V-Flyer

Well originally I had no intention of writing a trip report - I've just got a new laptop (HP Elitebook 8730w) and don't currently have an iGo tip for it so wasn't planning on getting it out on the flight. BUT this was such a superlative flight that I felt obliged to at least acknowledge it.

My taxi picked me up at 11:35 and we called in the registration details etc to use the Drive Through trial at T3. At 11:50 we pulled up at the barriers and were admitted. At 12:05 I was in the Clubhouse. 30 minutes from being picked up to being in the Clubhouse. OMG.

I browsed the web for a short while whilst using the free phone battery charger in the library then reported to the reception for my haircut. A superb cut followed, and knowing that I was going to be showering the stylist left my hair damp and handed me a sachet of Bumble and Bumble product to use after my shower. I tipped him and reported to the desk to allocate a shower. They asked if I needed anything and provided deodorant for post shower use. I had a leisurely 30 minute shower and steam bath, applied product and exited to the bistro.

An immediate warm friendly welcome, introductory drink and the rigatoni pasta. Freshly made and delicious. Back to the internet and shortly thereafter to an almost empty gate area - no queueing needed.

On board and welcomed by name and directed to my seat - 7K. Immediately offered a drink and settled into suite. From hereon in it just got better. The FSM made a point of chatting to all the pax, referring to her manifest to ensure she addressed them by name. ALL subsequent crew interactions, name was used. The people collecting drink orders using galley sheets to get names right (I heard our CSS apologising and asking for pronunciation help from one pax with an unusual name) and acknowledging status 'you're one of our Gold flyers - welcome back'.

I enjoyed the food (the salmon and spelt is a personal favourite), the chicken was tasty and the cheese - a little bland for my tastes was still welcome.

I used vPort for the first time in a while and watched Bronson - very stylish. I then bedded down and got a couple of hours sleep, awaking ready to drive at the other end. Seeing I was awake I was approached by friendly crew asking if anything was needed - again by name.

I spent a small amount of time at the bar where people I assumed to be staff were there. They were very well behaved and on my arrival exited the bar. Might have been a coincidence or might have been staff travel played by the rules.

We disembarked from L1 so I was about 5th off and was bid adieu by name. Power walking to immigration I was first person there so immediately seen by an officer who joked about me having run there and had me through and at the bag carousel in minutes. A ten minute wait for the carousel to start and minutes later through customs and at the Air Train.

The only MINOR blips in the entire process was a lack of Change for Children envelopes in the Amenity Kits (so I used a sock) and a lack of medium sleep suits. ALL VS staff were incredible and I'll be writing to Customer Services about it. The past few trips have all been great so perhaps the redundancies of people who didn't want to be there anymore was a good thing?

Congratulations VS on a remarkable service delivery - and as ever an excellent FSM set the tone.

Glad you took the time out to write a TR, sounds great! If only every flight was like this, or even 50% of them!

Wow! What a great flight, thanks for the TR![y]

quote:Originally posted by Decker

The only MINOR blips in the entire process was a lack of Change for Children envelopes in the Amenity Kits (so I used a sock)


I hope you hadn't worn the sock all flight before putting your money in it! [:$] [:p]

WOW sounds like you had an outstanding flight! Glad you had a good trip.

Dominic

Salmon and spelt salad was a notch above, I agree. Love the stuff (spelt/farro, that is), I use it to make risotto all the time, I'm amazed and pleasantly surprised to see it on a VS menu. HL and I had a really good trip too last week, even though the flight was full it went really well. Glad you had a good one too.

Very enjoyable read - nice to see one of who I view as regulars, experiencing a good flight, as I would imagine that you'd be the first to notice when things aren't right.

Oh, that reminds me, I need to book my haircut...

So Virgin can still get it right! Thanks for posting a positive report, its a refreshing change to read one.

Neil

quote:Originally posted by MarkedMan
HL and I had a really good trip too last week, even though the flight was full it went really well. Glad you had a good one too.

Agreed. I'm working on the TR and it was up there with the best of them

All the service points hit. That's great, Decker. Glad to hear that you enjoyed your flight and that the US immigration folks didn't beat you up too badly.

Chuck-

Great report, we are flying to EWR in 13 days (not that i'm counting) also have haircut booked and we are in 7 & 8 K so very spooky indeed!

Even more looking forward to the flight now after reading the TR.

Fabby trip report...
I've never had my hair cut in the CH, would be scared they would scalp me [;)]

Hope your return journey is similar.

Having read your TR, I can easily understand why you felt compeled to share such an outstanding experience

It may be my interpretation, but I certainly have got the impression that VS have made recent efforts to improve the on board experience

buns

What a wonderful TR Decker - thanks for sharing.

Did the little girl from Bow cut your hair ? She is my favourite.

Sounds like you had the dream experience from start to finish - I have two day trips to OAD coming up this week so hoping I can report similar ones.

Regards,

Hackneyguy

Great TR and again top marks to all the CC onboard who made the flight worth writing up on[y]

cheers

alex

quote:Originally posted by buns
It may be my interpretation, but I certainly have got the impression that VS have made recent efforts to improve the on board experience


I was going to make the same observation buns. Lets hope so, for it is these small changes that cost the airline nothing other then a little time in training that can make all the difference in these financially troubled times.

Mat