V-Flyer

I'll keep this brief as I noticed that GingerFlyer has covered a lot of the on board facts in his recent ORD report.

I arrived at Tampa and was checked in quickly with a smile. Caused a bit of a stir at security as I had forgotten to take my water bottle out of my hand luggage felt very silly but was treated better than I deserved!!

The BA lounge is tiny but has a bar and large assortment of snacks, sandwiches and veggies. Lovely ladies run the place.

Had window seat 10A which I always like to choose. Boarding was very organised and we took off early and had a great crew, very friendly, nothing was too much trouble for them And I settled down with my kir royale and bag of nuts and a fully functional IFE

The menu was the same as in Gingerflyer's report except we had a choice of starter, a lobster salad which was very nice. I drank champagne which was topped up often and generously

I personally much prefer the CW beds and settled down in my QC15's for a long quiet sleep waking up after breakfast was over which suited me fine.

We touched down 10 mins early to a very quite Gatwick. Just a bit chilly after the tropical warmth of Florida.

My last 3 flights have all been in CW and I havent posted a trip report as they have all been very pleasant and uneventful. Which for me is unusual I must admit that I think BA has lowered its prices and really raised its game - there were even fresh flowers in the loo The CC's seem to be a bit younger and happier....

My next flight is in UC to use the last of my miles so it will be interesting to compare. I had become disappointed with Virgin and have slipped from many years of Au status to a red nobody and am now climbing the ranks of BA instead - something I thought I would never do

Sunshine

Sunshine wrote: I must admit that I think BA has lowered its prices and really raised its game - there were even fresh flowers in the loo The CC's seem to be a bit younger and happier....

My next flight is in UC to use the last of my miles so it will be interesting to compare. I had become disappointed with Virgin and have slipped from many years of Au status to a red nobody and am now climbing the ranks of BA instead - something I thought I would never do

Sunshine

Thanks for the TR

Useful to have your impressions as, like you, I will be droping down the VS Tiers and now will have to consider the alternatives when I am coming back from St, Pete Beach.

The fact that BA have droped their TPA prices is a big draw for me

buns

Thanks for the TR Sunshine. Your comments, along with many other people's similar remarks, about lower fares and an improved service has certainly made me seriously consider the option of a convenient Tampa flight with BA . Now I am not able to maintain my status with Virgin I am suddenly free to experiment ... though old loyalties die hard.
regards
hiljil

Thanks for the TR Do you reckon anyone from VS reads this forum? If they do then they must have seen a few of the posts indicating a move to the Dark Side

On the other hand, I hope VS do read it and reflect the positive messages back to the CC when deserved

BA becoming cheaper, fly to more destinations and improving their service - come VS time to pull it out of the bag

Yes - BA definitely upping the stakes - I am also edging that way, but keeping my options open.

The flights I already have booked with VS were booked long ago, and when it comes time to book next year's flights, well maybe it'll be BA - time will tell.

BA flights to MCO haven't come down any though! The price I got for my upcoming BGI flights were very good, I have to say.

Interesting comments and as both Hilary and Andy know I was a huge fan of Virgin and always flew to MCO with them even though it meant a much longer drive. The overhaul of Flying Club was the final nail in the coffin for me....

I think the most worrying thing is that no one from VS has ever contacted me to find out why after so many years of AU had I fallen down the ranks it would only take a quick survey email

Perhaps Buns and Hiljil I will be meeting you in the little TPA lounge one day

Sunshine

Sunshine wrote:
Perhaps Buns and Hiljil I will be meeting you in the little TPA lounge one day

Sunshine

You never know

Will be a pleasure

buns

I really look forward to that ....

Thank you for the TR.

Sunshine wrote:I think the most worrying thing is that no one from VS has ever contacted me to find out why after so many years of AU had I fallen down the ranks it would only take a quick survey email

Having been in the same boat as you, I guess we just weren't AU enough - and that's not bitterness on my part. There are still a good deal many AUs in VS, even if we're not a small city like UA/CO 1ks, and they just can't do this. In a way this is a good reflection of the oft stated fact that airlines under utilize their FFPs, and just are not set up to leverage them for monetization and information. On the other hand, I have to say that the two main reasons for my departure (insufficient ties with other airlines and indifferent service standards both by historical and comparative measures) are well known to VS, so it is not like talking to me about why I stopped flying them would have yielded any blinding new insight.

Of course, with UA/CO mergers in full swing, I may be going back yet again ...