V-Flyer

After a very early morning start, we had our drivers pick us up at the Stanley Hotel at 6am, the drive took 20mins to get to NBO Airport. We went through the first screenings and headed to the VS check-in area. We were greeted by one of the staff and we explained we were a group, they advised that they had already checked us in with boarding passes ready to go, all we had to do was go to the fast bag drop 2 at a time, to collect our boarding passes and lounge pass. This saved SO much time, as NBO airport is rather small and was getting all congested.

We were all checked in and headed to go through security, a little wait, but nothing too much. My colleague when getting her exit stamp in her passport, the guy said 'Why are you leaving you have a 3 month visa!?! I expect to see you again!' I don't think I have ever heard an immigration offical wanting people to stay! [}:)]

We headed to the 'First Class' Lounge, which was comfortable, with tea, coffee, a few dry sarnies, I wanted to get some Kenya Gold, a coffee liquer, which tastes great with crushed ice after dinner! [y]

Once back from duty free, they called the flight, so we headed to the gate, (10) there was priority entrance, and they held Y while our boarding cards were checked. You then have to go through 2 xray machines. One is an airport xray and the other is a VS xray? Not too sure why you have 2, but better be safe than sorry. The gate area was rather busy, which is good to see on such a new route. They announced UC/AU first (no microphone, just shouted!) so we got on board, we were on Madien Tokyo. We were greeted on board by a lovely smiley lady, and pointed to our seats. We were offered the ususal Champers etc. Well somewhere in the world it is champers time! I wasn't the only one drinking champers! [:w]

The loads in UC were fairly light, apart from us 13 there were only 5 other seats taken. It didn't take long for all the pax to get on board and we pushed back 5mins early. The IFBT looked like she really didn't want to be there, she just shoved the extras at me, and said do you want anything? She came around offering the treatments and I gave her my priority card, and asked for my fave, the hand and arm massage. She really did look miserable! [n]

We were soon off and had a great view over NBO and the surrounding areas. They offered us breakfast, I had the pastry with scrambled eggs, and smoked salmon, like Decker mentioned the pastry wasn't great, but it filled a hole.Just before breakfast the 'happy' IFBT asked me to come for my massage, the table wasn't up and thought that was strange, she asked if I wanted any oils, and I asked for relaxing, then she started to masasge my back, and neck. This is what I asked for and I couldn't be bothered to tell her! However she did an amazing job! Everyone in our group that had a massage said how great it was, and it was a very good massage. She came to me about 10mins later to apologise as she just noticed that it wasn't what I asked for, I said to her not to worry. Our FA on our section was great, she refered to all of us by name, this really is a nice touch. After breakfast, there wasn't much on the IFE I wanted to watch, so asked for my bed to be made and the FA said that she would make the bed across the aisle so I can keep my stuff where it was, and sleep over there. I had a good few hours. After a 3 day trip with an average of 4 hours a night, I was ready for more sleep!

I woke up and we had just left the coast of Northern Africa, we had about 3.5 hours to go, I went back to my seat, it was fairly dark in the cabin as most people wanted to sleep. The FA noticed that I was awake and asked if I wanted a drink, I asked for juice, the FA were great even as most of us were asleep, they were always walking around the cabin making sure everything was OK, and to see if we needed anything.

Soon enough it was time for lunch, we had the same menu as Decker, I had the honey glazed chook, it was nice the chook was a little tough. For my main I had Chook breast, with rosemary gravy and veggies, this was very nice and the chook tasted lovely. I have had some really good meals with VS the past month, I really hope this is the turn for the better! [y] I skipped the cheese course and had the sour cherry gateaux, which was really nice! While having dinner, the FSM came around and did the wine and kept everyone topped up.

Soon enough they announced that we had 10mins before we started our descent, the flight went very quickly and we all enjoyed it very much. We took the path over London, and saw Clapham Common (just where we live) and thought how nice it would to be dropped off there! [:?]

Had no wait at all and had a very smooth landing, we got to the stand and the FA held back W and Y class to allow us to disembark. In W there were only 5 people, it was busier down the back. We did the long walk to immigration, and I went to the iris scanner, no wait and through in under a minute! The immigration hall was busy, as an Air India flight had just come in before us. I headed to the luggage belt, and waited for it to start up. We had to wait about 10mins for it to start, but when it did my bags were among the first off! [^] V-Monkey kindly offered to pick me up, and couldn't wait to see him, as I had missed him lots! He was waiting at loading bay in T3, and was through the airport in under 30mins! It was great!

A great flight apart from the miserable IFBT however she did a great massage! Glad to be home for a while now! [^] So no more TR's for me for a while!

Thanks for the TR[;)]

the FA were great even as most of us were asleep

If only other FAs were the same when you're awake[;)]

45.

Dominic

Thanks for yet another good TR[y][y]

The loads in UC were fairly light, apart from us 13 there were only 5 other seats taken

[:0][:0]

One can only hope that VS have factored in the light UC loads in their planning for this route.

With such light loads you should expect the highest levels of attention[}:)]


buns