V-Flyer

Ok here we go... first trip report and first time in UC!

For the moderators... this was only HKG-SYD but I couldn't see that on the Flight Details drop down box (same flight number VS200).

I've been a big fan of VS for years but have only been flying with them in PE (and a few trips in Y many years ago). I really rate the PE product and experience. However VS' lack of routes and alliance membership had stopped me from giving them my J business... until now! I regularly fly in J on BA and SQ (SQ being my favourite by miles), so you've got an idea what I'm comparing to!

I decided to use VS for the HKG-SYD leg on a trip down under because the UC fare seemed reasonably competitive.

One immediate advantage over BA is the simple pleasure of being able to pre-select your seat at the time of booking without paying (ok I have status so don't have to pay BA, but I think it's a liberty). Admittedly VS' shoddy IT systems lost my seat reservation somewhere along the way, but it wasn't the end of the world.

Anyway back to HKG... what a fantastic airport. Using the VS iPhone app I'd been able to track the incoming flight from LHR and ensure that it wasn't delayed. I took the Airport Express and arrived at about 1630, approx 3 hours before departure.

The VS check-in area wasn't busy and all the UC agents helped check me in (one did baggage whilst the other printed the boarding pass, wrote the lounge invitation etc.). One of them sprung round from the desk to proudly tag my carry on and camera bag with UC luggage tags.

I proceeded through security and directly to the Clubhouse. The HKG Clubhouse is a nice place. I didn't think it was that big, but the staff were attentive and the served food was tasty (though I was really hoping they had a burger on the menu!).

The incoming flight from LHR arrived on time and with a gate change pulled up directly in view of the Clubhouse.

Boarding was smooth and I found my seat for the next 8 and a bit hours. Initial impressions were good. I liked the cabin layout, the ottoman and general colour scheme.

Drinks were served and after take off dinner orders were taken (I did notice that the sheet used by the crew had every PAX name on it along with FC status, though no reference to my status was made). Sadly I can't recall now what I ate, but I remember really enjoying the food on the flight.

The crew were also very good, both professional and friendly.

After dinner I converted my seat into bed mode. In this mode it was ok, but not amazingly comfortable or as spacious as I'd like.

The other major observations about the seat were the lack of storage space (e.g. for laptop, iPod, books etc) and the IFE, which was ancient to say the least. In the HD world we live in airlines really need to keep up to date and offer something better than VHS quality video!

The night flight was smooth and too short to get a good night's sleep (I much prefer 12 hour+ flights for sleeping!).

We landed in Sydney on time and were given the Express Lane cards. These worked a treat. Anyone who has seen a few minutes of the TV show Nothing to Declare would be dreading arrival into Australia, but I had a very smooth and easy entrance into the country.

Overall I really enjoyed the UC experience. It was much more fun than BA, though I do prefer the BA seat for sleeping in (I think a comparison to SQ is unfair as it's simply leagues ahead of both VS and BA!). I'll definitely be flying UC again... if they'd join an alliance, it might be even more often!

Thanks for the review and glad you enjoyed your flight. It's horses for courses when comparing airlines, I find SQ to be stuffy, dull, and while the seat is good it also has its pros and cons, and much prefer VS.

Look forward to the return.

Great TR. I have done this trip many times in J, like you on different airlines and whilst I love the extra space on SQ I find the bed design less comfortable and agree with Slinky that the VS experience at its best is unbeatable value for money.