V-Flyer

I can't think of a flight as good as this in ages.

Not to go into to much detail but check-in was easy peasy and very smiley (anyone noticed the new format boarding passes???). My current planning leaves me with 10 mins in the clubhouse for a quick champers (car, arrival, champers, flight time now all minimized) before heading to gate 17 and onto Scarlet Lady. It took 90 mins to get away due to ATC delays caused by storms north of Heathrow, but all was OK, IFE on for the large part and comfort breaks allowed.

I won't stop oozing about the crew, I opened my menu to see:



This being my fifth flight since the new menu I opted for:



The risotto with prawns is really very nice, I could enjoy it mains sized, the beetroot tortellini was much better than anticipated .

Did a bunch of work stuff on the lappy, watched 'Just go With it' which is wonderfully funny (and I am a sucker for a happy ending!). Watch the Bourne Identity which I'd save on my iPad. Consumed several glasses of Pinot Noir .

No afternoon tea but coffee and petit fours were lovely!

On landing my wonderful cc whisked me to the front to L1 before the seatbelt sign was off, a bottle of Pinot accidentally made it into my bag, and after a last laugh with James and Chantal (and VS dolly - permission asked and granted to use names but I'll save their faces) I was away with a smile on my face!



When VS does it well, it really is very good. Now, a couple of thoughts:
- IFE, AA (and BA) do this well on their new IFE, they load a small number of classic films as options to current releases. Now most current releases are pants, and after five flights in three weeks I've watched those I have any enthusiasm for, but there are some classics I could watch over and over again ...
- White wine, all the whites currently on board are insipid and lack taste, time to look at this methinks.
- Does VS get a bum deal from ATC, I've noticed this before, that when there are long queues frequently ATC let other planes nip in ahead of VS, I guess they have their reasons .
- When you place a photo inline, on V-Flyer, the month tab for your flight resets .

Mustn't spend to much time thinking!

Good to hear of the fantastic experience! Pleased to see your UNIQ status getting recognition!

Thanks for the pics too, I really think the pictures make it a great TR too as we feel we're there with you.

Look forward to my next flight and hope for some of the VS super experience!

Is VS dolly now a formal part of the crew?

tontybear wrote:Is VS dolly now a formal part of the crew?

Wait and see if it arrived on eBay!

slinky09 wrote:- Does VS get a bum deal from ATC, I've noticed this before, that when there are long queues frequently ATC let other planes nip in ahead of VS...

How do you know that?

pkatmk wrote:

slinky09 wrote:- Does VS get a bum deal from ATC, I've noticed this before, that when there are long queues frequently ATC let other planes nip in ahead of VS...

How do you know that?

You see them. I've often been at LHR on a plane having taxied ahead of other flights to see them being given priority and taking off before mine.

pkatmk wrote:

slinky09 wrote:- Does VS get a bum deal from ATC, I've noticed this before, that when there are long queues frequently ATC let other planes nip in ahead of VS...

How do you know that?

I have seen them hold back a few big planes to allow several smaller ones to get away. I think its more efficient in terms of use of airspace as the bigger planes need more separation and it might be better to group planes like this rather than do it in strict order.

Great TR glad they looked after you

honey lamb wrote:

pkatmk wrote:

slinky09 wrote:- Does VS get a bum deal from ATC, I've noticed this before, that when there are long queues frequently ATC let other planes nip in ahead of VS...

How do you know that?

You see them. I've often been at LHR on a plane having taxied ahead of other flights to see them being given priority and taking off before mine.

Ah! I see - you're referring to an aircraft joining the runway from a taxiway a little further up. Could it be that the other aircraft had a slightly earlier push back clearance or indeed scheduled departure time? Tontybear's theory makes good sense also.

Fantastic report Slinky and pleased your UNIQ status was recognised rightly. Have a safe time in the States and hopefully your return flight will just be as memorable

Jon

tontybear wrote:

pkatmk wrote:

slinky09 wrote:- Does VS get a bum deal from ATC, I've noticed this before, that when there are long queues frequently ATC let other planes nip in ahead of VS...

How do you know that?

