V-Flyer

Here’s the return TR by a Virgin Upper Class Virgin..that;ll be me then!

There is also a comparison result of sections of this flight to the inbound flight with BA in Club World.

After 12 days chilling, decorating, golfing, and bit of catching up with acquaintances in the pub, it was time to leave Margate (that’s Margate, South Africa, a 90 minute drive south of Durban).

Flight itinerary was:
DUR- JNB South African Airways (Business)
JNB-LHR Virgin Atlantic Upper Class)
LHR- MAN BA (Economy)

Here some Kudos Notes:
Got SEQ 1 for both the SAA and VS flights as I did OLCI as soon as check in opened at T-24 ....but only SEQ 45 for the

LHR-MAN sector, due to me being driving when OLCI opened.

I didn’t dare ask for either of the SEQ 1 prizes onboard...

The 90 minute drive actually turned into 2 ¼ hours due to the well organised (not) South African Roads engineering team.
They decided to close down 1 lane of the 2 lane North/South highway at the busiest time of the year, for resurfacing and control it by manually controlled stop /go signals.....

Arrived at DUR checked bag in all the way to LHR. Off up to SAA lounge. Lounge about the same class as BA lounges with cold snacks/soup/hot and cold drinks. Passed the time with ice cold O.J. (so not like me) and a tasty sarnie. Watched the planes go by and chuckled at the humour of Kulula Airlines livery (see previous posts elsewhere on V Flyer). Flight called and straight on bard. Delayed 10 minutes and up and away in seat 1D.

A smooth pleasant flight lasting 50 minutes but CC did manage 2 drinks runs in the business class cabin. Very efficient given a full cabin of pax. Snack was a choice of chicken salad or veggy wrap. I went for the chicken. Very nice too. Washed down by a cold Sauv Blanc.

All through the drive to the airport and this first flight, I was a bit on edge hoping that my VS602 was still gonna happen, given the panic of 12 days earlier.

Yes it was!....
OOO all excited now..I’m actually gonna pop my VS UC cherry! (so to speak)..

Bag drop after a chaotic security/passport check and yet another one of those silly stickers on the back of the passport. Passport check involved a border control agent checking the usual details and then, manually transposing the relevant info, manually onto some sort of control sheet. Why can’t they do it all electronically like most other airports?

Through security and border controls and now airside......This is it...I’m off to my first ever CH visit....it’s just not at LHR!

What a welcome by name.... just showed my BP, it was scanned and I was in with a cheerful instruction to “enjoy”

Welcomed straight away by waiter staff into the CH which had only 3 pax in..it did get busier later. The 602 is the only return flight that VS operate out of JNB, so all visitors to the CH would be on my flight.

Great choice of seating . I chose funny shaped but, really comfy lounger chair.

Even before I sat down I was asked for my drink order.
Well, all the time I have been part of the V Flyer community I’ve been dying to ask in a CH for “ A Mojito, please”..and I did..yey! (Sad I know, but I am now already enjoying this experience).

Drink arrived in no time and I savoured it and the relaxed, easy atmosphere and did.....nothing.
Nothing except peruse the menu. No CH Burger on the menu so, I opted for Club Sarnie and another Mojito, please. Nom, nom, nom.

CH started to fill up along with a family with a couple of infants who weren’t that quiet (oh no I hope they are good on the flight). Although all credit to the parents, they were trying to keep them occupied, possibly in the hope that they would peacefully on board..... they were!

Club Sarnie was enjoyed at my funny seat along with a bit of banter and a photo opportunity milked by me here:

I didn’t realise that I could get a freshen up shower until I visited the rest rooms for another reason(!), so I did. Better power showers than some hotel rooms I have stayed in ever the years. That Cow Pat and Mucky Cow stuff and all there relatives are brill.

Eventually this relaxing CH experience was to end by the calling of the flight.

Walked to gate A15 in plenty of time and boarding started within 15 minutes. Priority boarding was in place and I was second down the bridge and onto Cosmic Girl.

Folks, I actually turned left onto a plane for the first time in my life.
Greeted by name at the door by an ever smiling CC member who would make this flight certainly one to remember for a long time......
TR Interval: Excuse me for a bit, I need to get a
refill for my glass just now....
TR continues: aah that’s better....

As I strolled into the pointy bit, I was amazed at the amount or room between the seats (sorry, suites). There’s enough room in there to hold a party!.

