V-Flyer

Our journey had actually started on the 29th June with connecting flights from our home in Spain via Alicante. The only point of interest was that upon arrival at ALC the Monarch A300 had gone tech and we were advised that the flight was to be operated by Pullmantur air (yep I had never heard of them also) using a 744. This was causing absolute chaos as the ground crew has no seat plans for this type of aircraft. Anyway we were spread accross the aircraft but had a great short trip on a ex JAL aircraft. One note the crew and service was excellent and this airline operate 4 744's out if Madrid servicing the Caribbean and South America.

Back to VS 65

Our party consisted of myself, wife, two daughters, son and his now fiancée son in law and grandson all in upper class and a family friend in PE. We had stopped at the LGW Hilton the night before and as all the party excepting myself wife and youngest daughter had not experienced UC check in was early at 7.45am due to their excitement. I already new that Pretty woman would be our ride and obviously there was a little disappointed to miss Barbarella.

Check in was clear and despite the number in our party expedited quickly and effiecienty. We then moved quickly through the premium security chanel and into the lounge. I must say that since its sale Gatwick has become a pleasure to use and the investment is really showing.

The loung experience was enjoyed by all and the baby play area much appreciated. The lounge staff were all excellent as were the treatments enjoyed by all. Our son is a mad Manchester United fan and when Teddy Sherringham entered he lounge his holiday was already made. His all time favorite moment was spent in Barcelona watching United beat Bayern Munich and Teddy had scored the equaliser.

Anyway I digress. The one point that l would criticize is that the original boarding time passed and no announcements were made. Eventually as the departure time arrived I decided to go and enquire as to the current situation. With a large party including a one year old it takes time to get ready and go. As I approached he desk I could hear the lounge staff member saying well shall I send them down or not. Several minutes later he flight was announced and we made our way to the gate to find ourselves at the back of the queue with almost everyone on board and with no way to get past. A very flustered member of cabin crew then came past and suggested we should ake a seat in the gate area as they had trouble on board. It later turned out to be a reluctant deportee who was hand cuffed and removed. Obviously not VS fault but why not leave us in the longe until
resolved and when they know boarding is going to be delayed keep the passengers in the lounge informed so they are not sitting waiting to go
Anyway onto Pretty Woman! We all know about the refit programme so I will leave it at this. Broken tables, seats that have to be manually forced etc more like the Ugly Sister

The onboard entertainment was started then stopped after 15 mins to be restarted again. Then with the constant inter-reactions with the crew to order drinks and food and the inability to pause I gave up on the film and just left the map on. The lunch was served and was very good but he cheese trolley failed to materialise but I was able to order just cheddar as I don't like blue or soft cheese (note to caterers more butter please) Sleep was then the order of the day having enjoyed too many virgin redheads, gin and red wine although the elder daughter and son managed to warm the bar stools most of the way.

Afternoon tea was then served. I am fussy eater so I would like to have seen the opportunity to have had a plain sandwich, but generally everyone was happy.

Our family friend who is incidentally Chinese then came down from PE fror help with his landing card and at this point I enquired whether UK passengers still needed to complete this card. The flight attendant said yes and would return with the cards. Thirty minutes later and still no cards my wife asked again to be told they had run out and that we would have to get them at immigration. Now I am not good at hiding my feelings and my face must have shown this as he UC supervisor approached and said that she would contact ground staff and ask them to meet the aircraft with the cards. I accepted that this was the best that they could do but, pointed out that from experience the Jamaicans wont even let you join the queue if the cards are not completed fully and walking and writing is fairly impossible and we as UC passengers were going to be at the back of a very large queue.

Anyway without any further conversation the crew gave up their landing cards and the matter was resolved. I have to say that excepting this incident the crew were excellent and back to the old Virgin standards upon which this airline was built.


Finally a very smooth landing only twenty minutes late not bad considering the 1 hour delay in take off. My only constant groan is the delay in getting off with all the upstairs and the two smaller downstairs cabins off before UC. Even Alicante which only sees a 744 once in able moon has twin abridges allowing the forward door to be used, and if this is not possible why cant the cabin crew ask all the other passengers to remaiin seated until UC have left the plane

So to summarise a great trip let down only by the condition and quality of the onboard entertainment of the plane.

Return trip to follow

Sounds like a great crew and thank you for the TR.

Thanks for the TR. It sounds like that once the aircraft refurbishment is complete that the whole ex-LGW experience could be pretty good.

Regarding the unwilling deportee - do they board and settle the deportees first? Otherwise that whole situation must have been really unsettling for those around them.

Paul

Thanks for your TR! A decent trip with excellent crew offering a pleasant gesture of giving up their boarding cards!!