V-Flyer

Check in was completed smoothly at LHR and without any fuss; we then took the route to the fast-track security and encountered the only negative experience of the whole UK-AUS trip; an exceptionally abrupt and rude woman working in the security area.
She was generally barking instructions at people in a very strong (and rather incomprehensible I might add) Eastern European accent which totally caught off guard one of my elderly travelling companions who isn't used to being spoken to in that manner.
Anyway, once security had been passed we headed straight for the Virgin Club House as we wanted to try for treatments, it was only 5pm at this stage so thought we would pass a pleasant few hours before our flight was called.
On arrival we were greeted warmly and informed that the flight would commence boarding at approx 9.40pm , in readiness for our take-off at 10.30pm.
Heading straight for the Cowshed desk, we were asked what flight we were on, and then offered an early or late appointment.
We booked a pedicure, facial and a haircut and all chose appointments at 7.15-7.30pm as we wanted to have a bite to eat first.....
The CH was pretty empty at this stage and we were quickly approached and asked if we'd like a like a drink , a few minutes later our requested glasses of Lanson Black Label had arrived.
We then ordered a few snacks which included a very tasty chicken breast on a bed of tomato salsa and red mullet on a bed of funnel.
The service was very good, and even though the CH didn't get very busy during our entire visit it did feel as if the staff were trying hard to please.
One of my companions had last used the CH in December 2009 and really had not been impressed with the service and was firmly of the opinion that things really had improved since then.
We did ask for some pens but were told that sadly they didn't have any, but they should be available on the plane.....
The time for my treatment soon came and I had an extremely relaxing facial and shave.
A few more drinks followed and before we knew it our flight was called at 9.30pm.
We gathered our stuff together and no sooner had we left the CH at about 9.35pm than we heard a last and final call!
Getting onto the plane I noticed that we were flying on Cover Girl ; we quickly settled into our suites with a glass of champagne and had a very smooth take-off.
The food service soon started and whilst I can't remember the starter (oops) , the main course of Char-sui pork on a bed of peppers and rice was very tasty.
Once dinner service was over I took a trip up to the bar and had a drink (or three!) and discovered from the CC that only 14 pax in Upper were carrying on as far as SYD.
Soon after this I retired wearing my sleep suit ( am glad to report that my suit as delivered was new and still in its bag with plastic sealing tag) and didn't wake up again until about 45 mins before landing in Hong Kong.
On arrival in HK we headed for the CH and again were very warmly greeted; I asked to book a shower and within about 10 minutes was called through.
The facilities were first rate and had an amazingly relaxing shower; the bale of towels supplied included what I think was the biggest bath sheet I have ever seen!
Shower over it was time to eat, and the grilled chicken breast I had ordered prior to my shower soon arrived.
The dessert of hazelnut bavarois on a chocolate base was slightly disappointing as even though it looked fantastic it was rather tasteless but the service in the CH was superb and the place itself very cosy; was quite sad to leave but soon our flight was called and it was time to board Cover Girl again.
This leg of the journey was completed in a different suite to the LHR-HK part of the journey, and whilst the service on the plane from LHR had been excellent it did seem to be a tad better on the HK-SYD leg.
The CC really couldn't do enough to please and it was almost as if recent criticisms of Virgin have been taken on board?
After asking for some pens I am glad to report taht we all managed to get one each.
I didn't eat very much on this leg as I'd eaten so much in the previous few hours, but the few mouthfuls of chicken I did manage were very good; the flight soon turned very bumpy however and for the next 2 hours as we passed over the Philipines and Indonesia the seatbelt signs were constantly on.
I have to confess to not being the best flyer in the world and really didn't enjoy this part of the trip, but eventually I managed to get a few hours sleep and woke up about 2 hrs prior to arrival in SYD.
The breakfast was very good and comprised some delicious fresh fruit with yoghurt followed by a hot plate of cheese omelette with hash brown and roasted tomato and bacon/sausage.
The captain had at some stage in the flight supplied the information that there were only 128 pax on board for the HK-SYD leg , so before landing I took a quick stroll up the back to PE and Econ, and was rather surprised at how empty the plane seemed to be!
Economy appeared to be less than half full and roastingly hot, PE slightly more full and a bit cooler, it was only on return to UC that it dawned on me that this was the only section anywhere near full capacity, think there were 6 empty suites?
Another thing that did occur to me though was that several parts of the plane did appear to be a bit tatty, both of the suites I had been in looked to be in need of a bit of TLC, and this was repeated in both PE and Econ of the seats/areas that I saw on my quick tour......
In summary though, I found the flight from LHR-SYD to be excellent, and although the return trip to LHR will be in the less hallowed environs of PE I hope that it will be just as enjoyable......time will tell!

Nessy wrote: 1. a few minutes later our requested glasses of Lanson Black Label had arrived.
2. information that there were only 128 pax on board for the HK-SYD leg

Thanks for a brilliant TR, had they run out of the usual G.Mumm champagne, or is this the latest downgrade

Suprised to see that plane running so empty must have felt lonely down the back in the sauna.

cheers

alex

Great TR and I am very jealous - have never flown this route in anything but a packed plane! I love the HKG clubhouse and agree totally that the showers are exceptional.

Great TR and looks like top notch VS service all round !

I'd email VS about the issue at security.

VS pay a premium to BAA for the fast track service in the private channell and so they and VS should expect a premium service in return. There is no need for staff to be barking at anyone (unless its an emergency!)

Excellent TR, good news on the CH, sounds similar to trip back in Nov, I do think that if SYD is the destination it is the only way to do it....
Mini nh even had her own suite for her toys from HKG to SYD, CC even seatbelted her big Manatee in for take off !

Is there a reason they have to have the cabins so hot...!

Thank you for the great TR.

Thanks for the report Nessy.Glad that the trip was a good 'un in terms of service and consistency and that both CHs were top notch.
When VS does it right UC is a great product. Glad that your travelling companion thought the CH much better than her previous visit (and I know it was a dire experience as I was travelling with her that day).
Hope the journey back isn't quite so turbulent
Doing the same journey 4 weeks tomorrow .
DL

Thanks everybody for the positive comments .
To be honest, I didn't want the security woman spoiling the start to a good holiday, so didn't bother to ask for her name etc.......
Suffice to say, I think that the problem was her broken English, or her lack of mastery of the English language which might have caused my travelling companion to not totally understand the stilted demands being made of her......
I couldn't see any Mumm champers on offer in the CH, only Lanson.
I would consult the CH menu that I swiped but I seem to have mislaid it on the journey here around NZ/Oz...............