V-Flyer

I last travelled this route 12 months ago, in the old configuration of the 340-600, in nearly the same seat, so am able to make a fair comparison.

Arrived at Heathrow via Durham Tees Valley and as we were not checked through had to navigate the airport through areas I had never visited before. Found the Virgin check in area was undergoing a refit, but was pleased that there was nobody in the queue. The check in lady was lovely and with no fuss we were directed towards security. We had checked in online and our chosen seats - 40 A and C - were on the boarding cards.

Before going through security we had a Krispy Creme doughnut - joking that we will compare them to those supplied the branch in Shinjuku - sadly that was not to be as the Japanese are Krispy Creme crazy and there was a queue outside the shop until closing time at 11pm. Anyway, the security was less strict than we had experienced at Teesside - no need to remove shoes - and we were soon through to T3 departures. By this time there was less than an hour until boarding so we just had a scoot around the shops and a snack at one of those pizza places (I forget the name).

Boarding was called at about 12.15pm - in Japanese as well as English - and we made our way to gate 33. We sat near the FA's and overheard that the final passenger load was 178. Kept my fingers crossed that a lot of those would be in UC and PE. Turned out I was right as after the bus journey to a remote stand we found our places in Y to be deserted. A couple from a few rows behind volunteered to sit in the emergency exit row, and there were a couple of women in 40 H and K but apart from them nobody else was in the front portion of Y! The rear part of the cabin was more heavily populated but not full by any means. PE looked busier.

Take off was delayed but the pilot said we would still arrive on time - in fact we were early arriving at NRT. The pilot also predicted a smooth ride except over Finland and this was also correct. Even that turbulence was so light I don't remember the seatbelt lights going on.

After take off my other half moved into the middle section seat opposite so I was able to do my favourite V:Port thing and have one screen with I:Map and the other with entertainment. The cabin was the new config of the 340-600 but with old style economy seats. I did not spot which plane we were in on the drive to the remote stand - sorry.

Now, I know the plane was light because the seats in front and behind of me remained empty throughout the flight and then an amazing thing happened - PEOPLE MOVED FROM PE INTO ECONOMY! I must admit I was feeling rather smug at this point, not sure why, but it made me laugh. I did think of complaining to an FA as they wouldn't like it the other way 'round but as none of the PE passengers sat within 4 rows of me I didn't think it was worth the effort even for the mirth.

Service during the flight was excellent - Japanese and British FA's working together, as last year. One British FA said it was her first visit to Tokyo and was very pleased to be working the sector. Bought some presents for Japanese friends on the plane. Had to laugh (politely) when the Japanese FA suggested my Japanese friends might like a packet of maltesers when I asked for gift suggestions.

FA's were around for the whole flight, happily chatting with passengers and with it being such a light load nothing was any trouble for them. There was an announcement made that people could visit the rear galley for refreshments during the night but I did see people getting service at their seat on request.

Food: Pretzels and Vodka & Orange just after take off, followed by a lunch of beef stew which I had with red wine. There were 4 choices - all available - the other half had Teriyaki Chicken. The Bento box was one of the other choices, with the fouth being pasta based (don't remember, it sounded ordinary). Don't remember that meal too well, it was not bad, I do remember the wine being very nice [:)]

There was an ice-cream served half way through the flight and then two hours before landing a choice of full english or Japanese breakfast. I chose the full english and then ate another as my other half was feeling a bit squiffy. I was only too happy to help out as I LOVE the Virgin Atlantic full english!

Couldn't see much of Japan until we were well into our decent at which point the plane turned somewhere over the coast which provided some stunning views. The landing at NRT was rather bumpy and I was glad I had my seatbelt on!

Leaving the plane we exited by the front doors and I had my first ever sighting of UC. Sorry, but I was unimpressed as it looked pretty cramped - and may have been full as it was very messy. Nothing like my lovely tidy Y cabin [:D]

So, how did the experience in the new config compare to last year? Not much had changed really. The main difference was that the section with the water fountain was much narrower and there seemed to be a larger galley at the rear of the plane.

Immigration was very different to last year - then I had been on a flight with many Japanese returning after Golden Week with very few foreign passengers. This time things were different and we had to queue for around 15 minutes - added to which a flight from another airline had also landed (I would guess KLM). After that we got through the baggage security check which was much more thorough than last year - we had to open our cases and watch as security had a good root through looking for illegal sausages or other such things. This made us late to meet the Virgin Holidays rep who had organised our transport into the city - we heard a tannoy announcement asking us to go to Arrivals. When we got there we were made to run to get on a bus that was right outside arrivals. Great service but a shock to the system after 12 hours on a plane! Still, at least our physical exertion had got us right back on time! We booked the Keio Plaza Hotel through Virgin Holidays - review to follow, as is the return trip report.

Paul

thanks for a well constructed TR - full of information and entertaining to boot[y][y]

PEOPLE MOVED FROM PE INTO ECONOMY! I must admit I was feeling rather smug at this point, not sure why, but it made me laugh

The chance to realise that those who had paid more for their seats had come to join you, must have given you some satisfaction[}:)][}:)]

Thanks once again

buns