This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
The booking process was interesting in itself, having originally booked premium economy for a daytime transatlantic flight – I think that virgin premium economy is an exceptionally good product – not cheap, but for a day flight more than adequate.
I was little bit surprised to receive a call from virgin a week so before departure to check that I was happy with everything – my initial thought was “what a nice touch" but as the conversation proceeded and I was asked if I needed any help in arranging car hire or hotels are a began to assume that this was slightly more tacky attempt to sell me additional products! – Nonetheless I was impressed with the call and I was moved to ask if there were any offers on upgrades to upper class - the guy who called me – I can't remember his name, was very helpful and initially offered me an outrageous cash price to upgrade – from memory in excess of the thousand pounds each – i pointed out
that I didn't think he would sell many of those upgrades outside of London! – he noticed that I had a decent amount of miles in my account and asked if I was interested in using them – I said yes – and after quite a delay – he came back with a proposal to upgrade at just £182 each! Furthermore I was told I was going to earn miles from the flight which is an added bonus. - Needless to say I bit his hand off – between the two of us we quickly decided that seats 6K and 7K were the best choices available – 6A and 7A being already occupied.
I have to say (I'm sure other visitors here will know more about this than I do) - having collected the virgin miles on a number of previous business trips I was becoming a little disappointed in how difficult it was to apparently use them this seemed the perfect solution.
Cue first slight disappointment – when trying to confirm seating arrangements just day before the flights – it was apparent that we'd been moved .. I have to say this was quite disturbing as the seating arrangements were important for my wife, she intended to sleep and a quiet seat was- very desirable. When I called virgin about it they could not offer any explanation and suggested I enquired at the airport.
The present Mrs ColinB and I .. duly arrived at Manchester airport - check-in was quick and easy and when we asked about the seating arrangement we were told a manager would come and talk to us about it… Well, no manager arrived and we were ultimately told that the problem was 7K had a broken table when we boarded the plane it became apparent that this was true, as the occupant of 7K had to eat at the bar. And in truth the seat move caused us no difficulties whatsoever (please read on) The only complaint was the way it was handled – I was convinced that we had been "bumped" out of our choice of seats for crew, gold class passengers or whatever and felt a little bit disappointed. It turned out that the reason was genuine, although why virgin can't fix a seat table over a 24-hour period still remains a mystery.
The escape lounge at Manchester airport is adequate but not exceptional – I took a glance in the V room and got the impression that with not too much effort this could be expanded to provide some sort of clubhouse as has been suggested in other posts – will be get it in Manchester? (I doubt it).
After a swift gin and tonic (my first of the day) we boarded. (or should I say we attempted to board) the security staff actually on the air bridge seemed to be trying to get in the maximum amount of personal and baggage searches, we were selected for the "please open your carry on" treatment and although a little awkward, I have to say they were very polite and professional.. before too long we were getting in the lift (?) down to the air bridge proper and stepping onto the plane and turning left
- no personal name greeting but very politely ushered to our seats and provided with a first glass of champagne. Initial experience very good however, Lanson appears to have been dropped for some completely “no name” brand? There are plenty of very good "no name" Champagne houses however, this isn't one of them. I can probably see why they've gone for it, there is an initial mellow and pleasing taste but to my palette at least, a disappointing aftertaste, which would be completely absent Lanson or similar.Nonetheless a smooth takeoff – another glass of champagne (I think?) And then a visit to the bar for a further Gin and tonic - very pleasant crew .. and we were heading towards lunch..
Which was very good .. As this was now several weeks ago I can't quite remember what I had recall that it was very enjoyable. I also recall that the choice of wines was limited. I chose the South African Chenan Blanc, which having had it before I know it's good. But the choice of old world wines is extremely limited – very little French wines to choose from and no Chardonnay at all. I think it this is one aspect of the service that lets virgin down. Nonetheless I enjoyed the meal so much I confess fell asleep before desert! (Hic).. I woke to find a plate of cheese kindly placed before me which I thoroughly enjoyed (with a glass of Red as I recall), before converting to flatbed mode and having quite possibly the most enjoyable afternoon nap (of several hours) I've experienced on a plane.
Indeed, my nap was so substantial there really wasn't much of the flight left when I woke up, afternoon tea was pleasant and probably much needed, I hardly used the IFE at all and pretty soon we were making our approach to Orlando.
Swift disembarkation, followed by the usual queue at immigration. However, we were quickly ushered towards the electronic passport gates, things were looking promising. Unfortunately, although the electronic gate process is fairly quickly we were then invited to queue again so that a real person could presumably check what the electric gate had done? Then another queue to exit the area having confirmed that I didn't have any hazardous fruit and veg with me! .. Really, I'm sure that the immigration services could make things more difficult if they really tried .. But not by much!
Interestingly – I think I saw an advertising for a prescreening process .. Chargeable but definitely worth looking into .. Although I suspect only available to US citizens.
One change I noticed at Orlando – was to collect baggage before jumping on the terminal shuttle/train… this definitely made things more difficult as invariably we had plenty of bags.
Exiting the terminal was also difficult were we on A side or B-side (to this day I still don't know which)– consequently I we no idea where the hotel shuttle was… however .. The airport hotel was only a $10 taxi fare away..
So, in summary, a big thank you to virgin for getting our holiday off to such a pleasant and stylish start.
