I agree you don't realise how nice the UK is until you've been away for a while, then you think thank god i'm home. As for Virgin they are slowly going down the pan.

Always makes me laugh the way people want to be first off the plane, I wait sitting till i can just stroll off, then catch up with everyone else at baggage reclaim lololol

The experience of traveling is a huge dichotomy; you see beautiful sights and meet wonderful people and experience different cultures and customs, but it's also tedious and tiring, smelly, uncomfortable and expensive.

I travelled Virgin LHR to JFK last month, and travelled upper class outbound and premium economy on the return leg. Back in the early 20’s I was a Virgin Atlantic gold card member, and a regular traveller on their LHR to JFK/Newark route, on their 747 fleet. I’ve also travelled the same route using Delta. I have to say, I will never travel VA again. The onboard service was terrible, the upper class seating cramped, with an awkward seating arrangement and uncomfortable and the food just rubbish. The premium economy seating was actually more comfortable 🤷‍♂️ They’ve fallen a long way since the 20’s that’s for sure, and I’m in no hurry to repeat the experience. Delta on the other hand, a pleasure to fly, and their premium economy service is much better value that VA’s upper class seats.

The subtle faces you pulled whilst eating the food :)

I flew on a Christmas Day to San Francisco with them, not busy and they gave us all a gift bag wit chocolates a card and a small bottle of Grey Goose. Another trip my screen stopped working and the flight attendant went and fetched me a full bottle of champagne as an apology.

Last time we fly was with Virgin, Manchester to Orlando, we were delayed on boarding, but they then boarded us, just before they would have to pay compensation, then we sat on the plane for another 2 hours. Not impressed and as you said staff were pretty rude too.

Mac, little tip for ya. If you want a good price and excellent service between the UK & US try Aer Lingus new route from MAN to JFK direct. They operate an A321 neo on the route and it's a great US gateway. Once you're in NYC you can get an internal flight to anywhere in the States...and MAN is much closer than LHR (I'm in Notts too.) 🤘👍

@dobrien757

2 жыл бұрын

Even better is making a connection in Dublin or Shannon as you get USA customs pre-clearance which is so convenient

Firstly, welcome home Lee. This US trip has been an epic series of vlogs and you have surpassed yourself with this trip so bravo. As for Virgin, Like everything these days the prices are astronomical but the experience has become mediocre. Virgin like BA have become shadows of their former selves as they know that people will still fly with them based on their name, but realistically with more competition they will have to up their game. The food you were served on this flight was appalling and I would be wary of serving that crap in a prison for fear of a riot. Great trip mate and I can understand your relief to be back in what is the greatest nation on earth. One thing that your vlogs have really made me aware of having not travelled to the states in over 12 years is that how expensive it has become over there and how less of a destination it has become. Anyway welcome home, now take a rest mate as you deserve at least a week of R&R until your next vlog ;) P.S. Great choice of music on this vlog once again.

Hi Lee - Thank you for another excellent vlog as I said these are my favourite vlogs...The one thing that stands out from everything else is the sheer size of the place...Everywhere just goes on for miles and you gave us some stunning views...So back to the UK looking forward to seeing what else you have in store for us and I must say the other favourite vlog is the last Tenerife one you did with Darren John and the guys...I hope you will be going back there soon...So thanks again......Onwards.

What a great watch with all your updates from start to finish fella, top job and onwards to the next one my friend. 👍

Some great shots of Chelsea’s, Fulham’s, Brentford’s and Arsenal’s stadium mate as you landed in Heathrow

Glad you're home safe and sound Lee thanks for the vlogs of the states nice to see Martin.Top entertainment as always pal keep it going.

No high heeled shoes eh, does that mean Elton John can't wear his Stillettos onboard... Lol

Another brilliant video Lee, you must be exhausted so glad to have you back in UK . Would love to see you do similar walks with our cities ...hope you have recovered from that awful meal on the plane .... get a few days rest and we shall see you on the next one .... thanks Lee 😎😴👍

I flew on VA on March 9th and came back on March 23rd and while the plane was not full and I didn't have anyone sitting next to me (in economy) I couldn't get the entertainment monitor out from the side of the seat and neither could the cabin crew member another passenger told us how to get it out.. The food was not great and a lot less of it too. Fortunately I always bring my own entertainment, so I wasn't bored. But, what has happened to the little extras that made flying with VA so good,? And I was trying to book a flight from LHR to Orlando on the day the seats were released and there was no availability for a direct flight even on the day they were released and still isn't, nor is there for the inbound flight. I cannot believe there are no seats available for flights to Orlando. As for price, I did go on BA using a military discount code and the prices were stupid, so VA is still cheaper even if it isn't cheap. Thanks for opening the little pack that came with the inbound flight, I put mine in the car (unopened) just in case we go back to having to wear masks again and I leave mine at home.

