Virtual Aerospace Reviews 104

Like most of the bad reviews of this company, I too was bought a flying experience for last Christmas by my wife. I expected a bit of a wait but was booked for March, no problem. Was then emailed to say building works were being done so would have to rebook in September. Anyway, long story short, a number of rebooks followed, asked for money back, refused. Received email informing company had gone into liquidation and should try and claim money back through my bank.
But what has really infuriated and made me decide to write this review is today I have received an email from ‘Runway Simulators’ asking if I had got my money back and would I like to rebook! A portion of which below :-
This does mean that your Voucher as above is no longer valid, and you will need to either claim back monies via your Credit card or Pay Pal or via the Receivers.

I set out below details of who we are and how we may be able to help you, along with links to sites which will assist in money back claims

If once you have resolved the financial element you wish to re book with us then we would be delighted to see you and are prepared to offer you a 15% discount on the Voucher cost which you paid initially to VA

There is NO WAY I’m going to risk or waste my hard earned money on this company or the ‘new’ company.

I received a voucher at Xmas now to be told the company has ceased trading. My advice is don't buy vouchers for anything up front. About time that customers money should be retained in a holding account to protect against such eventualities.

I have turned up at Stockport and found that they have bust. Really looking forward ro Vulcan flight a present from my wife. Money gone

Absolute disgrace.
This company claims its gone insolvent,due to having too many bookings.
Paid over £250 for an 'experience'
Thanks for NOTHING

BEWARE!! BEWARE!! BEWARE!!
THIS COMPANY HAS GONE INTO LIQUIDATION!!
They owe me a refund and have promised to pay on multiple occasions. Now they no longer answer the phone nor reply to emails. The website is still live and taking bookings!!! THEY MUST NOW BE SCAMMING PEOPLE OUTOF THEIR MONEY! PLEASE DON'T BOOK WITH THEM. Check companies house under Virtual aerospace and you will see an APPLICATION for insolvency. I can't post the link here I'm afraid.

Bought as a gift for my husband for Christmas but when we tried to book we were sent an email advising they have gone into liquidation. No information provided for further contact with receiver.
However I have just checked online and this company is STILL taking money!!
AVOID!! please don’t waste your money.

My experience at Stockport was cancelled with a few days notice, after waiting 8 mths. I was refused a refund and was offered a new booking in 9 mths time. I threatened legal action if no refund received within 2 weeks, sent 3 days ago.

I turned up to Stockport and it was all locked up when it should have been open. Neighbouring units told me that they thought it had gone out of business from what they had heard. Some staff had moved on, the Owner was in Spain, and remaining staff told not to open up.

Someone on Facebook yesterday mentioned that they had received an email from the company saying they had gone into administration, and yet they are still taking bookings and monies.

I have informed Citizens advice who will contact trading standards to ascertain the full situation, and stop the adverts if they are no longer offering the service. Anyone who has experienced a similar cancellation should contact Citizens Advice and explain their story.

Yesterday I received an email telling me the company is in liquidation. It isn’t, they were continuing to trade having entered a Company Voluntary Agreement through Manchester Court Centre with HMRC, Simworx and a firm of accountants for £187,973.98 to be paid over 5 years.

They tell me the company has stopped trading but the website is still active and able to take bookings. This needs to be sorted ASAP by the liquidator and/or a one page website saying th company is defunct.

Same as many others, booked months ago, cancelled last minute for nonsense reasons, offered a new date 6 months in the future, refused a refund. I suspect they're just burning the money on stimulants and company on a beach somewhere.

Waiting forever for a refund. Booking office clerk was unbelievably rude and offensive and a liar to boot. Stay clear

I just got a message stating they were in liquidation. With lots of people's hard earned money.

Why have you not answered my email about the rudeness of your staff?

Sending emails to colleagues demeaning me and my behaviour..all of which was utter lies.
Them copying me the email.

A previous customer's time overran; the instructor, Keith, was extremely apologetic. He stayed after his finish time so that it didn't impact my partner's alloted spot and also gave him extra time to apologise for the delay. Keith was extremely helpful and knowledgeable and made all the difference to the experience. I had a few problems with the admin team when I initially booked the experience but I understand that they have new staff now, so don't be put off by negative reviews, my partner loved every minute!

SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS COMPANY!!

They are clearly ripping people off left, right and centre.
I have had similar bad experience to others. Constant cancellations, asked for a refund been refused. Its shocking!! This was a gift for my uncle.
I am in the process of reporting them to trading standards!
Do not waste your money!!!

