V-Flyer

This was a very short break to NY for an anniversary. Checked in on line and collected boarding cards at the UC check-in (after a very slow tube journey out). Plane was full in UC apparently, with some availability in PE - no bulk-head seats though.

Through the UC security channel, brief stop at the shops and then off to the lounge. No treatments available before departure (shame, as always used to have something booked in advance). After a glass of champagne, it was time to shower and freshen up before the flight. The menu had changed since the last visit in December, and there was a great curry duo which was very good. Service was not bad - initially very good but then dropped off when we were trying to get a second drink.

All too soon, it was time to head off to the plane. Pretty much everyone was getting secondary screening - the staff there were rude and abrupt with everyone! The benefit was no queue on the airbridge! On settling into the seat, noticed it was vPort.....yay!! Meant at least a choice of films etc on the flight. Unfortunately, the seat had not been cleaned properly and therefore my jeans brushed against the arm rest, resulting three red wine stains. I mentioned this before take-off, but nothing happened, and then mentioned to FSM after take-off.....basically I was offered a sleep suit (ok for the flight, but not much use whilst out and about in NY) and a customer comment card to fill in.....we'll see what happens when customer services get back to me about it. The original CC member came to apologise that she hadn't done anything about it pre-/post-take off.

We pushed back a little late, for a very short 7 hour flight to Newark. As soon as we were airborne, the person in front put their seat right back....luckily they put it up for food and then kept it up for the rest of the flight. Drinks were served from the galley on a tray and I asked for a spicy Bloody Mary, which was very spicy. Premium was probably just over 50% full and I think Economy was about the same.

Food was the bought around:

Fresh garden salad with red onion and olive

Roasted chicken breast with sage and onion stuffing, roasted potato cubes and vegetables

OR

King Prawns in a chilli sauce with egg-fried rice and Chinese vegetables

OR

Tortellinin pasta in cheese sauce with diced courgette and tomato concasse

Gu Dessert

I had the prawns, which were not too bad but the sauce was not very spicy.

Settled back afterwards to finish off a film or two....ended up drifting off to sleep several times during the flight (missed the second drinks round) but didn't need anymore after dinner. Had a cup of coffee in the pre-landing snack service.

Arrived nice and early and headed off to an empty immigration hall. As I left, the CC person said goodbye personally with my name! Bags were already coming round by the time we got through, and therefore we were off in a cab before we even should have landed!!!

Overall the flight was good, made better having vPort on the flight. The real shocker was the state of cleaning on the plane - maybe I was expecting too much, but you think that they would wipe the seats down?

Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by vPort? Is this just the seat back entertainment? I assumed this was on every flight?

quote:Originally posted by FelixUK
Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by vPort? Is this just the seat back entertainment? I assumed this was on every flight?


Yes it is the entertainment system but there are three in use at the moment. V-port is by far and away the best as there is more choice and you can start/stop/rewind and fast forward the films etc.

quote:Originally posted by FelixUK
Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by vPort? Is this just the seat back entertainment? I assumed this was on every flight?

V-port is one of the in-flight entertainment systems. It is on all the LHR-based 747s and A346s. It is only on one of the 343. It is not on the LGW 747s which have either Odyssey or Nova

Ahh I see, thank you. I'm flying to JFK from LHR in March, so hopefully get the vPort!

Thank you for the TR.