my job - generally 3 night trips. Going west, I try to take the latest departing flight possible and then shower and go to bed when I arrive so I'm ready for work the next day. Flying east, I try to take the earliest flight possible - hopefully landing around 6am in London. And if I can get home before 10am, I'll shower and go to bed for 4 hours (ideally no more) I then do everything I can to stay up until around 10 or 11pm and then sleep as normal.
I don't enjoy the early morning flights East. They skew my body clock more than anything.
Thanks for the tips. I’m normally fine going west. I guess I’m just a leisure traveller so when I’m flying in biz I want to make use of the lounge pre-flight. Coming back with the early arrival into LHR I’ll make use of the arrivals lounge but it absolutely destroys me for about a week afterwards. I’ve been thinking of maybe an early morning flight from BOS maybe and overnight in London before heading home. Might try that next 👍
I love the way you said it took you about a week to get over the flight - lucky you, ha ha!
My favourite way to travel from New York. Glad to see you aboard an aircraft I've flown on before!
Cheers Simon, yes a lovely aircraft the A350. I’m trying out their new 339 in a few days though - I am looking forward to that one!
Good deal Bud, enjoyed as well.
Cheers mate. 👍
Way out of my price range but i still loved watching this. Nice to see you got your moneys worth in the airport lounges. Must be so refreshing to have a shower pre/post flight. Thanks for sharing Mark 👍
Cheers mate, yep it’s not something I can afford to do all the time tbh but yes I definitely intend to get my moneys worth when I can!
@@LetsMakeaTrip I would absolutely do the same
Use airmiles back from the USA only to avoid London fuel charges.
A great watch as always. It looked like you had a super time. I had the pleasure of flying Upper Class a few years back and what an experience it was. Just an incredible product. I even managed a game of pool at JFK - but I had to surrender my passport before being given the pool balls.
Surrender your passport lol, really! I did get a bit carried away with it all tbh but yolo and all that I guess (once I’d recovered). Doing it again in a few days from Tampa so I hope I’ve learnt my lesson 🤞😊
Heathrow can accept flights to land from 0430am which is when the first arrivals normally start to land. great video as always
Cheers, yep some far east flights from what I read of others comments 👍
It can, however only flights scheduled to land before six can land before six. All other early transatlantic flights must enter the holding pattern until six. I personally like the holding pattern on a nice day: 6pm west bound flights for me!
I love Virgin Atlantic. They are my favourite airline. I have flown them 6 times now and due to fly them in 2025 to Delhi then some other airline to Melbourne. You need try the Heathrow Club House lounge. Very, very friendly staff, as were the checkin staff, and very attentive. I now have 6 cruet sets, give some to the rest of the family, and several pairs of pyjamas too. Food is always brilliant on VA flights but I have heard that aircraft catering in general is sub standard when flying back from USA due to the American caterers. Great video and keep up the good work👍🙏
Great review! I like the more fast less detail approach to it! Virgin are always pretty damn good, I wish they were still running the WCML! Also love the external camera, always thought its a good feature!
Cheers Danny thanks for the positive feedback on the style too. I agree, if Virgin were still on the WCML I bet it wouldn’t be in the mess it is now!
@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes, avanti is pretty poor! I saw your tweet about getting back to Shrewsbury and it's a crime that towns like Shrewsbury don't get the services they deserve!
Great video as always mate, 😊Virgin seem a very nice airline to fly with! Love the mug of tea!, As Always , Cheers for now 😉
Cheers Gareth, yes I’m enjoying Virgin atm. Got another flight with them in a couple days too 👍
Another Friday and another great video Mark but what nightmare with the loos. Have a good weekend.
Cheers David, have a good one yourself! Yes th toilets were a bit of a nightmare but I so enjoyed the experience (from a newbie pov) that, although it was quite a concern, it kind of got lost in the overall positive experience tbh.
Enjoyed that Mark.... keep them coming.
Cheers Richard, thanks for watching.
