V-Flyer

Arrived at JFK at around 5.15 pm and checked in straight away with no fuss. The priority security is helpful but it still empties you into the rest of the passengers, slowing things down. However, we got to the Clubhouse by 5.30 pm, so that wasn't bad going.

It was my first time in the new JFK lounge and I am afraid I rather preferred the old one. The lovely sense of space and light in the old Clubhouse have been pretty much completely lost in the new one, as has that nice trickle of water running along the back of the old brasserie. Also, I was unimpressed that we had to queue to use a toilet each and every time this was necessary! Not a premium experience, and the lounge was hardly full. And the toilets themselves are pretty grim -- no soap (just body wash?!) and plain white tiles reminiscent of a Victorian public convenience. I did like the street plans of Manhattan, though.

The food was OK and I watched the VS4 board and push back. Before long the 46 was called and we went down to the gate and were quickly on board. There were long airfield delays, partly due to horrible weather in New York, and we were told to expect a 90-minute taxi, although in the end it was 'only' an hour (and somehow we had leapfrogged the VS4, to my surprise). Towels, drinks, and meal orders were dealt with during the taxi, which meant that service began quickly after take-off. I had the chicken (again) and it was nice (again) -- and then decided to try to sleep. The crew were working at top speed but it still took 2 hours to get the lights off.

I managed to sleep for the rest of the flight, and apparently I couldn't be roused by the crew. When I eventually woke up I was brought a bacon roll and a cup of tea, both of which were very welcome. Landing was straightforward and there was no queue whatsoever at the border (provided that you went to the old-fashioned desks -- if you allowed yourself to be redirected to the electronic gates, there was a queue). Bags came pretty quickly (though PE seemed to be unloaded before any UC ones) and it was off to Revivals.

Revivals was very busy and there was only one table left after I'd had a shower. Service was poor and grumpy -- items were forgotten and slammed down onto the table. When the lounge emptied a bit, the waitress's humour improved, but it wasn't a great experience overall and had I been able to see a supervisor I would have complained. After a night flight, though, I wasn't willing to hang around, and so it was off into the sun and the drive back home.

This is the first time, for me, that the ground experience has been underwhelming on VS, and I was a bit disappointed; the flight, though, was absolutely fine, although the timing of the VS46 is rotten for jetlag and, as I've said before, the interior condition of the 747s sometimes leaves a bit to be desired.

For the first time ever I was given an xplane survey, and I was not impressed by it. There was no space whatsoever for comments, and naturally I didn't even have a pen to complete the blooming thing -- this being one of the weaknesses of the amenity kit, which I would have flagged up on the survey had there been some space in which to do this... I think that VS could do better.

Anyhow, it was a good flight, with a solid crew, and it got us home without incident -- and I suppose that's the main thing...

Thanks for the TR - I'm impressed you had to be woken up - the smell of the coffee brewing is usually enough for me! Sorry to hear Revivals was so bad

Thanks for the TR.

Regarding the xplane, the paper form is a bit useless, but if and when they eventually send the follow up email, there's more of a chance to comment.

I don't think I gave them my email address! Ah well....

Thanks for the TR

Oh dear, not good that there seems not to be enough loos at the JFK Clubhouse

buns

buns wrote:Thanks for the TR

Oh dear, not good that there seems not to be enough loos at the JFK Clubhouse

buns

Or maybe too much booze