We've flown Virgin Atlantic to Orlando more than once over the years, and this review covers our experience of the seats, the in-flight entertainment and - the bit you'll actually remember - what happened when they lost one of our bags.
Article Summary
- Cabin condition: this particular aircraft showed noticeable wear and tear, including a broken speaker and overhead lights that wouldn't switch off.
- Lost bag: one of our suitcases went missing and arrived two days later with a damaged wheel, though Virgin Atlantic covered the replacement and essentials costs in full.
- Flight times: some Orlando departures now land as late as 9-10pm local time, which can eat into your first holiday day.
- Overall verdict: we'd fly with them again, but we'd avoid the later-landing flights if we had a choice.
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Read on for the full breakdown including what the cabin was actually like, the in-flight experience and how Virgin Atlantic handled our lost luggage claim.
Our Virgin Atlantic Booking History
After the 2020 lockdowns we leaned towards British Airways for our Orlando flights, but before that we flew with Virgin Atlantic, which we originally booked as a package through Virgin Atlantic Holidays.
We started flying Virgin Atlantic after Thomas Cook went out of business, and after TUI switched its Orlando-area route to Melbourne Airport instead of Sanford, then stopped flying from Bristol altogether. Living in Devon, if we're already travelling the extra distance to London Gatwick or Manchester, we'd rather not add extra travel time once we land in Florida too, so a flight straight into Orlando International Airport (MCO) is our preference.
This particular trip was the first non-package Florida holiday we'd ever booked. We wanted some time at Universal Orlando before heading to Walt Disney World, so we put together our own DIY holiday, booking the hotels and tickets ourselves and adding a Virgin Atlantic flight at each end.
What Is The Virgin Atlantic Orlando Flight Actually Like?
Regular Virgin flyers probably already know this, but it caught us out at the time. Some of their aircraft are starting to show their age.
There was a fair amount of wear and tear in the cabin, and the speaker above our seats was broken, so we could barely hear the announcements. The film selection was decent, but the in-flight entertainment system was slow and laggy, and the screen quality wasn't great. On the return flight the overhead lights wouldn't switch off. The food was about what you'd expect from any airline, neither better nor worse.
Like most airlines, Virgin now offers wifi on board, though the prices can run high and we didn't try it on this flight. We'd argue it should be included as standard for premium economy passengers.
Virgin Atlantic flies to Orlando almost daily, and our flight was only around half full, so it didn't feel cramped. That said, depending on the date, you'll often find flights completely sold out, so it's worth checking availability early if your travel dates are fixed around UK school holidays.
What Happened When Virgin Atlantic Lost Our Bag?
Our general approach is to stay loyal to companies who look after their customers when things go wrong, and something did go wrong on this trip. In all our years of travelling to Disney World, we'd never had a bag lost or damaged. On this, our first Virgin Atlantic flight, one of our suitcases turned up lost and damaged.
We'd paid for premium seats on the outbound flight specifically because our luggage was meant to be among the first off the plane, so it was frustrating to be left waiting until the whole plane had emptied and one of our cases still hadn't appeared. The Virgin Atlantic representative was very helpful and confident he'd find it. We told him we admired his optimism, but that we'd already checked five times ourselves and it wasn't there. He agreed, and pointed us towards where to file a claim, telling us it would most likely arrive on the next flight and that the team downstairs would help in the meantime.
At the Virgin Atlantic desk, staff apologised and passed us to someone to deal with the claim. He gave us a form explaining we could buy essentials and claim the cost back with a receipt, which was a welcome surprise, especially since the missing suitcase held all our toiletries. It was also a brand new suitcase.
How Did Virgin Atlantic Handle Our Lost Luggage Claim?
Once we reached Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, we headed straight to Walmart to replace the basics. Finding American equivalents of our usual products turned into its own mini adventure. Our Walmart receipt came to just under $150, against a claim limit of $80 stated on the form. We weren't deliberately buying premium items, we simply needed to replace things like sun cream, shampoo and painkillers, and there's not much way around that cost.
If we're honest, we didn't expect to see that suitcase again. About two days later we had a call to say it had been found and would be delivered the next day. It duly arrived at Cabana Bay, though one wheel was damaged and there was a small hole on the front panel. We were told the case had "never left Gatwick". We know baggage handling at the airport is technically a separate party's task, but it's still the airline's job to get your luggage where you're going, and we felt Virgin Atlantic did what they reasonably could. They covered the full Walmart bill and the cost of a replacement suitcase.
Should You Book Virgin Atlantic To Orlando?
Here's what we'd actually take away from this experience if you're deciding whether to book:
- Expect an older cabin on some routes, so don't assume a modern entertainment system or pristine interior.
- If your bag does go missing, Virgin Atlantic's claims process is straightforward and they covered our costs in full.
- Check your specific flight's landing time before booking, as some Orlando arrivals now land as late as 8-9pm.
- Flights sell out regularly around UK school holiday dates, so book early if your dates are fixed.
You can book direct with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Atlantic Holidays for a full package. Alternatively, you can add a Virgin Atlantic flight to an ATOL-protected package when booking direct with Disney here.
Click here to check Walt Disney World package prices with a Virgin Atlantic flight >
Our Verdict
Even with a lost bag along the way, we were satisfied with the overall price and level of service, although wouldn't rate it highly. We'd fly Virgin Atlantic again, but perhaps aim for one of the newer aircraft. The cabin we flew in could do with some interior attention, but that's a fairly minor point against how well they handled things when it mattered. Where we'd be more cautious is around the later outbound flight times some routes now have, with some not landing in Orlando until 9-10pm, which effectively costs you half a holiday day. If one of those later flights lands on your preferred travel date, it's worth weighing that up before booking.
Click here to check current Virgin Atlantic Orlando flight prices >
Virgin Atlantic Orlando Flights: Your Questions Answered
Does Virgin Atlantic fly direct to Orlando from the UK?
Yes, Virgin Atlantic operates direct flights to Orlando International Airport (MCO) from UK airports including London Heathrow and Manchester.
What happens if Virgin Atlantic loses your luggage?
You'll be given a claims form to buy essential items and reclaim the cost with a receipt, and in our case they also covered the full cost of a damaged suitcase.
Do Virgin Atlantic flights to Orlando sell out?
Yes, particularly around UK school holiday periods, so it's worth booking early if your travel dates are fixed.
Is wifi included on Virgin Atlantic flights to Orlando?
No, wifi is available but paid for separately, and prices can run high depending on the flight.