Settled into 15K after loading up my bag in the overhead and was served with a nice cold OJ (I don’t do Champagne) . I didn’t take a sleep suit (feeling a bit self conscious of wearing one, I think) I sat, enjoyed my surroundings and on came the cabaret act.

I had forgotten about posts on here warning that suites 12 and 14 don’t have over head bins.....yes folks, these pax were trying to pull down on non existent handles trying open non existent bins. My silent giggles were almost non silent and lasted a while until a seasoned UC traveller further back pointed out the error of their ways. Super CC were on hand to take their bags to a storage area.

Result of pre flight entertainment: VS: 10, BA: 0

Up came the CSS and offered a top up..thanks, I’ll have another.

Eventually all 353 pax were on board and ready to go a bit earlier than schedule. So cabin prepped and safety video screened. Vic Reeves never changes!

We’re off..this is weird sitting reclined and diagonally to the direction of take off. It’s quiet. Are we really rolling down the runway at full bore? I can feel the thrust but can hardly hear all the horses pushing out the power.

JNB is a high altitude airport and takes a long take off run, I’m used to this from my previous travels to S.A. So, after the usual long climb, seat belt signs were off and Super CC were in action.

Immediately, the FSM was doing the rounds and I was welcomed on board again with an acknowledgement of my Ag status (I thought this sort of welcome was only for Au’s). FSM was visible further back in the UC cabin afterwards, but as you will read, very hospitable.

This is where the presence of one smiley CC member came into being. Her a name was noted by me but as agreed, this TR will know her only by Miss GO. Her “GO” in customer service was superb. Every time she visited me at my seat, the conversation was always started by “Hi Mr.Co”.....

Dinner ordered. I opted for only one course as I had quite pigged out during the days travels. The fillet steak was chosen. Not just because I love a good steak, but I wanted to do a comparison to the Steak I had on the BA inbound flight . If anything it was just a tad tougher that the BA steak but, the creamy bed of mash was a lot better than BA’s veg.

Result of meal competition: A Draw.

My steak was accompanied by a lovely, cold, Grenache. This flowed well along with water frequently topped up. Both Wilbur and Orville were present for dinner. They were allowed home with me permission.

So, main course over and no dessert required, I tried V Port. To be honest I didn’t fancy anything except Arthur with Russell Brand, but it didn’t grab me much. So after around 20 minutes of this, I sloped off to my usual holiday pursuit, the bar. ..in moderation of course. Except this bar was at 38,000 feet!

I was the only one at the bar all night. Every other pax seemed to have bedded down for the night. I was going to milk this first UC experience by using the bar....never done it before, so I am damn well gonna do it now!.

Another glass of Grenache was served by GO along with the start of a chat that would last well into the night.. interrupted twice, by the seat belt signs due to turbulence.

Second belt sign prompted GO to show me how to change the seat into a bed...a wonder of technology!

Then, back to the bar for the final time. Water and wine was imbibed and great chat ensued around the whole question of life, the universe and everything (yes the answer is still 42).
We were joined intermittently by the FSM, CSS and a CC from the bubble who enquired “can anybody join this party and can she join in please?.
This is not the type of party that some of you with dirty minds would expect. It was a light hearted banter with CC that give a damn about their pax, and that I have never experienced on my previous years of flying in cattle or PE.

I was very conscious of three CC members and just me around the bar might distract them from their duties but, as FSM declared, there’s not a lot to do once all the usual chores are done and every one is sleeping. What a brilliant experience.

I had never seen inside the bubble on a 747 so, GO gave me the guided tour whist every other pax were in the land of nod. It a nice small place, but I prefer my suite in the nose, please. It just seems more “airy”.

Then about 2 hours later, as Zebedee once said...time for bed.
The bed was comfy, enhance by a “mattress pad” that made it a softer mattress than the BA bed.
Bed Result: VS: 10, BA:8

Slept nicely for about 4 hours (that’s about all the time that was left after the bar chat!) and as previously arranged my wake up ”prod” was administered by GO.

Brekky of Coffee, OJ and bacon butty ordered, delivered and enjoyed. Cleared away just in time for belts on for landing.

GO said her goodbyes at this stage. We agreed that it would be great to meet again if she was on my next flight to SA in April. We’ll see, but maybe this great CC member might have actually meant it!

Smooth landing and a short taxi to stand.

Deplaning our part of the plane first, we were all given the “goodbye” per any other flight but GO, called from the other side of the plane ”Bye Mr. Co...see you in April”. I felt like a celebrity with all the other pax looking around.

