V-Flyer

Off to JFK on the VS127 today (was originally going to be the VS129 today to TPA on a Upper Class reward fare) but on Sunday after seeing the weather forecasts I decided to get ahead of the curve and see what was available to switch to, plenty of JFK reward availability from LHR but nothing coming back next week so just thought I’d check MAN>JFK as low and behold there was reward availability on the same dates I’d booked for the TPA flights.

A quick 10min call to Flying Club my booking is updated. I was getting a little worried though as the booking took till Tuesday afternoon to get re-ticketed and even then it took another nudge via an another quick call to Flying Club: an hour of so later the new booking confirmation arrived in my inbox. By Tuesday VS where cancelling their TPA & MCO flights, for most of this week.

Tampa car hire cancelled with a promised refunded by V Hols. My Clearwater beach hotel booking was fully flexible so was no hassle to cancel. Hotels in New York found and booked, car parking at MAN booked and I’m all good to go

Trains cancelled but not expecting a refund from LNER and they are truly inflexible when it comes to cancelling. They even charge you now to change the booking Sounds like a dodged a bullet though as apparently yesterday it was utter chaos on the east coast line with both directions blocked at Stevenage due to a nearby fire for several hours.

Anyway……back to today. A nice easy drive from Lancashire, car parked in T2 west car park and now sat in a pretty quiet 1903 lounge with less than 20 other pax so far. The VS109 to ATL has just started boarding and there’s obviously no MCO flights today so just 2 VS departures today from MAN.

Since I was last here in Dec 2023, new scanners in MAN T2 and the fast track lane is now at the other end of the security area to the far left. Pretty quick to get through with everything able to be left in bags.

VS check-in is a bit more sensible now as they are now no longer using that silly podium for Upper Class. Upper Class is now at the opposite end of the check-in zone E close to the entrance to security.

All very relaxed and straightforward so far

Have a great trip James.

On-board G-VINE (A333) and the (full) Upper Class cabin and seats all look to be in good condition.

Thank you for the update on Manchester, as it’s the airport we use. Have a great trip.

I was also supposed to be on VS109 today in Upper but as SRQ is closed due to the Hurricane VS re booked me yesterday for next week. No issues staff are super helpful and even managed to get the same seat in Upper. How was the lounge this morning ? Have a nice time in the big apple.

The lounge was starting to get busy as I left to board but it was all good. Not a Clubhouse but still a nice place to relax. Never seen this before but a uniformed VS staff member was also visible in the lounge whilst I was there.

Crew as good as ever on-board the flight in Upper Class with a great pro-active FSM so far

So pleased you managed to change your plans and that VS were so accommodating.

Hope the flight goes well and the food is a lot better than what has been portrayed so far

buns

We will be following you out James, on VS127 on Saturday.
I was worried about 1903 being busy later in the morning , hopefully you have allayed my fears.

I see that there is now a new check in area at JFK for UC. Looks good.
https://youtu.be/XoumVtBXRXQ?si=OxDDxSO-QcFUaMl4

Have a great trip! dont forget to leave time for the deltaone lounge as well as the clubhouse on your way back!

That's good to hear the 1903 lunge has had mixed reviews as of late. VS might be doing that as a trial with a VS staff member in the lounge. I''m going next Tuesday and there's 4 flights so will be interesting to see how busy it is.

mitchja wrote:The lounge was starting to get busy as I left to board but it was all good. Not a Clubhouse but still a nice place to relax. Never seen this before but a uniformed VS staff member was also visible in the lounge whilst I was there.

Crew as good as ever on-board the flight in Upper Class with a great pro-active FSM so far

The presence of a uniformed VS staff member in the lounge (obviously 1903 now, but was the same in Escape Lounge in "old T2") is normally down to a member of Manchester crew being grounded due to pregnancy. They cannot fly, but are not ready to go on full maternity leave. Ground based duties it is.