V-Flyer

It was time to fly home again after a 2 week stay in Hong Kong. I was travelling alone on the outward trip but on the return trip I was travelling with my parents. My mum and myself were travelling in economy but I treated my dad on a one-way UC reward.

We were dropped off at Hong Kong international airport at approximately 2130hrs and proceeded to Virgin check-in at Zone F. The check-in area was pretty much empty and we headed to the UC check-in desk. Even though I was travelling in economy but still tagged along to check-in in UC. We had a total of 7 pieces of luggage in various shapes and sizes. I carried out on-line check-in earlier in the day and this was registered in the system upon check-in at the airport. Dad seated in 2K as recommended by V-Flyer and my mum and I were in 37H/K. Check-in was efficient and quick, even though we had approximately 11kg of excess baggage, it was all accepted and the plus point was the agent said all bags will be tagged UC baggage. A clubhouse invitation was issued and were asked who would be the guest accompanying my dad to the clubhouse. I offered the place to my mum as no doubt I will visit the clubhouse one day in the future. We quickly went through immigration and security as there were hardly any people.

A visit to duty free and afterwards I quickly ushered my parents to the clubhouse. The clubhouse is located on the upper level adjacent to gate 36 (which is the usual gate used by VS). Access is either via the escalators or the elevator and these are located amongst the duty free shops before you reach gate 60. I dropped the parents at clubhouse reception and was asked if my dad would be using revivals at LHR. I replied yes and an invitation to revivals was issued. We were also asked what time do we want to be picked up by the CDC at LHR. With only 30 mins in the clubhouse, time was pushed to the limit. In the end there was no time to order anything on the menu and they only consumed drinks and small bites.

Parked at gate 36 was G-VEIL (Queen of the Skies) which ofcourse arrived from SYD as VS201. Boarding commenced and there was priority boarding for UC, PE and FC AU. Dad was in the UC queue with mum accompanied, I was in the very long economy queue. At HKG there were 2 jet bridges, one for UC and one for PE and Y. G-VEIL had new PE seats fitted and noticed part of the trim on seat 22H has became adrift. Once I was onboard my mum was already in her seat. With this flight being first day of June and not ex LHR, V:Port was still showing May offerings. Safety video was shown and it was still the old version. We departed on time and were following a CX 744 for take-off.

Once took off and seat belt signs extinguished, I quickly ventured forward towards the UC cabin. It was the first time I have been in UC cabin inflight and I was quite excited. I noticed many passengers were converting to bed mode themselves and laying down linens. Sleep suit was provided and I told my dad to put them on which he quite liked. The amenity kit was abit of a disappointment. Basically it was a shoe bag with sock, toothbrush/paste and eyeshade wrapped in it [n]. Seat 2K has a flat area above the right shoulder which could use for storage. The toilet was right next to the seat however disturbance was minimal and didn't really affect the location of the seat. IFBT took orders for any treatments during boarding but unfortunately dad didn't get any during the whole flight. Back in economy, first drink service took place and followed by dinner. Dinner on offer in economy was hoisin chicken with noodle, beef stew in rice or stir-fry vegetable. I had the chicken and it was quite nice. I occasionally have to nip to UC to operate V:Port for my dad to keep him entertained. Throughout the flight, snacks were available in the rear galley. I have noticed the snacks are now less than what it used to be. There used to be buns, rolls, cookies etc but now only mainly shortbread and drinks. I didn't take much notice of the freedom menu in UC but dad did have the lamb shank which he said it wasn't very good. Frequent drinks service was provided throughout the night in economy.

Two hours outside LHR, breakfast was served in economy. On offer were english breakfast, chinese dim sum and omelette. We landed into LHR 10 minutes ahead of schedule and another flawless flight by VS. Dad disembarked the flight in UC first and he waited for us, as we sat at the back it took abit of time to get off. Baggage reclaim was a doodle, all the bags were out quickly and waiting.

We all went up the lift and into revivals. Only dad was in revivals as no guests allowed. I escorted him to the revivals reception and they were expecting him and reconfirmed the pick up time of the CDC. All these information must have passed over from HKG during our transit. As it was almost 0600hrs and the pick up time of the CDC is 0630hrs, there was not much time. Revivals staff did ask my dad whether he needed a shower which he kindly declined. One of the staff knowing my mum and I was waiting outside of revivals, she came out and met us and allowed one of us to accompany my dad [y]. This was a very kind gesture and she did say because they were not busy as it was a Saturday morning. My mum accepted the offer leaving me outside with all the bags [:#]. At 0620hrs the chauffeur turned up at revivals and took us to the car. I previously requested an estate car knowing the amount of baggage we will have and I reconfirmed the request before the flight in HKG, and they reconfirmed again in revivals. Up to the 3rd floor car park and a Volvo V70 awaits [y]. We loaded the car which barely fitted all the baggage and off we went home. I have to say the chauffeur was very obedient to the speed limit during the whole journey which took just over 2hrs to get home.

Overall another excellent VS flight [y]. My first experience of UC service even though I didn't travel in the class. I had a very positive comment from my dad regarding the product and the service was excellent throughout from HKG clubhouse to inflight service to revivals and finally CDC. He had never slept so much on one flight [|)] and the suite was excellent with the ottoman. My own impression of the suite was narrow however comfortable. The width I don't think is much wider than PE if at all however the real positive point ofcourse is the bed function. I thought the location of the headphone jack was really awkward to get to with the right armrest in the way. It was an excellent product and service and I am awaiting my first full UC travel.

Thanks for your TR, full of information and contrast between the Y and UC experience. Glad your father enjoyed it, and how generous of you! Seems like the staff you can in contact with helped with the overal experience too. Good all round. I do agree about the headphone jack though.

Nice TR! Although I would have put The Two Who Spawned Me down Y and snapped up the UC for myself -- small recompense for a childhood spent in their brutal and careless company, raised by an army of servants and asking only for a small bit of love from Mummy and Papa which never came...

GJ

Originally posted by sky0000547
My mum and myself were travelling in economy but I treated my dad on a one-way UC reward.

What a good son you are! Mind you, I guess your Dad could have offered up the UC seat to your Mum[V]

Good TR and interesting to read the contrasts and viewpoints betwwen Y and UC in the same TR - good one! [y]

Good TR thank you and glad your Dad enjoyed the UC, experience. [:)]

Originally posted by MarkJ

Originally posted by sky0000547
My mum and myself were travelling in economy but I treated my dad on a one-way UC reward.

What a good son you are! Mind you, I guess your Dad could have offered up the UC seat to your Mum[V]

My dad is in his mid 70s and abit large so he needed the seat more than my mum does as she is only small. He has caught the bug now of turning left instead of right. How am I going to feed his habit [?]

Thanks for everyones reply.

Blimey, there always used to be lots of 'snacks' mid flight in the rear galley. Can't believe it's only shortbread now!