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#924647 by horburyflyer
07 Aug 2016, 15:21
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I did think twice before posting this as I know I have posted a few already this year from this route but if nothing else I hope the photos below will be of interest.

So another 'bullet' work trip to the U.S. I caught the train from West Yorkshire to Manchester Airport which was seamless, on time and had me dispatched into the airport in just over an hour door to door.

As I approached the VS check in area I was greeted warmly with my two boarding cards and the Team leader introduced herself. I know a lot of the ground team at MAN from my Little Red flights and of course my regular travels through T2 on VS. I find them excellent in every way.

I needed to drop off a bag which I did quickly and I was offered the option to be escorted through security which I declined but was grateful for the offer. Using the fastlane (exclusively for Business and First class travellers) was quick and organised, whereas the fast-track lane for passengers who had paid for access was moving slowly...

Picked up some pre-ordered currency and headed straight up the Escape lounge. The smaller Escape lounge on the left as you climb the stairs (which use to be exclusively for VS/DL passengers) has on my last few visits been used for passengers who have paid for access.

The larger lounge further down the corridor is for Business and First class passengers and acts as an overflow for paid access guests too. Service was ok and I ordered a sausage sandwich, had a coffee or two and then I wandered down the gate. The lounge was very busy though with four VS flights (all full in J) I'm not really surprised, and of course flights with United, Cathay Pacific and Saudia were also accommodated. The Cathay Pacific flight had a delay of over 4hrs!

Down at Gate 202 boarding commenced at 1020. I was wished a great flight and was on board quickly picking up a bottle of water just before the boarding door at L2. I was greeted warmly and welcomed back personally by the crew who recognised me from a previous flight which is always nice and I appreciate it.

Champagne, OJ and water were quickly offered. The amenity kit and menu were already on the ottoman. Newspapers were then offered and we pushed back at 1057 with a flight time of 8hrs28mins promised on G-VKSS.

Take off came at 1117 and hot towels were quickly offered. Drink orders were taken and dispatched quickly with crisps and refills proactively offered. Lunch orders were taken around 12noon and tables were laid for lunch at 1230.

I was concerned about the trolley service after experiencing a poorly executed delivery on a flight back from Dubai in April, not long after the changes. However, when done properly and with a good CC it does work and I personally like it.

The FSM used this opportunity to welcome me back by name and reminded me to ask for anything at all during the flight. He was in control and leading the service well.

We had 5 CC in UC out of the 10 CC onboard. The flight was full in all three classes with a high number once again connecting down to Florida.

I was surrounded by DL elites too who when chatting at the bar later could not speak highly enough of VS.

Anyway back to the menu. I won't post the menu as buns kindly did this on his VS015 TR but here are a few photos of my choices. I've enjoyed this menu a few times this rotation so do switch things around now and again but the soup, beef and lemon sponge are winners for me!

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Throughout the service wine and water were regularly topped up. The cheese trolley soon followed and was served with a generous glass of port or any spirit of your choice...during lunch we had a neighbour (until we over took them) but what looked to be right outside was a Jet Airways A330 which was heading to Toronto. Sadly, the photos I did take did not do justice to the view we had of each other!

With everything cleared away I settled down to watch a film but decided to retire to the bar for some socialising. A couple of drinks later, with a guy drinking the bar dry of rum and extra supplies needing to be sourced from PE, I decided to return to my seat and slept for about two hours.

I skipped the second service though everything was proactively offered and included a Beef burger, afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones and mini cakes, a Soup and Sandwich combination and a tasting platter which included Chicken skewers.

Hot towels were offered before landing and we touched down at 1430 arriving onto F2 shortly afterwards.

I thanked the crew who had been exceptional throughout and had looked after me very well indeed. Another solid flight out of Manchester.

I had two hours before my connection but still left with speed. I was greeted to another packed out immigration hall. Thankfully standing my ground in the APC queue it did move quickly and I was through in about an hour but still far longer than it use to be (until May this year)

Little did I know that would be just the start of a complicated schedule onto my next destination which involved a delayed flight of over 3hrs, a cancellation of my original connection and then finding a seat on a flight on a much smaller aircraft somehow....I was told because I was a revenue passenger I had got priority of those who had been upgraded on my cancelled flight.

My original flight was due to be on a 767 which had 29 First Class seats....it was full. That flight was first delayed (due to weather) and then cancelled so I was moved to a later flight on a MD88 which left just after 8pm. So a loooong connection but I did get to try out three of the ATL SkyClubs!

I won't review that flight as it was about 1hr45mins long and I slept for most of it. I skipped the dinner service which was offered (a pasta or fillet steak) and settled for a G&T instead which was offered to be refilled quite a few times.

I will say like other airlines, DL CC do vary considerably. The In flight lead on this flight was really nice and thanked everyone personally for travelling with Delta before we landed.

Another solid VS experience which I have recognised through the team at Manchester and at Crawley Towers too. The delay to the connection was long and unfortunate and my first ever delay through Atlanta. I kept thinking at least I got where I needed to be on the same day...many others did not.

Thanks for reading.

Jon
#924657 by ScoobySu
07 Aug 2016, 21:08
Thank you Jon for a great report - those pictures are making me hungry!
#924660 by horburyflyer
07 Aug 2016, 21:22
Karen w wrote:Great report Jon, roll on Friday, really hoping for not too long queues at Atlanta as we have a 2 hour connection also.


Have a great flight. If you are able to use the APC machines, stick there. They will try and move you to the ESTA line which will be very long but stand your ground and it will be quicker.

Once through its pretty seamless of course and you will be fine I am sure.

Sadly weather got in the way this time for me but I do prefer Atlanta to JFK for connecting. The lines at ATL have always been good to me until May this year when it changed and with monthly flights across to ATL, I had put this down to just been summer, but it wasn't like it last year and the flight times for VS haven't changed....so just more flights arriving at the same time and using the F concourse....and less staff which you will hear about if you mention the length of time to get through!!!

Look forward to hearing about your flight.

Jon
#924751 by buns
10 Aug 2016, 06:02
Jon

Thank you for a super TR - I always enjoy reading about your experiences, so do please keep them coming!!

Interesting what you say about arrival at ATL - my one and only experience was on the early VS flight from LHR and was so impressed with how quiet the Immigration Hall was and it will remain an alternative when we go out to MCO.

Excellent on board service does add that shine and, like you, I am left with the feeling that VS is hard to beat when this happens.

buns

PS - Sorry for being a little late to the party
#924928 by horburyflyer
14 Aug 2016, 11:14
buns wrote:Jon

Thank you for a super TR - I always enjoy reading about your experiences, so do please keep them coming!!

Interesting what you say about arrival at ATL - my one and only experience was on the early VS flight from LHR and was so impressed with how quiet the Immigration Hall was and it will remain an alternative when we go out to MCO.

Excellent on board service does add that shine and, like you, I am left with the feeling that VS is hard to beat when this happens.

buns

PS - Sorry for being a little late to the party


Many thanks buns - much appreciated.
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