V-Flyer

This was a very last minute trip to join the rest of the crew who were going out for some r&r. Originally I wasn't going and was going to enjoy some peace at home, but a last minute change of heart and availability with miles meant that I was actually the advanced party and would get a couple of days on my own before the rest of them arrived.

(as an aside, this last minute booking nonsense is going to have to stop and we must become more organised and try and book ahead. It's either costing lots of money or emptying my miles account very quickly )

Anyway, I digress. The first option with miles (for the VS part) was a nightmare and was going to be something like EDI-LGW-MCO-JFK-LHR-EDI and after holding the flights for a couple of hours it was decided (again) that I wasn't going and I telephoned Premier to cancel them. Just happened to mention why and a couple of mins later, the very nice lady came up with the routing MAN-MCO-MAN which was perfect if not for the fact it was only 6 days away.

A quick click on purple parking, which was a very reasonable £60 for 2 weeks with a pickup at the terminal and I was set to go

I had checked the flight on expertflyer and was surprised to see that it looked like only me in Upper, a very light load in P/E and even lighter in Economy, so I kept expecting to get a call to say that the flight had been merged with the earlier one and could I make it to check in earlier. This didn't happen, so it was a little strange setting off from the Borders around 7am wondering what this flight would be like.

A very quick (2 3/4 hours) drive down on quiet roads and a small panic when Purple Parking didn't answer twice meant I was at Terminal 2 around 9.45. Manchester airport was deserted ! and all I had to look forward to was 3+ hours in the Escape lounge.

Check-in was a breeze and I was surprised to be greeted by "morning David, our one and only Upper passenger for this flight" - a few shouts from the check-in staff who all wanted to join me and I was through fasttrack security in under 2 mins.

The "joys" of MAN duty free and I was heading to the Escape lounge trying to guess who else might be on the 073

V-Flyer told me to expect a 30 min delay, but the screen in the lounge jumped to boarding around the usual time, so having had enough of the delights of Escapes soup, I decided to wander down to the gate just as the first “don’t move yet, but this is what’s happening” announcement was being made. As usual this made absolutely no difference and once 3 or 4 families had started to queue, it was soon 50 deep.

I stood at the side, hovering , with my passport and boarding card, purple side facing out, visible waiting for the actual boarding call to happen. The next bit was a little fun, as one of the staff at the gate, somehow seeing my purple card motioned me to come forward, before boarding had started and board myself. Quite nice to be treated like a VIP and raised a few grunts from some people standing in line.

On to the plane and stowed my hand luggage in an overhead bin and was immediately offered a glass of champagne. Strangely my first of the day.

The staff were all very amused that it was just me and stated that it was just an anomaly, so our thoughts about the reason for no Upper on the some of the new fleet seem to be wrong.

Was asked which seat I would like and it was suggested I have one in seat mode, one in reclined mode and one in bed mode.
The FSM came round and introduced herself and we had a little blether about VS and its future. Anything I need, just ask away as they have VERY light loads throughout the whole plane. The safety video played and we had a smile when a crew member came in to show ME the exits. I suppose you still go through the routines.

The announcement after we had taken off was a little different with something like 170 on board and feel free to move about to give yourself some space – “Do not however attempt to upgrade yourself which also includes the purple seats in economy !”

The service was excellent, I was asked how I’d like to be addressed, which I thought was very nice and basically to ask if I needed anything. I did say not to bother with setting up the bar, but to make sure there was plenty of champagne which would have been rude to leave.

The food was very nice, especially the sandwiches, which were very fresh and the cake was a welcome addition.

Much of the flight was spend watching a couple of films, although the tape heads are really getting past their best, and sitting at the bar chatting.

It kinda felt a little long, I suppose you can only talk for so long, and both the crew and myself commented that it seemed to drag a little. They had very little to do and raided the bins for earphones and duvets and bedded down in the P/E section behind me.

I was thanked again by name leaving and was brought forward to be first off by the FSM. There are now miles of tensa barriers at immigration at MCO which seemed to work pretty well, although with a few flights arriving at the same time, it might be a little different.

No green cards and was “welcomed back” by the officer on the desk which was very nice. There was only one belt being used, which was not a surprise, but what was, was my bag coming up first, on its own. Again, it made you feel a little special.

Straight onto the train and straight across the road into the garage where Dollar Express is now located to pick up my Dodge Charger and on my way in about 2 mins. Dodge must have had a deal on these as there were loads sitting waiting. Mines is only 2 months old with 2000miles on the clock and the engine management light on. Will probably change it when i go back to the airport to pick up the rest of the gang at the weekend.

A couple of bits of gossip, some of which you might know – the new airbus will be upgraded to have U/C in them because barring this trip, it’s a huge seller from MAN. It looks like they will be manned and flown by London crew as the MAN crew/pilots will probably not be trained on them. Everybody hates the new economy section on the upstairs of the LHR 747’s. It’s very cramped and there is very little space for hand luggage as the side bins have been taken away leaving only the very small overhead bins and is causing loads of problems with the Upper passengers and the MAN crew are all very excited about the upcoming expansion of services.

