V-Flyer

After a two day 'business trip' we got picked up from the hotel at 06h00 for the 09h15 flight back to the big smoke! The weather was overcast and a bit drizzly - so didn't mind i was travelling. The taxi arrived at the terminal at 06h45 which was very busy! Found the correct area and went through to check in.
At check in, was told that we were 'upgraded to Upper' (from PE)- so naturally very pleased[:D]Even asked which seats we wanted - so chose 5K!. Bags got tagged and through to departures. Immigration control was smooth and well organised and in no time i had walked (hiked) the 15min to the departures area.
The terminal was really heaving and it was only around 07h00!
Before going to the Gulf Air lounge we 'visited' the Emirates Business class and First Class lounges near gate 22.
The Emirates Business class lounge was chaotic, with people milling around looking for seats and the food offer looking as though there had been a small war involved in the set up.I was not impressed to say the least.[n]
Over to the Emirates First Class lounge, where we were given the full tour. So much more spacious and calm, but still not a touch on the VAA LHR Lounge.There was no a la carte food offer - only buffet service!
Emirates did mention that these lounges had not been refurbished for some time, as they had expected the new terminal, with the new lounges, to be ready - this is now only going to be at the end of 2007 now!!
Anyway, into the Gulf Air Lounge - quite comfortable with approx 60 seats split into 4 seating areas. Food offer very limited, with congealed scrambled egg on offer initially - to be replaced by quite pleasant creamy scrambled egg.[y]
Walked to the Gate (43) at 08h45 only to held in the pre boarding lounge before being put on a bus for 20 mins before it left the terminal at 09h15.
Arrived at the Emirates Skycargo area (Stand C17) and boarded V-RED (Scarlet Lady)through the front door (they were using 2 doors). Doors closed at 09h30 and the 'lovely' snooze pack handed out at 09h35.
The Captain came on the PA and advised us that the runway had been clsed for 45mins earlier in the morning and that all flights were running with that much of a delay - he mentioned we'd push at around 10h00 and the flight time would be around 7hrs 20mins.
At 09h55 our breakfast orders were taken.
Upper had around 28 pax out of 45, PE(New seats) had a handful of seats free and economy loads were light (Total loading 202 + 2 = 204).
We pushed back at 10h07 and we queued up behind 3 Emirates A330-200, 1 B777-ER, Dragonair Cargo 747-200? (reg B-KAD for you experts) and a 747-200? belonging to United Arab Emirates (Reg A6-SMR). Behind us was a Royaljet Business Jet and a couple of Emirates A340-300's and a 777-300.
We rolled at 10h30 and V-Port was switched on at 10h53.
I didn't order breakfast and my colleague said it was really awful [:$](Omlette and some nasty looking 'bacon').
V-Port was really slow and eventually was re booted for the whole aircraft at 12h30.(Dubai time)
I ordered the Iranian Lamb for lunch and wow, was it a good choice![y]
In all my flights in Upper (30+) it was the best meal by far - very tasty lamb that was served hot, with crunchy vegetables and perfectly cooked rice (Shock horror!!) - i sent a complementary feedback form this am!!
The FSM was excellent and her staff were very attentive too - included in e mail to VAA.
We started the descent at 13h25 (UK time) and V-Port turned off at 13h35[:(!][V] WHY WHY WHY!!!!!
We had great views banking over the city (I can see the office from here!!) coming in over west london to land at 14h00 - so only slightly late.
Parked at Gate 32 @ 14h07 and disembarked. Since i had registered for IRIS sometime ago - i left my passport deep in my handluggage.
Sods law happened - they (Immigration),wanted to see everyones passport at the end of the Jetbridge!![:0]- That's a first.
Anyway, slipped through to IRIS and the machine thought i was 3 feet tall!! So a bit of thigh excercise to line my eyes up.
Luggage got tagged UPPER so i was through by 14h28.

All in all not a bad flight!!
Hope it wasn't too boring. By the way - how do you add the map thingy to the report?

Richard

Thanks for thst - those magic words are always so welcome! I've given up trying to be clever by leaving my passport anywhere inaccessible as IRIS can be out of operation and you still have to be manually seen

Thanks for the TR and nice one with the Upgrade [:D]

Good to see the UC food getting the thumbs up, well, at least the lamb!

Good TR. Richard Thank you, and well done on the up. [y]

Richard

thanks for the TR[y][y]

Now that the flight is early morning, it is a good point to mention the trek to the lounge from check in (not to mention the security point along the way) and how this needs to be factored in if you want to visit the duty free.

I can see the office from here!!

No doubt in one of my 'quieter' moments I was most probably staring out of the office window looking at the planes on approach to LHR and saw you[:p]

all the best

It seems I'm not the only one who performs acrobatic contortions in the IRIS pen then?
Julie

Great TR thanks! [y] I had a freat flight from DXB in December, the food was lovely and the crew too! Glad you had a great flight.

I'll echo that the lamb on this route is awesome, I'll also echo that the breakfast is absolutely disgusting!

I must admit that one of my 'pet hates' is when V-Port is switched off really early, and all the head sets are collected - only to find you have 45 mins + of trying to stave off boredom!!
Does anyone know why VAA does this, or is it standard amongst other airlines too?

Originally posted by zambandit
I must admit that one of my 'pet hates' is when V-Port is switched off really early, and all the head sets are collected - only to find you have 45 mins + of trying to stave off boredom!!
Does anyone know why VAA does this, or is it standard amongst other airlines too?

I too find this sometimes irritating. VS clearly have their policy and it is different to other airlines. On Emirates with ICE its on while boarding takes place and they tend to turn it off as little as ten minutes before landing.

I suspect one thing with VS is that as you descend into Heathrow its possible that landing can be in as little as 20/30 mins, then there's a holding pattern that causes a delay ...