VS015 LGW-MCO 8 Dec 07 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Well day was off to a great start with the Limo on time and a nice easy drive around the M25 to the drive through checkin at LGW

Was asked to step out the car as extra security checks were in place and they wanted to check all my luggage. Security folks were very chatty and after a short while I was on way with boarding card and through to the airport checkin 'scrum' area.

The new fast track is a dream now at Gatwick within 3 minutes through and sitting in the lounge, waiting for my haircut, which was top notch btw. A nice touch was the lounge manager came around and introduced himself, and whilst chatting we got around to when the fleet at gatwick were going to have an overhaul. Word on the street is this may not happen until NEXT SEPTEMBER [V] BAD IDEA on these tired aircraft.

Plane was running around 30 minutes late, as the inbound Las Vegas was running late. Boarding area at gate 17 was a scrum, by the time we were called down to the gate, and there is no priority line to skip the security screening. But within 10 minutes was queuing to get on the plane.

Once on board the cabin crew were fantastic, in fact probably the best upper crew I have seen in some time. The FSM made an announcement to thank the crew for agreeing to take the plane. There were 3 crew down and enough to cover the doors, but the service would be slow do to the no shows on crew..... very glad it was not cancelled !

FSM was a totally NO SHOW in the Upper cabin, again [n][:?], but the two girls running the section were so attentive, making sure all the passengers had everything they needed, and constantly refilling drinks water and food :-)

Menu wise

Starters

Salmon and Crayfish Roulade
Broccoli and Stilton Soup --VERY YUM

Mains

Chicken Tagine
Roast Lamb
Wild Mushrooms Fricassee - LOOKED HORRID

I opted for a premium meal for my main as it looks tasty and nicer than the upper meals.

Dessert
Rhubarb Crumble - HAD 2 OF THESE [:D]
Dark Chocolate Mousse

Seat wise, totally filthy and not cleaned properly, standard for Gatwick, but all operating well and comfy bed

Well after a 9hr 20 min flight which I have to say was totally enjoyable it was time to get off and head for customs, which was a nightmare, so skipped into the US line, got told off, but let off at the same time [y]

Highlights were the fantastic crew, who thought the notion of a strike was crazy, and wont support a strike.

Regards

Matt

Thanks for the TR, I guess with 3 crew missing, the FSM was working hard somewhere else on the plane.

Indeed yep she was doing premium eco upstairs, so that flight deck could be kept in tea ,coffee and biscuits :-). Still it doesnt take 5 mintues just to say hello

Two rhubarbs! Yum! Great TR! Thanks for posting!

GJ

Originally posted by ofarvoo
Seat wise, totally filthy and not cleaned properly, standard for Gatwick

It's not just LGW, there is a problem with dirt and filth on the Heathrow fleet too. Pen marks and red marks on the suites, crumbs and muck on seats and in seat pockets, dirty monitors and tables, seem common throughout VS.

Virgin's aircraft cleaning standards are simply awful compared to equivalent competitors.

Mike

[buns]

Ofarvoo

Interesting point about crew shortages[:?]

You are not the first to mention that the LGW - MCO flight was down on crew - in fact I experienced same back at the tail end of November.

I do hope the 'word on the street' does not become reality

Thanks for sharing your experience

buns