V-Flyer

I apologise in advance if I'm doing this wrong, but this is my first trip report. Anyway, here goes....

This was my first long haul flight alone, so I was a little bit nervous about making the trip on my own. Before booking with Virgin, I went through all the seat variables, checking out UC, PE and cattle class before eventually deciding that I would save some money and go economy on the flight out and PE on the way back. This was for two reasons. The first was that my only other experience of a PE product was several years ago on BMI (not impressed) and the second was my first ever Virgin experience. On that particular flight I didn't mind the journey out, but the journey back was one of the most horrendous I've ever had.

With all this in mind, I went to book the flights. On checking seat availability the flight looked fairly empty for the way out, all good I thought. I chose a row of three seats on their own, thinking that if no one chose to sit next to me then I would be laughing. I was in buoyant mood, congratulating myself on a wise choice as I checked every few days to see what the situation was. However, this was shortlived as when it came to online check-in the seats next to me were taken! I looked at the rest of the seat plan and saw that there were many empty seats towards the rear of the plane, but as I hate to sit at the back I stayed where I was. In hindsight, this wasn't the best move I've ever made, as the people next to me weren't particularly friendly and the woman next to me had her elbow and neck pillow digging into my side for much of the journey! I felt very cramped indeed.

Anyway back to the trip...

I checked in online, and then once at the airport dropped my bag off and made my way into the airport. All this was pain free and very easy. Once in the airport I like to potter around the shops. I always think that as I'm going to be sitting for the next 10 hours that I should get as much exercise in as possible. Plus, you never know what bargins you might find!

I did this for what felt like about five minutes (time flies when you're having fun!) and then noticed that the boards were saying "make your way to gate number 202". I figured I'd go along and have to sit for a bit, but when I got to the gate they were boarding already. This is the bit that I think is brilliant. It did away with any of the queuing and getting up when your seat is called tomfoolery.

Once on the plane the thing that did strike me was that the plane looked a bit tired. There was a nice layer of grime on the seat table and TV screen. There was also a VERY thick layer of dust on the air vents above the seats. The seat itself was fairly comfortable though, so no complaints there.

The cabin crew were friendly and bright and breezy, they did all the usual plane safety gubbins and we were quickly on our way.

After handing out the kits (socks, pen, eyemask) they did a drinks run then started the lunch service. I did think it was a little bit odd that we would be eating this meal at 11:30am, but I had the shepherds pie and it was tasty enough. Have they done away with the cheese and crackers?! The white wine was a little bit like paint stripper, so I think I'll be swerving that on the trip home! We had another drinks run a few hours after, and then we had a VERY VERY dry cheese sandwich and a cookie. I gave my biscuit to one of my new seat "chums" as I don't eat dried fruit and it was some sort of raisin thing. The crew did do one water and juice run. They then put a cardboard box with soft drinks in the galley which you could help yourself to.

I watched two films, they were both rubbish! And also all the comedy shows. The IFE was on some sort of loop so it was a bit tedious having to wait for the cycle to start all over again. It all worked though, so that's a bonus.

We arrived early into Orlando, so that was good as well.

All in all, fairly good flight and I would probably go economy on this airline again. I'm now waiting to see what the return journey has to offer in PE! Thanks for reading!

Great TR
Where are you sitting on the return. I remember the first time I sat in the bubble, it's an experience!

Didn't you find that there isn't really that much to do once you check in at MAN? I've only flown out of there once in the last few years, but that once was enough to get me back on the train down south to Gatwick.

Thanks for a great first TR

Great TR!!

Yep the IFE is on a loop, again when the supposed refits happen this should be a thing of the past.

Surprised you didn't move seats after takeoff if there was room elsewhere?
Shame to hear the often repeated issue of cleaning and food. Two things which we hope they improve going forward especially as they will remain an issue even with refreshed cabins..

Hope MCO was fun and await with anticipation your return TR..

NH

Anyone who writes the word "gubbins" gets my vote .

Thanks everyone!

Didn't you find that there isn't really that much to do once you check in at MAN? I've only flown out of there once in the last few years, but that once was enough to get me back on the train down south to Gatwick.

I'm female and I love to shop. There's plenty for me to do!!

I'm hopefully in the bubble on the way back, I've pre-selected a seat up there, I think it's 71A or some such.

I didn't get chance to move because I was in A and would have had to clamber across them to beat the scrum!

Excellent TR, thanks!

I've tried the early seat selection in Y before to try and get 3 on my own, always ended up with others!

Enjoy your trip!

Luke

Thank you for the great TR.

i find the best seats on any aircraft to guarantee you are on your own are the ones at the very back of the bus, I just make sure when i fly on my own that before decent my bag is under the seat in-front so as soon as the seatbelt sign is turned off i make a break for it.

a great trip report , hope you enjoy MCO

Great TR, Miss G, thank you. Have a good holiday, if that is what it is.

Re your return, maybe at OLCI, see whether you can move a bit further back in the bubble, less chance then of being disturbed by the queue for the lavatories.

HWVlover wrote:Great TR, Miss G, thank you. Have a good holiday, if that is what it is.

Re your return, maybe at OLCI, see whether you can move a bit further back in the bubble, less chance then of being disturbed by the queue for the lavatories.

Thank you, it is! Seems the seat I've got is 75A, is that ok?

That will do nicely.

Great TR and enjoy your flight back in PE!

If you think T2's good for shopping you should fly out of T1 sometime! The amount I've spent there is shocking, I spend the money I earn as quickly as I earn it!
Not that I take every free moment of being in work shopping or anything..!