V-Flyer

When they're good, they're very very good.......

Well, an almost faultless trip! Checked in at 08.30 having stayed overnight at the Radisson at Manchester airport (no sign of any building work yet on their extension and the planning application notices have gone. Has it been shelved?) I did get the ususal 'are you travelling Premium Economy today sir' when approaching the UC check-in though.....

Check-in was fine and then it was straight through the new and seemingly much more efficient security area using the 'fasttrack' channel, through the building site that is the rest of T2 at the moment and into the Escape lounge. The lounge was fairly busy, but not unpleasantly so. The selection of food and drink seems to have improved hugely since my last vist - or is it just me?

Boarding commenced on time via an airbridge [y] with priority boarding working well via a separate channel. Once on-board it was straight to 11k. Crew were spot on with drinks/taking my jacket etc. Once seated the CSM came round and introduced himself (using my name). The FSM followed about 5 minutes later with the extras basket. Second helpings of champagne was offered (there seemed to be no shortage on this flight unlike previous reports).

The Upper Class cabin was full, including 2 VS staff members and their families. I understand that there were very few empty seats on the whole plane. There were 2 young children in UC - one of them belonging to a VS staff member. This one behaved impeccably! The other one was 'OK' for a day flight but would have been painful had it been a night flight.

Pushback was 10 mins early with an estimated flight time of 9hrs 5 mins. Take off was uneventful and drinks followed. The only major problem with the whole trip followed - there was no lime on board to have with my Tanqueray 10 and tonic [V]. I had to make do with lemon!!

Lunch was served about 1hr30 out - I had the prawn cocktail (OK) followed by the Chicken Tikka Massala with rice and Nan (v good but small portion!) and the cheese. Wine service was frequent (but I was driving at the other end [n]).

IFE was OFN (OK for Nova.....)

Afternoon Tea was served about 1hr30 before landing. Chicken, Tuna and Cheese sandwiches followed by cake or a warm scone with jam and cream ([:D]) the sandwiches were a bit dry, but they must have been made at least 10 hours earlier.

We arrived in Orlando about 40 mins early. PE and UC were disembarked first (although there was a bit of a delay for UC as the upper deck emptied first). That being said I quickly passed most people with my speed walking technique! I like to try and get a head start at immigration!

Immigration was great [^][^][^] I was one of the first there (all desks were open and there were no other flights in the immigration hall. The officer was courteous - even friendly!

Baggage was off very quickly with UC and PE on a separate belt - mine was the second bag off! Customs was equally smooth with me being waved straight through. The train was waiting for me (I took my bag on the train and didn't bother with the secondary baggage transfer system).

The Avis preferred service worked impeccably (as always - how I LOVE that service. Keys in less than 5 mins from walking up to the desk - guaranteed!), and I was in my (upgraded) car en-route to Miami within 40 minutes of landing - is that a record!!!

Lets hope the rest of the trip goes as smoothly! I'm flying MIA-BNA tomorrow then BNA-MCO next Friday before the VS MCO-MAN next Saturday night - a new TR will no doubt follow.

Thanks for reading.

Ian

Ian - a great TR (and flight by the sounds of it). Thanks for posting. When are VS going to tell the MAN ground staff at check-in that someone approaching the UC line might just be flying in Upper Class?!

Also good to see that the UC menu has changed - it would not be difficult for the new menu to be an improvement on the last one.

Enjoy your break & look forward to the return TR.

James

Brilliant TR, thanks. That menu certainly sounds better than the last one, will look forward to trying it out 2 weeks today.

Thamks for the TR Ian hope you have a great time

Jurgen and Sue

Great TR, thanks.

Glad to see everything as it should be, and nice to see VS using an airbridge at MAN, just don't tell the members on the Dibb though, they won't be able to moan about the lack of them otherwise[}:)]

Neil

Thanks for the great TR![y]

Glad to hear you had a great flight out and hope you have as great a time in Nashville as we did. Do try and manage a trip to Graceland too if you can.Detailed report please!
DL

Sounds like a cracking flight, thanks for the TR. However the lack of lime could of sent Mdvipond over the edge!!!! [:o)]

DMB

quote:Originally posted by DMetters-Bone
Sounds like a cracking flight, thanks for the TR. However the lack of lime could of sent Mdvipond over the edge!!!! [:o)]

DMB

No Tanqueray and no lime makes mdvipond something something...

Great TR thanks! Why can't they all be like that??