V-Flyer

VS201
HKG-LHR 21stMarch 2010
A346 G-VYOU Emmaline Heaney

Some may have read my outbound trip report, which I have to say was a mixed bag. My week in Asia was successful and I flew a few interesting flights. I spent a few days working in Hong Kong before heading back to HK airport for a flight to Bangkok. I flew the late Emirates flight. I was upgraded to Business, amazing. From Bangkok I flew to Chiang Mai on Air Asia. On Saturday (20th March). I flew back to Bangkok and then spent the day picking my around protests (all peaceful and good natured from what I could see).

Then Sunday (21st March) I flew Emirates back to Hong Kong landing at 17hr. No upgrade this time but an exit row seat which made for a great flight.

Check in was open for early check in in Hong Kong, which was great, allowing me to go through immigration and spend the next few hours walking around the airport. I ended up in a bar for the next few hours until boarding. This was on time and I settled into my seat 57H, pretty much all the way in the back.
The flight was completely full in economy, with the BA strike on. The pilots came on and let us know the planned route, up through China, Mongolia, Russia, Scandinavia and then on into London. They warned of light turbulence.
After a quick taxi to the active runway and a long heavy takeoff into a cloudy night. A few turns over Hong Kong and we were heading up to cruising altitude.

Lights were turned back on and the service started. They mentioned that a combined drinks and food service would be done to allow people to sleep. Not sure I really got it as it was a 13 hour flight, whats the rush? They never do it on the transatlantic redeye flights. Or maybe I never noticed.
In any case they came through with choice of chicken, beef , pasta. I choose pasta, not good at all, but by the looks of my neighbours meals it didn't make much difference.
While eating it started to get a little bumpy but it was fine. I started to watch a movie , The Blind Side, something that wasn't possible with my broken tv on the way out. It worked!!

After eating the flight became quite bumpy. The crew kept moving around the cabin and I think someone further forward must have been ill. There were a few people moved around and lots of cleaning. After a few hours I was asleep and the turbulence had subsided.

A breakfast was served prior to descent. Arrival was on time somewhere around 4.40am this morning, hence the waffling.

Overall the flight was good. The entertainment worked and the seat was comfortable. The crew did their jobs and all went well. But that is just it. It was fine. I said it in the outbound TR but flying Virgin used to be cool, it was a cool brand, great experience. It still looks like a cool brand, but that's all it is. I just don't think the product backs it up. It is a cleverly marketed brand with not much substance. It all seems a bit of a let down. Good but not great.

Another interesting TR - you really had a variety of flights but what a pity the Virgin sectors were disappointing.

Thanks for the return TR

As always, (well in my mind anyway) Reports that cover the Economy experience are the most valuable here on V-Flyer. Not least for those trying to find out about VS and come to the site during their research.

I suppose your disappointment with your flight and the current VS product is similar to the wider debate being had by a certain competitor At the heart of this debate is that the customer is looking fro the cheapest possible fare and more and more new airlines are springing up to offer this but are not encumbered with having to offer a full service. As the cost of running aircraft continues to increase, all the legacy airlines are facing a similar dilemma

That said, for my money, the VS crew do still offer the uniqueness of the brand and for the time being VS will retain my custom

Thanks once again

buns

Interesting TR, and I think you have described well the fact that VS in Economy is an average product.

The crew is what makes the difference, and having regularly travelled over the past 3 years in all cabins the Y experience can be hot or miss.

I would expect in these difficult times, the service levels and things that don't cost money would actually be a priority and we'd see a difference.

Mark