V-Flyer

After 3 months working in the Catskills, it was time to return home but Mother Nature has other ideas. Originally scheduled to fly VS4 on Monday, I decided to move my flight back to let Irene reek her destructive way through NYC and offer VA a chance to catch up with any missed or cancelled flights. I’m glad I did – colleagues who chose not to rebook in advance were offered new flights days after they wanted. Some are still homeward Bound I believe today!

So, Config 4 747 – my first time on a 747 in PE. I’ve served my time in E class, but always opted to take the Airbus flights to and from NY. “The Lounge” at T4 JFK can be accessed by Priority Pass membership. Not as nice as the VA Clubhouse, but still a pleasant environment to pass several hours before boarding. Why JFK do not have their lounges after security is a mystery to me as I am always plagued with the timing issue – when to leave to lounge and join the horrendous line fort security. I judged 6pm would give me enough time – just!

Boarding was swift and I was sat in 29K (extra leg room seat) by 7:10 with a glass of bubbly in hand and a copy of the Independent to read. The usual pre boarding announcements were made and I was surprised that the FSM read aloud the safety demo – no video animation on this flight! (is this common on 747s?) Still it was entertaining to watch the flight crew dawn lifejackets and show me how to open and close my seat belt.

Taxing at JFK takes forever – I swear we actually took off from La Guardia – finally the runway was found and the double ding from the captain braced the flight crew. One of the passengers near me was not best pleased to learn that PE share bathrooms with economy class – Not the end of the word I thought, but for this chap it seemed to be. I felt that if he was that bothered about separate bathrooms, he should fork out for UC! Haha!

The journey was remarkably quick. 5h30 mins... the flight crew were as always wonderful. Food was excellent, although the second service was a little unusual. Normally a breakfast sandwich, or fruit is served... but today I got a full English breakfast - what a treat! The eggs were not the best, but we’re 30,000 in the air... I’d like to see Ramsey do any better.

Landing was smooth and swift. I was very excited to be able to use the new passport readers at T3 arrivals (normally my least enjoyable part of flying as it takes hours sometimes if 4 or 5 747s and a couple a380s arrive at once) – nope, in a matter of one swipe and a picture by the automated machine... I was through and waiting for my bags.

Thank you Virgin for yet another excellent flight – and well done for the swift and effective response to Irene.

samfarmer wrote:The usual pre boarding announcements were made and I was surprised that the FSM read aloud the safety demo – no video animation on this flight! (is this common on 747s?) Still it was entertaining to watch the flight crew dawn lifejackets and show me how to open and close my seat belt.

Food was excellent, although the second service was a little unusual. Normally a breakfast sandwich, or fruit is served... but today I got a full English breakfast - what a treat!

A manual demo has to be carried out on certain dates every month so it be on all aircraft types not just the 744.

It must have been a while since you last flew PE on VS as a full hot breakfast has been served before landing for quite a while.

Thanks for the TR, glad to hear you made it home safely!

I thought the PE toilets were exclusive TP the PE cabin (well intended to be but Y always sneak in?)

Thanks for the TR and good call on Irene, I departed EWR on the Friday night before she visited.

Cal346 wrote:I thought the PE toilets were exclusive TP the PE cabin (well intended to be but Y always sneak in?)

On the 346 only. On the 343s and 747s they are shared.

slinky09 wrote:

Cal346 wrote:I thought the PE toilets were exclusive TP the PE cabin (well intended to be but Y always sneak in?)

On the 346 only. On the 343s and 747s they are shared.

Thanks Slinky! I do recall a bad 343 experience now you mention it!

Thanks for the TR

Yes the scramble to get through security is a bit of a nightmare - IMHO on par with getting throigh JFK Immigration on arival

Whilst there is a priority line, as soon as you have passed that you are in an unorganised mess which has folks jostling for position

buns

Thank you for the TR.

slinky09 wrote:Thanks for the TR and good call on Irene, I departed EWR on the Friday night before she visited.

Cal346 wrote:I thought the PE toilets were exclusive TP the PE cabin (well intended to be but Y always sneak in?)

On the 346 only. On the 343s and 747s they are shared.

Although on the 346 there are often regular interlopers from Y as the curtain never seems to do the trick!

Thanks for the TR and looks like you managed the Irene disruption well !

samfarmer wrote: Why JFK do not have their lounges after security is a mystery to me as I am always plagued with the timing issue

It simply comes down to space in the terminals and how the airport is owned / operated rather than any regulation requiring lounges to be pre security

I read that there are plans to move the JFK CH post security (am sure I read that on here!) but that won't help you if your not AU or UC or like you using priority pass!