V-Flyer

So this was mine and the misses first MpM flight as we decided to go for a week in Palm Springs.

We checked in online the previous day and managed to confirm our original seats in Economy (37H & 37K). However, Emma's special meal (gluten free) wasn't shown but as we had already prebooked it months before we assumed it would be fine.

Stayed overnight in the Holiday Inn Slough/Windsor which isn't bad and we were at Parking Express within 20 minutes. Check in though was horrendous! We were just going to do the bag drop but the queue for these was 20/30 people deep and the other kiosks were out of order so we joined the regular queue. This was probably 40 people long but with only 3 check in desks open it took us about an hour and they confirmed our seats and that Emma had her gluten free meal. By the way does anyone else notice how cold it is at check in with all the work being done???

Anyway, the rest of security, bag check yada yada took about 1:30 by which time we had just enough time to grab a drink and sandwich before boarding.

Apologies but I forgot the name of the plane but it was an A340-600 and had both the new PE and new Economy. The new Econ seats are actually quite nice, much better than the old seats as there is now plenty of padding. VPort was great and the only real complaint about the seats are they come back too far. As soon as the flight took of the people in front reclined fully for the duration of the flight so I spent the next 11hrs with my knees buried into the sides of the seat or performing acrobatics when getting out my seat.

Mealtime was the usual nightmare. They totally screwed up the special meal, again serving obvious items such as an oat cake which she can't have. The bread was stale and the meal looked like mush. Also again there was no second meal simply being told 'we don't serve snacks/2nd meals for special diets'. Well thanks, good job we brought plenty.

The main meal was only one choice of meatballs which were vile. I love meatballs esp from Subway but these were almost rock solid so I didn't eat more than a bite.

The cabin crew were also pretty none existent expect during meal times. A drink was brought after takeoff but then no more. They came round with the meal drinks about 30 minutes after the meal when people were starting to moan.

And finally (sorry about this) the toilets down the right side of the plane broke down a few hours in. This isn't anyones fault but then Emma went to use them before anyone was told she came out and said it was full to the brim. She couldn't find an attendant down the back so pressed the buzzer. 35 minutes later one appeared from the premium cabin laughing and all she could say was 'I know'!!

Thats it. Plane landed 20 minutes early but then all the economy bags took over 1:30hrs to come onto baggage claim.

Oh almost forgot.....my safety card in my seat had dried on sick all in the middle. Nice smell that! [:$]

Then off we went and had a great holiday. Sorry if it sounds like a rant.

A pretty sorry experience all round by the sound of things here[n]

Tardy check in and a lack of thought on the part of the caterers did not help[:(!][:(!]

Thanks for taking the time to post the TR[y]

buns

Crikey. Not a rant at all, Andy. I'd probably feel the same in your shoes when it seems that even the basics went horridly wrong on this flight.

Was the flight full? To only have one meal choice by row 37 sounds more like a catering muck-up than genuinely running out of three meal choices.

Thanks,
Sarah

Thanks for the TR Andy!

I see a common theme here with crew at the moment....

Thanks for the TR. As a vegan I find similar things - e.g. being given butter with bread, milk with coffee, non-vegan salad dressings..no 'special' 2nd meals even if in PE/UC etc. Annoys me that I have to take extra food with me

Andy, this does not sound like a good experience at all. Sorry to hear it. I am disappointed to hear they do not do a second meal service/snack for people who ordered special meals (sounds like that is an across the board thing, not just this flight). I can't see how that could be so difficult. If there are two food services on a flight, it should be like that for everyone - even people with special dietary needs.

J

Thanks Andy for sharing your trip - it seems you got a 'bad one' - not uncommon now I hear.

Some of what you write seems down right apalling; sick covered saftey cards - no excuse?! Surely the cleanig staff and/or VS have a legal obligation to ensure every passenger has a safety card - who in their right mind would leave a passenger one in such a state?!

Originally posted by AndyK
Thanks for the TR. As a vegan I find similar things - e.g. being given butter with bread, milk with coffee, non-vegan salad dressings..no 'special' 2nd meals even if in PE/UC etc. Annoys me that I have to take extra food with me

LOL I remember ordering vegetarian meals onboard on a couple of occasions and getting a vegan meal [:)]. Its a real shame. Why provide a service that you clearly cannot get right? Especially when many order SPML's for health or medical reasons so its imperative to get them right.

Thanks,
Sarah

Perhaps you may consider writing a thoughtful note to customer services stating the incidents above.
You may wish to suggest ways that the company might consider to improve their procedures, so that future passengers may be able to enjoy flying VA & make it a positive experience that one wishes to repeat at the earliest opportunity.
It should be worth a few miles[;)]