V-Flyer

I have posted a couple of images to the relevant areas to go with this TR.
As I posted earlier. if you can get a good deal on these seats they are very worthwhile. It should be noted that this PE service (ex business class seats) is only available on the Manchester flights.
BMI fly direct to Las Vegas from Manchester on Sundays and Thursdays and we chose this as an alternative route to California without going through Chicago, Atlanta or London.
Night before check in at MAN is very good and was much quieter than we thought. It is in Terminal 3 and is very straight forward. You are allowed 2 cases at 32 Kg each, but as we were catching internal flights with Southwest, we packed for their weight limit of 50Lbs per case. Both out and inbound PE cabins were full (30 seats). We were given priority boarding at MAN and LAS and our bags had 'priority' tags on them and came off the belt early. Cabin crew welcomed us onboard and a menu card was on our seat. Ammenity kits are only given on the return night flight. This consisted of socks, eye shade/mask, tissues and toothbrush and paste. A large thick blanket was at the seat on both flights along with a small pillow. Extra pillows were given on request. Head phones are the noise dampening type and are very comfortable . They are not quite as good as the Bose type but were not Economy head phones. IFE is via a swing up screen. Mine kept swinging back down on the return flight so I had to carry out some FAA approved engineering modifcations (slid a piece of card into the pivot). Programs are on a 2.5 hour cycle and there was a good choice of recent films, classics, comedy along with music and Nintendo games. The moving map is on 3 channels, 1 for the camera in the aircraft belly, 1 for the camera looking from the cockpit and 1 for the standard map, altitude etc.
We were given a choice of drinks and actual champagne was served out bound which reverted to sparkling wine on the return leg.Food orders were taken and the quality was good. Business class had an on board chef.
The PE seats, as expected, are very good as they are ex business class. I like the side by side layout and the width allows you to sleep on your side. Seat recline is 50 degrees and a leg and foot rest can be raised via electronic buttons in the seat arm rest.The seat also has lumbar support that can be adjusted up and out via the arm rest buttons. The head rest is very comfortable and can be lifted up for extra height and bent inwards to support your head. This support worked but they just returned to the original positon after about 5 minutes. Even the now proven piece of card remedy couldn`t fix that particular problem so I left it alone.
Each seat had access to 2 windows so the whole area felt light and even more spacious. Our return flight left at 3pm and took 9 hours so we really did not need to sleep. I would expect no problems although the temperature fluctuated during the flight and there are no indivdual air nozzles on this aircraft type, so sometimes it was right and then a bit too warm. Cabin crew on both flights were very good and both flights on time. A lady pilot on the return leg.
The prices we paid came in at 300-400 less expensive than BA and VS and gave us the direct flight option instead of going through London so it was an easy choice for us. The trip easily met our expectations so if you get a good deal, I would go for it without hesitating.
We stayed two nights in las Vegas just to get into the time zone then flew to SFO with Southwest. I always enjoy this low cost carrier and Easyjet and Ryanair should take a look how they do it. The boarding is actualy controlled and not a free for all. The crew are always friendly and a bit eccentric such as the gate attendent singing to us over the microphone as we were delayed an hour due to fog at SFO. The safety briefs are always light hearted ' in the event of a sudden decompression, masks will drop from above. Stop screaming immediately and put the mask over your mouth and nose. Make sure you put your own mask on first before dealing with your children and your husband`s masks'
One sour note, check in desk at San Diego had an official sign saying 'gratuities accepted'.

Paul

Thanks for posting the pics and your impressions of the BMI product.

Whilst not going head to head with the VS PE offering out of Gatwick, it does offer a good alternative for those who live in the North and with the price differential you quote, might even attract those from the south too[:D][:D]

It is often reported that the direct VS flights have become rather raucous with stag parties etc. Was this in evidence on your flight?

Thanks once again

buns

It is often reported that the direct VS flights have become rather raucous with stag parties etc. Was this in evidence on your flight?

No sign of it on either BMI flight, although we don`t tolerate that type of behaviour in the North so it may not be a good comparison[;)].

Originally posted by buns4vs
Paul


It is often reported that the direct VS flights have become rather raucous with stag parties etc. Was this in evidence on your flight?


buns

This was something my parents commented on with their flight direct LGW - LAS and they said it did ruin their enjoyment of the flight considerably. Shame as there is nothing that can be done about it but I am sure it will put people off flying with Virgin again [:?]

Originally posted by Paul H
It is often reported that the direct VS flights have become rather raucous with stag parties etc. Was this in evidence on your flight?

No sign of it on either BMI flight, although we don`t tolerate that type of behaviour in the North so it may not be a good comparison[;)].

Let's just hope no one starts flying from Hull then [:w]