Virgin From Belfast

[tspill]

We flew UC last week. All good. Not a patch on Aer Lingus though which is vastly superior.
We had 90 minutes in the immigration line and there were many many people behind us. They must have been there two hours.
We have been so used to immigration in Dublin that we had forgotten how bad MCO is. Some was down to the ongoing work.
So be prepared for which might be a long queue.

[fraser301]

We are going out on August 13 and got return UC tickets for less than £1200 even though we live in England price to good to miss

[Donegal_Guy]

Maybe I’m being a little slow here but still not sure if if have to wait until the return flights are at 330 days before I can book both legs or is there any way to reserve the outward flight and the complete the booking when the return leg is released. I’m booking flights only with Virgin but really want to get seats reserved ASAP..

[DLP-in-Sept]

I think it's 330 days from your return flight. At the moment, the latest flight you can book is on the 9 June 2019 which is 330 days away. I've been able to book for next year as I paid for a package holiday but I can't select my seats until 331 days out - in effect, I've been sold flights that don't actually exist yet.
Virgin flights are on Saturday and Sunday next year (changes around mid June I think).

[McSleepy]

We flew this route last year for the first time as it was closer to home and also direct. Previously we flew from Dublin mostly indirect but needed to stay overnight in Dublin which was added expense.

We do it again on Monday week. The downside is that you have to do immigration in Orlando when you arrive.

In 2018 Virgin have weekly flights from March to September and twice weekly (Monday and Friday) in June and July.

You probably have to wait until the return date is 330 days before you can book both legs.

[fraser301]

Originally Posted by tspill

We flew UC last week. All good. Not a patch on Aer Lingus though which is vastly superior.
We had 90 minutes in the immigration line and there were many many people behind us. They must have been there two hours.
We have been so used to immigration in Dublin that we had forgotten how bad MCO is. Some was down to the ongoing work.
So be prepared for which might be a long queue.

See more...

Never flown from Belfast but would welcome your views on the UC experience ,lounge, food etc.

[tspill]

Originally Posted by fraser301

Never flown from Belfast but would welcome your views on the UC experience ,lounge, food etc.

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The flight was similar to any other UC flight so pretty good. They use the gatwick/manchester planes. However, it a long way off the Aer Lingus business class if you have flown that way before; but in my opinion it is much better than BA Club.

The Causeway Lounge in Aldegrove is just about OK. nibbles and drinks (including basic spirits, wines and beers). It was busy when we were there.. But a million miles from the Clubhouse in Heathrow/Gatwick. But with UC you can use the priority security line.

I would definitely use this product/route again, but only as a second behind Aer Lingus from Dublin. AL was just too expensive this time.

The biggest pain was the immigration in MCO. Horrible compared do doing this in Dublin.
I would much rather spend an extra hour on the road than in a queue in MCO.

[gmul]

Flew out Upper Class yesterday - some points below :

Causeway Lounge at BFS - least said the better ! If you have any choice just arrive in time to go straight onto the aircraft.

Flight crew - there were only 8 passengers in the UC cabin but we were joined by an Aer Lingus pilot positioning to MCO and the partner & daughter of the cabin crew member who looked after UC. Pleasant and helpful CC who allowed my son & his fiance to come up from Economy and join us for a drink after the meal service.

The FSM introduced herself after take off but was rarely seen afterwards except to do a round with a dish of mini Lovehearts.

Catering : Edible food but nothing spectular. The crew said that the aircraft had been catered in Gatwick so desserts has not been loaded but we could choose Bread & Butter pudding from the PE menu.

Timing : departure was 25 mins late but this was recovered on-route for an on time arrival.

Immigration : we landed just minutes ahead of flights from Frankfurt and Gatwick so luckily arrived into a completely empty hall - but to a different, much smaller hall than our flight in May. Cases were waiting when we emerged and it was 25 mins from touchdown to getting off the monorail ! Luck of the draw here as it was over 2 hours for the same thing back in May.

Value : would I do it again ? In a heartbeat but only if the price was right. I spent £1870 for 3 tickets including 2 reward seats so this was a relatively cheap flight for UC.

Let me know if you have any questions and I will be glad to help.

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally Posted by gmul

Immigration : we landed just minutes ahead of flights from Frankfurt and Gatwick so luckily arrived into a completely empty hall - but to a different, much smaller hall than our flight in May. Cases were waiting when we emerged and it was 25 mins from touchdown to getting off the monorail ! Luck of the draw here as it was over 2 hours for the same thing back in May.

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This is a lucky experience. My aunt and uncle arrived just after these 2 flights and spent 2 hours in interrogation... errr immigration. That was Monday 2nd July. There are just too many international flights arriving at a similar time to the Belfast flight for my liking. That said, if the price is right I would definitely fly this route.

[Andi]

[QUOTE=gmul;13369028]Flew out Upper Class yesterday - some points below :

The FSM introduced herself after take off but was rarely seen afterwards except to do a round with a dish of mini Lovehearts.

Catering : Edible food but nothing spectular. The crew said that the aircraft had been catered in Gatwick so desserts has not been loaded but we could choose Bread & Butter pudding from the PE menu.QUOTE]

Wow that's not good, a dish of mini lovehearts and no desserts loaded for UC.

We are flying UC on 6th August from Belfast with VA and would be very disappointed if there were no desserts except Bread and Butter Pudding.