VS200 LHR-HKG 3 Nov 06 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

I have flown Virgin a number of times and often visit v-flyer, but only just registered so this is my first post/trip report so I hope you find it helpful

We were booked to fly to Hong Kong on November 3rd and earlier in the day discovered that the England Ashes team were also on the flight on route to Sydney. Im not a huge cricket fan, but thought that it would be quite an experience knowing how Virgin like to milk these occasions. I was also pretty chuffed to see we were flying on the new A340-600 G-VRED/Scarlet Lady (my first ever Virgin flight was on the original Scarlet Lady B747 when Virgin had just 2 planes!) as it had the new economy seats, which I was intrigued to see if they would be an improvement.

Arrived at Heathrow 3 hours before departure. I had already checked in on-line, but it was still chaotic with all the queues for the different check ins blending into one. Finally found the right queue and wondered if it really was much quicker checking in online when you have baggage to drop off. DIY check in seemed to be quicker!

Took about 30 mins to drop off our bags, however we were then met by the biggest queue I have ever seen at an airport. The queue for security stretched out into the car park and took 1 hour to pass through... From having loads of time it became a bit of a rush to eat and visit Duty Free.

Not wanting to miss the England team boarding we were at the gate in good time I was expecting quite a lively atmosphere to wish the team off and was surprised and disappointed it was so subdued. I found up that the team were still in the club house.

We went from one of the new gates, which I guess are for the A380 as it seemed like the flight was half empty when it was full. The flight was called and everyone was just about onboard but still no cricket team

Eventually they made there way through and I was surprised it was so low key and even more surprised that Branson wasnt lurking somewhere.

Onboard the Scarlet Lady I immediately saw the new premium economy seats and they look great its really the old style business class now, with maybe slightly less leg room. As it was holiday and not business it was through to economy unfortunately... The plane looked very new and thankfully the orange economy seats have gone (have never been able to understand that one).

I choose the middle seats as I got the impression from this site that the leg room is slightly better on the A340-600 than by the window. Settled into the new seat it is more comfortable as it reclines more and the base moves too plus there is a lumber support. I was a little disappointed by the leg room (Im just over 6ft and it was tight)

We left the gate and took off almost immediately, which is a first for Heathrow. V-port kicked in and we were shown the highlights of the 2005 Ashes series. Food was good (the usual chicken dish) and sitting at the front of the economy cabin you get served quickly. V-port is a great system although the imap didnt work, which was annoying as I like to see where we are. Managed to grab a few hours sleep. I liked the new water fountains as the likes of Virgin and BA dont seem to bring it around during the night.

I always try to avoid the A340 as its just not a 747, however had little choice for the HK flight and I was actually quite impressed. It shows that the 747 on Virgin plus other airlines are looking quite dated now.

We arrived in HK on time and the Pilot wished the England team all the best and each passenger was a given an England badge. Apart from that and the highlights video when we left Heathrow the fact they were on board was quite low key.

The Flight back on the 20th was with the old economy seats (Queen of the skies I think) I was a bit worried the leg room would be less than the flight on the way out, but although the seat isnt quite as comfortable and recline is less there was quite a bit more legroom than with the new seats, which was great for this flight, but I hope theyre not reducing the pitch overall.

Imap worked this time and it was a pretty uneventful flight as I managed to doze most of the way. If flying from HK the downtown check in a must as it makes it so much easier.

Overall 2 very good flights with Virgin despite my reservations of flying economy its seem at last that they are focusing on the 2 economy classes rather than just Upper Class.

[mitchja]

Excellent TR thanks and welcome to V-Flyer [y]

thankfully the orange economy seats have gone (have never been able to understand that one).

I'm so glad I'm not the only one that doesn't like those nasty orange/yellow seats. I even asked at check-in once to be sat in a non-orange seat on an A346 flight - and yes I did get a funny look from the check-in agent and was told I fly VS too much!! [:o)]

Regards

excellent report!

Welcome to v-flyer

[Neil]

Welcome to V-Flyer and thanks for the excellent TR[y]

Neil[:)]

Thanks for an excellent TR[y]

Sounds as if the new Y seats are not bad at all.

Iain

Ps. Glad you signed up and no need to lurk now[:p]

Welcome to V-Flyer

Nice TR from 'the back of the bus'

Agree that the Airbus is now making the 747 look a little dated but given a choice I still prefer flying on the 747 - maybe that will change as I get more 346 trips under my belt

Jon B

Welcome to V-Flyer! Great TR thank you, glad you had a good flight.

Dominic

I'm flying to HKG in Feb with VS...what were your seat numbers??

Hi

Thank you for all your comments

We were in seat 38 FG and 36 HK - the latter had more leg room

I'm in seat 37a on the way over, and 38a on the way back. I hope the wing isn't blocking my view (tho they're night flights, so I'll prob have to pull my blinds down)
Did the IFE box disturb at all?

I am just catching up on the TR. Nice TR.

I went out to HKG in Oct and came back the day after you flew out of LHR. I also had the new Y seat on the way out and the old Y seat coming back. On all A346 new config should apply hence there should be more legroom than the old config. I did find there is more noticeable legroom increase with the new seats then with the old ones. I was in 33H and 32H. Avoid row 32 as there is no window and row 33 has limited views because of the wing.

Sitting so far in front of economy and with the galley right at the back, you miss the snacks during the flight as it is along trek to the rear.

For those interested I have just been back to Hong Kong on Air New Zealand - using Premium economy and economy. Worth a read if you struggle with the leg room on Virgin and fly to HK or LA.

Many thanks