I flew VA for the first time LGW TO MCO in 2018. Our plane 747 Tinker Belle was absolutely filthy,food debris on the floor under seat seat back was sticky yuk. Two toilets were out of service.Crew out were ok, but on our return home I have a special diet and that hadn’t been loaded and they offered me was an orange 🍊 in cling film. We had paid for economy delight for extra legroom, but the flight home was very quiet, as soon as seat belt light was off everyone moved into the delight seats so got a free upgrade staff didn’t say a word.

I used to fly Virgin Australia and found them to be better than Qantas in terms of price and quality. I guess travel in post Covid era is getting worse.

The food when you're flying out of America is always worse than when you're flying in. Suppliers over there never seem to get it right.

I flew on Virgin’s a350-1000 from JFK to LHR a few weeks ago and was actually very impressed with everything. MUCH better than Delta’s ‘updated’ 767-400. Had to endure that on my way back. Not fun.

Great vlog Lee again,glad to see you back here in the UK,

Great great video Lee. glad you got home safe. thanks for a fantastic US tour.

For these videos we quite often see negative comments about cabin staff which is fine but at the same time you have to bear in mind how many chav types they now have to deal with even on long haul. I work with the public and dealing with chavs, (and snobs !) is pretty wearing on the soul.

@TheMacMaster

2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. BTW. You can see the concorde on landing. God I miss that plane.

@concorde1793

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMacMaster I have a signed autobiography by the chief test pilot Brian Trubshaw !

@TheMacMaster

2 жыл бұрын

We have gone backwards I think not having Concorde. :(wonder if we will ever have supersonic passenger planes ever again?

@concorde1793

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMacMaster I would say no way.....green issues and cost.

Flew virgin to las vegas last November, one hour hanging around the boarding area, crap service on board,food horrible, and a cup of coffee spilt all over my lap, the female staff just said sorry.

We flew Virgin in 2001 to Disney in Florida on a 747. it was amazing, Im pretty sure my daughters still have their Virgin Goody bag, actually if I remember rightly it was more of a goody rucksack. Really sad to hear the service has gone down so much. (Can’t be worse than air India) Thanks for the video

We flew with Virgin from jfk to Heathrow Feb 2020 and the flight and food was terrible. Completely different to the flight out with delta that was brilliant.

Great vlog as always 👍 Lee flying can be exhausting rest up look forward to next one

AMAZING footage of the uk to NOTTS AND ONWARDS - kind thanks.... glad your safe and freshed.

fantastic Vlog Lee, love your videos , a lot of time and work must go into making them appreciate it!.

Welcome home Lee, that is some journey lol, enjoy the weather, not quite 28 degrees here but we've had a bit of a heat wave here in Keswick. Hopefully see you soon.

Another good one Lee. Those seats looked quite small, you'll be glad to get off that flight...onwards my friend.

Aww Lee I was tired just watching you run for those trains lol! Glad you got home safe. 🥰🌞🥰Xxx

New subscriber, fantastic vlogs and appreciate your time and effort in making these. Thanks Lee

Glad your back home safely, that was a long journey i loved going along with you! Love your vlogs and your personality, brilliant.. Can't beat a homecoming Greggs! yayyyy.

I went Singapore Airlines to the U.S on the A380.unbelievable service...also got to be in the top 1.

Thoroughly enjoy your vlog lee it’s been excellent thanks for sharing your trip with us it’s been great 👍🏻

Just watched a JetBlue economy vLog and I like what I saw. I did a random date search on JetBlue for 24 April to 15 May and was pleasantly surprised £391.56 including taxes and fees Heathrow to JFK JetBlue economy..... hope this helps!

I agree Virgin has gone down. Since we first flew with them in the 90’s. In those days you were given a tolietry bag with socks with eyes on which my wife turned into a draught excluder 😄 eye mask, ear plugs, pen and notepad.toothbrush and toothpaste. You also got proper knife and forks, glass drinking glasses. The food were definitely better then. The air stewart’s bought ice creams round when you were watching your movies. We really do enjoy watching your vlogs, interesting, honest and engaging. Watch one and you’re hooked. Love the different topics and subjects you cover. Keep up the good work. 👍

I really felt for you having to rush to get those connections after a long haul flight like that. I know the feeling too well.

