V-Flyer

Another great service from Virgin, but just one problem.

Heathrow was trouble free - fortunately the Border Agency strike the day before had no effects on our travel. Arrived at the Upper Class wing and was whisked through the process and through security. The walk through duty free seems to be getting longer, but that just builds up your appetite for a lite breakfast in the Clubhouse. Boarding was efficient and the staff welcoming as you arrived on the plane. The small changes that have already been made to the food service - new cutlery and plates - look good. Throughout the flight the crew were friendly and courteous.

The one downside to the flight was the group of passengers who commandeered all the seats at the bar and preceded to get drunk; imagine the parents of the cast of TOWIE and you've got them! They pretty much prevented anyone else from enjoying the bar area. We ended up collecting drinks from the bar and then talking to the stewardess on duty at the back of upstairs.

We arrived at JFK about twenty five minutes early, but then the queue for immigration was just over an hour; and that's for Upper Class passengers getting of the plane first. The queue behind us was probably closer to two hours. The only irritating but amusing point at immigration was that 'TOWIE team leader' decided to kick-off in his semi-drunk fashion from half way back in the queue. Somehow he ended up being brought to the desk I was queuing at before quickly being united with an armed immigration officer. When I finally got to the front of the queue the immigration officer was very polite and friendly, apologising for the queue and the other passenger.

In the baggage hall I made sure the Virgin rep knew there was a problem with a drunk UC pax at immigration. Hopefully a nice crossed stamp in his passport and an immediate trip back to the UK was on the cards; well I can dream about justice can't I?

More seriously, this group of passengers spoilt the Upper Class experience for everyone else. I'm lucky to travel for business, but the majority of people in the cabin were on pre-Christmas shopping trips to New York and treating themselves to UC tickets. They shouldn't have to suffer at the expense of people who have no consideration for others. Hopefully Virgin will take note and ban these people.

Thats a shame. Dosen't matter if you are flying for business or pleasure the trip was spoiled.

The FSM should have put an immediate stop to this by making them sit down and/or stop serving them drinks at all. They can even put the 'fasten seat belts' signs on to clear the bar It reflects badly that they didn't.

The bar is for ALL UC pax.

Ans yes the INS agents will give the chap a thorough questioning before even considering allowing him into their country.

I'd love to think that they refused him admission which would mean he would have to apply for a visa for any futre trips to the US!

To be fair to the crew, they did try every tactic, including very weak measures and suggesting the passengers pace themselves

Such a shame that they ruined it for everyone else. I'm also surprised that the FSM failed to stop them drinking too much/hogging the bar.

How do these people afford to fly UC?!

I agree with the honourable Tonty and Cal - something positive should have been done to ensure everyone had an enjoyable flight not just the idiots at the bar!

Thanks for the trip report woralla. The curse of VS45 and immigration queues strikes again.

In the past I have also witnessed the behaviour you saw at the UC bar. It is probably very unpolitically correct to say this, but such people are really common -- and not in a good way. Let's hope the immigration people gave him a very thorough and intrusive search.

at240 wrote: Let's hope the immigration people gave him a very thorough and intrusive search.

oh werent you just hoping to see a TSA agent snapping on latex gloves..............

Why shouldn't they enjoy the bar, that's what it's for, socializing, congregating, and consuming? Or did I miss something all my life about bars?

If they really were behaving that badly then the onus is on the crew to manage the situation, and as said tactics usually include a quick seatbelts on and white lie about oncoming turbulence. I'm sorry this spoiled your trip, but to me it sounds like the crew should have been on top of things, TontyB is right.

As for all this looking down on people, Essex comments, glass greenhouses et al if you're ever enjoying yourself to much to upset someone else .

@slinky09 Exactly, the bar is a place to congregate and socialise; it isn't a place to be monopolised by one group at the expense of all others.

Thank you for the TR, shame your flight was spoilt by a few individuals.