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#911383 by ColOrd
10 Oct 2015, 16:47
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So there is a trend, and I think even a thread dedicated to the topic that inbound trips back to London just seem to lack the sparkle and pizazz of the outbound trips with tired and mardy crews and sloppy service, so in the back of my mind I was prepared for slightly less of an experience for the flight back from Miami than I was going into Los Angeles.

So just to let you all know the full trip, I flew out to LA on my own, had a week in LA, a day trip to San Fran with Virgin America, then I took the Amtrak to Chicago, onwards to Washington DC for three days, then a day trip to New York and down for a week with my friend Nick in Miami, just a little under three weeks in total, and all of this was for my 30th Birthday!

Nick flew out to Miami about a week before I arrived as he wanted a two week holiday but didn’t want the whole adventure and travelling that I was doing! Now in collaboration with the Reservations Manager at the hotel we were staying in, he had secured us an upgrade to a three bedroom penthouse suite, and arranged on my birthday itself for a teddy, bottle of wine and a cheese plate to be left in the suite! Was a lovely little touch from the hotel. If anyone was wondering it was the DoubleTree Ocean Point in Sunny Isles.

Anyway on our last day, as we were getting ready to head down to breakfast, I thought I was bound for Honey Lamb style holiday disaster when there was an almighty explosion just outside the hotel. The building next door had suffered a gas explosion it its rooftop boiler room which had showered debris across the beach, and injured a number of people, including one who needed to be airlifted.

Collins Avenue, which is the main sea front road along the Miami Coast was closed off for about half a mile in either direction, and nothing was getting in or out – including to our hotel! The fire service were threatening to evacuate the DoubleTree as they couldn’t rule out another explosion. So I had visions of being evacuated sans luggage and then somehow having to fly back! Anyway my worst fears were not realised, and when it came to 5pm the road had reopened sufficiently that our car could get in and out to pick us up! Phew!!

The driver annoyed me though as he had never heard of Virgin Atlantic, heard my Geordie and Nick’s Scouse accent and kept insisting “Oh yes I know British Airways” if he said “You fly British Airways” once more I think it would have pushed me over the edge! He dropped us by Concourse F, which is of course the VS and BA terminal, lucky for him they share a concourse!

Tubular Belle, G-VHOT had arrived on time to speed us back home to London!

There is not a lot to say about Miami airport, it’s a dump in Concourse F, was not particularly impressed with it to say the least. I am a stickler for branding and I noticed that the tensabarriers they use in the concourse have the very old Virgin Atlantic type face on, poor form Virgin!

Check In was just opening, I had done OLCI the night before with a measly Seq 12, the check in agent was really chatty, she was apologetic about the Club America lounge, and said they were looking at ways to improve and were putting pressure on the people who run the lounge to improve the food. She was very excited about getting the 787 in Feb and the new second flight next month. No issues with short checking through to LHR vice Dublin as both of us were on the Dublin trick!

Through security relatively quickly with no dramas but the lack of a fast track was annoying.
The lounge was not quite as bad as I was expecting it to be, the seating was far from comfy, and the little sandwiches and snacks were basic, but the drinks selection was really good, including Jagermeister! I do love my Jager!

Had a browse through the small duty free area, got some spirits and chocolates to take home, and a box of course for the crew!

Priority boarding was in force, and after collecting my duty free at the gate, a quick walk down the air bridge and I was warmly greeted at the door by two cabin crew and then escorted to my seat by the FSM. She had a second FSM with her that night and I have to say both of them were absolutely exceptional throughout the whole flight.

Pre Departure Champers offered and accepted, and even a second one was in the offing too! Very impressed so far!

We were in 12A and 14A, which were great seats, although we both needed the crew to store things for us, but this was done with no fuss. Sat across from us in 12K and 14K were an amusing elderly American couple who kept screaming the obvious at each other “Oh wow Janice the seat has a light” “Oh wow Bob we are taking off” and when I say screaming, I mean, screaming, but we got chatting to them and they were both quite lovable in the end.

There was a hurricane off the coast of Florida that day, so we took a very inland route, but even then we caught the tail end of some turbulence over northern Florida which at one point suspended the meal service for about 10 minutes but thankfully we hadn’t really got beyond placing orders.

My IFE suddenly went all distorted just before the crew had done their first drinks run, annoyingly I was quite excited about watching Jurassic World. The FSM came around, reset it twice to no avail and then gave up and gave me an iPad which sadly had a lot less of a selection on it, and didn’t include Jurassic World so I returned it and said it wasn’t an issue and I would watch some Miranda on my own iPad. She apologised profusely and agreed to credit me 10k miles.

