Oberservations from an infrequent flyer

A few observations from Dragonbaby who is now back in her student gaff .
She hasn't flown with VS for a few years but was a regular traveller whilst living at home (often in UC).
Highlight of the VS experience was the LHR CH which she declared was up to it's usual high standard .
However she was surprised at the overall penny pinching that seems to be commonplace now.
One glass of fizz on boarding ( on both flights) despite there being ample time ( and an empty glass) to offer a replenish.
She declared the amenity kits "a joke" ( this girl remembers the OB kits ) was mortified that the toothpaste is now the size that you get half a squeeze on the brush and thought the naff plastic pen out of place . She left the kit on the OB flight but took the "pencilcase" off the 08 this morning to prove how awful it was.
She deemed that service on the 07 going out was dire - she used her call button ( after walking to the bar to no avail) but nobody came for a lonnnnnng ( and I mean long) time.Not great when all she needed was some water to take her meds .This seemed to be the tone for the whole flight.
Service last night was reported to be much better. Food reported OK on both legs. Cabin on both legs ( 600 on both) reported as needing some tlc and a good clean).
She deemed the bed to be as lumpy as ever lol ( like me she's a bit of a princess with the pea girl and that ridge is a real pain!) .
Her overall impression was one of slight disappointment " VS used to be awesome mum. What's happened ?"
She thought The Loft poor ( particularly the food).I know it's a domestic lounge but until the LAX CH opens you'd think they'd ramp up the offerings for UC passengers using it .
Anyway she's back .
I've got my new QC25s ( they're black despite me asking for white lol!). She didn't like the white and as she planned on using them on her travels she got the black . " You'll get them dirty mum" ( I'm 50 NOT 5!!!) Gotta love her.....
Interestingly she rated the two legs with AA (to HNL and back) as very good ( in Y ).Crew were professional and attentive ( and old lol).
She's now announced that she plans to travel around Australia come September.....
DL

She got black because SHE wants to travel with them, better training dear Lady Dragon, better training!

She got black because SHE wants to travel with them, better training dear Lady Dragon, better training!

I know ....I know.....the white are sooooo lovely.......I can't be cross though ( because they're simply so much better than my not so old QC15s .....). I'd be a rubbish dog trainer lol .

DL

DL, do you and/or Dragonbaby plan to send feedback to Crawley Towers about the individual flights and DB's views on the marked deterioration in standards? May get nowhere, make no difference, but OTOH if you don't give feedback, it certainly won't.

DL, do you and/or Dragonbaby plan to send feedback to Crawley Towers about the individual flights and DB's views on the marked deterioration in standards? May get nowhere, make no difference, but OTOH if you don't give feedback, it certainly won't.

Hi Whiterose.,
She'll certainly send some feedback in. She's travelled extensively with VS over the years (including on some now defunct routes ). The trouble is that I don't think anyone at Crawley Towers cares that much anymore...... ....
DL

DragonLady

It's hard to argue with a lot of what she says. Those of us who remember the time when these forums were abuzz with enthusiasm for the VS product will know that we are living in different times now. Lots of the old regulars don't even seem to fly VS very much any more! (that's not a dig! )

However, my recent flights suggest to me that things are getting better again rather than getting worse. The new amenity kits are better than their predecessors -- which isn't saying much, but the trend is the main thing. And the 787 is getting good reports, whereas the 333 was widely criticised (in UC). Food is better than it was a few years ago, and the wines are quite clearly better.

Amidst all of this, VS has restructured itself and is, I believe, profitable. But of course, in the meantime, the competition going west has upped its game. And the competition going east is, by all accounts, a long way ahead...

I never had the pleasure of flying VS when things were 'better' so have nothing to compare to but if the withdrawal of a few things assisted the company in return to profitability then it was worth it imo , better to have VS flying without a few luxuries than not at all ,hopefully things will carry on heading in the direction we all want

DL, do you and/or Dragonbaby plan to send feedback to Crawley Towers about the individual flights and DB's views on the marked deterioration in standards? May get nowhere, make no difference, but OTOH if you don't give feedback, it certainly won't.

I sent positive feedback on my OB flight recently and I've just received a Virgin plane key ring. I'll probably never use it but it was a nice touch.

Friends of mine recently sent in negative feedback on cleanliness and the lack of gin in his G&T. They got 8k miles each.

Of course the big question is whether it feeds down the line to the people actually doing the job; Cabin Crew of ground Crew?

Dick D

Now the question we really want answering - what did she think of the packing cubes??

Now the question we really want answering - what did she think of the packing cubes??

She refused to use them lol ( I hate to admit this but I've actually bought more ..... ).

DL