V-Flyer

Arrived the Logan airport around 16:30, checked in straight away. Great service from the VS check-in staff. I was originally booked in seat 19H but when I came to do OLCI I had been moved to seat 20D. it’s becoming a reoccurring theme, been moved during OLCI as this has now happened on my last 4 VS flights. It didn’t really matter for this flight as there was several other seats available for selection. I completely forgot to ask about moving to row 18 at check-in.

Went though security, which I have to say are by far the most polite and pleasant TSA staff I have ever encountered at any US airport (in fact probably any airport any where). I was addressed by name and was wished a pleasant journey. Not just once either. I went though security a total of 3 times during my trip through BOS (nipping outside for a nicotine fix!) and it was the same every time by all the TSA staff. Well done BOS TSA staff It also only took minutes to get though security every time.

Found the BOS VS CH via the lift near the departure gate. It was quite busy when I first arrived but soon became quieter after a couple of other airlines called their pax (can’t remember which other airlines use the BOS CH)

The staff where very friendly and nothing was too much trouble. All the service is self service with a good selection of drinks and hot/cold snacks available.

Tried using my new iPad with the free VS WiFi but the staff said other iPad users had all been unable to connect (it’s the same in the BMI lounge at LHR as well; the WiFi connection pages obviously need updating slightly). My iPhone and MacBook connected OK though.

As previously mentioned, I went back land-side a couple of times. It’s so much easier to do this in US airports as there’s simply an exit channel next to the TSA area, so why can’t it be the same in UK ones as well?

The second time I was outside, I watched G-VWKD come onto her stand been unloaded and prepared for her journey back to London.

After going back to the VS CH (again only took minutes as security was never busy), I settled down and waited for the flight to be called. I had checked Expertflyer and seen that there where still a couple of seats available in row 18 (bulk-head row) so I enquired if it would be possible to move. This was done for me without any problem what so ever. Whilst waiting I’d also checked in for my BMI flight.

The boarding call came about 19:15 (although the staff came round and informed everyone personally the boarding time 15 minutes earlier which was a nice touch). It was only a short walk to the gate via the lift. Priority boarding was in place and was working perfectly. The priority lines actually starts just after you leave the area where you come up in the lift from the CH.

Boarded G-VWKD, where I was welcomed aboard by name and I made my way to seat 18A in PE and made myself comfortable. Pre-flight drinks where soon handed out along with menus and headsets. Tonight’s flight would be 5hrs 59 minutes. Again, there where empty seats in all cabins on tonights flight. I over-head a couple of pax talking about been stranded in Florida. It seems the MCO flights are all fully booked until at least nest week so several pax had opted to fly themselves upto BOS or NYC to fly home. We pushed back at about 20:00, so a little bit late. Lots of taxing again at BOS to get to the runway. We where airborne by 20:15.

Shortly after the seat belt sign was turned off, the PE foot cushions where handed out followed by the combined drinks/meal service. The PE menu on tonight’s flight was as follows:

Salad

Seared salmon with lemon and caper sauce served with roasted potatoes and carrots.
Diced chicken fricassee with fettuccine and broccoli.
Cheese filled tortellini pasta with tomato sauce and parmesan.

Warm bread selection

Strawberry swirl cheesecake (which actually turned out to be a toffee/chocolate cheesecake)

I opted for the salmon, which was fantastic (probably one of the best PE meals I’ve ever had). Once again the crew where fantastic and nothing was ever too much trouble. I didn’t use V:Port much as after the meal service was cleared I tried to get some sleep. I must have managed a few hours as I was woken up from the cabin lights coming on ready for breakfast.

Breakfast consisted of a cookie, a muffin and a selection of fruit (bananas, apples and something else). Bananas where clearly popular as the crew had to ‘borrow’ more of these from the Upper Class bar!! The breakfast service was soon clearly and the crew started securing the cabin for our arrival in LHR. Not too much waiting this morning with only 1 merry-go-round before out final approach into LHR.

We landed at just after 07:15 and where at the gate a few minutes later. Made the long walk to immigration. Used IRIS and even made it to the baggage hall before our flight had been assigned a baggage belt. After a short wait this was then displayed and within a few moments or reaching the belt, the bags where already coming off. My bag was off within minutes, even before the vast majority of other pax had even arrived at the belt!

Headed to Revivals (via the exit for some nicotine) where I showered and had a spot of breakfast. Revivals wasn’t too busy and the service was as good as ever.

At about 09:30 I headed to T1 for my BMI flight. Currently sat in the newly refurbished BMI domestic lounge which is a big improvement on how it was previously.

All in all another fantastic VS flight and great trip. I was also very impressed with the TSA staff at BOS. Many other US airport TSA staff could learn a lot from the BOS staff.

Thanks for the speedy report Glad you had a great trip - makes me anticipate my upcoming trip all the more and all these mentions of IRIS are convincing me to register for it when I'm at LHR.

Glad you had a good flight James, pity the iPad is frustrating you a bit but I am sure that didn't stop your enjoyment?

Sounds like a nearly faultless round trip.....

Even without CH access, we enjoyed Logan - particularly the rocking chairs. Didn't quite have the exemplary TSA service though as they insisted we take the line through which they also funnelled crew, latecomers, TSA staff etc...

VS service was excellent though and did make up for that minor frustration...

Another good recent TR, good job all and glad it was a pleasant flight.

Nice report again James - glad to hear the lack of stuff to complain about

Decker wrote:Nice report again James - glad to hear the lack of stuff to complain about

Dear Virgin

I'd like to complain that there was nothing to complain about on my last flight.

Yours etc!



Glad you had a good flight !

I do like Boston - a great place to visit.

"We're very sorry to hear that. Here are zero miles to make up for it...)

James

Very impressed to learn that you had a faultless flight home and welcomed on board by name to boot

That Gold Card looks like it has paid for itself already

Keep us all up to date with your I Pad adventures won't you

buns

Thanks for the TR James. I agree, the taxi time at BOS seems to last forever. Despite that, seemed like a good trip back.

Darren Wheeler wrote:"We're very sorry to hear that. Here are zero miles to make up for it...)

What are the chances they prove they don't actually read the letter and offer 10K miles

Thanks for the report will be passing through BOS later this year. Glad to hear the domestic BMI lounge is looking good - is the refurb finished?

Re the BMI LHR domestic lounge - downstairs is finished, upstairs was blocked off so maybe they are doing that now?

I used to reglarly get issues trying to get my MBP connected to Virgin's WIFI in the CH at LHR.

There are known issue with the iPad's WIFI, with it not reconencting. It suggests reconfiguring the router, but in locations like an airport lounge, this is not a suitable solution from Apple.

The problem I had (and everyone else with an iPad apparently) is that when you try and click the 'connect' button after entering the userID and password, nothing happens (this was the same in the BMI lounge too). It finds and connects to the WiFi OK though to start with.

My iPhone and MacBook all connected without any issues in all the lounges I visited.

My iPad also worked OK using the WiFi in my hotel (The Bay Bay Hotel). It works fine at home too without having to change any router settings (using a Netgear DG834N ADSL router here)

Off to get one of those 3 PAYG MiWi mobile broadband routers today too so will see how that goes too. This works out cheaper than buying a 3G iPad, although it does mean you have to carry the 3G router around with you as well.

The only problem I have encountered so far with an iPad is when you have used it for a while and go to use your iPhone, that's now like trying to use a postage stamp as you get used to the bigger iPad screen!!