Looks like you had a great experience. Keep up the good work 😊
I did, cheers Neil 😊👍
Thank goodness I no longer have to Travel for work, NYC was always the place I couldn't wait to see the back off !
First time I went there I hated it. It was ok this time though I prefer Boston tbh - one of my favourite cities 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Agree 100% with that. Boston is fascinating and really friendly!
@@andywalsh8761 history too - lots to see and do!
Great review! Glad to see you hitting the high points with Upper Class and NYC! Any trip in Business Class is awesome! though I feel Upper Class isn't as Upper Class as it used to be - back in the day on the 747's and A340s they had a beautician offering manicures etc. Plus a bar with a chess table. I was lucky enough to sit right behind on a couple of flights so had time to look at what I couldm't afford haha! Keep travelling!
Haha, cheers HN. I only travelled in cattle class on the 747 a couple of times. I wish I’d been doing this TH-cam thing a few years ago because I’d have definitely been on that upper deck 747 once or twice. A bit more difficult these days but never say never. Lufty?
You certainly did enjoy the hospitality! And why not🤣 I cannot believe the toilet situation, really was unacceptable having no running water, never mind only one in order! Great vlog as always👏
Cheers Sheila. I’m not one of those TH-camrs who can afford to do this all the time (nor do I have the inclination too tbh), so when I do, I’ll be sure to tell you about it (as a bit of a novice and in a non-technical way). As such, I will tend to get a bit carried away with the hospitality thing and like you said, why not. It’s something I never imagined I could experience a few years ago. Now I can, well, yep why not 😊👍
Great review mate!
Cheers AJ 😊👍
So pleased I found your video's, very enjoyable. 🙏
Cheers LS, many thanks for the kind words 😊👍
Love it! Especially - did you buy anything from the Lego store? There are definitely some NYC themed sets! On boarding, what was that announcement? "If staff ask you not to use equipment to take photos or videos..."? Did they ask ? (I assume not, as the video is here!) The salt and pepper pots actually say "pinched from Virgin Atlantic" on, don't they? Are you able to "buy" the mugs? They do look good! Love the landing perspective! Shame you didn't get much sleep - for my only NYC-LHR flight was the BA daytime flight, probably the best option eastbound! Great video - cheers for now :)
I didn’t buy anything, Lego, mugs - I was thinking that on the way out whether I could buy a mug. I’ll ask on the way back if I remember! The announcement was fine as I guess the crew could ask if anyone filming was ‘less than discreet’ but no one did. All-in-all, pretty good crew BUT the flight I’ve just taken out here to Austin, the crew were better!
Sounded like a good price for what you got.🇬🇧🇦🇺👍
Great film my well travelled friend 👏
Cheers Adam 😊
Just found you, really enjoying the videos just started going through your back trips👍
Cheers Kim, thanks for the support 😊 (don’t go to far back though - they get worse!!😂)!
Hello Mark, thanks for the video. I hadn't realised how easy it would be to reach JFK by public transport. Yes LHR has an early morning curfew but a limited number of arrivals are permitted before 0600. There are arrivals from Asia which land before 0600. Currently from HKG there's CX arriving at 0500 with BA landing at 0550. From SIN there's BA at 0525 and SIA at 0555. From KUL there's MAS at 0535.
Cheers Alex, interesting that about the flights from the far east. Yes I found the subway pretty good and felt reasonably safe too. Easy enough change at Jamaica and all sorted.
It's faster to take Long island railroad from Penn station to Jamaica.. it takes 20 minutes and is more comfortable than subway
Tips for sleeping on a flight, go easy on the food and pick light easy to digest items watch the booze intake as it will dehydrate you and when you do wake up you will feel horrible, and to really knock you out a valium and a good scotch, the last part had me out for nearly eight hours when flying from Kuala Lumpur to London.But for the toilet situation looks like you had a good flight, till next time stay safe and cheers.
