V-Flyer

This is one of those trips where Virgin really shone.

I now know several people who have flown VS, both family and friends, who have described the experience as unremarkable. Some had flown from LGW and not liked the old interiors / entertainment systems. Others had found the service lacking and the food poor. As someone who started flying with them 12 years ago, I've always been a bit defensive, although it's also been over 3 years since I sat in Economy so maybe that was it.

I was due to fly out economy this time so thought I'd see what these people had been moaning about before returning in Upper (thanks to the last of my miles). However, I then got lured into a £140 upgrade to premium at the airport. I'm so weak. The people at checkin were lovely and clearly did a good job, as I managed to upgrade quickly and with no fuss. I'm not a gold member and I'd not paid to go to the Clubhouse this time around, so it was the Servisair lounge for me which, in comparison, is slumming it (but at least I get that free with my bank account).

This was probably the best upgrade ever! (That sounds like a dodgy dance compilation doesn't it?). 28C meant I had about a million miles of legroom (barely an exaggeration). PLUS I got to see a celeb from a very famous rock band board while I was sipping some bubbly before take off. It felt very showbiz.

The FSM was facing me on take off. She had done a thorough walk around before take off and was both authoritative and approachable. Once we were in the air the drinks service started very promptly (a very well made G&T for me) and I was delighted to see the pretzels back.

Lunch was good. I had the beef which was acceptable and there was a lovely salmon salad thingy alongside it. Just as I was starting to think they were taking a long time to clear my lunch tray, the FSM came through from Upper and started assisting with the clear up. She saw my empty glass for earlier and asked what I was drinking. I told her it was G&T and that I'd appreciate some Tanqueray if they had some. She went to the UC bar and made me one.

The entertainment was good. There were some great additions to the comedy selection - especially 30 Rock (under appreciated in the UK, but one of the best sitcoms on at the moment by a country mile). I wasn't especially taken with the selection of movies, however.

There were two ice cream runs, and then later some tea with a brownie too. The lady sat next to me needed sweetener and the flight attendant went and got her some extra ones just in case she needed some later in the day. A nice touch.

The flight attendant serving us in PE was excellent. He made sure we were ok, made regular checks, always had a smile and, just before landing, came around everyone and thanked them for flying and told them that he was sorry he'd not get to say goodbye as we disembarked, as he had been assigned to one of the doors further back on the plane. I thought this was a really personal touch and a sign of great service.

Sadly the prompt exit from the plane didn't make up for the long line at passport control. However, when I got to a desk, I was met by a lovely lady who said she was tired and had been up since very early. We chatted, and she even high-fived me! That made a real change from some of the people who staff those desks.

It was then outside into the record breaking heat. I spent two weeks living in Brooklyn with friends, and taking the F train into the city for improv classes at the most amazing improvised comedy theatre in NY (and, possibly the world). It was quite the experience! I really didn't want to come back - even though I was flying Upper (TR for that on its way).

All in all, this trip reminded me why I continue to use VA. A great flight in a great PE seat with fantastic service.

Wow what a great trip report, glad the crew went that extra mile for you

Thanks for the TR - clearly written from the heart

To get an upgrade for £140 is, IMHO, a good result and I would not have resisted such an offer I can tell you

As you rightly say, when VS get it right, then you do remember why you continue to travel with them - Let's hope they can get it right more often than when they loose the plot and forget all what made them special all those years ago

buns

Thank you for the report . When VS get it right, it really can't be faulted.
I don't know what gin the FSM got you from the bar but it wasn't Tanqueray. The brand was removed some time ago, much to the displeasure of the G+T brigade who lurk here (of one amongst many, am I) .
DL

Lovely, lovely TR. Thank you so much

I have to agree with the others that £140 for an upgrade was a bargain and I would have seized it with both hands.

Also agree with DL that your G&T would not have been Tanqueray. My claim to fame is that I finished the last bottle of T10 on VFAB in July 2009 a couple of weeks after it had been withdrawn from the UC bar

Hi Dragonlady

It WAS in fact Tanqueray, which I believe is still used for their journeys to the far East. I believe I was lucky enough to be on a plane that had recently had a turn-around from such a destination. I only know, as one of the flight attendants told me they no longer stock it on my return journey. I asked how it was I got it on the way out, and this was their explanation.

Very nice trip report... I enjoyed reading your experience!

