V-Flyer

After a few days rest in Dubai, it was time to head home. It's slightly annoying that the flight is so early but as the Hilton Dubai Creek is fairly close, it wasn't too bad!

After the usual security checks at DXB airport, made it to the UC check-in. Lots of luggage being checked in, so were whisked over to the Premium check-in as this was vacant. Anyway we had pre-booked 9K and 10K in advance, especially as I prefer a window seat. The check-in assistance, with the help of the check-in supervisor explained that the table at 9K was broken, and I could move to 9G if I preferred. However as I wanted the window seat they said that they would block 9G so I could eat there during the flight - obviously NOT overbooked at that stage. All seemed fine, so headed off with boarding cards and reassurance to the rather busy Dubai duty free and then up to the Gulf Air Lounge. Not a club house, but not as bad as some of the shared lounges!

Called around 0850 and headed off to the remote stand - in the 'Upper only bus'. Boarded and realised that the flight was now rather busy and we were told that the flight was full.... slightly nervous about my table for lunch (9K was tapped firmly shut with a note pointing out that it was broken!). Just before take-off asked about 9G as some one was now firmly seated there and all the other seats looked like they were taken in UC (difficult to tell as a lot of children and therefore unclear how many were actually taken). The CC explained that they had been told I was happy with the broken table at check-in, but not about the fact I was expecting to sit somewhere else for the meal service - hence no apology after I had got on board! Anyway was told that they would see what I could do.

After take-off was told that there were no other seats available, but I could choose 50 of duty free to make up for it. Options for lunch were eat at the bar (not easy to watch TV there), eat on my lap or 'grab an alternative seat for the meal - lots of children in Upper who might vacate one - not that easy if they returned mid-way through! [n] To cut a long story short, the FSM came over a little later to apologise and explain that the flight was now full, and apparently UC had been filled up with overbooked BA First passengers![V] Deal-or-No Deal was 50 or 15,000 miles for the inconvenience. Opted for the miles as nothing in the duty free that I really wanted. Managed in the end to eat the meal with the tray balanced on my lap so that I could still watch TV. The cabin crew did try their best, although if I had I been told the truth at check-in I would have taken an alternative seat as lunch wasn't all that easy to eat on your lap. Luckily there was no turbulence and I didn't opt for the soup option! I think it was the station manager trying to maximise profit for VS by offering as many seats as possible to BA and it seemed rather annoying that BA First passengers had taken priority over a Gold UC passenger.

Having got that off my chest, the menu was actually pretty 'freedom' based. I know that people on here have commented about the lack of a breakfast option, but there are 'light bites' to choose from, which meant that the lunch could be served at a sensible time. Pre-ordered lunch when they did the initial round, just to double check that I would get my first choice. Menu was:

Starters
Seasoned leaf salad with hot-smoked salmon, cherry tomato, grilled courgette and curried olive oil dressing
Roasted pumpkin soup
Mediterranean mezze

Main courses
Sheperd's pie in a yorkshire pudding case served with baby carrots, beans and lamb gravy
Chicken piccata with spinach linguini, mediterranean vegetables and tomato sauce
Gorgonzola and beetroot ravioli
Hamour fish with sumak, scallops, prawns served with stuffed marrow, Iranian dill rice and baharat tomato sauce

Dessert
Apple creme brulee with raspberry coulis
Lemon and raspberry sorbets

Smaller bites
Smoked salmon, red onion and lettuce finger roll
Spinach and chicken turnover
Goat's cheese and cherry tomato tart served with pineapple salsa
Chicken shawarma and houmous wrap


The mezze was very good, the Hamour fish a little bit dry and the apple creme brulee was amazing. One word of warning - it you want the Shawarma and there are lots of children on board, then get in fast as it will run out very rapidly!!

Overall the flight was ok and the entertainment was good (July on the vPort but the guide was June). Not sure I would I trust anyone at check-in again if I hear that story about blocking off a seat etc! However I am sure that the BA first passengers all had a nice experience of Virgin UC!

I wonder if any BA will be swopping to VA now they've tried it.
Great TR

Originally posted by gingerflyer
Having got that off my chest, the menu was actually pretty 'freedom' based. I know that people on here have commented about the lack of a breakfast option, but there are 'light bites' to choose from, which meant that the lunch could be served at a sensible time.

I quite like the way the DXB-LHR menu is set out, because you don't want to eat lunch at 10am DXB time (7am UK time) after departure, and the majority of people will have probably had breakfast at home, or at the airport.

The VS DXB-LHR menu is a lot like the GF menu on BAH-LHR, a main meal (which you can eat when you want, like on VS), plus a good selection of what they call 'Bedside Snacks' (GF equivalent of lighter bites), such as sandwiches, mezze plates, cheeses, sweets, etc.

I quite liked the GF-style menu, and I'm glad VS have adopted this on the DXB route. A real VS 'Freedom' gimmick might be to load some continental brekkie-ish items as well (like cereals, fresh fruit, croissants, etc), then if you want breakfast, it's there - and the fresh fruit plate can also double as a midflight snack!

Mike