I forgot about the Scotch! Cheers Simon, yep like I said, bit of a novice on this tbh but thanks for the tips, I’ll try some of them out in a few days time 👍
Hi a great video and no I would not waste that amount of Money to go first class. My frame of thinking is I would rather stay in a nicer hotel in place I was going to on holiday. I would be happy with just Economy class. I feel you don't need first class on a 5 hour flight. I really enjoyed the landing viewing it through the camera on in the inboard entertainment.
Cheers Bobby. Yep I’m thinking next time I’m over there getting a morning flight and I’d be quite happy in economy doing that then maybe a hotel for the evening once I get to LHR.
Lovely video mate, enjoyed my virgin premium economy to nyc last year
The crew made it Dan - absolutely superb! I spent a few hours in economy having a lie down across three seats too. It was so quiet!
Virgin Premium Economy knocks it out of the park (or at least it used to). So much better than BA
@@andywalsh8761 I’ve got a couple videos on it! I loved it! But I didn’t remember to pick up my salt and pepper shakers
What I “Think” is that you paid for a premium experience and regardless of fault you should request a pretty substantial flight credit for the restroom issue .
Only 'man of the people 'plutocrat Sir, and don't forget the Sir!, Richard Branson could call it Upper Class!
Well he does like to be different doesn’t he!
At 06:18 I could hear something in the background about not taking photos. What was it about ? Nice video btw.
Yes an announcement about filming and photography as in ‘if the crew ask you to stop’. Well they didn’t so I just assumed there was no problem. Interesting though as I didn’t get anything like that on my flight out to Austin this week and that was also VS.
Thanks for asking about this and for your reply Mark! I was wondering if this was a veiled go at you at first 😂
@@melglobus yep, though I’ve just had the same on my VS UC flight last week and I wasn’t filming that. Might just be a standard thing now 🤷♂️
Far Eastern flights can land at LHR after 0415hrs approx, Transatlantic flights are allowed to land before 0600 but there are only limited slots for airlines to do this. If they have the opportunity they will normally delay departure so to arrive after 0600, however if circumstances change en route then obviously they will have to land before 0600. Transatlantic airlines are given an allowance of early pre 0600 but they try not to over use this.
Cheers Rob, yes I’ve since learnt there are a few exceptions to the rule like you say. 😊👍
Great vid. I have just come back with Virgin from NYC so great to contrast. I travelled Premium Economy both ways ways on their A330 300 from Manchester. I could have upgraded on the way home for around £330 but decided against it. First of all the A330 UC layout is very poor compared to the A350 you travelled on and the bed system is dated. The short flight time, though an hour longer, would still have only meant around 3.5 hours hours downtime and with the time difference by body would think it was only 1am upon landing and not ready for much sleep. I was very impressed with PE especially the food which I thought was almost UC level. The IES is poor on the 330 so I did not use it but I loved the camera options you had. The seating in PE is poorer on the A350 is as it has 2-4-2 config rather than 2-3-2 on the A330 and I lucked out that the middle seat was free. I took the Subway and bus to and from JFK to avoid the $8 Air Train fee but I was just being tight. I was amazed how big Terminal 4 was it took me over 15 mins to walk the entire length. I flew AF 777 BC to and from NYC 5 years ago and was very impressed and that was a 7 hour return flight leaving at 23:30 so better for sleep. Agree a shower at the airport is very appealing after a day sightseeing.
Sounds like a decent experience overall. I haven’t tried the 333 but have just come back on the new 339 from Tampa and that was quite nice with the sliding door in UC making everything quite private. I had a ‘swift supper’ or something like that, tried the loft with a cocktail then had a triple whisky to help me sleep. I reckon I slept for the Atlantic crossing bit, waking up around Cornwall- probably 4-5 hours which is quite good for me. I went in the Revivals lounge again and was much more awake after another shower. I wouldn’t fly from TPA again - the lounge was very disappointing. I’d try an early morning flight from NYC or maybe BOS just in economy and stay at the Premierinn T4 LHR when I arrived. I reckon that would be better than a red eye flight for me. Dunno though, I’ve no plans to go back to the US for a while now. It has become quite expensive all round tbh.
