Flying To Orlando With Virgin Holidays

“It is not the destination where you end up but the mishaps and memories you create along the way.” It’s one of those quotes you see on Pinterest, and while it’s likely to be referring to life in general, I like to think it can be applied literally to travel too.

How you get to your destination can often be make or break – a long, stressful car journey (I still haven’t forgotten an eight hour drive to Wales with a toddler in the back) or a six hour delay in an airport might send you over the edge before your holiday has even started.

So when we travelled to Universal Resort Orlando recently, as a family, I was VERY EXCITED to be travelling with Virgin Holidays and going on a Virgin Atlantic flight.

Virgin Atlantic has always been my number one choice of airline, when flying to the US. In my experience, it’s just the best way to get across the pond. The food seems to be a notch above other airlines, the staff are super helpful, the in-flight entertainment is second-to-none and even little touches like handing out menu cards at the start of the flight, and having a comedy safety video shows they go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable.

When we’ve flown to the States in the past, I’ve invariably spent hours comparing flight prices and ended up booking a non Virgin flight that connects somewhere random (because, you know, I’m Scottish and like to get a bargain) so flying direct to Orlando with Virgin was SUCH a treat.

It sounds crazy but just getting a direct flight, when you’re used to connecting (last time we flew to Orlando, we went via Toronto!) meant that we were looking forward to the trip even more. Mr P did his usual trick of looking online, in advance, to see what the in-flight entertainment options would be. And as soon as we boarded, the headphones went on and we all started watching something – Captain Underpants The Movie for the seven-year-old and Mr P and I both watched Baby Driver (excellent movie!) But there were so many more options – whole seasons of TV shows like Divorce, and YouTube videos from people like Mother Pukka.

As well as our meal being tasty (which can’t often be said for airline meals…), Virgin Atlantic also give you the option to pre-book a kids’ meal, which is genius. The seven-year-old had cheesy pasta, cake and apple juice while we had chicken pesto pasta – and later on, a FAB lolly!

Granted, travelling with one seven-year-old isn’t as tricky as flying with a baby, or multiple children, but when the seven-year-old wasn’t watching movies, she played games on the in-flight entertainment system (she’s playing Solitaire in that photo of my ice lolly, above!). At one point she turned to me and said “I JUST don’t know what to do!” which was definitely a reaction to having TOO MANY brilliant options. I could tell she was thinking “Should I watch a movie, read my Harry Potter book, play a game, do some puzzles or do some colouring?”

Throughout the flight, the airline crew were happy to bring us extra bottles of water, a cheeky G&T or two, and generally look after us well. It was the perfect start to our holiday. On the way back, we caught a night flight and received the same brilliant service, including a fab breakfast just before we landed.

Flying Virgin Atlantic felt, to me, a cut above the other airlines we’ve flown with, and I’ll always have a little check to see if we can afford to fly with them before looking at other options from now on. So there were – thankfully –  no mishaps on the way, but there were definitely some memories made on our journey.

Read more about our trip over here!

This trip was kindly arranged by Mumsnet, Universal Orlando Resort and Virgin Holidays. I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Panel, a group of parent bloggers who have volunteered to review products, services, events and brands for Mumsnet. I have not paid for the holiday featured above and I wasn’t paid to write about it. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity. For more information on how I work with brands, see my Work With Me page.

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9 Comments

  1. December 4, 2017 / 10:30 am

    Totally with you on this. My only problem with Virgin is the kids are never bored, so they don’t even bother to sleep on the overnight flights! Good problem to have. Honestly, mine could happily while away a whole flight to Australia with Virgin’s entertainment options. And they do have the best in flight safety video of all!

  2. December 7, 2017 / 7:08 pm

    They’re a wonderful airline aren’t they? The perfect way to start a trip to the US, especially with ice lollies included 🙂 x

  3. December 9, 2017 / 6:52 pm

    I sooo want to travel with Virgin if we do book our flights for NYC next year, Although a little nervous about flying with a teeny baby but fingers crossed it will be fine! x

  4. December 11, 2017 / 1:11 pm

    I LOVE flying Virgin – I have never flown with anyone else to get to America and I agree, they’re a big cut above the rest. This post made me want to go on a flight with them ASAP!! x

  5. December 13, 2017 / 7:35 pm

    They are simply the best aren’t they? I’ve flown with them three times and each time they haven’t disappointed. They certainly sound like the best people to travel with children with that’s for sure x

  6. December 16, 2017 / 10:16 am

    I have to say I have always been impressed with Virgin Holidays and flights – also I love that you could get a FAB ice-cream on flight, thats amazing, Also the staff are always friendly and great with kids

    Laura x

  7. December 17, 2017 / 10:18 pm

    I bloody love Virgin Airlines and haven’t had the chance to fly with them for years! Very envious of it all but especially the FAB lolly. RESULT!

  8. December 17, 2017 / 11:08 pm

    One day I will make it to New York, and will fly with Virgin!

  9. June 12, 2018 / 6:45 am

    Well I am flying to New York this weekend and i am also flying with VIRGIN airlines, can’t wait to be there and see my favorite city. Thank you for sharing your experience.

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