I have seen them hold back a few big planes to allow several smaller ones to get away. I think its more efficient in terms of use of airspace as the bigger planes need more separation and it might be better to group planes like this rather than do it in strict order.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think it could have something do with wake turbulence a la the American flight that crashed after take off from JFK nearly 8 years ago. When a large widebody takes off, a following aircraft if following the same route could experience large wake turbulence. By allowing smaller aircraft, which are often flying a different route, in between the bigger ones they minimise the effect. I could be completly wrong but it is something that I recall being spoken about a lot post the American crash.

Yes thats what I was trying to explain but couldn't remember the actual term.

Smaller aircraft need less separation so more efficent use of limited airspace to get them out in groups then let a few big ones through etc

Ok random as. Was the beetroot overly mustardy, as love beetroot and a veggie but not a mustard fan. This sounds like my dream dinner, for my one and only uc flight otherwise. Also, what does it come with, salad or veg etc. TIA

georginac wrote:Ok random as. Was the beetroot overly mustardy, as love beetroot and a veggie but not a mustard fan. This sounds like my dream dinner, for my one and only uc flight otherwise. Also, what does it come with, salad or veg etc. TIA

Here's the menu description:

Beetroot filled tortellini, with a coarse grain mustard and horseradish creme fraiche sauce topped with rocket and shaved parmesan cheese.

No, it's not to mustardy, not at all in fact, there's a little salad leaves but it's pretty much as it says, and includes four or five large bits of tortellini.

Never mind all that, where did the Dairy Milk come from?

Glad to see that the shine can still be there for a truly frequent flyer...

I know what you mean about "classic" films, but what classifies as classic? "Battleship Potemkin" or "Titanic"? "Rambo" or "Apocalypse Now"? "On The Buses" or "The Hangover"?

pjh wrote:Never mind all that, where did the Dairy Milk come from?

Yes, I'd like to know that too. Is it a UNIQ perk? Or something similar to requests zelebs make for their dressing rooms "Only asses milk for me to bathe in please, and caviar for my Burmese cat and 27 Curly Wurly bars"

Not, I hasten to add, that you are a zeleb. No sir, you are up there in the A list

Very funny, my CEO's assistant has a liking for Dairy Milk Whole Nut, which makes me retch, but there you go. Anyhow's, when I come to the office I bring her several large bars!

OK now?

pjh wrote:I know what you mean about "classic" films, but what classifies as classic? "Battleship Potemkin" or "Titanic"? "Rambo" or "Apocalypse Now"? "On The Buses" or "The Hangover"?

To Catch a Thief
The Women
His Girl Friday
An Affair to Remember

Those (sic.) sorts!

Thanks for the informative TR Slinky - or do we all have to call you "Mr Ryden, Sir" from now on

I'm with you on the occasional classic film:
The Graduate
Dirty Harry
Bullitt

- When you place a photo inline, on V-Flyer, the month tab for your flight resets .

I've noticed that too. Also happens when you preview and edit your TR ... irritating, but not the end of the world.

Cheers

Martin

Martin wrote:Thanks for the informative TR Slinky - or do we all have to call you "Mr Ryden, Sir" from now on

I'm with you on the occasional classic film:
The Graduate
Dirty Harry
Bullitt

- When you place a photo inline, on V-Flyer, the month tab for your flight resets .

I've noticed that too. Also happens when you preview and edit your TR ... irritating, but not the end of the world.

Cheers

Martin

Any of those films work too.

I love reading TR's when everything has gone to plan

For the record:

Galaxy Chocolate (must be chilled)

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
The Italian Job

Jacki wrote:I love reading TR's when everything has gone to plan

For the record:

Galaxy Chocolate (must be chilled)

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
The Italian Job

The Michael Caine version, of course

Very interesting trip report which I very much enjoyed reading.

You said the pasta wasnt too mustardy but was the horseradish over powering ? (I love mustard but hate horseradish). It is the one dish that does appeal on the new menu.

I also hate chocolate but love the Italian Job (original version ofcourse !!)

Great report Slinks, thank you. It is good to see your exalted status acknowledged but, quite frankly, this should always be the case - goodness, you spend enough money and time on your US commuting on VS.

Having recently revisited Gone With The Wind and been disappointed by the awful acting, watching old classics isn't all it might be.

My films will be;
The Graduate,
The Magnificent Seven,
Top Gun
and the equivalent of the box set of Band of Brothers.
PS And a couple of bars (400g) of Cadbury Fruit and Nut will do nicely.
Thank you.

Really enjoyed your TR

cheers

alex