V-Flyer

After a couple of nights in San Fran, it was time to head down to San Diego. We got the BART out to the airport and dropped our bags off at the Virgin America desks – despite being in First Class, we were made to use the self-check in to print our boarding passes and then initially I was directed to the queue at bag drop until I pointed out I was in First.

Security was a little slow, even in fast track! Once through we headed down to the end of the terminal where there are a number of restaurant options – had a reasonably priced salad with good views over the apron. There was a fast-food burger type place that seemed to be having a problem with generating a lot of smoke – luckily not enough to set off the alarms!

Boarding started on time, and we were quickly into our seats in row 1. First on this flight was about half-full - unusual as normally I thought people not snapped up the cheap upgrade options at check-in. Pre-flight drinks were offered – anything from the bar basically – domestic champagne it was! Boarding of the main cabin continued – the cabin crew offered a second round of pre-flight drinks....well it would be rude not!

We left a few minutes early, with the usual funny VX safety demonstration. Shortly after take-off, we were offered more drinks from the bar! Generous sized measures, as seems the normal on US airlines. The “snack” on this flight was some kind of savoury dip with crudities – was ok but nothing special. More drinks continued to be offered throughout the flight – very attentive cabin crew on this short one hour flight. Great views over San Diego as we came into land, and then short taxi to the terminal building. Bags off quickly and we were off to find a taxi – in fact as we were stopping at Embassy Suites downtown in San Diego, they offer a complimentary shuttle service. The nice thing about San Diego is that the airport is very much in the centre of town.

Very good flight and great crew – I do enjoy Virgin America flights. I wonder if Virgin will ever replicate the same model in “Little Red”?

I wish VX is the model for Little Red - that would be a great USP over BA ... we'll have to wait and see but I fear the imagination well has run out on this one.