@@LetsMakeaTrip The food was the most expensive thing for me by far. Only in Albuquerque where the train stopped for 40 mins and I nipped to an excellent deli did I think I got good value. The pound was so weak everything seemed expensive. Coupled with all the miles of walking I did it no wonder I lost a couple of kg.
When I flew from Kennedy last year we sat on the tarmac for 90 mins before take off so we wouldn't arrive at Heathrow before 6am.
Yep, sounds very similar to me.
Currently watching this wishing I had the money to experience this myself 🤣
I was like that Shaun a few years back. All I would say is there’s loads of ways of accumulating stuff like tier points, mileage, loyalty via flying and cc spend etc. just make a plan, focus on your preferred programme (i.e one world, Sky team, star alliance) and just go for it and you’ll be surprised what you can get. Good luck!
Enjoyed the video. How was jet lag.
Terrible Colin - took me a week to get over it!
Superb 🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Cheers Derisley as always 😊😊😊✈️✈️✈️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Very decadent. The whole experience looks great, well bar the Toilet.
Oh yes it was very nice. Toilet was a bit of a surprise really I must say!
€1200 for a seat on a deluxe seat on an trans-atlantic flight? Virgin Atlantic surely has the most luxurious trans-atlantic flights!
P.S: The external camera is one pro point for that €1200 flight pricetag. I hope Iberia will put an external camera to watch how's the ocean from its trans-atlantic flights to Central & South America
Yes it's a good business class but I wouldn't say the "most luxurious." That description belongs to SIA which operates MAN-IAH (Houston) and FRA-JFK. SIA's business class is great and first class is superb. Also JetBlue is making its name for itself with transatlantic Mint Suites.
Yep, don’t forget I only came back in business (still not a bad price though). I’ve only flown BA in business prior to this. Outside of the transatlantic flights, Qatar were way ahead tbh!
I've been told the best way of dealing with jetlag is to sleep when you normally sleep so your bodyclock doesn't get shafted
Cheers Gary, I reckon it depends which direction you’re travelling in to a point. Virgin Atlantic cabin crew told me when I got over here in Austin, TX, try and stay up as long as possible on the first night.
Were you tired or tipsy when you arrived at London? Looked a great flight, excellent food and drink, for a flight that I certainly could never afford. It looks like you made the most if it and had a great time.
Probably both! I’d try and get more sleep next time but, you know how it is!
Hi Mark. I really enjoyed this review, I liked the fact that you didn’t get too technical about the seats etc, and just concentrated on your overall experience, fantastic 😊
I hope to go to NYC later in the year, and it’s my dream to go upper class Virgin Atlantic. I’d have to travel from Manchester though, and even this far in advance it’s 5 grand return! Hard to justify really, maybe upper out economy return (though I’m not sure I can handle an overnight trip in economy 😢😢!
Really interesting though, great trip all round, love all your travels and videos. Cheers 👋 ✈️✈️
Start saving VS miles ?
Cheers Andrew. There are ways and means to get these kind of flights. As Richard said, you can get miles and sign-up bonuses with credit cards and you can redeem the points, use them for an upgrade etc. there’s no way I would pay 5k for a flight. None of my business class long haul flights have cost me much over 1k and if that means flying out in economy then so be it and it’s not so bad in the day tbh.
I decided not to be too technical with these reviews tbh there’s many more experienced and knowledgeable people out there doing those kind of videos. If I can encourage people to do the same as me, that’s good enough in my book. You can do it, just plan in advance, save your miles, do the research and it’ll come right in the end. Good luck! 😊👍
Thanks
Cheers Adam, much appreciated mate 😊👍
Wow First class and a Bacon Roll Wow
Something tells me you’re not a fan of Virgin Atlantic Steve!
