V-Flyer

VS200 LHR-HKG
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

Good to hear you got there in one piece James! Funnily enough my flight on the 20th was delayed for the same reason.

Looking forward to you other reports.

John

Originally posted by mitchja

I did happen to notice that my bag was tagged for Upper with me being Au (although priority baggage didn't work at all as my bag was second to last off at HKG)

Those little tags make no difference at LHR - it's all automated. To get priority luggage the check in agent should have made an entry into the computer that would put info on the barcode saying this bag needs to go in the J bin. They obviously didn't!!

A fantastic read James! Im glad to hear that the flight went well! (your first Y flight in 5 years has to be an experience!)

Have a good one in Hong Kong, and i look forward to reading the next leg of your travels!

Thanks,
Sarah

Nice TR James,

I was lucky that I didnt experience a red eye Y flight on my last trip

I've been fairly lucky in the past with four seats to myself and actualy got some sleep. I find those inflatable cushion things work well too

Thanks for the TR James - look forward to the first back to back config 1 & 2 comparrison!

enjoy HK & Sydney!

Thanks for that James! You mae a good point about boredom on long flights even with v:port. Sad as it sounds I find taking some work along helps break the monotony! Looking forward to the next instalments.

Thanks for the replays [:)]

VS miles/TP's/Au bonus already credited for this flight [:D] With my Au bonus it means I earn the equiv. of PE mileage for my VS flights.

Feeling nice and refreshed now after a good nights sleep at the HIX in HKG which is good. Nice room, breakfast and in-room internet access thrown in for ~£47 which seems a good deal [:)] as you can sometimes pay nearly £20 for just the internet access in some hotels. The hotel is right next to the Times Square shopping centre which has an MTR station in as well [:)]

The first thing I'm going to buy is a good book for my next flight!!

Edit - also just tried OLCI again, it did let me start the process this time but came up with message 'Sorry you need to check-in at the airport.....' after entering all my passport details etc.

Regards

Mitcha

Glad to hear you have arrived in HKG still sane[;)][;)]

It was a pleasure meeting up with you in Clubhouse[y][y]

Thanks for providing some useful tips on the seating

Good Luck got Round 2 down to SYD


buns

Sat in the HKG CH now (very nice it is as well [:)]), having just watched G-VEIL arrive who will be taking me to SYD.

I think the V-Flyer seat map needs updating to config 2 for G-VEIL as expert flyer and VS are showing a config 2 A346, but I'll now for sure once I'm on board [:)]

No op-up again so far and no way to upgrade an 'N' fare with cash as VS say I first need to pay to upgrade to an upgradeable fare then pay the PE upgrade fee on top of that - I think not!

Regards

D'oh, I forgot to say you could use the Airport Express downtown check-in. Its handled by an agent (think its Dragon-Air) but its open much earlier than check-in at HKG opens. Saves dragging your luggage with you again.

Thanks,
Richard

Originally posted by mitchja
I sure it wouldn't be difficult for VS to have a tray or two of biscuits or other non-expensive snacks to help yourself to during the flight.

Back when I flew on this route in 1998 they had pre-wrapped mini rolls filled with meat or fish and other tasty morsels so you could help yourself in the galley. And menus. And Brandy and Baileys. In Y.

The Strawb

James,
Great report and looking forward to your next one.

Chuck-

Thank you for the TR, James. [y] [:)]

Thanks James![:D]

I think it would be better to have some 'help yourself' snacks in the galley would be good for PE/Y. I remember having snacks available in PE in 744s a few years back - how times have changed![;)]

VS.

Thanks for the TR James,

Agree with you about the v:port controls in Y - I am forever switching channels inadvertently. With regard to the seats in front - the main problem is that with tables in the arm rests it means you cannot raise the rest and stretch out if the next seat is free.

Look forward to the next installment and hope you have fun down under.

Phil