Hope you haven't all fallen asleep by now with the ramblings

thanks

David

Thanks for your trip report. When you had said previously that you were the only UC passenger on that flight I wondered what it was going to be like. It bore out what I supposed - perfect service but quite boring in terms of people watching or interaction.

Perhaps it also shows that private jets are not all they are cracked up to be and may well explain why many A-listers are seen on VS planes. Zelebs are there of course because they can't afford private jets

While we all aspire to light loads perhaps being the only UC passenger isn't the place to be

Thank you for the report David. Mr DL and I felt "very special" being two (of four ) passengers in First on our EK flight on the A380 so I can't begin to imagine what it must be like being the ONLY passenger in the cabin (albeit a bit lonely) .
Stellar service from Premier to get you on your way too .
DL

I assume you managed to get your first choice from the menu?

It must have been weird having a whole cabin to yourself and all the staff attending to you!

Many thanks for the TR David, very strange for UC to be quiet to MCO in August!

Great TR and what an experience! It sounds a bit like eating in your favourite restaurant when it is empty, the food is as good but without the noise and atmosphere something is missing - I'd still like to to try it sometime. It must have been great having the UC toilet all to yourself!

Well that does have to be a unique experience, being the only passenger in UC

At least there wouldn't have been a queue for the loo
Edit You beat me to that comment Jacki
Seriously, it does illustrate that VS will not simply upgrade if there is space - unless you fork out the dosh

Thank you for sharing this with us all here

buns

Very surprised to hear a 440 seat jumbo with only 170 pax in August .

I am not surprised that time dragged for all, I hear time and time again that crew prefer full flights to make the time go, but also from a customer perspective it's more fun to observe people.

Sounds like right royal service though .

Thanks for the TR David.

It must have been a weird experience, it was strange enough with only 60 of us on a 747 last Feb, but on that flight UC was almost full. Maybe the loads aren't as heavy to MCO as we assume they are, hence the move to the A333.

Thank you for the TR and what a position to be in, being the only UC pax on the flight!

Really enjoyed reading what it must be like to fly as a celeb ! As I am MCO bound in 4 weeks ( God, volcanoes, and threatened pilots' strike willing ) I was interested in what you wrote about immigration. I didn't understand when you said " there are miles of tensa barriers". Have they changed the process and what are tensa barriers please ?!
Regards
hiljil

That is just a dream report and it sounds like you amused yourself with the crew.
I love the idea of having your seat and your bed next to each other, next time you will have to book yourself that extra seat. You don't pay taxes on extra seats so well worth it!

hiljil wrote:Really enjoyed reading what it must be like to fly as a celeb ! As I am MCO bound in 4 weeks ( God, volcanoes, and threatened pilots' strike willing ) I was interested in what you wrote about immigration. I didn't understand when you said " there are miles of tensa barriers". Have they changed the process and what are tensa barriers please ?!
Regards
hiljil

Tensa barriers are the barriers seen anywhere where the public needs to queue such as in post offices, banks and as David said, at airports especially at check-in, security and immigration. They're the ones that can be easily adjusted by removing the belt from a slot so that it retracts into its pole

Thank you. All these years I've travelled to the US and never knew they were called that !
hiljil

Great TR sounded fun to be the only J pax in the cabin atleast your first choice meal was there to be enjoyed.

cheers

alex

I've operated a couple of flights with only a handful of people in the cabin and on one occasion - just one person on the A343 J cabin of 34 seats. To say I was bored was an understatement - they didn't want anything to eat other than a bowl of cornflakes and a cup of tea for a nine hour flight!

On one occasion we had the whole aircraft to ourselves.
Christmas Eve LHR-NCL - a full crew and only us 2 pax.

I can remember great concern waiting to board - no-one else there and wondering if we were going to have to spend Christmas Day in a hotel. But the aircraft had to position back and I guess the crew did want to get home.

It was one of those nights that you fly for.
Crystal clear air - we could see the lights of Newcastle when only 50 miles north of London - and yes - it was through the front window
No J cabin - but I was a happy bunny where I was!

hiljil wrote:Thank you. All these years I've travelled to the US and never knew they were called that !
hiljil

They are all over the place - anywhere you need to control a crowd nut without wanting / needed fixed barriers as they give you flexibility.

Also its the generic name for them now - like 'hoover' - no matter which company makes them

Excellent TR, Thank you David.

Your experience reminds me of a visit to a restaurant many moons ago where, despite it being lunchtime, I was the only customer. About half way through my first spoonful of prawn cocktail (yes, it was THAT long ago) I got a clue as to why that might have been. Ugh, I can still remember the taste.

I also remember going to see a play (Spinechiller with Sian Phillips) two days after the Evening Standard published a review saying it was the worst play of whatever year it was (and, from memory, it was only February). Our party of four were the entire audience. The cast, Ms Phillips I believe, enquired as to whether we wished them to perform. We opted for yes; now that was bizarre.

What a fun TR and experience Thank you