V-Flyer

Checked out of the Sheaton Heathrow hotel at 05:50 and jumped straight onto a hotel hoppa bus which dropped me off at T3 departures at about 06:15

Had a quick smoke before making my way to Upper Class check-in. No one was waiting and I was checked in to my allocated economy seat by a friendly VS check-in agent in no time at all.

Back outside for my last smoke before using the lift upto the second level and the VS Upper Class Wing. No pax in site and I was though the security in under a minute. I dont know if this is a new thing but I didn't have to remove my lap-top (which I did have to going though MAN the day before)

As I had some time to waste before the CH opened I bought some duty free and had a look round Dixons. Only had a few minutes to wait for the CH to open by the time I arrived, along with several other pax. Bumped into Sky (Artur) who was going home to SFO.

First port of call was to order breakfast as I hadn't eaten yet. preiffer (Paul) then arrived for his NYC flight so we all ordered breakfast and drinks (no alcohol just yet!!)

It didn't take long for the CH to start getting busy but it wasn't heaving. Breakfast was as good as ever although we all commented that the portions seem to be getting smaller (either that or the plates are getting bigger!!)

I had a shave appointment booked for 08:30 which was good but again didn't seem to take as long as it used to [:?]

I'd orginally booked economy seat 43A but asked concierge if I could move 1 row further forward which was the bulk-head row. After a quick phone call this was dully done so I ended up in 42K.

I hadn't been holding out much hope of an op-up as the VS39 was nearly full in all three cabins (I guess this was probably partly down to the ORD service been cancelled the day after (Sunday) so the 2 flights where probably merged)

Said my goodbyes to both Paul and Artur. Sat and relexed with my usual pot of green tea and glass of champers before the VS39 was called.

It was gate 21 which is a fair treck. By the time I arrived most pax had boared already (only using 1 airbridge though). Made my way to my seat which is the very first row of economy. Lots of leg room and plenty of space being a bulk-head row. The A/C was G-VAIR so Odyssey IFE. The economy seats all have the new beige and red seat covers. The cabin was nice and clean and didn't have any signs of wear or tear [y]

I think in all there was just 1 economy seat not taken. All other cabins where full.

We pushed back at 11:15 and rotated at 11:45. Todays flight time would be 8Hrs 20mins. We seemed to use a lot of the runway like the A346's use. I guess this was becasue todays flight was full.

Seat belt was turned off after about 20mins. Headphones where handed out and the IFE was started. Novembers films where loaded along with Novembers seat back guide.

I watched a couple of films during the flight.

Drinks where served shortly after the IFE was started. The meal was served about 90 mins later. The usual choice of beef or chicken was offered. Didn't there used to be 3 choices? I opted for the chicken and mash (someone posted a pic the other week, although it didn't look very good, it did actually taste very nice). There was the usual cold paste starter and a fruit Fru Pud along with bread, cheese and biscuits. It was all very good and was better than previous economy meals I've had.

The rest of the flight passed pretty uneventfully. I had pre-ordered my usual duty free purchase but for the first time ever, it hadn't been loaded but the crew offered me a alternative which I accepted.

The 'snack service' was served 90 mins before landing. I use the term snack very loosely as I'd hardly call a small ~25g cerial bar a snack!! Coffee and tea where also offered. I'm sorry but this was an 8Hr+ flight so would expect more than just that [V] Good job I had brought some of my own scoobie snacks with me. I'm the kind of person who eats a little often rather than a big meal with nothing inbetween [:I]

The cabin was secured as we approched ORD and landed on time [y] Immigration was not too bad and I was though within 10 minutes. ORD now ask for all 10 finger prints and this does seem to take longer to process every pax.

The bags where coming off as I reached the the luggage carousel. I did start to panic after waiting 20 minutes and not seeing my case. The carousel then stopped and United bags then started coming off [:0]. There where still a fare few VS pax waiting so didn;t feel on my own. It turned out the bags had been taken off and piled up on the other side to where I was standing so I dont know how long my bag had been there and when it came off.

Made my way to the CTA Blue line station and headed into the city. Had to then change to the red line but I was at my hotel within the hour as it was only a short walk from the CTA station.

All in all a great VS flight. Even in economy this flight passed quite quickly and I received better service than I have in a long time [y]. All the crew worked hard and offered the usual service with a smile. Row 42 is highly recomended if you are flying economy of the A343's as there's plenty of space and legroom.

The hotel (Essex Inn) is great. I've already been offered free WiFi for 24 hours simply because they didn't have any smoking rooms left until tomorrow [y][y] Even paying for WiFi it's only $7.00 a day. Compare this to the Sheraton LHR who wanted 15.00 for 24 hours use. I dont think so!!

Regards

James

Thanks for the TR[y][y] Obviously building up those tier points eh[;)]

Looks like it was a mini V-Flyer social in the LHR Clubhouse [:D][:D] You mention that the place was not crowded so you did note experience the 'cloak of invisibility'; your observations that things are becoming squeezed in terms of portions and treatments is understandable, but nevertheless unsettling.

Enjoy the windy city - take care

buns

A most enjoyable TR, James. Thanks [y]

I dont know if this is a new thing but I didn't have to remove my lap-top (which I did have to going though MAN the day before)

You haven't had to do that for some time now - I think since the time they re-instated the more than one carry-on rule as they now have sooper-dooper new scanners.

The cabin was nice and clean and didn't have any signs of wear or tear

A nice, safe aircraft then, James. [:w]

A great read, James. Have a great time in ORD [y]

Thanks,
Sarah

I'm not sure if portions are getting smaller, but this does make us feel less guilty about sharing an order of pancakes with our full breakfasts when we go through

Great TR![y]

I've heard nothing but good things about the Essex Inn in Chicago. Have a enjoyable experience in the Windy City!

I'll do a proper hotel review of the Essex Inn but so far I'm impressed [y] To be honest, the VH brochure really doesn't do this hotel much justice. The rooms are nicely decorated and offer all the usual amenities. Nice big flat screen HD TV's in all rooms. WiFi available in all rooms and thoughout the hotel for only $6.00 a day [:)]

The only thing that does seem a bit strange (not that it bothers me) is that VH dont have any reps in Chicago. Theres no-one to meet arriving VH pax at ORD. I would guess for first time travellers this could be a bit off putting but you are given the telephone number of the VH reps in NYC (not that they can do much from there!!)

Not really looking forward to my flight home as ORD isn't the best VS outstation. Last time I checked in there, they couldn't even un-block bulkhead or exit row seats.

The other thing I need to point out is that the miles earning calculator on the VS web site is wrong for ORD discounted economy flights. As I'm on an N fare it's only 50% miles each way (1975 miles and 1 TP each way) not the 3950 miles and 2 TP's the VS web sites states.

Regards

Originally posted by mitchja
Not really looking forward to my flight home as ORD isn't the best VS outstation. Last time I checked in there, they couldn't even un-block bulkhead or exit row seats.

Which is why I decided that a few days in NYC was a good idea and to fly back from JFK [y]. It's the last time I fly Jetblue though, terrible experience.