MacMaster I loved this. I went from American to Maclesfield with you and for someone who carnt go out it was brilliant. Lots of love xxxxxx

Very well put together, good camera work and editing. I didn't think that I'd watch something like this all the way through, but did...well ,nearly all of it...

Thank you for the Blog. You have an amazing weekend. Fly safe. Ciao. 2022.

Hi Lee, another good video. I used to fly frequently to north America since the majority of my family live there, I always flew with United airlines, I never had any complaints.

Lee, the Robin Hood line from Nottingham to Mansfield is one of the worst on the rail network for a few reasons that I shall not mention. Travelled on it many times to work, am I glad I only did that for 6 months!

I've only flown Virgin on the Hong Kong - Heathrow rtn route back in 1998, it was OK. As I had accumulated a stack of airmiles with Eva Air and others as a Brit working abroad, luckily this has kept me out of economy the Bain of my life before that. But my experience has shown the middle east carriers the best in seating, amenities and dining and the Emirates A380 business class with the bar at the back is wonderful. Now retired in Vietnam I tend to fly back to the UK in 4-5 year intervals and continue to spoil my self with business class, limo to/from the airport, lounge, fully recline seat, a meal when I want it a break half way across Saigon to Heathrow or Birmingham with a ticket price ranging from 2 to 4 grand Heathrow is 300 pounds cheaper. Flew Pan Am fly drive back in the 70s now did enjoy them. Then Canadian in 1994 London Toronto in business they were great, can't say the same of Air Canada, sad they went under. First flew BOAC in 1952 Accra to Heathrow via Tripoli and Rome to refuel in a 4 engined prop plane with rail carriage type seating with a fixed table between the double seats.

welcome back my friend 👍👍👍

I’m tied watching this Lee well done you have done a lot of great vids in the state’s in between watching you and Darren it’s been a great month 👍👌👏👏

Great series Lee! Looking forward to the next one. Get some rest now mate 🙂

Very interesting Lee, We normally fly long haul with either BA or Emirates but we got bumped onto an American Airlines flight to NYC & the staff were all like senior citizens and bloody rude!😩 Always fancied a flight with Virgin but Hmmmm, not so sure now! Grand job as ever!👍😊👏👏👏

@dickriggles942

2 жыл бұрын

American Airlines is terrible. Used to be good in the eighties and nineties until 9/11 gave the staff attitudes and made them feel their customers were the enemy.

@stewartsteinecke7301

2 жыл бұрын

Virgin is definitely nothing to write home about after flying with Emirates.

Great journey, enjoyed the trip. I came home from Atlanta with Virgin, nowhere near KLM.

You're right, Lee... there's NO place like home! Call me a miserable git, but back in 2018 I did more international travel than I've ever done in any other year, it soon gets old (esp. all the hassle with baggage checks, security, waiting, etc.). All I found myself wanting was a proper pint, with proper food, with good mates. That tracking device is a game-changer. Apple don't really need to advertise, as their products sell themselves, and their customers do all the advertising for them for free! Food onboard that flight looked bloody awful. With that said, if you have an inkling that the food is going to be rubbish (but the flight a decent price), best to take your own food onboard. You've set the bar now on this US jaunt. Looking forward to future uploads. Keep up the great work. 👍

I am 55 now and first flew on Virgin to Orlando when I was 22. They did a last minute fare that you could only buy from from Virgin Megastore in Oxford Street in person the day before you flew. It was £99 to Orlando $99 back so at the time was less than £150 RTN! The flight was fantastic too, I have said for years that as they have gone upmarket further away from the budget airline of their early days the price has steadily gone up and the service has gone in the other direction.

Flew VIrgin LHW to Las Vegas 8th March premium econ, great flight and reasonable food, generous drinks but the economy delight flight back was appalling. Same food choices as you, I plumped for pesto pasta and it was so dry, the brownie was also dry, and 2 x crackers n cheese (no butter) was the final straw. We got one hot drink only before the night service kicked in. I doubt I will fly Virgin again but it’s a shame because we used them every time for US and were saddened at how the quality of service has declined

Branson doesn't have anything to do with Virgin Atlantic now, does he? He stepped down as chairman in 2012, and ceased being CEO as long ago as 2001

Hi Lee, I feel your pain pal . I took a flight from JFK back to Manchester in December was given the exact same food. I'm not sure which was worse the crackers and cheese with no butter or the cold porridge. It was sad to see such an iconic airline become a shadow of its former self. My options are so limited at Manchester I'll have to try Aer Lingus next time.

