V-Flyer

I'd been looking forward to this trip for sometime, namely because it didn't involve any work and was just mostly to see my niece and nephew back in blighty!

As always, I'd booked my regular town car service to SFO to pick me up from the office at around 1pm which would give me plenty of time to enjoy the SFO lounge. I do rather like it in there, aside from the land side issue. Bag drop, having done OLCI, was an absolute breeze and the check-in agent was both personable and good fun....they were having issue with the luggage belt but this didn't seem to be affecting anyone but them as a large pile of luggage built up behind them. 4 mins there and I was on my way to the SF CH to be greeted by the lovely CH staff, in no time I was sat in my favourite big red chair with a view of the airfield operations and enjoying a redhead!

I ordered the CH burger and it was delivered in no time, it was mighty tasty too. Not long after I'd finished my lunch the CH supervisor came by and introduced himself, I had a really pleasant chat and thought that this was a really nice touch.

I always try to time my departure from the CH just slightly before they call the flight, once again I was successful and I left just as the VS42 earlybirds were arriving in the lounge. Security seemed backed up but moved quickly as is often the case in the International terminal at SFO.

By the time I'd wandered down to A11, Lady Penelope was already boarding and I walked straight up the the UC/AU/PE line and was on board in no time at all. It seemed so seemless that I was then nestled into 19A enjoying a glass of champers.

If you're an Avgeek, you'll like this bit, upon pushback it seemed to be a very unusual taxi, as in, it appeared we were heading to the 1's at SFO! Surely not? No way? But yes, a few turns later and that fully laden bird was lined up on 1R....I've known Heavy's to do flex temp take-offs from 1R at SFO but never a mid-summer departure, I can only assume the winds were very favourable. For me, it was a thrilling experience.

Shortly after take-off, I got chatting to the chap next to me....after I'd corrected his mistaken identification of the Bay Bridge to his son. He was great to chat to and we must have chatted for an hour or so until the food started to be delivered.

I'd ordered the short rib and it didn't disappoint, in fact I'd have had another one for breakfast if they'd had any left! During the meal, the FSM came by and introduced himself! I was the only Au traveling in the A Zone and he'd mentioned there weren't many Au's on board. Had a great chat and I really appreciated the personal touch, I should add that all of the CC that I encountered on the flight were exceptional and really really friendly.

It seemed that it was too short a flight before we began a long and gradual descent into LHR, I was a tad sleepy at this point and I've completely forgotten which runway we'd touched down on, but hey ho.

As we off loaded, which was seemless too, I prepared myself for masses of bewildered passengers waiting to get through border control. Imagine my surprise (pleasant!) when I discovered absolutely no one in the line for the e gates....joy of joys! The Olympics has been a massive success in my opinion and the logistics seem to have been well managed too....I had thought that a lot of people had been avoiding flying by Lady Peneolpe was full to bursting and I was told by the check-in agent at SFO that they expected VS42 to be full also.

Once I'd gathered my luggage, said my goodbye's to my new friends I was making the weary walk to revivals. As ever, greeted with a smile and the offer of a shower, which I duly took, revivals was sparsely populated but not empty. I had a pot of peppermint tea, a cumberland roll and a fruit salad....after approx an hour in their I made my way, with a smile on my face, into central London to visit the VISA VIP Lounge with a couple of my friends.

Once again VS had made me feel most welcome to be aboard one of their aircraft and once again I was absolutely delighted to be there! Happy happy happy.

Thanks for the trip report Simon -- sounds like a great flight.

But don't most departures happen from one of the 01 runways?

great TR thanks

Great reflection of what seems to be a very pleasant flight with a great CC & FSM Thanks for posting

Thanks for the TR, sounds like an excellent flight. Also good to hear the CC and FSM on form, if only my recent experiences had been as rewarding

Doing the LHR to SFO run for the first time next month, hope the service holds true.

Thanks again

at240 wrote:Thanks for the trip report Simon -- sounds like a great flight.

But don't most departures happen from one of the 01 runways?

Yes, most traffic depart from the 1's, but most traffic is domestic. Typically, all Heavy traffic depart from the 28s....very unusual for a fully laden 744 to depart from 1R.

joeyc wrote:Thanks for the TR, sounds like an excellent flight. Also good to hear the CC and FSM on form, if only my recent experiences had been as rewarding

Doing the LHR to SFO run for the first time next month, hope the service holds true.

Thanks again

Thanks! I have an equally/better experience to mention on my return which was yesterday!

Great TR!

Looking forward to reading about the return.

Thanks for the TR

When VS it together, then you cannot help but want to fly with them again

It does of course help if you have a FSM who is on the ball

buns

simonallardice wrote:Yes, most traffic depart from the 1's, but most traffic is domestic. Typically, all Heavy traffic depart from the 28s....very unusual for a fully laden 744 to depart from 1R.

Oh I see -- thanks for that explanation.

This is great, thanks so much! I am on this flight 8/21 for the first time.

I hope you had a wonderful trip.
Sandi