V-Flyer

At last, the much anticipated (first) flight on an a Virgin Atlantic aircraft and our family holiday to Florida had arrived. I dont use the term much anticipated lightly. By way of background, my flight to MCO was booked a year in advance and as part of the build up (well they say looking forward to something is as much fun as the actual event) I had found myself ensconced at Glasgow airport to witness the inaugural VS071 flight in June 2007. My heart was captured forever when I saw VAST thunder up the runway and lift effortlessly into the wide blue yonder (actually the sky was more of a pewter grey that day but that doesnt sound as good). Prior to my trip, I ended up watching VS71 flying out of Glasgow on three more occasions (VTOP, VAST again and VROM).

Anyway, by the time 04 July this year arrived, I was at a fever pitch of anticipation and excitement, to such an extent that my nearest and dearest commented that I am a very sad person and indeed a bit of an anorak. I class my self more of a light wind cheater actually.

VS 071 was scheduled for departure at 14.05 and we arrived at check-in at 10.00 not really expecting the desks to be open. However, they were, which was a bonus as we didnt have to hang around too long. In fact, check-in was a breeze and we managed to secure the seats that had been pre booked months earlier. As an aside, I had tried to check in on-line the night before but the VS website wouldnt play ball. Still it didnt matter in the end.

VGAL appeared on the horizon just before noon and I had an almost irresistible urge to shout to the non VS passengers my planes bigger than your plane as Jersey Girl drew up to gate. I managed to keep my gob shut though. She did look rather lovely next to the more prosaic 737s and 320s that are the usual visitors to Glasgow although the Emirates 777, also scheduled for a 14.05 departure, cut quite a dash too.

Boarding started about 13.30 and seemed quite organised. Unusually, security staff were positioned directly at the gate and were carrying out random body searches despite the fact that we had already cleared security. We must have looked ok as none of my party was subjected to the dreaded pat down and leg rub routine.

We boarded the aircraft, turning right and took the long walk to the back. However, it did serve to reiterate just how big these things are and we liked that the crew welcomed us at different stages as we advanced up the aisle. Our seats were 60 H,J and K. There are three of us and no matter the flight, we always arrange ourselves in the same order: daughter at the window, me in the middle and husband on the aisle (so he can stick his legs out for more room). God knows what we would have done if wed been allocated the seats in the middle of the row! Anyway, we seated our selves true to form and whiled away the time until push back by exploring the amenity pack; trying and failing through lack of space to put on the flight socks I had brought; trying and failing to eject the IFE control from the arm rest and reading the retail therapy magazine. We discovered later that the IFE doofer isnt meant to come away from the arm rest on VGAL which incidentally I was glad to find out because I was beginning to think we were being really thick.

The skymap appeared on the IFE screen prior to take off indicating that a journey time of 38 minutes had elapsed. This made us giggle because we were still at the gate. However closer scrutiny showed that the time was indicative of VGALs journey up to Scotland from Manchester.

Looking around I could see that the economy was full. However, everyone got themselves settled fairly quickly and we eventually pushed back about 30 minutes late. The safety video wouldnt behave and the flight crew had to take over. There must have been gremlins in the works because the IFE wouldnt behave either but thankfully it got reset about 45 minutes into the flight and worked fine after that. Ive jumped ahead a bit because I havent told you about the wonderful zoom up the runway and magnificent views of the Scottish islands and the Mull of Kintyre as we departed out of Glasgow. Made me come over all patriotic.

The drinks service was completed speedily, efficiently and with a smile. We were served a hot lunch which was perfectly acceptable as an offering in the economy section. It was nice to be offered wine in a proper, grown up glass. I hate it when airlines use plastic; makes me feel a bit pre-school.

We settled down to watch our respective selections of films and TV programmes. I amused myself by watching 27 Dresses which was ok and kept me entertained. Also watched an episode of Blackadder, turnips n all. There wasnt another drinks service but the crew were happy to serve passengers from the galley so that wasnt a problem. In fact, I quite liked wandering up, seeing what the crew were up to and a having a general nose around. About an hour out of MCO, us plebs in economy were offered sandwiches. I really liked them and they were better than the ones Ive been offered in the past by BA and KLM.

