V-Flyer

I was just planning on giving up on this report entirely, but I thought it over and said that I took the time to take the pictures, so I should at least grace the community with the mixed flight that was VS40.

Virgin Atlantic Airways
VS040 Economy Class Service
Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) to London Heathrow (LHR)
Estimated Take-off: 6:00pm (local time)
Actual Take-off: 7:25pm (local time)

The flight started out on a pretty dry note with once again, terrible ground services on VS’ part. We were in line for the bag drop and were called by an ‘Upper Class’ ground staffer. I pity those who were in Upper Class and were dealt with by her. She started off with, “Passports.” then a few minutes later, “Bags on the scale.” followed by our boarding passes being slapped onto the desk, I asked, “Could we get our boarding passes for our LHR-AMM bmi flight?” she responded with not even a look, “No.” The ads tell us, “You’re airline’s either got it or it hasn’t.” She clearly doesn’t “have it!”

My Mom and I sat down in O’Hare’s pathetic T5 food thingie. Honestly, Terminal 5 is in dire need of some better offerings, but TSA takes up a huge chunk of real estate so I’m not going to complain. There was never a call for VS40, but we went through security at about 5:10 and were at M15 at 5:20. Boarding began at 5:35 with “Upper Class and Premium Economy passengers” then progressed to “Those with small children.” followed by row numbers. Pretty organized, can’t complain.

Once our row was called, we got in a seemingly five minute line and boarded, Crew were very friendly upon boarding and were actually smiling naturally! That’s new for cabin crew! We trotted our hand luggage down the aisle and shoved it into the overhead lockers. We took our seats, and I immediately noticed that my bottom seat cushion was not positioned right, it was pushed way forward to the point where there is a visible gap between the seat back and the seat cushion. Annoying, and impeding on already restricted legroom.

The flight was mostly uneventful past this point.


Virgin Winglet, SWISS, Royal Jordanian, SAS and a BA 777-300ER hiding.

[img]http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7982/imag0003h.jpg/img]
Someone please tell me I’m not alone in thinking this video is pointless...


My remote had seen better days.


My Mom’s had the up and down toggles broken, but she just slept through the flight anyways.


Can you see the excitement for our 14 hour layover?!


The entertainment box didn’t really bother me much.


As pushback began, the BA 777 revealed itself.

At this time, our captain announced that we’re being delayed due to removal of luggage of some guy that decided not to board. Same story EVERY TIME! But, they were consistant and went around and asked if anyone wanted water during the delay. Alas, we pushed back at 7:00 and we’re flying by 7:25.


Had to use the loo.


VS recomends closing the lid and then flushing, [to avoid loosing hearing].


Hooray for vanity shots!


When I got back to my seat, V:Port was all ready and waiting for me.


I decided to catch Big Momma, as I hadn’t seen it yet.


Shortly after all of this, the captain interupted us and told us to get strapped in, as there was some rough air ahead.


It cleared out pretty quickly, so the cabin crew came around with meal services. I went with Salmon and Pasta. It was extremely tasty, and was the best food I’ve had in economy ever! Thanks Gate Gourmet!!!


Peas are just gross, leave that out next time.


Crew dimmed the lights and basically forced everyone to sleep.


Virgin was feeding my guilty pleasure!!!


Listening to Katy Perry while watching the map.


So close, but so far...


I decided to watch Green Hornet, which was ‘meh’ at best.


Cruising through the sky at 32,000ft.


My video cut to the landing video which came on REALLY LOUD!!!


Sun was shinning directly at us.


Plane was noticeably old.

Captain announced we would be on the ground in a few minutes, and whattya know, we were on the ground in a jiffy!


Qantas’ big bird.


Show some VS A343 love!


American 767. What can I say? “meh”


We parked by an A343 being prepped.


Snapshot of the forward mini-cabin while disembarking.


Spotted a new paint 744!


Air Canada 767. More “meh.”


I see you Cathay 744!


And another 744 with new paint!!!


I didn’t come to Heathrow for American planes, let’s get something I can’t see at ORD!


BA has a lot more 744’s than I thought!


My bed for the next 6 hours.


Rise and shine to some beautiful birds.


It’s not your imagination, there is a random white line though the “I” and the UNITED lettering is not straight.


While I’m not always fond of Eurowhite, SWISS pulls is off well.


This beauty just needed another picture!!!!


Some VERY heavy South African metal!!!


I think the Emirates livery is quite possibly my least favorite of any airline. It’s just.. not love.


My Mom really fell in love with this livery. I admit, I like that sun on the tail!


MORE SWISS!!!!


The Austrian livery sort of screams, “let’s settle down and get serious.”


South African A330


Thank you for sitting through this long TR! It was a pleasure delivering it!

Thanks for the TR

Your contribution has shamed me into doing mine this morning

Once again, your TR demonstrates that the day VS can get end to end consistency with thier product, then they will have cracked it. Your Check In experience was one that VS should do something to correct

buns

Thanks for your TR, always great to see pictures and allows me as the reader to really see it from your perspective!

Hope the layover wasn't too bad!

I like that they dim the lights on the night flights ex-USA, movie time or sleep time

Thanks for all the pics, the flight sounds like it delivered what it said on the tin, check-in at ORD is not good (I've been fortunate in recent times to have the same friendly agent, but recall in the past that it's not always so), and T5 at ORD is awful and dull ... even if you're 'lucky' enough to get into the SAS lounge, it's still dull! Hope you got home without further bother.

You're all so welcome, it's my pleasure!

I'll have my TR for my connecting bmi flight to Amman up within 24 hours.

Honestly, I don't think ORD is to blame for Virgin's poor ground service, this isn't the first time I've had bad interactions with ground staff.. I feel it's shameful that they wear the uniform when the majority of them don't even fly for VS. I've actually had really good interactions with most other airlines in T5, especially RJ and BA.

We did have a great time in Heathrow though. My Mom not being very air savvy would always ask me about things, and it was nice to be able to offload some knowledge.

Thanks for the great feedback!

There are big plans ar ORD to improve T5 and to have a lot more shops and restaurents etc AFTER security rather than pre security.

The new contract has gone to the Westfield group after some politicing at Chicago City Council (who own ORD)

Thanks for the TR, I always like the ones with pictures, it's good to see exactly what's been experienced!

Thank you for posting such a comprehensive report, a very enjoyable read.

Thank you for the great TR and I love the pics.