V-Flyer

After yet another good stay at the Radisson at MAN T2, we scooted off along the plastic tunnel to a remarkably empty VS check in area. Having completed OLCI (seq 1 and 2 obtained as posted earlier ) we divested ourselves of our luggage and proceeded quickly through security. Or at least I did. The present Mrs Treelo was subjected to a secondary full-body screen before the security procedures disgorged her, flustered, shoeless, beltless and breathless at the other end. Anyway, once she regained her composure, we legged it to the haven of the Escape Lounge for a cereal and Danish pastry breakfast and a look at the newspapers before making the long trek to gate 201.
A shining Beauty Queen awaited and, following a well organised priority boarding process (probably for the first time at MAN ) we trotted down the airbridge and into the new PE cabin for the first time. Posh new leather seats (25A-C) and a very pleasant crew awaited us. Sparkling wine offered and quaffed (so glad they have stopped calling it Champagne) and we quickly settled in. Took off more or less on time.
Must say that I didn’t feel cramped as has been suggested in a couple of previous TRs but then I’m only 5’ 8”. I think the rarefied atmosphere that one experiences in the bubble PE seats on a 747 is a one-off and shouldn’t be compared to the space available in the 330. Liked the leather seats which I’m sure will bed-in with use but the star of the show was the IFE. Only way to describe it is FABULOUS . Played a couple of games, watched a couple of films (am I the only person in the world not the see The King’s Speech before this flight) and had no difficulty at all navigating my way round the system. The touch screen is exactly that, with only a very light touch being needed to operate.
The food offering following a drinks run was fairly good – nice salmon fishcake – but first choices were still running out halfway up the half empty cabin. Wine was topped up, tea, coffee, brandy, Baileys offered with the usual VS aplomb.
Into MCO 10 mins or so early, almost to the front of the Immigration Hall which then immediately filled up with another couple of flights’ worth of pax. Bags came off the conveyor tout de suite and we were in our hire car (having previously used OLCI) and on the road north towards Savannah in around 35 mins.
All in all, a very nice flight, marred only by the out of order (cough) forward WC, But this has been documented and discussed elsewhere. Well done, VS.

Thanks for the TR, sounds like a great flight. I thought I was the only person who waited to watch the Kings Speech inflight!

I still haven't seen the Kings Speech.

Tinkerbelle wrote:I still haven't seen the Kings Speech.

Me too. I'm waiting for my flight in July and hoping it is still on the menu

great TR thank you.

I watched the Kings Speech on VS45 in March, fantastic film and all the better watching on an UC bed

Thank you for the great TR.

Excellent report Treelo, thank you.

Treelo wrote: The present Mrs Treelo was subjected to a secondary full-body screen before the security procedures disgorged her, flustered, shoeless, beltless and breathless at the other end. Anyway, once she regained her composure

Glad Mrs T recovered. I get breathless when I remove my belt, mainly because I am trying to hold my trousers up.

Treelo wrote:am I the only person in the world not the see The King’s Speech before this flight

No, I planned to watch this on the 051 recently, it was listed on the programme guide but was it there?.....Nope. So I still haven't seen it.

Treelo wrote:All in all, a very nice flight.........Well done, VS.

Luke085 wrote:great TR thank you.

I watched the Kings Speech on VS45 in March, fantastic film and all the better watching on an UC bed

How resplendent and monarchical of you!

If you don't mind me asking, how full was the aircraft?
I'm going to Orlando in May 2012 and have planned this time to avoid peak times and kids on the plane. Looking at Premium Economy, was this section full? Cheers.

Shardriver wrote:If you don't mind me asking, how full was the aircraft?
I'm going to Orlando in May 2012 and have planned this time to avoid peak times and kids on the plane. Looking at Premium Economy, was this section full? Cheers.

PE cabin was half full (or empty depending on your point of view) though this might be down to some initial ambivalence towards the 330s. Me and the present Mrs Treelo have travelled to Florida many times in May (and going back next year) and find less crowds, less rain and less hassle travelling around than at other times of the year. Of course, being a B+S route, you are never going to be totally without a number of children on the flight, though I would suggest that there ae lots less than during school holidays. Enjoy.

Thanks for the TR, doing this route in Feb and was also getting a bit nervous about the "new" plane. Is the escape lounge worth the money?

Miss G wrote:Thanks for the TR, doing this route in Feb and was also getting a bit nervous about the "new" plane. Is the escape lounge worth the money?

Absolutely, definitely and 100% certainly it is worth the money (IMHO ). Just to escape from the bubbling cauldron that is T2 for an hour of so and relax with a coffee (or something stronger if that is your bag) and danish is totally worth the few quid it costs. Cereal, toast, bagels, fruit, etc etc along with lots of different drinks (alcoholic + non-alcoholic), newspapers, wi-fi.............