On to dinner I had the Harrisa soup, the beef and then the fig orange and date cake. I had a nasty mouth ulcer on my tongue which hampered me eating it but all three were delicious! I have to give myself credit that I managed to not spill a drop of a red coloured soup on a flight with turbulence! I would struggle normally on the ground let alone at 35,000 feet!

Nick and a lot of people had bedded down by this point, but I don’t ever sleep on flights so I asked for a cheese plate and took it at the bar, due to the amazing crew, I ended up with two cheese plates and was offered a third! Sat for about an hour with the crew having a chinwag and a laugh including both of the FSM’s. Both of which were really outstanding in different ways.

Then the CC from upstairs came down with a problem, a ladies bed wouldn’t convert and she was getting very annoyed and wanted to sleep, they had tried everything and the seat was basically jammed in the seat position.

I wasn’t intending on converting to bed mode anyway, so I offered to swap with her till the breakfast service, which got me another 10k miles, and a few other treats!

I did manage to doze for about 40 minutes or so whilst trying to watch an episode of Miranda on my iPad.
Breakfast was served about an hour or so from landing, it was a consistent theme with previous trip reports – breakfast on board is a bit of a dud! Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad, just didn’t really hit the spot, but was enough to see us through to revivals.

Just before the seatbelt signs came on, the member of cabin crew who I had inadvertently saved from the argument with the woman who wanted to sleep, came down with a bottle of champers, chocolates and an UC luggage tag signed happy birthday by the crew! What an amazing feeling to be made to feel so special! Contrastingly, Nick, feeling a little bit left out, thought that he was ignored in my favour, I just think he was being a little bit of a diva!

Had about 15 minutes in the hold outside Heathrow, but we were on the ground a little just before 11:25. Nick, in full on diva mode, had demanded fast track cards from the crew, despite them clearly only being handed out to non EU passport holders, and he then, despite us both having passport readable by the E-gates, demanded we go through the fast track aisle, with all of the American citizens, so it took a lot longer than it should really have done, lots of people were through before us who had been in PE and even in Y!

Bags were through quickly and the UC ones came off first, straight through into the haven that is Revivals! It was just what we needed, we didn’t both having showers, but being able to get some decent breakfast, a coffee and a haven away from the rest of the terminal before going for the Heathrow Express back to Paddington. We had a chat with the girl in revivals, who admitted that Miami is often one they hear bad reports about the airport experience about, and that they were trying to improve it and hopefully starting shortly they will offer Pizza Hut vouchers instead of lounge of access for those who want them.

I have to say, that the last year of planning this trip, booking it, and getting all excited for it has really paid off, I go to see some amazing cities, meet some fantastic people, and it’s solidified just why I do think so much of Virgin Atlantic, the whole experience has been really remarkable!

One interesting thing to note though, Nick, he is an Emirates veteran, he’s never flown economy with them, only ever once or twice in business and about 5-6 trips in First! He hated the whole Upper Class experience, he thought the crew were far too overfamiliar, they wouldn’t do dine on demand (a feature of EK First apparently) and he didn’t think that the standards where very good. I tried to tell him it was like comparing chalk and cheese, and that what he called “overfamiliarity” was what I classes as a bit of sass and fun! Now remember I loved everything about the flight but he hated most aspects, interesting comparison really?
This all being said, I can’t wait for my next chance to sample the UC Life! Hopefully won’t be quite as long a wait this time!

Pictures to follow!
Last edited by ColOrd on 10 Oct 2015, 17:13, edited 1 time in total.
#911389 by Daffodil
10 Oct 2015, 17:20
Thanks for the TR and great photos. Belated 30th Birthday wishes.
Sounds like a fabulous trip taking in all those different cities.
How kind of you to give up your bed for the disgruntled lady and nice to hear you were reward for your kindness.
Good to hear you enjoyed the return flight too.
#911392 by DragonLady
10 Oct 2015, 17:36
Great report :). I do understand what your friend means by over- familiarity . For me there's a fine line between friendly and engaging and " matey" and a bit too casual.
I personally like the more formal service delivery given by BA F and EK F which at least does seem to be consistent .
VS used to offer dine on demand ( begrudgingly IME though) but this was "enhanced "away a while ago , although it's only fair to point out UC is a J product not F.
Nice too that the crew recognised your generosity in swapping seats.
The positive raft of recent UC trip reports is really making me look forward to my next one in just shy of four weeks :).
DL
#911393 by pjh
10 Oct 2015, 17:50
Thanks for the TR an pictures. Sounds like the flight experience didn't disappoint and provided the appropriate end to your trip. I'm with you on the not sleeping, and despite my natural reticence have enjoyed most of my bar experiences.