Cabin Crew Comparison Result VS:100, BA:50

Up to border control. E Passport failed again, so over to an almost human agent. Through OK though.
Through to baggage hall, collected within minutes and off to search for the Revivals Lounge.
Found it after the scrum in the lift of every other pax trying to find their way to the T3 car park.

Now, where’s my Revivals Invitation....can’t find it.

Never mind, I just gave my name and flight number to dear lady on reception and I was in....”Shower or Breakfast first Mr. Co”. ....”Shower, please”......”room 9 is ready for you”...this is brill.
What a great way to finish a long over night flight and prepare for the rest of the day.
So suitably refreshed and changed, off for coffee and toast.
Finished nicely , a bit of time on Paddy to collect emails and off down to HEX to transfer to T5 for the normal BA hop to MAN. (30 minutes late though!)

Arrived at MAN greeted as arranged by #1 Son and GF and chauffeured home in my manicured car. (Well he had the use of it for 12 days, he shouldn't he clean it!)

What an absolutely wonderful trip with VS in UC at last.
All credit to the awesome CC. I do wonder if the previous delays were relyed to this crew and they were told to look after me, maybe not. But,even so,they were much more involved with their pax than BA and in summary, this in my mind, makes VS the winner by a long way . I know a lot of my fellow V Flyers agree.

Maybe you can tell how much I enjoyed this trip...I can’t wait until April to do it all again, but all on VS this time, without the delays, please,!

Cheers
Paul

Great TR glad you enjoyed your first UC expeirience!!

What a joy to read. Great comparisons with your BA flight too .

Great read and comparisons to BA although never flown CW like you i got the UC bug and have never looked back

Thank you for the great TR, glad you enjoyed your first experience in UC.

Great TR, thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

oldboy

Nice one Paul - really glad it all worked for you on the return after the "difficulties" on your outbound flight!

You've got it there - it's the VS CC that make the difference...when it's good, it's great...when it's not so good.........

Fab TR

We will be flying back from JNB in early April next year so maybe we will meet? Flying to CPT in March then back home from JNB - celebrating a signficant b'day in SA Very much looking forward to the UC experience

MrsB

Great TR, glad you were so well looked after

Fabulous TR What an amazing flight home with what can only be described as an awesome CC or maybe I should say an awesome GO

Top job!

Great read, thanks. Glad your first UC experience was so good (and better than the competition).

I know what you mean about the bar, but it took us until the 3rd UC flight to get up the courage to perch on the stools.

Paul

Fantastic TR, glad you finally got to turn left!!!

Great TR Paul and fantastic to hear your were not disappointed by the VS UC service. I find the CC on VS often engage with the pax on a very friendly but professional basis. That part of the VS culture sets them apart from most other airlines and often makes up for the shortcomings with equipment etc.

Its a shame that your outbound journey plans were scuppered, although that did mean we got the benefit of a comparison to BA which was great for us.

Here's hoping that on your trip next April you get that elusive LHR CH visit.

Cheers

Martin

Great TR and what wonderful service. When VS are on form they are hard to beat.

Glad your Cherry is well and truly popped.

Iain

Great read.

I did the flight on 10 Dec 2010, in Premium Economy.

TOP TIP
If you have not got Clubhouse access, there's another lovely lounge in Jo'burg called the Shongololo Lounge, via Priority Pass or you can pay on the day. I think.

Thanks for all your positive comments.

I must admit to enjoying writing the TR almost as much as the trip itself...it brought it all back to me.

@MrsBear99. Why not post your trip on the itinerary calendar and we can see if our dates are the same? Or send me a PM.

@Sealink...If I had known you were on the same flight, maybe I could have guested you into the CH at JNB? Another reason for posting your dates on the itinerary calendar...maybe next time eh?
Also, thanks for the top tip regarding the Shongololo lounge. I'll remember that for when (if ) I go in PE again.

Cheers
Paul

Co wrote:@Sealink...If I had known you were on the same flight, maybe I could have guested you into the CH at JNB? Another reason for posting your dates on the itinerary calendar...maybe next time eh?
Also, thanks for the top tip regarding the Shongololo lounge. I'll remember that for when (if ) I go in PE again.

Cheers
Paul

I was on the same flight last year 10 DEC 2010!

Sealink wrote:I was on the same flight last year 10 DEC 2010!

Good grief so was I!! This is spooky stuff...is your an annual event like mine?