V-Flyer

This was another last minute trip taking advantage of the sale fares when it was suggested by some friends that we join them for what was basically a shopping trip.

The plan came together very quickly and almost too easily but had no hitches in the end.

It was to start with a trip down to Manchester and an overnight at the Hilton taking advantage of their latest promotion and then Purple Parkings superb service at terminal 2 - both items suppling hhonors points or VS miles.

The offer meant a very respectable £79 over night stay in a junior suite and £33 to Purple parking who picked the car up at departures T2 and delivered it back to the same place yesterday.

This was to be the first flight in Premium for a while and I can genuinely say that I wasn't looking forward to it. Whilst, like many of us, I would defend VS to the hilt, we all know that the LGW fleet is in need of a little tlc.

Morning arrived and checkin was a breeze with the lady commenting that she had checked me in the last time (which I thought she had remembered that I was the only one in Upper that last trip, but I realised that was because it was her initials in the sticker on my passport )

Onwards to the Escape lounge for a quick hours relaxation after I managed to get the rest of the party in with my PP.

The flight itself turned out to be one of the longest I can remember taking nearly 9 1/2 hours and a route that took us west of Toronto because of the bad weather/winds.

To make matters worse, the IFE was dreadful - film choice was poor and the little screens are gettting past their best.

However, thats where the bad news stops.

The cabin was clean bar a very odd scratch here and there. There where no bits of "trim" falling off, and I still think that the majority of seats on the upper deck and very comfy.

The food was good, not great but good and we had the beef (not the chicken ) after you stripped off the fancy descriptions and a fantastic little sticky toffee pudding which only failure was that it was only slightly bigger than the spoon they gave you to eat it with.

Wine was served (but no champagne being in premium) and brandy/baileys afterwards.

Did notice that there was only 1 cup of tea/coffee offered (always seem to remember the "anymore tea/coffee" used to be asked) but I suppose that if you had wanted another cup you could have gotten it.

There wasn't any extra drinks runs although there was a tray set up at the top of the stairs.

The other noticable item was the toilets were constantly being checked by the CC, which I thought was very good.

I have said earlier, I was determined that I wasn't going to enjoy this flight, but excluding the length and the rubbish IFE which didn't do much to "shorten" it, it was actually pretty good.

The price paid wasn't too bad and overall the product is still pretty good. That's not to say that the new planes (and the refits - if they happen) wont be welcomed with open arms - the LGW/MAN fleet has probably more that paid for itself over the last 10 years since they were last renewed but it is in need of a refresh.

The only worrying aspect (for Virgin) was the load factors 200+ on the outbound and 180+ on the inbound. Speaking to the staff at DTD check in, its been like that for the last month or two - now there's a worry.

Oh, and the shopping trip - wow - its getting very expensive

David

Thanks for this TR - some good observations there.

When you say "Did notice that there was only 1 cup of tea/coffee offered (always seem to remember the "anymore tea/coffee" used to be asked)....." -- I had noticed this as well over the last few flights, glad it's not just me.

As you say, you'll get a second tea/coffee, or another beer/wine or whatever your tipple is if you ask, and asking isn't resented in any way by the CC, but the offer doesn't seem to be made anymore. Used to be the same in economy as well...

The load factor is a bit of a worry, I wonder what the aproximate break even point is in terms of a load --- Yes, I know depends on the prices paid, but I bet there's an approximate load factor number somewhere that means a break even flight...

Thanks for the TR.

Nice to see the toilets being checked on a regular basis!

That is a long flight over to MCO!

I flew back to MCO a couple of days before and it was a long flight as well so i guess the winds have been bad for a while. we also had light loads (high 200s to LGW on a Sat and 189 to MCO on a friday )

I flew back to MCO a couple of days before and it was a long flight as well so i guess the winds have been bad for a while. we also had light loads (high 200s to LGW on a Sat and 189 to MCO on a friday )

Yes the flight times out to the US at the moment are taking forever but on the bright side, the return sectors are quicker!

And I don't think there's anything to worry about with the loads as this time of year is always quiet. Wait until half term in a few weeks!