V-Flyer

After a few days in Chicago, it was time to head home. We had checked on line, and there were no miles seats in UC on the return journey (the only day for the next few weeks), so an upgrade looked unlikley. Got the CTA out to the airport, which was relatively painless again.

Eventually managed to get our way to T5 there, which was relatively empty. Asked at the ticket desk about upgrading to be told it was unlikely....then we asked what this meant to be told that UC was 3 overbooked and they were looking to downgrade people to PE (they could have said no first time then!!). Check in was relatively slow - difficulty running my passport through the reader (too many VS stickers on it). Moved to the bulkhead row, after a long telephone conversation. No JAL lounge passes issued (have read that this is the norm for here). Not many smiles around the check-in area.

Decided to head straight through (had large lunch before and therefore no need to eat at the airport). Once through security noticed that there was a Business / First lane once through the initial screening. However it was relatively quick anyway. The facilities past security have been talked about on here before, and are very poor. The JAL lounge was quiet and there isn't a lot in there. Asked the VS agent at the desk about potential for upgrading (had been told to check once the flight had closed) - but she didn't seem to understand, so asked again at the gate as we were keen to use the miles to upgrade, but it was full [n] oh well can't be lucky both ways!

Boarding was good, with priority boarding in operation. Settled into the bulkhead row and were offered the usual sparkling wine. Seemed to sit at the gate for quite a while, and then had a very slow taxi out to the runway. Once in the air, the usual water, headsets and amenity kits were distributed. Unfortunately they forgot PE with the headsets initially, so the movies had started as all of Economy had been sorted.

Drinks round, menus distributed and then the food service. Menu options were:

Starter:
Salad with dressing and cheese (not that great)

Main:
Braised chicken with asian veggies and rice
Black pepper seared beef tenderloin, horseradish mash and veggies (VERY nice)
Cheese tortellini with marinara sauce

Dessert:
Chocolate brownie with raspberry coulis - turned out to be some apple and cinnamon cake (shame!!)

Cheese and biscuits

Not too bad all in all, and the meal service was quicker than in front of the purple curtain. Baileys and brandy round - the guy pouring was giving out large measures and was told off by the other CC helping him!![:p]

Then it was sleep time - managed about 3 hours, before the lights came on for the breakfast round! Coffee, juice and tea with a warmed cookie - not all that bad (wasn't that hungry and actually preferred the cookie to the previous muffin). One thing of note is that I don't remember seeing the FSM out of UC until doing the pre-landing checks around PE, unlike the outbound service.

Landed early at LHR, then sat around waiting for an off-stand gate to come up. We managed to get off with the UC bus and therefore were into the terminal very quickly. Used IRIS and were the first 2 people to the baggage belt and the bags were off very qucikly - we were walking away before the next person had turned up! Very efficient for LHR. Brief visit to the Arrivals lounge and shower up before work.

Thanks again for the TR.

If anyone from Virgin management reads the V-Flyer trip reports out of ORD, they will see a definite theme about the check-in staff. [n]

If loads are low out of ORD, then maybe the welcome pax are given check-in has something to do with the lack of repeat custom. [:w]

Nick

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
Thanks again for the TR.
If anyone from Virgin management reads the V-Flyer trip reports out of ORD, they will see a definite theme about the check-in staff. [n]
If loads are low out of ORD, then maybe the welcome pax are given check-in has something to do with the lack of repeat custom. [:w]
Nick

Nick - totally well spotted but unlike most, my experiences of the ORD staff have been much better. I've flown out of ORD five times this year, six next week and all of them have been cheerful - BUT, they are very inexperienced. Trying to change something, get an exit seat, upgrade using miles is all a chore ...

Loads in UC from ORD have been good, PE so-so and Y abysmal on all of my flights. I've been told by staff that premium cabins are making good business, as is cargo, and this makes the route a success. Others, as you know, have rumoured that ORD is for the chop. I for one do not know why VS do not do second flights to popular routes where they have business and facilities - SFO is always no 1 on this question list for me?

Certainly, T5 at ORD is a dump. Very limited facilities especially airside, crowded and narrow security lanes, however on arrival immigration, baggage and customs are quite quick compared to most US airports. The JAL lounge reminds me of the old Northwest lounge at BOS ... yes that bad.

I agree with both Nick and Slinky, definately room for improvement at ORD check in - they just come across soooo bored. Had the pleasure of flying with locals both outbound and inbound in UC and all said the same - the flight is great and UC is the best service, crew are excellent on board and airside but landside is abismal. The risk to VA is if they change the timings outbound - as this well then mean a lot of connections are missed....

It is a great shame about the International Terminal (T5) there is so little to do and it could do with some organisation, but at least you do clear immigration quickly.

I'm certainly thinking of going via ORD again for onward connections

Originally posted by slinky09

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
Thanks again for the TR.
If anyone from Virgin management reads the V-Flyer trip reports out of ORD, they will see a definite theme about the check-in staff. [n]
If loads are low out of ORD, then maybe the welcome pax are given check-in has something to do with the lack of repeat custom. [:w]
Nick

Nick - totally well spotted but unlike most, my experiences of the ORD staff have been much better. I've flown out of ORD five times this year, six next week and all of them have been cheerful - BUT, they are very inexperienced. Trying to change something, get an exit seat, upgrade using miles is all a chore ...

Loads in UC from ORD have been good, PE so-so and Y abysmal on all of my flights. I've been told by staff that premium cabins are making good business, as is cargo, and this makes the route a success. Others, as you know, have rumoured that ORD is for the chop. I for one do not know why VS do not do second flights to popular routes where they have business and facilities - SFO is always no 1 on this question list for me?

Certainly, T5 at ORD is a dump. Very limited facilities especially airside, crowded and narrow security lanes, however on arrival immigration, baggage and customs are quite quick compared to most US airports. The JAL lounge reminds me of the old Northwest lounge at BOS ... yes that bad.