This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
I was very familiar with the VS400 from my time working in Abu Dhabi but this was the first time I was paying for it myself, and thus the first time in Economy on the route. It is also my first stage of the great escapade ticket!
I got to Paddington very early as my dad was also traveling to London so we got the same train. I got the Heathrow Express at about 3pm and used my upgrade vouchers which expired on that day. I still don't get why anyone would pay to go First Class on this short journey. I'd got a great ticket from Cardiff to Heathrow for less than 20 pounds single, and arrived at Heathrow and walked the underground miles to terminal three. I left my upgrade voucher on the ticket machine- it still had two goes left and I hope someone made use of it before staff came to remove it! I didn't want to approach people and offer it to them as they'd probably think I was a tout or something and I didn't want to experience the rebuff I've given to touts in my time in India and Nepal!
As it was 3:30, there was of course very few people checking in for Virgin as the morning flights had left and it was too early for the evening flights. However there were a lot of staff available in all classes of travel which was pleasing to see. The lady at the UC desk was very friendly and we had a good chat about my round the world itinerary (as it was quiet, I asked her to print out my ticket details- eases my mind in case I come across some 'old-school' immigration or security at some point who don't like/trust e-tickets!
I asked for an exit row seat but she said they were blocked but the plane would be empty- I think she said 85 people in Economy. I don't know the capacity of an A346 in Economy but it was very quiet indeed. She kindly put me in a prime position (33D) and told me to ask when I was aboard and I would be so close I'd be easy to move! I wandered off to the public area to get my international driving license and she kindly called after me to make sure I knew the way to the UC wing. Very impressed with her service.
No queue at security and even got some banter from one of the security dragons. Passport control was a bit of a problem as I'd made the obvious mistake of standing behind the foreign looking chap, who ended up getting called into the side room. Always look for the red passports…
So I had about 4.5 hours in the Clubhouse and for the first time, following Vflyer advice, I sat in the gallery. The service was absolutely brilliant- even when it got busier later on I never felt thirsty or hungry and the lady kept coming to offer me some things. Whether I was lucky or whether this is why so many vflyers sit here I don't know but she was excellent. So thanks for the tip!
I thought I'd take advantage and see things that I've never seen in my previous visits as for all I know this could be my last trip to the CH for a while. I went to the deli counter and had some cheese, bread and pate; and then went to have a steam shower which was also a first but I really don't know why I'd never done it before- its great! Very tempted to nick a towel but my bag was full to the brim.
Later I had a clubhouse burger and I think that the portions are getting bigger- good sign! Wandered over to the gate quite early to try and get my exit seat. Priority boarding unnecessary as so quiet. Was greeted by name at the door- automatic one star boost for CC ranking and I tipped the CC member off about my exit row. She was excellent and when another guy asked she said that there was one other person who had asked. Thankfully, the exit rows were free so we both moved there.
Flight time was 6 hours 30 minutes. Don't know what the food was as I didn't eat anything as I'd eaten so much at the CH! It was so empty that most people who wanted to took a row of 4 to themselves and slept.
Crew pretty much disappeared after meal service though I did see one lady walking past checking people were alright. There was only one juice run in four hours but then in fairness there were probably only two of us awake in the whole cabin- maybe I'm too obsessive about wanting to see visible cabin crew- and most pax would rather the CC not go past and disturb their sleep- but it still would be nice to see them doing quick sweeps every now and then.
My negative rating for food was simply because the offer was a cookie. Now I know that I rarely feel like the full English on flights- especially 6 hour flights- but I think the muffin they provide on the MCO flights is a great option and a cookie seemed a bit crap. However the CC member did come and ask me what I wanted individually and went to get a coffee which I don't know why but it felt like good service as the trolley wasn't in view. I don't know if they always do this on the route or whether its just because its quiet.
AVOD- choice excellent, but had to move seats three times to find a working set- lucky the plane was so quiet! I watched Toy Story 3 and some Simpsons etc.
Landed on time, immigration hall was quiet but the bags seemed to take ages to come out- I think they messed up the priority baggage as many economy pax were getting their luggage before UC, PE and even crew bags!
Got the metro- excellent- clean, efficient and although limited in scope if you are heading to the Dubai Marina area it is much cheaper to get a metro to the nearest station and then just take a taxi from there- and the hassle is not really much more unless you've got loads of luggage.
Overall a solid flight, but the service at Heathrow was exceptional all round- probably the best I've ever had at an airport with VS, even as a fairly frequent flier.
!!! Now I've learnt to relax and appreciate things more 
