V-Flyer

This was last weeks trip over to NYC, there were 6 of us travelling, I was on a regular ticket, and the other members of the group were on MPM fares. I had checked us all in online the day before, and although I had checked expertflyer and saw the flight was full, was a little annoyed that we could not all get seated together. Managed to sort something out so we were not too far apart.

Got to Pink Elephant parking at about 6:20, had a short wait for the bus, but got to the terminal around 6:45. Check in area was very empty, with a couple of VS staff waiting around near the entrance doors.

They asked which flight we were on, and I told them we were all on the 003. They said they were oversold, and needed people to go on the 2pm flight. They would offer us all a free return ticket, and try and get 2 of us in PE for the later flight. A couple of my party wanted to take this offer up, but we decided that as we wouldn't get to NY til about 5pm, and then have a busier transit through JFK, and then a long pre booked shuttle that would need changing, that we would decline the offer. If we'd have been in NYC for longer, (more than 3 days) I would have definitely considered the remuneration. We then proceeded over to drop our bags off, when a supervisor came over and offered us all a PE seat on the 2pm flight. We declined this too, for the same reasons. Bag drop was quick and efficient, the boarding card printer did jam up, always seems to happen while I am at check in!

Headed upstairs to the Five Bells (?) for some breakfast, quick service and not bad fry up to be honest. Headed over to the security lines, which were actually pretty empty. Had some idiots in front of us, taking out various shaving gels, shower gels, toothpaste and having an argument saying no one had told them they were not allowed to take these items. I'll say no more on that! Idiots. I got collared for the shoe lottery, as did 1 other member of our group, but that was quick enough, and no laces of me to do up anyway! The IRIS seems to be closed, but didn't investigate much. Always seems to look closed. Is it open at specific times? Grabbed a few bits from Smiths, and then had a quick pint in O'Neils, who seems to make such a fuss of scanning my BAA worldpoints card.

Boarding was at gate 5 (I think), so only a short walk. Makes a change! Most people were already at the gate, so nowhere to sit, but didn't bother us too much. Boarding called in the usual manner. I'm only Silver (not for much longer) so didn't affect me too much.

Once on the plane, seated myself in 41A, very tight on the legroom and I'm not particularly tall. The flight was fully loaded about 9-00ish, so was looking for a decent on time push back, but that wasn't going to be. A trip on the waste water heater had blown, so was being replaced. Capitan kept us informed, and seems to be repaired but had tripped again. The Captain then explained that it would need to be fixed, as with a full flight, having a galley and toilets out of action would be an issue. Fair enough. Heater had to be replaced. We were kept informed of time-scales, and it was fixed about 10:10, we pushed back at about 10:20, an hour late. They did a juice and water run during the delay which was a nice touch as sometimes they don;t bother.

Not a long queue for take of, took about 10 mins an we were on our way. Flight time of 7:20 so wouldn't be very late into JFK. Quick and efficient drinks service, not long after seat belt lights off, and didn't seem to mind my request for 2 beers.

I didn't have the dinner, but my neighbouring seatmate polished mine off too, can't remember what it was, but he said it was pretty good. GU dessesrt was good, ut bigger please! 2 runs of Tea and Coffee, all trays cleared away pretty quickly. No complaints here. Choc ice and muffin runs followed later into the non eventful flight. Couple of bits of turbulence, worried on of my travelling companions as he doesn't like flying. I actually quite like it! Seat belt light probably on for around 40 mins total. I didn't use the IFE much, had a few rounds of the quiz and one of my friends was playing, but had the map on for most of the flight, as I'm into Midnight Club LA Remix on my PSP. [:w]


Cabin crew who worked in out area in economy were great. They were both very friendly and nothing was too much trouble. myself and my seatmate got chatting to one of them for a fair while, and had a bit of a laugh and a joke. She was senior crew, and seemed to like the pax spending time talking to her. Great Scottish accent too [:D]

We got into JFK about 12:45, to a very cloudy decent into 22L. Not long to gate, and quickly through to Immigration. Lines were pretty good, except the dispatcher person at the front of the line, sent us to and agent that was closing. Through in about 10 mins or so, bags didn't take too long, but about a 5 min wait or so at customs, as they seemed to be asking everyone about their accommodations and length of stay. Out of the airport in less than 30 mins.

Overall, even with a late departure, a very good flight. Keeping us informed of the reasons for delay is important, to me anyway. Great service from the crew, and only 15 mins late at the end of the day.
It's just a shame the miles earning will be less from December, I probably travel to the USA twice a year, and have used Virgin exclusively for the last 4 years, but always in economy. The drop in reward miles will now make me choose price as number one priority, as it will take me too long to get anything back. Shame really. I've now got enough for a PE reward, so I'll use that next year and that will be that.

Return journey to follow...

Great report - very good to hear how well you were kept in the loop by VS. Shame you couldn't take the bump though

Thanks for the TR.

I would have taken the bump at the first offer, and would jumped at it second time around, with the guaranteed PE op-ups and a select voucher. [;)]

Nick

Great TR!
I wouldn't say no to an op-up![:0] but I do understand your reasons with the travel arrangements with the shuttle for not doing it.

The VS003 is always busy and especially at this time of year, also with VS having 'lost' a flight to NYC too. Interesting the later flights not doing so well, especially if they were willing to upgrade all 6 of you to PE, shame you couldn't take advantage, even more so with you suffering a delay on VS3 resulting in only abt 4hrs difference.

Good TR, and good to see positive reports on the CC.

Thanks,
Neil

Yes, the upgrade would have been good, but 2 members of our party had never been to NYC before, and not likely to be able to afford to go again in the near future. We had planned to pack in a lot of different things in the time we had available, and losing 5 or 6 hours would have really stuffed things up.

The VS3 seems to be the best timed flight to get into NYC, as you arrive at lunchtime, it gives you almost a whole day there. I've also been upgraded to PE on the VS3 before, in 2006.

It would also have meant nearly 7 hours in the airport too. Now not that I've even been in the hallow ground of the clubhouse, I'm sure I could have wasted 7 hours there though!

I would of gone for 6 op ups, the vouchers and 6 passes to the clubhouse to make make up for the lost time in NYC.

Great TR, thanks for posting. Shame about the upgrade though.