V-Flyer

This was a work paid trip - to a conference in NY.

So got to LHR T3 fairly early. Went to the PE line to check-in, it was quite short when I got there. Unfortunately there was a family there with a 'problem' which meant the queue not moving for about 10 mins, but it was all handled professionally.

They were offering upgrades for cash as per usual, PE to UC I overheard around £900. It astounds me actually the price difference when in UK compared to US, but I'll save that for the return TR. Checked in with minimal fuss, security was pretty fast too. I did OLCI 24hrs in advance as we all do, secured an economy seat in the bubble. First time in the bubble actually. All PE/UC experiences have been in the nose.

Did the usual in the departures, duty free some food/drink etc. Boarding was quick, everyone took their time and it was well-behaved. Perhaps it was the fact that it was a mid-day flight so no one was in too much of a rush.

Walked upstairs, it does feel nice a cosy in there actually. It's been a while since I've flown VS, and VS economy. The seat was quite comfortable and the crew were having a good laugh with the pax. Take off was lovely and smooth, and we were away. I think about 40 mins after take off, food was being served. The benefit of the bubble, all of the Y pax were served really fast.

Now like I mentioned, it's been a while since I've flown on VS. However I felt quite suprised about the the quality of the food. I have high food standards - however I come from a family that rarely complains about food quality. But what was on offer really wasn't great, and the tray looked half empty. I will try to recall the menu on the flight soon and add to this again. I compare the food to Singapore Airlines economy offerings and there is just no comparison. Ouch

My seat-back screen didn't work the whole flight, and I only got a DVD player about 4 hours into the flight. Although I wasn't pushy and didn't make a fuss, so probably added to the delay as they didn't feel the need to rush. I amused myself with a book and some movies on my Macbook Air and iPod Touch anyway.

The only other minor blip with the flight, was the girl seated to my left. She had glass after glass of white wine. Suffice to say she got fairly drunk, though not disorderly I might add. She stank of alchohol, and after 10 minutes of shut-eye I wake to find her leaning all over me - I like my personal space. I undignifiably pushed her off my shoulder and she briefly woke up and frowned before passing out again in her seat. I really didn't care at that point.

After her sleeping for a couple of hours, she woke up. Still drunk.. Staff decided to serve us a snack, which was truely awful, and they asked her if she wanted juice. She asked for ANOTHER glass of wine which they gave her Crew should have cut her off ages ago, not good.

We touched down and I couldn't wait to leave. Walked very briskly to immigration to find a big queue already there. From what I gathered a Delta flight. I was one of the first there and it was already 4 lines deep. The hall got packed once our flight filled it. Suffice to say, it took me 2.5 hours to finally see an agent, during which a woman fainted and was taken by paramedics. TSA staff still required her to have checks and hand-prints whilst on the trolley. It looked hilarious, and while I understand it, I couldn't help laugh at how stupid it looked.

All our luggage was waiting on the floor and we had another queue to get through. Finally out of JFK 3 hours after my flight landed. Very tiring.

Thanks for the TR but given your midday departure you travelled on the VS45 not the VS3

Thanks for the TR - it's a pity you were so unimpressed by the food. Did you recognise your intoxicated companion from any of the V-Flyer profiles?

Jacki wrote:Thanks for the TR - it's a pity you were so unimpressed by the food. Did you recognise your intoxicated companion from any of the V-Flyer profiles?

Jacki! We can handle our drink and would never be so ungracious as to slump on a stranger!

Thank you for the TR.

Poor food + stinky drunk + 3hr jfk exit = unhappy pax

cheers

alex

There is nothing quite like immigration at JFK when the VS45 lands - if you catch it at a worse time, then it is horrific!

Good to read a positive report of the economy seats in the bubble, even the rest of your trip was less than stellar.

I'm a little astonished that your neighbour managed to get so sozzled. Even on a west coast flight I've never managed to get more than 3 glasses of wine when travelling economy.

Paul