V-Flyer

And now the second leg.

After 5 days in fog-bound Hong Kong, it was time for the flight to London.

Hong Kong is great as you can do downtown check-in for your flight at the Airport Express station in Central on Hong Kong Island.

After the previous flight from Syd to HKG, I decided to go for an extra-legroom seat for the 13 hour flight to London. I'd previously been told that by the call centre in Australia that these seats can only be booked in Hong Kong, though VS in Hong Kong. So, upon checking in (Seq 223 I think), I asked about buying an extra-legroom seat to be met with blank confusion. The check-in staff had no idea what I was talking about. I was offered an exit row seat for a much higher price, which I declined, and after a bit of discussion I hit upon the right combination of words to describe what I wanted. A purple seat! I wanted a purple seat! Describing it as purple, rather than extra-legroom, seemed to be the key (even though no where on the website are they described as purple). Unfortunately, these could not be selected until the flight had left Sydney, which was some hours away, although I could pay now and they would just assign me a seat once the flight had left for HKG. I declined this, as I wanted to select a specific seat, and thought I'd try my luck at the airport.

Later, I approached the ground staff at the airport and inquired again about an extra-legroom seat. Again confusion, until I uttered the magical words "A purple seat!" and suddenly everything became clear. At this point I advised that the plane had a light load, so I might be better off saving my money and just moving to some empty seats after take off. Not wanting to take the chance, and thinking that the purple seats on my previous flight had been unsold, so I might end up with two extra-legroom seat, I elected to pay the extra and changed to 53C.

Which ended up being the right decision! Upon boarding the captain announce that a Cathay Pacific flight had been cancelled and half their passengers were re-booked onto this flight. Which meant the flight was full.

The flight itself was entirely uneventful. After take-off the seatbelt sign went off, and didn't come on again until landing! After having my most turbulent flight from SYD to HKG, HKG to LHR was the smoothest I'd ever experienced. 13 hours and not one bit of turbulence!

Which meant I was able to get about 6 hours of sleep.

For food there was no menu this time. I can't remember what I had for dinner, so I can only assume it wasn't terrible. I do remember picking the Asian style breakfast, and it being fine. I also remember the person next to me picking the English breakfast, and not liking it at all, which goes to support my theory that Asian food makes better airline food than European. Noodles and rice travel much better than eggs and cream.

Cabin crew on these flights were much more attentive than the last time I'd flown VS to London, regularly offering refreshments. So I'd say that based on the two flights from SYD to HKG, and HKG to LHR, Virgin Atlantic have improved the experience immeasurably.

Great TR glad you had a good experience

Thanks for the TR Lukely. An uneventful flight with an attentive crew is always good. I was hoping that the "purple seat" turned out to be in PE, but extra legroom makes a difference and 6 hours sleep in economy is a result.

A smashing pair of TR's, thank you Sounds like VS lived up to positive expectations of both flights - very nice to hear

Also delighted to hear that the food was good as when we went/came back from HKG it was poor - I will second the egg theory too

Must remember the magic "purple seat" mantra when I go back to Hong Kong

Thanks for the TR - I'd second that comment about ex-HKG "English" breakfasts - dire! The Asian stuff they do well.....