The time we got given fast track vouchers we found the same - we got told off by the officer and it would have been been quicker to have used the normal UK citizen queues.

Nick's comments on the EK comparison are interesting, for the EK crew are (from my limited experience in J) more reticent and reactive than VS crew. I do, however, put that down to EK serving and being staffed by many cultures across its network and a distillation to a polite and efficient service is probably appropriate. Having done a few turns in both the VS and EK 380 bars I have yet to see the conversation and connection between crew and passenger in the former in the latter. Part of his comparison is unfair, as UC is not F.
#911394 by buns
10 Oct 2015, 18:00
Thank you for such a fab TR.

The episode at Miami must have been unerving for many, both in the hotel where the incident was and like you in surrounding properties.

One lives in hope that the Delta tie in with VS, might just elicit a change of Concourse and use of the Delta Sky Club - but we all know MIA is a place that just needs to be pulled down and started again.

So pleased there was such a good crew on board - thanks for the photos

buns

PS Belated Birthday wishes
#911399 by horburyflyer
10 Oct 2015, 20:26
Fantastic TR and great photos. Lovely that you had such a great engaging crew on board who were out to impress!

At a VS reception last November I discussed my own feedback about the MIA experience and the Director I spoke with recognised the challenge and indeed the poor lounge experience. He was keen to make improvements but mentioned it was a very complex situation. Sadly, no progress has been made though at least the drinks offer seems to have improved as when I was last there (also last November) it certainty wasn't premium brands.....or indeed brands anyone would recognise.

Interesting also I was on the VS110 a day later to your flight here and we had a very different menu though of course that will be due to different caterers used at MIA/MCO to some of the other US stations.

Sounds like a great trip with treats along the way. Perfecto.

Jon
Last edited by horburyflyer on 11 Oct 2015, 06:47, edited 1 time in total.
#911403 by Bretty
10 Oct 2015, 22:09
What an amazing trip you've had, and such delights, both on the ground and in the air. Apart from the explosion of course, but then, you've got a good story to tell (not minimising the distress caused for anyone of course). And great photos too, thanks for posting those.

I'm really pleased the flights both ways were excellent with fully engaged CC. I know the VS style isn't for eveyone, but I love it. I'm not a fan of formality, and whenever crew refer to me as Mr Brett, or God forbid, Sir, I quickly ask to be referred to by my first name. And I love the fact that they'll engage with you at the bar.

Thanks again, and belated birthday good wishes from me too, you certainly gave yourself a good gift (and gifts to yourself are the best!).
#911412 by Maximus
11 Oct 2015, 08:17
Thanks for the TR. I saw the news clip re: the explosion. Glad it didn't disrupt things too much. Great photos. I think the mass of baked beans on a premium cabin breakfast plate does little to enhance its appearance! If they must be served, putting them in a seperate ramekin is the best option I think.

It is interesting how people interpret formal/ informal airline service. I can live with both, depends on my mood. Comparing a F with a J service though, thats like comparing UC with BA Economy- not like for like. But I have yet to actually fly VS UC, being a BA stalwart, so will see on my own MIA experience next year.

What's with the 787 going to MIA? My flights were 747/A330-300, now A340-600/A330-300 since they dropped the 747 fromthe route (and LHR). I thinl I may prefer a 787!

So wheres the next trip?
#911413 by dickydotcom
11 Oct 2015, 08:22
Thanks for the excellent TR and photos.
I agree with the chalk and cheese comparison. If I were paying for Emirates first I would probably expect a more formal service.
But I don't. I fly Virgin and like you immensely enjoy the whole experience.
Dick D
#911418 by jfenney
11 Oct 2015, 10:50
Thanks for a great informative TR and photos, again belated birthday wishes . I am shortly off on my next Upper trip as Dragonfly and I noticed bepreakfast now has beans (at long last ) for me brekkie was always too dry me me :-D I am glad chivalry is not dead and well done helping the crew out of a sticky situation. :-D
#911425 by mrsw
11 Oct 2015, 15:43
Great TR - sounds like you've had a fabulous trip, covering so much ground!

Nice to read a positive inbound TR. The service sounds exceptional, and what a nice gesture from the CC re the birthday celebrations :cool:

Now I just hope that the recovery from PUCD isn't too painful...
#911456 by ColOrd
11 Oct 2015, 20:40
Thank you for the lovely comments guys, going back to work on Wednesday was like crashing down to earth with a massive thud, not helped by the fact it seems my job has changed in the four weeks I have been away! Que Sera, Sera and all that.

However we are now looking at booking Boston and Cancun next year, although the Mexico trip might be in PE!
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