V-Flyer

Having dropped the hire car off we got to the airport some 4 hours before departure and unsurprisngly there wasn't much of a queue for check-in. Asked if there were any window seats available (none being free on online check-in) and unfortunately it was only the pay extra ones so didn't bother.

Security control was ok with not too many people, but a few ditherers holding things up. Once through a nice easy ride to the gates. Given that I have now lost my Au status we sat down for a late lunch/early dinner of steak and chips at Harry’s Tap Room, and very nice it was too. Got to A32 and surfed the free wifi, uploading pictures to facebook etc (why can't all airports have this?!). unfortunately a huge group of American school children descended on the gate and I was wondering whether I was going to be unlucky enough to be sat amongst them all

Initial boarding was called which included Silver members (not sure have seen that before ) so got up and joined the short queue. The ground staff lady didn't seem to know what to check for as she tried to tell me I couldn't board as i was in Economy. I had to point out I was Ag and what the 008 meant on the boarding card. This seemed to bring her some dawning recognition and she let me through.

Got on board, initially sat in 61C, and got comfortable. Sure enough the crowd of teenagers descended to the back and were to the right and behind and started doing what teenagers do. Turned to the Aussie to the left of me and he remarked, 'it's going to be a long flight!'. Luckily just before pushback I noticed one of the stewardesses passing and looking at my seat number and then she came back and asked if I would like to have one of the purple extra legroom seats as I was Ag....yes please so quickly got up and escaped the kindergarten for 55A and no-one sat next to me either!

Take-off was on time and once airborne they announced that they would serve food and drinks together (understandable given VS22 is a night flight. Interestingly, while they were serving the special meals the stewardess came round to me and asked what I would like, I chose the Chicken Korma and a glass of red, which was brought promptly to me by hand rather than trolley! Never had that before (even as an Au) and i can only assume it was because of Ag. Maybe this is a change of VS policy/training, or something that the particular FSM or FSS instigated? Regardless, it was a great +1 and I really wish I knew the name of the crew member in order to be able to thank her properly.

The food was ok, not too different to previous trips, the smaller tray not really reducing the quantity. Interetsingly the dessert was on the tray (again presumably because it was a night flight).

Unfortunately there was an entertainment glitch on V-Port and it took a long time to turn on, and when it did it seemed mine was the only one working. So I happily watched 'Senna' much to the annoyance of the American woman in front of me who was discussing the situation with the stewardess. Eventually it was reset for the rest of the cabin though.

Tried to get some sleep but always difficult in Economy and I don't think I really managed it. There seemed to be a fair few drinks runs going and all the crew were very pleasant and enthusiastic.

The new breakfast was ok, in the past I have just not been able to eat the Economy offering but in this case it was fine, a very nice Yoghurt, Croissant, and a rather frozen OJ!

We got into LHR ahead of schedule so had some 10 minutes in the hold before turning onto final to the 09L. Cloud cover was 8/8 sat at 2000' - 1500' so an interesting dive through the cloud before breaking out over windsor.

So to summarise, a nice flight with a great crew, decent entertainment, and few very nice +1s. The new service was perhaps less evident given the night flight. All in all given it's economy i can't really find too much at fault, hopefully any future Econ flight are like this.

Dave

Thanks for the TR, Dave. Nice to get another view on the 'new' Y offering.

Thanks for the great TR, very pleased to see you were recognised with your ag status and moved away from the teenagers at the back!

It is always good to have Reports of the Economy Product on V Flyer, so thank you for taking the time to share your experience

Nice touch on being moved because your FF Status and having a spare seat next to you

buns

Thank you for your TR --
I am impressed (and also amazed) that your AG status was rewarded. Have never seen that happen before, nor benefitted from it myself!

Whoever the CC person was, I'd commend her to VS for her customer service, that's top notch!

slinky09 wrote:Whoever the CC person was, I'd commend her to VS for her customer service, that's top notch!

Agree with Slinky09.....

Thank you for the TR. Flew this route a couple of years ago and we were surround by a school trip. Once we were in the air, we never heard from them. They were very well behaved.

Nice one Dave - that's really interesting about the AG status thing...let's see if this becomes a trend...

I'd encourage you to drop VS an email commending that crew member, even if you don't know her name, date, flight num and cabin etc should do the trick.

I know Ag doesn't count for much, but it's so nice to see some recognition of FF status. Offering a move, when better seats are available, to Au and then Ag members doesn't cost anything but makes people feel their custom is valued.

Thanks for taking the time to post.

Thanks for all the comments guys, yes was very surprised and pleased at the Ag recognition. On many Econ flights as an Au I only had any sort of recognition once before, with an offer of a drink from the UC bar, never thought I would get anything with Ag. (yes, fingers crossed it becomes a trend!). And yes, I do intend to let VS know about the great service

Now duly posted to VS via the form on the VS website (hopefully it will get through to the cabin crew). Does anyone have any experience of what is done with positive feedback?

gliderpilot wrote:Now duly posted to VS via the form on the VS website (hopefully it will get through to the cabin crew). Does anyone have any experience of what is done with positive feedback?

It does get back to the cabin crew. I once sent in a report after a truly superb flight and about 9 months later I had the same crew member on another flight. Not only did he remember me but thanked me for the positive report I had sent in

honey lamb wrote:It does get back to the cabin crew. I once sent in a report after a truly superb flight and about 9 months later I had the same crew member on another flight. Not only did he remember me but thanked me for the positive report I had sent in

Thanks Honeylamb, that's good to know.