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#922380 by horburyflyer
04 Jun 2016, 12:25
Ground Staff
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Heading over to NYC for work and booking reasonably close to departure the direct DL MAN-JFK was unavailable...heard a few days before it was announced that VS would be taking over the route which is great news and just might bring my LHR days to an end going forward with the planned MAN expansion by VS.

So taking the last three seats (I was travelling with two colleagues) on the MAN-ATL and then connecting up to JFK on the DL845.

Taking the train across to Manchester Airport from West Yorkshire was seamless and I was arriving into T2 at 0745. I had a little wait at the UC desks before being called over to an economy desk by one of the ground team who remembered me from my Little Red days.

As a result check in was fantastic. Friendly, lots of smiles and even the offer to escort me through security. I politely declined but really appreciated the offer.

Security through the fastlane was busy though compared to the other lanes quicker as you would expect. It seemed as it was the first day of the school holidays that everyone was travelling the, airport was really busy throughout.

Soon enough I was checking into the newly refurbished Escape lounge. Regular travellers will know that the original Escape lounge was split into two. Following the refurb this is now one large lounge and they have worked wonders with it.

(The separate lounge which was primarily used by the VS109 and Delta flight to JFK is open too next to the V-Room though this seemed to be used by paid for access guests as everyone from the VS109 and the DL221 were in the main lounge)

The bar is manned though juices, beer and soft drinks are self service. Breakfast was in full swing and I posted a quick hello when in the lounge so won't list the menu options here again. I found the space well used, staff were mostly friendly and it is huge improvement on what it replaced before.

I left before the first boarding call and headed to Gate 300. Regular Manchester flyers will know that only means one thing....a remote stand!

I was pulled for a last minute check at the gate (I had missed the SSSS on the boarding pass) said hello to another Swissport team member who I see regularly when travelling through MAN. It was then onto a bus which left quickly. It took about 10mins to reach the aircraft.

It felt good to climbing the stairs at the side of one of the huge A330 engines. Boarding through L2 I was greeted by the FSM and I knew immediately this would be a good flight. She was all smiles, remembered me from a previous flight and directed me to 8K.

This seat has become my favourite on the A333. It can suffer some bar noise but is just far enough away, it's also handy for the washrooms and when leaving the aircraft at ATL. It also feels wider than some of the other seats further forward IMO.

The CC looking after the K side came along and introduced herself and offered a glass of champagne which was perfectly chilled. The amenity kit was already on the ottoman.

Just before boarding a tug pushing back a Vueling A320 close by had come loose and smashed into the aircraft and this was blocking one of the taxiways. This wasn't though going to delay our departure and everyone was safe more importantly.

Refills were offered and accepted of champagne. Newspapers soon followed, with bottles of water next and menus. Drink and menu orders were taken on the ground. We actually left the stand 45mins late as a family of 8 had to be disembarked as one of them had being taken ill. This meant the bags had to be found of course and offloaded too.

A flight time of 8hrs22mins was promised and the Captain kept everyone updated about the situation. It was clear already this was a CC team who were working as one team and lead by a professional and friendly FSM. They all seemed to love their jobs too.

Pushback came at 1145 and we were airborne at 1203. A total of 248 were onboard. UC was full along with PE and just a few seats spare in Y. A total of 9 CC were onboard which meant they were operating one down from the usual 10 (dropped from 12 since April)

The CC worked so hard all flight long. They were super friendly and the FSM lead the service in UC. She was highly visible throughout the flight. I sat next to the parents of one of the Swissport team who was also on the flight in PE with his family. It was great to see him again as he always looked after me when flying Little Red and I see him now and again when passing through MAN.

We also had a family of 5 near me who were traveling UC for the first time taking photos of everything and each other and they were in great spirits. It was a great atmosphere on board and the CC were helping enormously.

Hot towels were soon offered. Drinks were then quickly dispatched with crisps and refills were proactively offered (and accepted)

The entertainment options were fine but some of the shows have been on board since January now and I can only watch the same two episodes of the Big Bang Theory so many times!

An oven fault was discovered which delayed lunch somewhat but drinks were flowing and the tables were laid with bread offered. I like the new table set up from the trolley and with one crew member down I'm sure it helped on this flight.

I won't go into the menu as others have posted it before (including myself) and it has now changed but I have posted some photos below.

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Wine, water and bread were regularly topped up and the lunch service was leisurely and well spaced out. It was three hours into the flight when the service was complete and it felt much better to have done so.

Snacks were regularly stocked up the bar and it's great that it now seems to the same selection as in PE so Tyrrells crisps, jelly beans, chocolate, biscuits. Fresh fruit was also available.

The crew were always in the aisle offering drinks and checking if anyone needed anything. After a little snooze the options from the Extra bites menu was offered which included afternoon tea, Classic beef burger, Gruyere and red onion quiche and a taster platter.

I enjoyed the burger with the warm scone (jam and clotted cream) and quite few around me were enjoying the burgers. The afternoon tea looks exactly the same that is offered in PE (without the sandwich wrapper)

Hot towels and lovehearts rounded off the service as we conducted a long approach into ATL. I'm no Pilot but we seem to touch down a tad late and came to a thundering halt at the end of the runway.....the FSM even saying 'well....now that we have arrived into Atlanta...'

The CC came to say cheerio and the FSM too and we were disembarking into the Atlanta heat which would begin a race like no other...

A truly fantastic flight with an amazing CC which showcased VS at their very best. The family of 5 who were true Virgin flyers were overwhelmed and said they wouldn't fly anyone else again...how we have all being there. But little did the CC know but their efforts might just have encouraged others to devote their lifetime of flying to VS and reinforced why as regulars we continue to put all our business VS's way!

Thanks for reading.

Jon
#922389 by ScoobySu
04 Jun 2016, 15:22
Thanks Jon for a great TR & photos
#922405 by buns
05 Jun 2016, 08:26
Jon

Thanks for the TR - it proves that when VS get their act together on board, they still cannot be beaten :-D

Must have been hard graft for the 9 CC and we can only hope the good will of staff continue

Thanks once again

buns
#922408 by hiljil
05 Jun 2016, 09:02
Thank you for a super TR. Just great to read so many positive things about your flight.
#922411 by jfenney
05 Jun 2016, 09:35
Thanks for the TR John,

As you rightly said a good crew do make the difference and does make a great start to your journey safe travels :-D
#922551 by horburyflyer
08 Jun 2016, 21:27
ColOrd wrote:Great TR!

Glad to hear that the changes with crewing didn't affect your flight. Were the crew in UC all former SCC's?


A couple of the CC had only worked in UC a couple of times before but you would never have known. They mentioned it later at the bar. The FSM was exceptional which helped and one of the CC was an experienced former SCC member.
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