Please use this forum is for Virgin Atlantic trip reports. There is a subforum for other airline reports.
#920542 by sungod
27 Apr 2016, 18:59
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
got to the airport about 830, check-in was open but first i went to get a newspaper, first up to date one i've had since arriving, there was no queue for UC, then quick through passport control and security

the train was ready to go, so no delay there, then a short walk to the terminal, compared to the old terminal there's definitely less walking involved to reach the main shopping/food area

arrived to arabic music and dancing, with more people waiting to perform, video crews, photographers and various others milling around, turns out it's the official inauguration of the new terminal, the sheik is coming to 'open' it

the marhaba lounge used by VS is up the escalator at the D1 end of the main shopping area, there's a VS UC sign outside, from the reception desk you are escorted through the business area to the premium area

for any remaining smokers there's a smoking area along the way - the smell seeps into the surrounding area of the business lounge

lounge toilets are also via the business area, they are a distinct improvement on the old lounge, there's a shower available too

there's a bar/buffet, not quite as extensive as the old lounge, the staff bring what you want to your table, the buffet in the business area looked like it had more variety so it'd be worth a check there as well if you are hungry

there's no outside view, definite downside vs. the old one, but there is diffuse natural light

overall the new terminal/lounge are shinier and unworn compared to the old one, there seems to be a bigger choice of shops and places to eat, though i didn't really investigate them, but still i miss the old one a bit

i just heard a cork popping, so there's some form of bubbly available in the lounge, but not quite in the mood at the moment (there's a first time for everything)

the lounge was quiet when i came in, a bit after 0900, now at 1000 the seating is almost fully occupied

sudden hubbub, the sheik (i assume) and retinue just came in for a look, together with photographer, i accepted the offer of a bubbly to celebrate (normal service has been restored), not sure which it is, quite biscuity

waited for boarding to be displayed, then left the lounge

it is a few minutes walk to the gate (D2), then on to surfer girl through L1, the CC offered me a bubbly soon after taking my seat

we pulled back from the gate at scheduled departure time, followed by a long slow trundle to the runway where we took off about 25-30 minutes later, the captain announced 236 pax and expected to arrive on time, maybe a few minutes early

more bubbly served together with crisps, then settled down to read my newspaper until meal service, seat/IFE were ok, though i simply switched it to the flight status as usual

the meal service seemed a bit slow, the menu was identical to horburyflyer's flight, so i've cheekily pasted it in here to save typing...

Mushroom soup
Mixed lettuce salad with feta (and Brie)
Smoked salmon salad
***
Panfried steak
Butter chicken
Tuna salad
Leek and artichoke ravioli
***
Warm chocolate pudding
Blueberry cheesecake
***
Cheese and port

i had the mixed salad with cheese to start, pleasantly fresh; then the tuna salad, spuds could've been cooked a bit more, some tabasco would've lifted it; followed up with the chocolate pud, bit of a letdown

i had a couple of bubbly refills during lunch, no delays fortunately

i heard there were some issues with the butter chicken dish, the person next to me returned it and the CC said there were some other complaints too, seemed to be a bad batch, an alternative was offered, no drama

i pinched wilbur and orville, and the table was cleared quickly, then i converted the seat to bed, donned eyeshades and earplugs, then did my best to snooze away the next 4 hours or so

decided against anything else to eat/drink, about an hour before arrival got up for a stretch, had a bit of a struggle to get the seat converted back, but won in the end

during the flight the CC all seemed to be out there looking after things well, the FSM was also helping out during meal service and seemed to be going around checking things, one of the better crews, though the usual lack of any AU welcome

landed on time, just a short taxi to the gate, then off through L1

speed walked to immigration, where it was crowded as usual with the e-gates still closed, eventually got through, to find baggage was on the furthest but one belt, mine appeared just as i reached the belt, then off to the heathrow express, the train pulled to a halt just as i reached the front end ready to board, got home 75 minutes after landing

overall a good flight, UC was pretty full but the CC were attentive and efficient
#920543 by buns
27 Apr 2016, 19:42
Thanks for such a promptly posted TR!!

I agree the new facilities are a huge improvement and can assure you the presence of the VIP was not just a one-off :-D

Your on board experience just heightens how VS to need to get the consistency issue resolved when you compare the the recent flight by Horburyflyer

Thanks once again

buns
#920659 by horburyflyer
30 Apr 2016, 14:17
Thanks Sungod and pleased you had a reasonable flight home and a marked improvement to my own journey a few days earlier.

The lounge is a huge step up from what was offered before and I see some chatter over on another forum which those that have tried the BA lounge at DXB say that the Marbaha lounge is far better than the BA offer :D

The train journeys both at arrival and departure were complicated by a closed platform as otherwise I think it would have rather seamless. We really liked Concourse D though.

Let's hope our next trips to DXB are what they should be - great consistent service with reliable IFE and so on.... :-D

Jon

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 23 guests

Itinerary Calendar