Safely inside, the VX check in area was very quite with only 1 other couple checking in. The very effiecient agent welcomed me and proceeded to check in without any fuss but advising of a 70 minute queue for security[:0]. However being 'first' you are allowed to use the disabled/crew line which would only be 20 mins[:(]. However this being Vegas, the queue busters were in caberet mood and randomly selected the bold and beautiful people for this line as well.
In reality it only took about 10 minutes to get through everything.
A quick ride on the airtrain shuttle takes you to the new D gate wing. Very nice but smells of fried food[:$]
After a quick scout around in Brooklands it was time to head to the gate. The inbound a/c arrived about 15 minutes late but no real worries, or so we thought.
Waiting at the gate were the new flight deck crew, looking very sauve and cool in their black leather bomber jackets and black shirts. No ties. GJ needs to sort them out[:D]
Inbound PAX disembarked along with the old 'team' as they like to be known as. Screen was still showing an on time departure but with only 30 minutes left before said time it was looking a little doubtful.
The gate 'team' were very friendly and welcoming and then promtly announced a 3 hr delay due to fog in SFO[:0] Loud groans filled the air.
They did announce for all passengers not to wonder too far as sometimes these delays can change quite quickly, so to listen out for announcements. About 10 minutes later the captain arrived at the gate area and grabbed the pa to announce good news, only 50 minutes delay. He also made an announcements for the VX team members to return to the aircaft, they had wondered off[V]. After 3 other announcements for team members to report to the aircraft,and still no sign of them, led to the captain tootaling off to look for them. After about 10 minutes they all returned looking a little bit sheepish, hmm, but they did all have nice VX personilised roll on's.
Shortly after boarding commenced, with first and special need pax's to be boarded first. Headphones were at the top of the jetway for collection. First impressions of the cabin were very nice,with purple perspex screens and lighting, and those lovely big white leather chairs for the first cabin. I soon settled down to explore the buttons. Welcoming drink, scotch and ginger[y] was deployed in large measures whilst the other pax boarded. Wheels up approx 1 hr late so not too bad considering the first synposis. The massage function on the seats though are a swizz, and useless with no feeling of a massage whatsoever.
The VX IFE is called RED and I found it easy to use and much better than V-Port. It was also swithched on 5 mins after wheels up. Live TV, music videos, chat, games, CD, google map, it had it all and more, so a big [y]
The meal was strange to say the least[:?], more of a very trendy taster of 3 very samll appetisers, including strawberry & almond with a vanilla cream, salami and olives and something else I forget. Looked like something you could get in a sushi bar.
4 drink rounds were made during the 1 hr flight so I was happy, economy I know had to pay, but you could order your food and drinks through the IFE.
A smooth landing in to SFO which brough you adjacent on stand to the VS flight, so an excellent piece of cross branding for the onlooking departing PAX.
All in all a very good flight, excellent service although maybe a little too laid back as compared with VS.
Would I fly VX again, yep[y]
Iain
