V-Flyer

Disclaimer [:D]

Much has be written in the media recently about the trans atlantic routes to Americas East Coast, and with loads of 116, and 113 on this trip, I can see why ! So if you're a fan of AL Gore's recent film [;)] Or global warming then this trip report isn't for you [:D]

And as for Amenity Kit's ... Well they were the standard Economy issue !

Having worked all over Christmas & New Year I decided to take advantage of Virgin Atlantic's constant 2007 Sale [:D] by booking a Premium Economy trip to New York returning via Boston [:D]

At just under 700 return this seemed like the bargain of a lifetime !

This was to be my 1st trip to the Big Apple [:D]

Despite living just under an hour away from London Heathrow, the journey on a cold February morning that took nearly 2 hours left me wishing that I'd booked an Airport Hotel the night before [^] What is it about the M40 & M4 at 'Rush Hour ?'

The journey was soon forgotten as I rocked up at the NCP Car Park behind the Park Hotel just before 10am, and by 20 past I was in Terminal 3 in the 'Fast Bag Drop' Line. Some 10 minutes later I was on the way to Security which took another 15 minutes.

Once through Security I spend another 20 minutes registering for IRIS before neatly side stepping the whole shoe thing and parked myself in one of Terminal 3's many restaurants for a late breakfast [:D]

Flight was called on time at just after 12.45PM, and involved a long way to one of the new gates ! It must have been my lucky day as again I walked straight through the 2nd round of security screening [:D] It was then that I got a clue to the light load on VS 045. Even allowing for the people in the Clubhouse the gate area was more empty than the audience at a Britney Spears appearance at a Head & Shoulders Shampoo Convention [:D]

Priority Boarding soon commenced, and a minute later I was on the upper deck of the Boeing 747 - 400 by prefered home in the sky [y]

Champaign followed, and I was winding down when a smiling Cabin Services Supervisor appeared, and asked if I'd mine moving back down stairs for landing, and take off to comply with the regulations as there wern't enough people !

I asked if I could bill Sir Richard Branson for the prvilige [:D] She roared with laughter, and said I'll make sure you get looked after on the flight [y]

Shortly after I fastened my seat belt another glass of Champaign arrived. Soon after that we were on the way to the runway, and in the air shortly after the allocated take off time.

It's interesting to know that a 747 - 400 with 116 on board is like 'A Cat off hot bricks' at take off using hardly any runway. I'm used to Gatwick - Orlando, and a fully laiden Boeing
[:D]

This was also to be a quick crossing ... 6 hours 35 minutes with a routing out over Cardiff before making land again over Canada before dropping dpwn the Eastern Coast of the U.S.A.

Once the seat belt sign had gone off I did my Linford Christie sprint back to the Upper Deck [:D] No one was keeping me downstairs [:D]

A round of drinks followed shortly afterwards before the main meal. I went for the traditional 'Sausage & Mash'. I absolutley see were Virgin Atlantic are going with the enhanced meal service, and frankly it's better than I've had before in Premium Economy. but I think it's still not quite there. I was reminded of the Virgin Trains slogan 'We're Getting There' from a few years ago [:D]

Throughout the flight, trays of drinks, plus a fruit bowl available at the rear of the Cabin, and the crew passed through with these from time to time. Also available was the Green & Blacks plus Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. The reduced Tea service was also served prior to landing into JFK. Whilst not the same as it's been in the past, it hit the spot on such a short flight.

On the entertainment front 'V Port' is simply brilliant ... I watched Borat, and The Queen, plus some of the destination guides. As a frequent Orlando traveller, I can see what I'm missing !

A word on the crew at this point [:D] The Cabin Services Supervisor was true to her word. Simply brilliant ... I wanted for nothing, and was spoilt rotten which included a small thank you gift for moving for landing, and take off [:D] I made a point of seeking out the Flight Service Manger to let her know how good several memebers of her crew were which she recorded in her report [:D]

Then it was back downstairs for landing, and being 1st off the plane, I power walked my way to Immigration to find that the Air India flight that had sat behind us on the taxiway at Heathrow had in fact beaten us to New York [V]

50 minutes later I was through, not helped by 3 people from one of our fellow EU countries deciding to have a go at the Immigration Officer, who promtly called a Supervisior ! Reams of paperwork followed whilst I just stood there watching the ensuing madness. Once through collected my bags, cleared Customes and hailed a cab to Manhatten.

Thanks for the TR, Andrew [y][y]

I am of to JFK in a couple of weeks, once the Easter holidays are over and done with, it will be interesting to see if the light loads continue.

Now that you have sampled V-Port, you can see first hand why there are so many complaints at the two tiered IFE systems at LHR and LGW. [n]

Nick

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
Thanks for the TR, Andrew [y][y]

I am of to JFK in a couple of weeks, once the Easter holidays are over and done with, it will be interesting to see if the light loads continue.

Now that you have sampled V-Port, you can see first hand why there are so many complaints at the two tiered IFE systems at LHR and LGW. [n]

Nick

Thanks Nick ... I've taken 4 trans atlantic trips to JFK, and Boston in the past 12 months, all on Boeing 747 - 400's where the loads have been no more than 116 per leg ! Lowest being 96 with 45 of those in PE/UC !

Good for the consumer with space to spread out ... Not so good for Virgin Atlantic !

Enjoy Brooklyn. I wish I'd been able to see more of it.

Good TR, Thanks Andrew, [y]

Thanks for the insight Andrew, those loads must look slightly worrying for VS... [:D]