Hello everyone and welcome on this new Flight Report !
Today we are going to Orlando with 2 work colleagues for a week of vacation at Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.
From Paris, we do not have any direct flight to Orlando. To enjoy the benefits of my FFP (Flying Blue Gold / Skyteam Elite plus), I choose to fly on the Skyteam alliance. The cheapest price is from London Heathrow with the direct LHR - MCO flight on Virgin Atlantic, one of my favorite airline. For the return to Europe, I found a flight via Atlanta, with Delta on board the 757 and the new Airbus A330-900Neo.
For there three flights, I paid €480 with the basic fare (no checked bags and no seat selection)
Flight routing
- 1VS135 - Economy - London Heathrow to Orlando - Airbus A350-1000
- 2DL1150 - Economy - Orlando to Atlanta - Boeing 757-200
- 3DL32 - Economy - Atlanta to London Heathrow - Airbus A330-900Neo
Just 45 minutes after leaving the Whitechapel district, we arrive at London Heathrow Terminal 3 with the Elizabeth Line.
We took the lifts to the terminal.
Welcome to the T3 !
Virgin Atlantic's counters are located on the left side of the terminal.
For us, it's the “Premium” counters.
We won't wait long, the agent will be very kind.
A new boarding pass in my collection !
Heading to the security check, we can use the fast lane, no waiting time, only 2 minutes to pass.
A lot of people in this waiting area. There is a large selection of stores or restaurants in the T3.
Thanks to our FFP ! We can access to the lounge.
Unfortunately, we cannot access the famous “Virgin Clubhouse”, the lounge which welcomes us is the “Club Aspire”
The lounge is not really large and is full. We have difficulty finding a place to sit.
A vegetarian buffet is available for all passengers.
If you want to eat something other than available on the buffet, you can pay.
Due to the high number of people inside the lounge, we prefer to go out and do some plane-spotting.
An Emirates A380 to Dubai.
VS Boeing 787-9 to Tampa, FL.
A beautiful A350-1000 from British Airways to Phoenix, AZ.
A BA's Triple Seven to New York JFK, NY.
And… Our plane for the today's flight, the Virgin's Airbus A350-1000 to Orlando, FL !
Another 777 to JFK.
Just a few minutes before the boarding, screens tell us that we are at the right gate.
Boarding begins at the scheduled time.
Our aircraft today is a brand-new Airbus A350-1000, the G-VNVR, only one and a half month of service !
This is my second time onboard the Virgin’s A350, and it’s always a pleasure to -re-discover this beautiful cabin.
Views from the rear.
The IFE screen is large and equipped with a USB port to charge our phone.
Not a lot of space for the legs but it's okay for my 1.74m.
The safety card, the airsickness bag and the inflight shopping guide.
Another USB-A port under the IFE screen.
The view from my seat.
Headphones, a pillow and a blanket are provided to us.
Boarding is completed on time, I don't have a neighbor in the middle seat.
Safety instructions are shown on the screens during the push-back.
One of my avgeek dream…
During the taxi, we can follow our plane on the Youtube channel "Flight Focus 365"
Take-off runway 27R !
The onboard Wi-Fi is available. I buy the "Messaging pass" at 3.95$ for the entire flight.
Ten minutes after takeoff, we can finally use the IFE.
After an hour of flight, the crew starts meal service. There are two hot meal choices: BBQ chicken with potatoes or mac and cheese.
Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean…
At the mid-flight, the crew will offer popsicles.
Our route pass over Canada
One and a half hour before the landing, the crew starts the second service.
The descent began 35 minutes before landing. A Love Hearts will be distributed to us.
Final approach…
Landing after 8 hours and 45 minutes in the air !
Welcome to Orlando International Airport !
Another Virgin's Airbus A350-1000 is at the gate, ready to return to London.
We arrived at the gate on time !
Good bye G-VNVR "Wendy Darling"
Approximately 30 minutes wait for immigration.
Heading to the exit to take a taxi to go to Universal Studios !
Thanks for sharing this report.
VS is a decent airline it seems, however am somewhat flabbergasted that an airline treats those with status with any Skyteam member in their main hub by sending them to a different 'lounge' that by far doesn't meet any standard as you're asked to pay for any decent meals in an overcrowded lounge, which feels more like a restaurant for me.... Quite disrespectful in my opinion.
A very nice detailed review. I’m from Australia where Virgin Australia operates flights and it’s somewhat fun to see how different VA is from Virgin Atlantic.
Thanks for sharing!
Nice review! T3 is great for lounges, so many diverse options. I really like the look of Virgin Atlantic cabins, they've managed to make attractive cabins in all classes. Meals looks pretty good as well.
Thanks for sharing!