This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Flight was 09:30 Saturday so was on line at 09:32 Friday and used online check in, such an easy way of doing it, got our requested seats 61A 61C at the back of the bus in the doubles[:)]
Living in the midlands we travelled up to LGW on the Friday 8th prior to out flight, using Virgin Trains via Reading, can't stand the drive back after a transatlantic flight and besides it's free[:)]
Checked into the Hilton Gatwick a little after 15:00 and got a nice upgrade to the Exec floor courtesy of Hilton Honors Gold had a few drinks in the exec lounge (don't you just love not having to pay) then went to use twilight check in.
Went into the south terminal to the VS area and it was empty, usual security stuff, bags dropped, boarding cards issued in less than 5 minutes.
Saturday up early, still a kid at heart, short walk form the Hilton into the terminal, straight through security, noticed that there were quite a few checking in with their bucket and spades LOL.
After a browse at duty free and a quick brekky we walked the marathon to gate 33 where V ROS was sat, aah Nova, never mind one day will get a nicer system LOL ( we live in hope)
08:45 came and we waited 09:00 came and we waited beginning to wonder if there was a problem, the cabin crew were just stood there at the gate, wasn't 100% cerfain as a call of nature intervened but I was sure they had gone down the air bridge once and came back.
Anyway ay about 09:10 an announcement was made that they were still cleaning the 'Rose' and boarding would commence in about 15 minutes, smiles all round.[:D]
Sure enought at 09:20 the flight was called for the posh people first, I did notice that there was a lane for priority boarding and then all the wanna be's next fortunately boarding by rows from the rear rows 55 to 65 first seemed like everybody was at the back on this flight!!!!!
Never mind we pushed back at about 09:45 and as usual the el capitano advised us that this was going to be a quick flight this moring of 8 hours and 40 minutes (always makes you feel good to think your'e going to get there sooner than you thought, but don't count any ATC delay cos we didn't know that at the time[:0])
Nice take off, towards Cuba so no right turns after departure, went over the Channel Islands then out towards the Azores. Plane had quite a few vacant seats and after everyone had picked another seat with 3 vacant ones atttached to it, and about 50 minutes into the flight the crew came round with the drinks round, more smiling faces[:)]
Lunch arrived after about 90 minutes and I have to say it has to be one of the best meals I have had in flight, beef stew really tasty. One of the plusses of sitting at the back, good chance of getting your 1st option[y] dont know what was with it the but the red was good though.
Ordered wife a bottle of the old bubbly for our anniversary (It's right VS don't upgrade for them )but they took it back and chilled it down then brought it back with 2 full glasses from the posh seats.
The entertainment failed big style NO MAP[:0][}:)][:(!][V] but the films were good, watched Land of the Dead and Madagascar (again) but it is funny. The guy in 60C pushed his seat into full recline nearly lost a glass of house red but the goalkeeping skills came into play LOL.
Crew went in to disappearance mode but were quite happy to serve from the galley (DVT exercise)
Afternoon tea was served the usual Cheese roll and a scone and jam etc.
Eventually we saw the coast of Cuba and after flying along the coast line made our descent into Havana and eventually into immigration, god what a pain that is, I thought the US immigration can be slow but the Cubans take the biscuit.
In fairness VH do advise you that it is a very slow and painful process and to take a drink off the plane with you, as there are no facilities till you get the other side, actually in Cuba.
Took nearly an hour to get through, and you have to go through single file no couples or family groups etc. Took that long that when we reached the baggage carousel it had stopped and all the cases were piled on the floor.
However it was the start to a really good holiday, until 'Wilma' came knocking!!!!!
Regards
Paul