The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

stoneman

May

ferf1223 wrote: »

I agree with you (and photome) on this.

For the OP, to get an idea of the scale of construction (and it's just an idea, you can't really understand until you see it!) check here

a construction photo with a bit of MC on the left.

http://www.citycenter.com/luxury_las_vegas_condos/images/construction/07013.jpg

And an aerial view -

http://www.citycenter.com/luxury_las_vegas_condos/images/construction/07001.jpg

MC's hotel is the sort of upside down Y.

I would also probably avoid it during the construction personally...some reviews have said that the construction noise starts quite early and goes quite late, etc.

But if you're prepared for the construction then it may be OK - I think a lot of people go not knowing and are then surprised and disappointed.

Looking at the photo, imagine if you paid extra to be in a corner suite in the Spa tower of the Bellagio (the thin building to the middle right with the blue roof of the aerial view photo):eek:

Johnk1

Just stumbled across this thread and what an interesting read it is!

I am looking to book a week in August and wondered what people's view is of flying with Virgin out of Gatwick? The advantage being its direct but I am concerned about the comments on page 1 saying the flights are rubbish - old planes, surly staff etc.

There are plenty of options with only 1 stop that will add a few hours to the overall journey but I suppose it will get the immigration bit out of the way leaving me to hit the strip as soon as I am off the plane!

Would appreciate any thoughts / experiences of flying with Virgin recently and/or any recommendations for indirect routes and airlines.

Many thanks!

ferf1223

March

Johnk1 wrote: »

Would appreciate any thoughts / experiences of flying with Virgin recently and/or any recommendations for indirect routes and airlines.

Many thanks!

There have been quite a few comments on this topic over the last few months and to me it's really down to personal preference. We prefer to fly direct as we don't like the hassle or additional travel time to fly indirect - it would stress me out if we were flying with a connection and the first leg's flight was delayed, etc...plus the last time we flew indirect it took us 22 hours from check-in to arrival. So for now we choose Virgin even though the planes aren't the best and it's generally not the cheapest option.

Others put a higher value on total price and/or comfort than travel time/potential connection issues than we do and are now opting to go indirect.

It's down to personal preference really..personally I've never had any issues with Virgin flight crews...they've always been really friendly and helpful, though we're pretty undemanding passengers especially where in-flight alcohol service and entertainment is concerned.

weiser

April

i think your right ferf1223 it really is down to personal preference ive just done the vegas flight from gatwick they do seemed to have speeded it up only took 9hrs 50 mins out landed at 1300 which i thought was good only to be stuck in immigration for 1 hour 30 mins oh well

Viz_2

Johnk1 wrote: »

I am looking to book a week in August and wondered what people's view is of flying with Virgin out of Gatwick? The advantage being its direct but I am concerned about the comments on page 1 saying the flights are rubbish - old planes, surly staff etc.

I travelled with Virgin direct to Vegas this time last year. I must admit I said at the time that I didn't think much of them.
Saying that, I would much prefer to travel direct than not, so would use them again.

photome

Johnk1 wrote: »

Just stumbled across this thread and what an interesting read it is!

I am looking to book a week in August and wondered what people's view is of flying with Virgin out of Gatwick? The advantage being its direct but I am concerned about the comments on page 1 saying the flights are rubbish - old planes, surly staff etc.

There are plenty of options with only 1 stop that will add a few hours to the overall journey but I suppose it will get the immigration bit out of the way leaving me to hit the strip as soon as I am off the plane!

Would appreciate any thoughts / experiences of flying with Virgin recently and/or any recommendations for indirect routes and airlines.

Many thanks!

I have flown with virgin on that route a number of times in last 10 years and it has gradually gone downhill, so much so that unless they are very cheap I wont use that route again.

The only problem I had was a seat with no padding (just like a park bench) and on researching found that it is a very common complaint. The cabin service isnt great but that wouldnt put me off.

ferf1223

March

photome wrote: »

The only problem I had was a seat with no padding (just like a park bench) and on researching found that it is a very common complaint.

Ah, see that's probably why it doesn't bother us as much as it bothers you and Trets and stoneman...we probably have more 'natural' padding than you guys. Don't give me a reason to give up on the diet!

Johnk1

Thank you all for your comments, certainly food for thought.

Having left it relatively late (I dont know why, I have known it is my birthday in August for some time) the best price I can get direct with Virgin is now around £725 whereas the best single stop flight is £534.

What does the movey saver in me want to do??!

stoneman

May

Johnk1 wrote: »

Thank you all for your comments, certainly food for thought.

Having left it relatively late (I dont know why, I have known it is my birthday in August for some time) the best price I can get direct with Virgin is now around £725 whereas the best single stop flight is £534.

What does the movey saver in me want to do??!

If I was going to save £200+ I would go with the indirect flight, as long as the layover wasn't too long. Let us know who it's with and someone will be able to give you an idea of what they are like

trets77

April

Johnk1 wrote: »

Thank you all for your comments, certainly food for thought.

Having left it relatively late (I dont know why, I have known it is my birthday in August for some time) the best price I can get direct with Virgin is now around £725 whereas the best single stop flight is £534.

What does the movey saver in me want to do??!

i won't pay £275 for that flight again let alone £725.

for me it is about how painful is the alternative . to me adding a day to trip or losing a day in Vegas to fly into LA ( and then drive up to Vegas) would not be a big deal, in fact it has it upsides. . but like others have said that is my personal choice.

i am not crazy about connecting flights either , but i really enjoying driving in the USA, so unless i can fly My Travel or BMI for a price that is right , thats what i will do next time.

If you can endure the 10 hours on that 1960 designed cattle truck that is Virgin 747 to Vegas , then you are getting a lot of plus points . I.E short traveling time , less risk of luggage going astray ect. but £725 :eek: would be way way to much to pay for a what is a very poor product for me.what are BMI quoting for their flight ???

it's not just the comfort of the seats , it's the fact your forced to sit next to total strangers if your a couple , that you get pinned to your seat for and hour when they lock you in with the food tray. okay in seat entertainment is substitutable if you plan ahead, but when you paying good money , i expect things like that to work. and i expect that if they sell the flight as free drinks included , that i get free drinks for the whole of the flight not just the first few hours ( where the seatbelt sign is on for a fair amount of time) .

The staff have a difficult job what with so many grumbling people i know , but they lock themselves away in little groups in the compartments in the bulkheads with the curtains closed , then look at you like you are something scraped off their shoe when you have the nerve to ask them for something, that and flippant sarcastic remarks.

if i had to do it again full price i would need a extra seat for the guy with the gun to my head lol:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: . but i would book a seat at the back, because there are four toilet cubicles at the back , and i managed to sit a whole 3 1/2 hours in one without it being noticed last trip, cause it was night flight , and there is not as much toilet traffic there. i popped out for a few second every so often to find no one waiting , so just went back in and but my feet up.