This company is a scam!!, I have been waiting for my "experience" since 2022.. twice they have had to cancel my slot due to "building works" looking deeper it would seem they are have huge financial issues and if you read recent reviews on Facebook, you will see that this is happening to many people.. DO NOT BOOK with them!

I booked a spitfire experience for my son last summer for his birthday in Nov 2023. They cancelled it 'as the pilot had covid' and offered me March 2024. Not exactly happy as if wasn't his birthday then, but I went along with it.

In Feb 2024, we received another message to say it would be cancelled again 'due to building works' and they offered me October 2024.

As this was the second cancellation, I said I wasn't happy and they offered me a refund which I accepted. This was on the 23rd Feb. As of March 4th, I have still not received the refund and looking at the more recent reviews on Trust Pilot, I don't think the company has any intention of giving me my money back.

This was my son's birthday present. He was super excited and to be honest, I can't really afford to pay out again with a different company until I get my refund.

The company is still advertising, and still taking people's hard earned money, despite there now being a pattern of not providing either the experience nor a refund.

It simply is unfair and immoral but as it's over 120 days, I can't even do a charge back (I paid my debit card.) There is something wrong with UK Law which allows a company to take your money and not provide a service or product. It should be theft.

Buyer beware. DO NOT GIVE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY AWAY.

If anyone has paid by credit card - get your money back using section 75.

Received an email informing me they had to cancel my booking early march due to building works that would not be completed on time. Offered dates 8 months from now or a long 3.5 drive to their Shoreham base for an earlier date. They have said they won't refund and are being rather nonchalant about a refund. I can't do the dates offered in October and simply want my money back at this stage. Such a shame as this was an exciting gift for my son. A company is only as good as their customer's satisfaction and I, and I am sure now, others are far from dissatisfied. I had a booking, they have cancelled it, offered me dates 8 months away that I can't do, so a refund is in order.

- cancelled our booking.
- Refused to refund and ignored emails.

They cancelled our booking 10 days before our agreed upon date and refused to refund us.

They said they do not have to refund us as they are only ‘postponing’ the booking. Nb, alternative dates offered were months in advance so not a suitable alternative.

The whole experience with them was pretty unprofessional and uncomfortable from the start. I paid extra to have a weekend booking but quickly discovered they very very little availability for any dates/times, so we decided to take a week day booking (they did not offer to refund us the difference). In order to book you need to email and ask what dates are available and then there’s a back and forth via email before your booking is confirmed - how inefficient?!

We booked time off work, paid for our flights and accommodation. 10 days before the agreed date they cancelled it due to ‘electrical problems’ in their building. We then requested a refund as we are not in the position to make this trip again (the hotel and flights for the family were close to £2000). We have a 5 month old baby so we’re not exactly flush with cash right now, or have the flexibility to just travel whenever. We had to chase the refund request as we hadn’t heard anything. After 1 week and a reminder email from us the company rejected our refund request saying they would only extend the voucher.

We sought legal advice and were told that the company was in breach of contract as a date had been agreed. They told us to email the company to say that the company must honour the agreed date or provide a refund, offer to use an ADR scheme and to give the company 7-14 days to respond. The company acknowledged the email but did not respond to the contents.

I’m shocked that they have so many good reviews. I am starting to wonder if these excellent reviews are actually genuine? I can see there are a few 1 start reviews over various websites that had very similar experiences to us, which I wish I had seen before giving them my money!

This experience has been really upsetting and unpleasant. What should have been a nice birthday present for a new dad and an excuse for a lovely first family holiday to London has just been a truly horrible experience.

If I could give a negative star, I would! I paid for an experience as a gift! A few days before the flight simulation was to take place, I received an email to say that there were problems and that we could either wait for another 6 months or receive a refund! I chose the refund but 3 weeks and 40+ emails later, still no refund, just empty promises!

Visited in July for a Vulcan flight experience that I got as a gift. Really great 90mins of virtual flying. And the staff were excellent. Definitely recommend for any aviation enthusiasts.

The experience was excellent from start to finish.
I was flying the virtual Vulcan plane
Tim the co-pilot explained the controls clearly and understandable and what to expect when flying

Had the 60 minute Vulcan experience instructed by Tim Keenan. Tremendous fun and expertly led by Tim who was extremely knowledgeable and subtly prevented me from crashing on many occasions. Would highly recommend.