We fly Virgin to Orlando for Disney springs check in going home but it’s closed at moment. We did upper class twice saved and saved, first time amazing food second time total letdown. Can’t sleep in beds so hard but nice quilts n pillow. Flying so expensive now. We were going pre covid premium both ways but now going economy going as price went up by another £1000 for two on top of the new price, we kept our money in with Virgin for both cancelled covid flights, silver member and they wouldn’t do like for like unless we paid £1900, it’s cost £900 more for 3 to go economy n return premium compared to premium both ways. More money for less seats. They don’t even contact you anymore when you email them. Iv got points to use so will use them and finish with them. Doesn’t pay to be a loyal customer anymore, I don’t know how families can afford to go to Florida with price rises, feels like 1999 when Florida was just a dream destination

@enfys6493

2 жыл бұрын

I used to use Disney Springs check In (when it was Downtown Disney) but, I found it such a time waster for the last day that I use the bell services at my Disney resort to store my luggage and pick up my case when the bus to the airport comes. I've never had a long wait at the check in at MCO, unlike at the DS check in. More time in the park on my last day too.

Welcome back. Virgin have been bang average for a few years now. They survive on their reputation. The US Airlines are better these days.

An excellent vlog Mr Macmaster..great to see you back on home soil...back to the fantastic 'foodies reviews..

Great vlog Lee safe journey 👍

Another great video 👌

When Virgin Atlantic first started they used to have performers doing gigs in the aisle on the flight over to New York. A friend of mine with his band called Snake hip Johnson and the shuffling Hungarians played a very tipsy gig at 36,000 feet to an enthusiastic audience including Branson. Those where the days.

Hi Lee👏👏, Another Excellent Vlog. A long 6 hour journey back to the U.K. Your face is a picture when eating that awful food. Enjoy time with your Family. Thanks for sharing your vlogs with us and look forward to seeing you sometime in South 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿. Steve & Sheila 👏👏👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

The food looks really poor. I was cabin crew for many years with a British charter airline, and we served better food than that.

That was some journey. OMG that food was terrible, it reminded me of the days of charter flights to holiday destinations in Europe when you used to get food on board and it was always awful. You must have read my mind, I was going to ask you what tracker you use for your suitcase. Thanks for that info. Thanks for taking us along, glad you got home safely.

That was a great watch, good to see your home safely

Hiya Lee! Awww I missed your premier! I didn’t get a notification! I was looking from 6pm and nothing was on! Oh well! That food on the plane didn’t look appetising although you did eat some of it. I remember you saying you were stopping by DJ on the way back! I assume that will come on a different Vlog now. Oh boy did you stress yourself with all that train business trying to get them on time. I couldn’t run that much as you.. it is so much relief to be back home isn’t it. Nice to get away but that feeling being back on UK soil. I noticed how much greener and flat London is compared with New York.So many skyscrapers over there. Great Vlog all the same 👍🏻👍🏻

Happy to see you arrived home safely.

Thank you so much for the last weeks I have loved every minute of every vlog apart from when I was worried in the station in LA shall miss my nightly treat. You are great at what you do - have a rest and some healthy food x

Agree about Emirates. Flew to Dubai and back with them en route to Aus and both the A380 and the staff were superb. food was decent too

That was a long journey Lee….great vlog though, loved it….and my son recently saw Back to the future musical in London said it was brilliant 😊👍

Making these vlogs Lee you thoroughly deserve every single thumbs up, subscription and everything else! Who said it's easy being a top You Tube vlogger?

Great video, Thankyou I was imagining being on holiday with you. Well done. It's a sorry situation I'm in right now, but thankyou I've felt like I was on holiday with you. I can only dream. Thankyou. xx

I used to fly to the US all the time and mostly in Virgin Upperclass. Occasionally BA, got upgrades to 1st on the way out and came back to UK on Concorde. Fantastic!

Thank you very much Lee for sharing all your experiences during this entire trip to America..you've shown me how The States has changed since I last went over 20 years ago..age and health stop me from going again. Macmaster keep doing your stuff..its enthralling 10/10

Great vlog once again Lee. I shall miss these American food vlogs they have been so interesting and fun. I flew with Virgin Atlantic back in 1998 I think it was. They were ok and the food back then was ok but I’ve heard now they are not what they were. Perhaps Mr Richard Branson has made some cutbacks after all the Covid business, ( or rather lack of). The food here looked very average and nothing special. That dog dinner of a breakfast looked just that, a right dog’s dinner! Anyway thank you for bringing these entertaining vlogs from the other side of the Atlantic Lee 👍

Really enjoyed this video. Thank you!

