V-Flyer

Well we had decided to stay near the airport the night before, as I was working nearby the night before and didn’t see the point in going all the way home to come back again in the morning. So at 06:45 we drove up to T3 and handed the car over to purple parking, nice and easy.

Over to the UC desks, there was a free agent so checked in straight away, I do prefer the new purple luggage tags. Boarding passes to hand, it was time to go up the lift. Through the glass door and quickly through security, BAA staff didn’t seem too happy but were efficient. Into duty free where we purchased a couple of items, unhelpfully the woman at the till was paying using pennies only... Off to the Clubhouse.

Up the stairs and welcomed back by name and given an apology that no-one was at check in to help us with hand luggage and through the airport. When asked if we would like someone to help us to the gate when the time came we declined. So straight over to behind the bar and offered drinks, which soon turned up. As we were both hungry we went and sat at a table in the Brasserie. Juice and coffee soon in front of us and breakfast order was taken. They have improved the Menu IMO and given a few more choices for breakfast. After breakfast, we went up to the roof garden (briefly) and looked at the new Grey Goose Loft, I know many like it, but I prefer the old Sky Lounge, it was a more relaxed place to just sit and rest. Back down to behind the bar, relaxed, massages and then time to board. Off to gate 19.

Priority boarding was clearly in place, with a nice long queue building up for economy, as only Upper were being allowed to board because they were still waiting for desert to be loaded for economy? Down the bridge onto the aircraft though L1, welcomed back by name and told to turn left. Settled into 18A, now we normally choose 16+17A, but as we booked quite late they were already taken so we chose 18+19A. I was prepared to be disappointed but I really liked it at the back of the A-zone, much more private. Offered a pre-flight drink, Orange juice taken. When our member of cabin crew was coming round asking if people had flown with VS before, we started to think they hadn’t looked at the manifest but when they got to us we were again welcomed back and asked if any more drinks were required prior to take off. Even with the delay to boarding Y and PE, they were soon loaded and it was time to depart.

Soon in the air and crew pounced into action, drinks order taken and a hot towel run. Then even before I had noticed that V-Port was on it was reset because apparently it wasn’t working in economy, I believe the reset fixed this. Lunch orders were then taken, when arrived at my seat the CC welcomed me back and thanked me for flying with Virgin again. (When they VS recognise status they do it well!) So time for lunch and I had the “Spiced carrot and lentil soup with natural yoghurt dressing”, it was defiantly spicy but it was very tasty (and HOT! CC must have burnt herself on it). For main I had the “Grilled fillet of beef with sautéed wild mushrooms, sweet potato mash and horseradish herb butter”, the beef was extremely soft and tender, and still slightly pink! I thought that was impressive for a flight on a plane. I did think there was too much mash though. Overall a very nice meal though. Finally for desert I had “Chocolate chilli tart with mango sauce”, a massive slice turned up, and u can defiantly taste the chilli. All gone and then washed down with some baileys. In all I thought there was a lot of flavour for an in-flight meal, someone has obviously worked quite hard on the menu. Also noticed on the butter knife, it says "finest stainless steal", now either butter knives are the new salt and pepper pots or its a typo.

After dinner I watched a couple of films, but I was quite tired from work still so decided to head to bed, seat was quickly turned into bed and I got a bit of sleep. I do like being in bed when there is quite strong turbulence, its quite fun. I decided to have a mini burger as they have always been excellent in the past, and it did not disappoint! Not a fan of Greek salad, but quite a few people were trying it, but looked like they just picked at it a bit and left most. Next we were told we would soon be making our decent into SFO. So I got my belongings sorted for landing and made bed back into seat.

Nice landing, though landing over water won’t ever stop feeling wrong. The nose didn't touch down for quite some time after the main landing gear and when it did the breaks went on quite hard. We were quite quickly on stand and disembarking through L1. A little bit of a walk to immigration as always, but it was empty and we were the first there, well a few were ahead of us but they had US passports so used the residents lane. Not so many questions this time, asked for occupation again and pulled a surprised face at the number of trips to the US this year. Priority luggage was in place, a fellow UC passenger asked for help getting her luggage off the belt, and seeing as she was also gold I assisted with her luggage and then we were through customs declaration into the arrivals hall, were a driver was waiting for us to take us to the MO.

On arrival at the MO our two favourite concierges were waiting for us outside, welcomed back, check in had already been completed so were taken straight up to our suite that they were keen to show us as they had decorated it with Christmas cheer, and we had our very own Christmas tree. It was lovely and such a nice way to be welcomed back to a wonderful city.

Sounds a very good flight, good to hear continuing good comments on the tuck too . Envious of your suite at the MO but delighted they looked after you so well!

Sounds like your CH and flight experiences - particular the service and the food - reflect those we had to JFK on the same day.

Didn't notice the typo on the butter knife, but then again I was finding a home for the salt and pepper.

Like the idea of the christmas tree in the suite, too.

Paul

Great TR, sounds like faultless service!

Hope SF was good!

Excellent trip report thanks for sharing.

Cheers

Alex

Excellent TR - thank you.

I also feel the menu in UC is much improved.

Jon

Great TR, thanks Hamster. Sounds like an excellent flight all round.

I'm coming back on VS20 in a couple of weeks so I'll keep an eye out for the "steal" butter knife. Good old VS tongue-in-cheek humour.

And on the strength of your recommendation, I have just selected 19A

Cheers

Martin

Hamster

Looks like you had a good flight, topped off by excellent service

The Sand Francisco MO was my first experience of MO - they certainly do look after you there

Hope you had a good Christmas and New Year

buns

buns wrote:Hamster

Looks like you had a good flight, topped off by excellent service

The Sand Francisco MO was my first experience of MO - they certainly do look after you there

Hope you had a good Christmas and New Year

buns

They definitely do look after you well at MOSFO, we had an amazing time, always fun to see what little treat had been left each afternoon. Will be exciting to see what they have done after the refurb they are having. Well, it will be my excuse for going back so soon.

Excellent TR - thanks for posting

Also noticed on the butter knife, it says "finest stainless steal", now either butter knifes are the new salt and pepper pots or its a typo.

That bit sent me scurrying to look at the butter knife that I somehow *ahem* acquired some years ago. It says exactly the same thing but it seems to have slipped under the radar, unlike the salt and pepper pots.

honey lamb wrote:Excellent TR - thanks for posting

Also noticed on the butter knife, it says "finest stainless steal", now either butter knifes are the new salt and pepper pots or its a typo.

That bit sent me scurrying to look at the butter knife that I somehow *ahem* acquired some years ago. It says exactly the same thing but it seems to have slipped under the radar, unlike the salt and pepper pots.

Thanks HL, never noticed it in the old style. Duno what made me look so close at the new one...

I suspect it was deliberate.

Trouble is, popping a butter knife into your hand baggage and then forgetting it might lead to an 'interesting' experience.

Thank you for the great TR.