V-Flyer

I had the pleasure to be able to travel back on the YVR->LHR inaugural return flight. There were 47 people and 11 staff on board! U/C surprisingly full, mainly of travel agents and reporters who were being flown to London, presumably to create/strengthen a VS presence in Canada. Flew out LHR->L:AX, and after a few days, LAX to YVR with Alaskan (surprisingly good too).

This flights was on the newly kitted out A333, with the new seat /IFE design. The aircraft was brand new, I think!

I fly VS a lot (my preferred carrier) but this flight exceeded every expectation! Apart from the travel agents, I was one of the few fare-paying passengers in U/C , and when I rolled up at the desk, there was a bunch of 'men in suits' waiting for to say hello! Check in was simplicity itself, and with a fast track through security (which seemed to be fast and efficient for everyone), headed off the shared lounge. No really expectation of greatness (not LHR!) but this was a substandard lounge. Still, it was quiet, and somewhere to wait, with free wifi. No good desks to work at, shortage of power outlets and mediocre food and drink on offer. The fancy part of the lounge (all armchairs and leather) was 'reserved for JAL passengers'.

But, after a wait, we boarded the sparkly new 'Miss Sunshine". It was immaculate. The boarding was quick and easy, and there was a lovely buzz around this flight. The ground handling/catering (?) company had given the crew a huge cake to celebrate too.

A quick departure, gorgeous views over snow capped mountains and soon settled in to a glorious evening with a lovely sunset behind us.

By then, I had explored the seat and the new IFE. What can I say? Please, Virgin, upgrade all aircraft to this as quickly as you can -it is fabulous. The seat is more comfortable, although I noticed that the footrest/guest seat did not have a seatbelt, and according to the Flight Manager, 'was not yet cleared' as a seat. The new seat is converted manually (saving weight/) and is, frankly, a lot easier than the older motorised one that stalled at any hint of an obstruction.

The IFE is stunning, and pictures say more than words, so I'll attach a few (below) The screen is a touch screen, working like an ipod with swipes as well as buttons. You can plug in a camcorder, ipod, USB device and have them display/play through the screen too. All very impressive. The quality of the display is superb, and fonts are rendered clearly.

And, finally, the meal. It is rare to effuse over airline food, but this meal could have graced the table of a decent restaurant. I had a clear consomme, with a vegetable dim-sum style dumpling and shitake mushrooms. Really, really good. The main was a piece of well prepared and cooked salmon, timbale of rice, sugar snap peas, carrots and mushrooms with a soy-based sauce. I was, without exaggeration, excellent, graced with a rather good Zinfandel. I passed on desert. Breakfast - I declined the assorted cooked options, and had a simple bowl of fresh fruit - again, very good.

Staff were terrific. They were obviously excited about the new route/new plane, and there was a bit of good humoured 'learning curve' exploration of the seat.

Flight was great - the usual turbulence across the pond, but in the sleep suit, I was able to get in a good five hours, as well as get some work done with the laptop. Incidentally, the new seat no longer has the 'airline' style power source, but a proper 13A UK/two pin USA style power outlet, between your feet at the base of the seat.

I don't think the VS experience can get much better than this!

I fly LHR->SFO in September on vacation, and I have a horrible feeling that the refit won't be done by then. Oh well. Maybe we could change to LHR-YVR and then fly down!

Several more photos, inc SkyMap, but the lo-res of the images uploadable doesn't do them justice. Happy to share.

Ace

Congratultions on having a 5 star flight. I guess it's fun to be on an inaugural flight in a shiny new plane.

Thanks for such an honest TR of the new route

I bet there were a few VS types wincing at the fact the shared lounge had a section "reserved" for JAL on the inaugural run back

buns

Sounds like a great trip. I'm seriously considering this route for a trip next year.

Astacus wrote:I fly LHR->SFO in September on vacation, and I have a horrible feeling that the refit won't be done by then. Oh well. Maybe we could change to LHR-YVR and then fly down!

I didn't think there were any plans to refit the LHR fleet and that it was only the new aircraft entering service that would have the new UC configuration?

Thanks for the TR. Looks like you had a good flight !

Astacus wrote:I fly LHR->SFO in September on vacation, and I have a horrible feeling that the refit won't be done by then. Oh well. Maybe we could change to LHR-YVR and then fly down!
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Hate to say it but the LHR planes aren't getting a refit this year only the LGW ones and that the A330 was only doing the YVR flight last thurdasy because SRB was on the outbound. It will normally be the A343

Excellent TR. Thanks for posting

Botheration! I was hoping to be the first one to do a TR on this route when I take it in about 7 weeks time Mind you, I don't think it will be as good as yours as I won't have a shiny new plane but a 343 with Odyssey unless I'm lucky enough to score G-VSUN for the third time in a row.

Thanks for the pics of the lounge. I think that's the part I'm least looking forward to on my trip

Thanks again

Awesome TR from this exciting new VS route We are planning on going back to YVR in July 13 for a friends 50th and will asses VS prices against the competition

My second post with the same details is more of a pictography of the flight/IFE. Sorry if that means that the stats are messed up (double counting) but I can't seem to add pics after the original submission.

And, thanks for the info re the refit. I shall stop hoping