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VS129 LHR-TPA 30 APR 23 (Upper Class)

PostPosted: 01 May 2023, 20:37
by Murraymint
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TR for VS129 LHR - TPA (couldn’t find it on the drop down menu and couldn’t post without picking one)

Our first flight to TPA and our first experience of the A339 - we had been looking forward to both since last year.

Living in Cyprus, we flew over the day before from Larnaca with BA in a very busy Club Europe. The service and food were very good and a definite improvement on our recent BA experiences, although legroom for a business product is shocking. Stayed at the Sofitel and had a relaxing night before our car service to the Upper Classes Wing next morning.

I had used London Heathrow cars pre-pandemic and always found them good, even if occasionally having to point out the Wing entrance to the driver. However, after reading a lot of poor recent reviews, I had a look at some review sites and selected Patrick Egwu Transportation and reserved an estate car as we had 3 checked bags and 2 carry-ons. Car arrived 5 minutes early but I noticed the Addison Lee decals on the back. Driver had all my details and didn’t realise that this job must have been subcontracted from Patrick Egwu - it would have been nice to know. No problems though and we were soon being greeted at the Wing where we were checked in and through security in 10 minutes. After a brief stop at Boots to allow Mrs M time to pick up some items we can’t get in Cyprus, it was off to the Clubhouse. Not too busy and we were able to get seated in the “quiet area” behind the glass wall which we prefer. Very attentive staff soon had Redheads delivered and we spent some time chatting to Virgin staff who are always keen to chat about Cyprus when they ask where we’re from (the Scottish accent always surprises them).

Called to Gate 20 where G-VEII was waiting and boarded straight away. Very busy UC cabin and PE as well. I was impressed by the cabin layout and the seat space. Lots of storage space and I could get my legs straight out in front of me (and I’m 6’3”). Minor personal niggle would be that I found the seat quite hard (even with my ample padding!) but there were pillows etc to help.

Excellent FSM was working UC with a CSM and another crew member who were all very attentive and making sure we all had drinks etc. without having to ask. I had pre-selected the lamb (which wasn’t on the onboard menu) and it was very tasty and tender.

Whilst scrolling through the IFE menu, I noticed a 4 part series called Branson which I thought was very appropriate for the journey so started watching. One of the crew noticed as she was passing which generated a long conversation about how she would love to meet him. She was originally from Hungry but had also lived in Cyprus for a while so I ended up having a long conversation about the island again. Didn’t bother me though as she had filled my glass again!

We landed about 30 minutes late at TPA due to a 20 minute ATC delay to push back at LHR and strong headwinds during the flight. Once landed we were very quickly through immigration - Mrs M was having some trouble with her GE machine and before I could start with mine, I heard a CPB agent calling my wife over by name “and if he’s with you bring him as well” she shouted to my wife. All very good natured though and after a quick scan of the passports we were through to the baggage area. Waited around 15 minutes for bags - is it just me or do priority bags always come out last- it happened at LHR as well!

I was surprised that the journey to the car rental garage was as long on the 2 monorails or maybe I’m just used to MCO. Quick checkin to the Avis preferred desk in the garage and we were on our way to our villa in Davenport.

Overall a very good Virgin experience both on the ground and in the air.

Re: VS129 LHR-TPA 30 APR 23 (Upper Class)

PostPosted: 01 May 2023, 21:15
by mitchja
Thanks for the TR :)

Looks like there are issues with those GE kiosks at TPA as I had exactly the same issues in Feb and yes it’s a bit of a trek to the car rental centre isn’t it!

Re: VS129 LHR-TPA 30 APR 23 (Upper Class)

PostPosted: 01 May 2023, 21:21
by David
Thanks for very interesting report to not only a new destination but on the latest plane. Tampa opens another destination if you want to visit central Florida / Orlando and I wonder if thats why the Orlando flights themself haven’t been ramped up to match the capacity of the 747’s.

I know VS are in a fleet renewal process but wonder if having gone from 1 upper product across the fleet to now potentially 4 with the old upper, the A350 business config, the A350 leisure config and now the A330-900 isn’t going to cause some confusion and issues with customer satisfaction (which has already been mentioned here)

Next flight is on an A330-300 outbound and an A350 leisure inbound so will be interesting to compare although I have to say the A330-900 seems more appealing for me.

We’re also doing the sofitel / drive through check in so interesting to hear your thoughts. Would you have gone direct with AL if you had known ?

The new menu does concern me a little but the added pre order “extras” might help

Thanks again

David

Re: VS129 LHR-TPA 30 APR 23 (Upper Class)

PostPosted: 01 May 2023, 21:45
by Murraymint
mitchja wrote:Thanks for the TR :)

Looks like there are issues with those GE kiosks at TPA as I had exactly the same issues in Feb and yes it’s a bit of a trek to the car rental centre isn’t it!

Thanks for fixing the title James :D

Re: VS129 LHR-TPA 30 APR 23 (Upper Class)

PostPosted: 01 May 2023, 21:56
by Murraymint
David wrote:We’re also doing the sofitel / drive through check in so interesting to hear your thoughts. Would you have gone direct with AL if you had known ?


TBH, I probably wouldn’t have gone with AL as I’d seen some pretty poor reviews for them as well. The pretty scruffy VW Sharan which they sent (which the driver had to tidy his bags in the boot before we could load ours) didn’t help. On the plus side, they were on time, got there quickly and knew how to get to the Upper Class Wing. Chatting to the Transportation Desk at the Sofitel we discovered that they use Millenium Cars if guests book through them but I haven’t checked them out.

Re: VS129 LHR-TPA 30 APR 23 (Upper Class)

PostPosted: 04 May 2023, 16:52
by buns
Apologies for being late to the party :-(

Thank you for an interesting and detailed TR - as the availability for MCO always seem to go like a flash of lightening, it may be something we consider next year when we travel with family,

The Clubhouse will remain the jewel in the crown for VS - long may it continue

Have a great time in Florida

buns

Re: VS129 LHR-TPA 30 APR 23 (Upper Class)

PostPosted: 09 May 2023, 17:34
by VS075
David wrote:Thanks for very interesting report to not only a new destination but on the latest plane. Tampa opens another destination if you want to visit central Florida / Orlando and I wonder if thats why the Orlando flights themself haven’t been ramped up to match the capacity of the 747’s.


I suspect it’s more to do with not yet having the aircraft. There’s still outstanding A350 deliveries which would have replaced the 747s had COVID not struck. I don’t know what demand and loadings have been like, but with the exchange rate being what it is, the cost of living issues and the US’ COVID vaccination entry requirements until recently, it wouldn’t surprise me if cost is influencing some.

I agree that TPA is an alternative for those heading to the Orlando area and a great option if you’re staying in several parts of Florida in one trip, though maybe less so for those who don’t live close to LHR. For me at least, a 30-45min trip to MAN and then 2hrs max from MCO to the beaches in that area works out more preferable than up to 4hrs drive to LHR or multiple trains.