This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
G-VFOX (config 1 A346)
Economy seat 34D
This is my first economy flight in 5 years [:I] and the first time I put my VS Au status to full use.
Arrived LHR from MAN at 16:20 and made my way to VS check-in. It was pretty quite and none of the queues were very long. Id already checked-in online the night before so headed to Upper check-in with my Au FC card as I was travelling in economy (a Freddy fare).
There was only 1 person in front of me and I was checked-in only a few minutes. No op-up as the flight was wide open in all classes. I did happen to notice that my bag was tagged for Upper with me being Au (although priority baggage didnt work at all as my bag was second to last off at HKG)
Headed up to the Clubhouse with Mr and Mrs Buns who were also travelling on VS. The Clubhouse was not too busy but did soon start to fill up.
Boarding was called at 21:40 and I made my way to gate 1 one of the new ones in T3 very nice gate area with plenty of room (I guess they will need it when the A380 start operating from these new gates)
No real evidence of priority boarding as there was only 1 agent checking boarding cards, although there werent many people waiting to board by the time I arrived.
Turned right and made my way to seat 34D in Y. Thanks to Declan and the other VS crew on here Id already opted for the middle section on the config 1 A346s [:)]. There is a noticeable difference in leg room in these middle seats. It was actually better than I thought it was going to be. The middle 2 seats were empty which meant I could stretch out a bit more. Row 33 in front looked good for leg room as these are where the over-wind exit it although the seats are slightly narrower due to the IFE screen and table been in the arm rests.
One thing I did notice was that the exit row seats had to have pax sat in them for take off and landing. One seat on either side was empty so the crew asked pax to move during take off and landing to fill these seats.
Y was approx 75% full and W and J looked to be almost full.
Not sure what time we pulled back but we did not take off until 23:15 as the captain came on and announced that there was a delay because of a query with the loading sheet.
It would be a 12 Hr flight tonight and shortly after take off the cabin service commenced with a drinks trolley and the dinner. The Y meals were Chinese influenced. Pretty good actually, I went for the stir fried chicken with rice. There was a cold noodle starter followed by what was supposed to be mango & lime jelly although in actual fact was a watery lumpy sharp tasting bowl of green goo. I think it had got too cold and was on the verge of freezing. There was also a fortune cookie thrown in as well.
V:Port was quickly started and worked throughout my flight. I watched Harry Potter then attempted to get some sleep. I think I managed a couple of hours. The leg room was not the problem; the problem was the seat cushion, not comfortable at all and kept sliding forwards. I was also getting numb in that area as well so had to get up a couple of times. The V:Port control in a pain being in the arm rest as you often catch it as you move in your seat. Guess thats why VS has moved it on the new Y seats in config 2 A346s.
Breakfast was served 90 mins before landing but most people were already stirring an hour or so before this despite the Y cabin still been in darkness.
The thing I noticed was how hungry I was in between dinner and breakfast. Good job I had a stash of biscuits with me. I sure it wouldnt be difficult for VS to have a tray or two of biscuits or other non-expensive snacks to help yourself to during the flight. I did notice several water/orange rounds during the flight as well.
It was a pretty long flight all in all and the one thing that I did notice, sitting in Y, is boredom some sets in, even with V:Port.
Landed HKG a few mins late and I was soon though immigration and at the luggage belt, waiting and waiting a bit more. Why does priority baggage with VS never seem to work?
Jumped on the Airport Express into Hong Kong and quickly found my hotel and was checked in by 19:30. Pretty easy using the MTR but can get a bit difficult with luggage in some areas as theres no lifts only escalators.
Back on the VS200 to SYD tomorrow. Showing as a config 2 A346 so will be able to do a comparison. Doesnt want to check me in online though. Will try again in the morning.
Regards
Regards
James Mitchell
James Mitchell
