V-Flyer

Part Four of Philly Africa

We got our bags and headed through the construction zone over to Virgin check-in. There were about four or five people in the UC line head of us, but it moved fairly quickly. We got our boarding passes and went through Fast Track security maybe a five minute line. Shoes off, shoes on and we quickly went to the CH. By that point it was about 8:20 and the flight was leaving at 9:30 a.m. We asked the lady checking boarding passes how much time we had before they would call the flight and she said we had about 25 minutes.

We went to the Cowshed desk and asked for steam shower rooms fifteen minutes later we felt almost human again, wearing a fresh change of clothes. I said that we still had time to hang in the CH for a few minutes as they hadnt announced it there but Mr. Pookaa was nervous about the fact that the flight was shown as Closing on the board, so we headed off for Gate 35.

It was quite a long walk and when we arrived, there was a long queue with no line for UC. And as luck would have it, we both got to have the full hand-luggage search, complete with removal of the batteries in all of the electronics. Once that was over, we went to board the plane we looked outside and saw.the Emmeline Heaney, G-VYOU, the same aircraft that we had just left a little over an hour before! At least we were in better seats for this leg, 9A and 10A.

We were greeted by our FA, who was just delightful for the entire trip. She made sure that we were comfortable, knew all about the suite and had a drink while the rest of the pax were arriving. I asked her about sleep suits and she said the usual about not usually carrying them on day flights, but she had a few, just not to let the others see them and get jealous.

The Shoe Bags were already out on the seats. The IFBT came around and explained the services I requested a neck and back massage. She also came around with the lotion, pens, mints and lip balm basket.

It was a very full UC cabin. After take-off, the FA came around with a choice of parsnip crisps or cheese crackers and drinks, and explained that since they were doing a lunch service, they didnt want to inflict Chicken Tikka Masala on all of us at 10:00 a.m. so they would wait until about 12:30 to serve.

We both changed into our ninja suits and Mr. Pookaa folded down his seat and took a nice long nap. I watched The Good Shepherd on V-Port I think I still need to have some of it explained to me though. Just before lunch the IFBT came and said that she could do my treatment, so I had a very nice massage, much needed after the stress of running in circles all over the airport that morning. When I had finished, I found that Mr. Pookaa was in my seat and the table had been set up for both of us to have lunch. He said he was worried about me he didnt know where the IFBT station was and couldnt figure out where I could have gone while on board a plane.[:D]

I had the smoked salmon as a starter and Mr. Pookaa had the potato and double Gloucester soup. We both had the Cumberland pork sausages with mashed potatoes and spinach as a main. And, since this was the end of our trip, we ordered the chocolate and pear posset and the honeycomb ice cream. All of the food was quite good.

I asked Mr. Pookaa how his nap was and he said, Now I understand why you like these UC suites.

Since lunch was served so late, we only had a couple of hours before landing. I read and dozed after lunch, and if they came around with tea, I didnt see it, although they did offer ice cream at some point. It was a little bumpy during the approach to JFK, but a beautiful day outside. We landed just a bit early, about five minutes before noon.

We taxied for a bit before stopping at the gate and it seemed to take them a while to get the jetway in place. Immigration was quick, and there was about a twenty minute wait for the bags. We went through customs, and we had to go over to the official customs desk so that they could inspect my bridal bouquet, but luckily decided not to hassle me about it. After that we went to the UC Limo desk and our car was ready in about three minutes. Traffic was horrible and the ride back to Philly was about 2 _ hours.

Im glad that we flew Virgin, even though we could have done a more direct flight on South African. I am also glad that Mr. Pookaa had a chance to see the service that Virgin offers, and based on how he was describing it to his family the next day, well be flying Virgin together again in the future.

What a good end to what sounds like a great holiday, thank you for posting your TR's they were all really great! [^][^]

DMB

Great TR's (having now read all four of them)

;-)

I love SA and I'm saving my air miles so my wife and I can go back (last visit was our honeymoon)

Fantastic TR's Pookaa! Really enjoyed each one, and also your safari highlights. Thank-you for taking the time to compile them [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah

Pookaa

Thanks for four brilliant TRs[y][y][y][y]

Overall, your experience of VS has lived up to what you would have expected and moreover, that fact that your other half is now hooked (like the rest of us V-flyers[:D][:D]) must speak volumes.

In all four TRs I do not recall your having anything other than good cabin service - This counters some recent TRs and makes me hopeful of my next flight on VS.

Thanks once again

buns

Hi Pookaa

Many thanks for four great TRs. They were most enjoyable and reminded me that my first VS flight was to JNB but only in economy. The experience was such that I was immediately hooked. Sounds like Mr Pookaa was too [y]

Great set of TR's fantastic [^].

Flying on G-VYOU for both legs just shows the little amount of time these a/c spend on the ground and the amazing job ground handling do in turning them around. [oo]

Originally posted by buns4vs

In all four TRs I do not recall your having anything other than good cabin service - This counters some recent TRs and makes me hopeful of my next flight on VS.

Yes, all of the cabin crews were terrific, especially those on our UC legs as they were day flights and therefore even more interactive with the pax. But even the PE crew - the JNB to LHR leg in particular - were very nice and attentive.

Great TRs! I just read all four - the safaris sounded wonderful. MrStars and I went on a safari in SA for part of our honeymoon last year and I can't wait to go on more. Amazing experiences!

Congratulations on your marriage!

Congrats on the marriage and thanks for the great TRs, especially the look at service.

GJ