Karl

Excellent TR, thanks. As the others have said, £140 for the upgrade is great value particularly given the level of service you received. Having been lucky enough to fly PE a good few times now, I can think of only one occasion when the service was less than really good, often with "chatty" interaction ("where are you headed/ what are you planning to do") that was repeated back when leaving the aircraft ("have a good time doing x"). Given the numbers and pressure of service, to my mind that's impressive.

Paul

LloydieJL wrote:Hi Dragonlady

It WAS in fact Tanqueray, which I believe is still used for their journeys to the far East. I believe I was lucky enough to be on a plane that had recently had a turn-around from such a destination. I only know, as one of the flight attendants told me they no longer stock it on my return journey. I asked how it was I got it on the way out, and this was their explanation.

Thanks for the clarification LloydieJL. I did think that it had gone in it's entireity . There was certainly no sign of it on my recentish trip to HKG and back (or on the onward leg to SYD and back). Is Tinks about to confirm or dispel??
DL

Thank you for the great TR and the well done on the £140 upgrade.

honey lamb wrote:
I have to agree with the others that £140 for an upgrade was a bargain and I would have seized it with both hands.

Also agree with DL that your G&T would not have been Tanqueray. My claim to fame is that I finished the last bottle of T10 on VFAB in July 2009 a couple of weeks after it had been withdrawn from the UC bar

I have had Tanqueray 10 on my last few flights - not sure if it is true but was told by a FSM friend that if a UNIQ PAX has requested it as I had (pre flight) then it is loaded

DragonLady wrote:

LloydieJL wrote:Hi Dragonlady

It WAS in fact Tanqueray, which I believe is still used for their journeys to the far East. I believe I was lucky enough to be on a plane that had recently had a turn-around from such a destination. I only know, as one of the flight attendants told me they no longer stock it on my return journey. I asked how it was I got it on the way out, and this was their explanation.

Thanks for the clarification LloydieJL. I did think that it had gone in it's entireity . There was certainly no sign of it on my recentish trip to HKG and back (or on the onward leg to SYD and back). Is Tinks about to confirm or dispel??
DL

Personally I haven't seen any Tanqueray onboard since it was taken off a few years ago. And on the HKG-SYD-HKG flights, Bombay Sapphire is loaded. And I have never seen anything loaded especially for a UNIQ passenger.

EDIT - The only flights where we have different drinks loaded is Delhi where Johnny Walker Black Label is also loaded in Upper and Narita where sake is loaded.

Tinkerbelle wrote: And I have never seen anything loaded especially for a UNIQ passenger.

.

Perhaps it is a recent change in service as on my recent flights (since Summer) I have certainly been served T10 with loads of Ice and a slice of lime without even requesting it as the FSM ssid they "had a note of my likes and dislikes". But then again I was moved from my then coding to UNIQ F in July if that makes any difference I dont know

What is UNIQ F?

Tanqueray was on my last flight back from Tokyo in July - I hadn't heard of it before, but reading about it on here made me ask for some... (very lovely it was too!)

clarkeysntfc wrote:What is UNIQ F?

It's a unix command that helps you remove duplicate lines in a file

Uniq F is 'Friends of Richard'

hackneyguy wrote:

Perhaps it is a recent change in service as on my recent flights (since Summer) I have certainly been served T10 with loads of Ice and a slice of lime without even requesting it as the FSM ssid they "had a note of my likes and dislikes". But then again I was moved from my then coding to UNIQ F in July if that makes any difference I dont know

What flights have you been on? You have made it quite public that you have been in the UK since your flight in Jan when the snow got in the way or something...
Also how do you know you are UNIQ and your coding?

I find it hard to believe that they would load a special drink on just for UNIQ passengers, it would surely cause lots of trouble with breaking contracts with suppliers?

"The people at checkin were lovely and clearly did a good job, as I managed to upgrade quickly and with no fuss. I'm not a gold member and I'd not paid to go to the Clubhouse this time around"


can you pay to get access to the CH ??

flabound wrote:can you pay to get access to the CH ??

No, but for a time paid access was available to (I think) PE passengers on a space available basis

honey lamb wrote:

flabound wrote:can you pay to get access to the CH ??

No, but for a time paid access was available to (I think) PE passengers on a space available basis

Yes, it was PE passengers and ran for a while around Easter 2009.

Can't you still pay for access if on a VH package?

Paul