Epic journey lee Grea vlog mate You must have been knackered after that

Lee on your next trip to the states, aer lingus is a must The best and most enjoyable way to do it is fly Aer Lingus from anywhere in the UK to Dublin and then clear US customs in Dublin If you have BA status you also have complimentary lounge access Also they recently refurbished their A330 cabin and have new a321 neo lr aircraft and the food is really good

@TheMacMaster

2 жыл бұрын

I have global entry so don't do immigration. Straight through. 😊 I want to visit Dublin though. I need a Guinness. 💚

Cool vlog lee.👍👍👈👈

Agree with you on the food didn't look tasty, you probably have to pay full price to get the butter, lol! Nice aircraft the 350, while you gone, Virgin did a rescue mission from Warsaw, picked up 52 orphans and their guardians! The pilot and crew gave up their free time for the flight! The Concorde at LHR is falling apart, no one looking after it! The Concorde at MAN is under cover and not rotting away! Nice work Lee, anything to do with aircraft is a must for me!! 👍😊

So you pretty much flew back over the Silver Fox’s house with you left NYC then flew over DJ’s pad as you flew back into London over docklands 😁 That was an amazing view from looking down on London 👍🏻

Never flown Virgin before and this just convinces me to never do that. Welcome back home Lee. Loved the USA vlogs (Still got some to catch up with) but sometimes, old Blighty vlogs are more, recognisable.

Great vlog Lee, welcome back to the uk 👍👋

Hi Lee great vlog as usual.I flew to Melbourne in 2019 with Qatar airlines.Dreamliner from Manchester to Doha then the 380 to Melbourne fabulous aeroplane staff and flight excellent.

Hi, really enjoyed being with you so to speak on the trip home, welcome back, you looked pleased to be back, thought your flight home was far better than the nightmare flight you had going out there, perhaps you included were all a bit americaned out now, thanks again for your vids, Mark

Great shots coming into London :-) cant believe the trip is over and we are home 😞

When we flew back from Florida in 1995 the cabin crew were from Delta they had the uniform on and were really brash.That was onboard a 747-200 Scarlet Lady

Virgin used to give you a welcome cocktail (in Economy) for holiday flights, was a great touch putting everyone in a brilliant mood (including the amenities bag) - all gone now, actually started flying BA as their pricing was a bit cheaper for the routes I needed.

Loved the NY vlogs, just a shame the Silver Fox wasn't available. THAT LITTLE THING DOWN THERE, GO ON RING THAT LITTLE THING!

Thank god you survived that hell hole. Too bad Martin doesn't live in the UK -- you could send him to the Palace for an update. Looking forward to seeing you with Dave, Ange, Darren, et al.

Great video and loved the sound track I'm coming home... "remove your high heel shoes" ah the memories and very good advice to keep walking on them travelators so so many people just get on and stand

I noticed about 5 years ago Virgil went down hill fast. Some staff getting rude and obviously not happy in their job. And food got bad 👎

really enjoyed that your expressions on the flight were priceless lol , we cannot compare to be honest as in all the years of going back and forth to MCO we have only gone long haul with virgin, we do get a little discount with FVC , remember the flight packs 100% know i have a couple never opened packed away somewhere along with a pinched blanket ( shhhhhh ) with the lock out of the united states we had with the Rona , we have not been able to get back until this coming october since oct 2019 , last flights being on the Falcon , the cameras underneath look cool will be great to add to our vlogs , keep safe and well , loving all this content you have Lee .

I have flown Easy Jet from Cph to Newcastle, and it was fine for the low price. Sadly it didn't last that long, but I did manage to walk along Hadrians Wall and a visit to our former Danish family in York.

The food is enough for me to avoid Virgin Atlantic. Who are they kidding?

Brilliant vlog Lee, really enjoyed that!

I wouldn't build ya hopes up about the weather Lee. Spring has been and gone by the looks of the forecast.

What was the disaster???

Orlando...LA..NYC...to Mansfield...what a come down...😂😅....A BIG THANKS Lee..your 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇸 vlog's have been absolute quality...your a star...see you around Leeds I'll buy you a beer...

I loved the Marcel Marceau impression on the plane 😁👌😂