Keep up the good work on these new airline reviews and make your own mark, Mark. I appreciate them more and more. Don't fall into the trap of Noel's constant nagging repetition of destination and plane make at every dialogue change, or his now beginning-to-annoy huffing and puffing. Keep away from non-stop Dan's nonstop banter and his exasperating and tiring 'jump cutting' that leave no dialogue space to breathe. Watch the tag questions, though. They are a very British thing and good video dialogue can do with less of them. Yes, more please. Just a thought: would like to see more 'Premium Economy' reviews overall on the airline review scene. Consider.
Flew virgin last year and wasn’t overally impressed. They almost gave my travel companion nuts after he told them about his allergy. If I didn’t spot it we could have had a serious issue. Like yourself I did find the staff friendly though
That doesn’t sound great. Attention needs to be paid to this kind of thing I agree.
you like your ale you do 🤣 🍷🥂
Sam I was taking it easy really!
ODD QUESTION: Going from JFK TO LHR - Virgin Upper. Will have 10 hour wait at LHR. For a 10 hour connection - does that mess up luggage where it gets forgotten about, or is it usually ok. Thanks
I would travel on a later flight, eat in the lounge, have a nightcap, onboard, get some zzzs 💤 would be interested in how you gor such a bargain fare ..
I think it helped going out in economy though I did book it a while back and I’m not so sure I’d get such a good deal now!
Seoul flights are now confirmed! Because of the merger of Korean and Asiana, the UK Competitions and Markets Authority have requested that Virgin operates LHR-ICN to ensure competition.
Cheers James, yep good news all round that 👍
5:05 What's that about inflight connectivity ? Do you have to tap it ?
probably took you a week to get over the hangover 🤣
😂 it gets harder the older you get mate!
Hi what is your name and what part of the UK are u from. And is their a viedo next week?
Hi, Midlands area. I normally release one a week but I’m away filming more content atm. Cheers, Mark.
Not good at all for most toilets to be out of action. Airlines nowadays use their aircraft intensively and it could be that VS would get better attention from its ground team in London (rather than having to delay the flight out of JFK for hours while repairs were carried out). But overall it's a health issue and one wonders whether, during the height of the pandemic, that aircraft would have been allowed to operate in such a state.
Yes I was very surprised about the toilet situation. I think if I was a frequent business traveller it would’ve really got to me, but I was so enjoying the whole upper class experience it kind of passed me by when really, it wasn’t a great look was it?
5:58 another "shrieking oral nuisance" playing in the background. Would put me off using again tbh!
Unfortunately I had to turn off the closed captions as they bore little or no resemblance to the actual dialogue
Do you get to keep the pajamas ?
I think you had to ask for them on this flight from what I remember. But I don’t see why you can’t keep them thereafter.
I at 72 can understand why you got waylaid at the Lego store.... For my 70 th birthday friends have me Lego
I’ve got loads up in the attic David. I’m a bit reluctant to get rid of it I must say!
Not a fan of the A350
Bacon Roll $1000
Well not really is it.
Failed toilets, 3 out of 4 and even that one not working! This aircraft was NOT fit to fly. Ask for your money back 👍
Not good was it. Everything else I was pleased with and these things when there are issues, I’m not really one for complaining but yes I bet others do. Maybe I should be more savvy with that kind of thing.
@@LetsMakeaTrip another new viewer and subscriber. Like your snappy videos. I would agree with the complaint comment ref the toilet issues. I recall being on a Bom-Lhr flight on Club with BA some years back and the entertainment system was down. BA, without prompting, offered about 10k FF points. Surprised Virgin did not, at the very least, do something similar. Worth a shot.
All the airports in the US are government owned and operated, so you will find non airline staff just couldn't give a monkeys, their jobs are safe, a bit like British rail in the seventies and eighties lol
How disappointed that I never heard anyone clap or cheer when the plane landed 🛬
I always clap (in my mind anyway 😂).