On approach to MCO the captain pointed out the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral. Unfortunately we were on the wrong side of the a/c and had to content ourselves with the backs of peoples heads as they strained to get a view. Still the space centre was on our todo list so we didnt feel deprived!

Landing was perfectly executed and we taxied to our gate noticing other VS a/c on the ground. We disembarked pretty quickly and much to our relief the wait at immigration was short. Guess the gods were looking after us. Luggage retrieval was quick and painless. Husband was particularly interested in the monorail as he is a coachbuilder and has been involved in building monorail vehicles for USA airports. I got a long explanation of the main features of the vehicle we were travelling in, down to where the computer systems are housed enthralling stuff.

My first trip with VS was a positive experience and lived up to my expectations. Loved the luggage allowance. We are predominantly charter flyers so it was great to have the extra allowance and I must admit that we took advantage of this, especially our 14 year old who bought-up most of the malls in Orlando. Legroom in economy was as expected but bearable for an 8 hour flight. In future I think we will probably upgrade to PE purely to get a bit more space. My husband is over 6 feet tall and he did struggle a bit with comfort. However well definitely travel with VS again especially if they continue to offer flights from Glasgow to MCO as we just loved Florida. I'll post something on VS 072 soon - need to tell you about hot-lung, red eye and dolphins.

A great first trip report Debs! You can really feel your excitement of going on holiday from reading this. Glad you all had a good first experience with VS and look forward to reading your return report. [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah

Thanks for a great TR [y] Glad you enjoyed your VS flight.

I get a fantastic view of a VS 747 as it positions from MAN to GLA as it flies right over where I work.

Your return TR sounds intresting too. Looking forward to reading it [:D]

Regards

Great read, thank you.

Originally posted by Debonnair

We discovered later that the IFE doofer isn't meant to come away from the arm rest on VGAL Ð which incidentally I was glad to find out because I was beginning to think we were being really thick.

Been there, done that [:I]

Originally posted by Debonnair

I got a long explanation of the main features of the vehicle we were travelling in, down to where the computer systems are housed Ðenthralling stuff.

Do I detect a note of sarcasm here ? [:w]

Paul

Just a tad

Debs

Lovely TR - thank you!

Thanks for an excellent TR Debs[y]

Good to see the GLA flights are still doing well, I think VS have hit upon a great little market and hopefully it will continue to flourish.

Neil

Excellent tr. Can't wait to fly out of GLA - the timings are pretty good for a drive up from the Borders with no need to worry about connections or overnight stays at LGW [y]

thanks

David [:)]

Originally posted by Debonnair
I'll post something on VS 072 soon - need to tell you about hot-lung, red eye and dolphins.

You should probably see a doctor about that. At the very least he may be able to give you a cream to help clear the worst of it up.

Great TR, very entertaining. Looking forward to the return.

Wonderful TR, thank-you. It sounds like you had a great flight [:)]

Excellent TR. Is this a first GLA TR on here? Echo others comments on hoping GLA flights continue.

Being an anorak myself I always get a kick out of seeing all the VS 744s lined up at MCO.

If your otherhalf was excited by teh MCO monorail I dread to think what he was like on the Disney one! [:D]

A great TR, I was getting excited with you reading it! [y]

Look forward to reading the return,

Dominic

I really enjoyed your TR. It really summed up all the reasons I want to fly Virgin!

Great TR, your report has put a big smile on my face as i read it, flying virgin atlantic since i was a little boy has always made me feel so warm and fuzzy.

Debs,

A Great TR and even more enjoyable as it was from GLA. I think Wild is correct in that it is a first[y]

Looking forward to the rtn.

Iain

Debs

Thank you for such an entertaining TR[y][y]

We often forget here the sheer excitment of our first VS flight, so it is good to be reminded occasionaly of what that was like for all of us here.

Also, like many V-Flyers the lure of PE beckons - some might say this is a slippery slope, but nevertheless I did get a good price when I sold my Grandma[}:)][}:)]


Thanks once again
buns

Thanks for such positive responses to my first TR. I'll get started on something for VS072. Have been dealing with a flood in our house this last week therefore didn't get round to puting pen to paper - or finger to key. Good news is that hot lung situation has improved and that I can accommodate own dolphinarium in living room!