V-Flyer

A quick TR from my latest visit out to Shanghai.

On Saturdays this flight leaves 30mins earlier than the norm at 1445 which for an overnight flight I knew it would make it hard to sleep - and so it was to be true.

Arriving from the tube at midday checkin was busy. I've never been a fan of the open layout and queuing hopefully for there to be no issues ahead of you but today seemingly every PE desk was having issues. Eventually it was my turn, they guy serving me was professional but extended no pleasantries, eye contact or anything else outside of the bare minumum. He even requested me to weigh my tiny hand luggage - 2.3KGs!

At least security was peaceful and I was soon through. Did a quick shop before heading over to the No1 lounge. This was my first time here having used the Servisair lounge before. It was quite impressive - no clubhouse, but a step above most airline lounges I've been in.

With an hour to go the screen showed boarding and I headed to the gate. I fully believed this to be the usual lie but when I arrived the departure lounge was empty with most of the plane boarded! I soon realised why, this was to be a busy flight and the Chinese PAX bring a monstrous amount of hand luggage on board! So much so that the bags from Y had to spill into the PE overhead lockers. I was in 21G and was lucky to have the middle seat free - one of only 3 free seats in PE.

Doors closed and ontime departure it was announced that there were 270+17 souls onboard. The cabin appeared in good condition with no obvious blemishes. After takeoff I had a good natter across to D before eventually turning to the IFE which was working perfectly (and did so for the whole flight) as were my headphones - the first time in the last 5 sectors that I've had sound in both ears first go.

After handing out the new style amenity kits it seemed to take an age for the first drinks run with mini pretzel bags and my new friend in D declared herself starving. Again dinner seemed to take a while and I was disappointed, but not surprised given the load, to see it done by trolley. The tray itself is much better that previously and seems to have gained leftovers from UC. I chose the Chinese beef option which tasted better than the rather bland appearance.


The full menu was:
Starter
Smoked salmon with creme fraiche and rocket

Main course
Sliced beef with ginger sauce, Asian egg noodles and vegetables
Diced chicken breast with creamy mushroom and red pepper sauce, broccoli mashed potatoes and carrots
Thai green vegetable curry with sticky rice

Dessert
Chewy Belgian chocolate cake

I did think that the helpings of water on the dinner tray and Baileys after dinner were a bit mean. The amount of food seemed a little mean too but, when you think that you next intend to fall asleep and not do much exercise, is probably about right.

I did manage an hour or so of sleep before slipping into watching movies. Around halfway through the flight I was peckish and the CC appeared with something sounding extremely rustling. Hoping for an ice cream I was surprised it was hot! It turned out to be a pretty good sausage roll (pork and sage). But why put it in a wrapper that makes an immense amount of noise when it'll obviously be served overnight?!

With 2 hours before landing the lights were put on (which didn't make much difference as a number of blinds were open the whole flight) and the sun had come up about 30mins previously.

Breakfast was also served from a trolley and I went for the full English option. I have to say the presentation here contrasted very poorly with the dinner. It was served on an old purple tray (upside down) with everything in plastic including the dishes and cutlery and the old style red paper napkin. Why the contrast? The second service seems an afterthought.


Landing about 15 minutes early we were quickly on stand and with immigration quiet I was through and into arrivals just after our scheduled arrival time. Deciding to be a cheapskate I headed for the Airport Bus to connect with a taxi in town which worked well and was actually far more relaxing than taking a terrifying taxi ride from the airport itself.

Overall I thought checkin let the side down a bit however the flight itself was good which is the important bit really and the Airbus is so quiet I never even bothered with the earplugs. The ac was in great condition with everything clean and working well.

Thanks for reading and at some point in the next few days I'll get around to posting my August TRs.

Thanks for the informative TR

Another vote for the No 1 Lounge - I only hope that it does become too popular and as a result loose some of its shine. At least it is away from the retail space downstairs

As for the flight, it does seem that VS are trying to make an effort with the PE Service - granted the sausage roll cellophane could have been through

Thanks once again

buns

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Thanks for the TR - sounds like VS check in staff playing it by the book.... inspection or evaluation day perhaps?

Did they seriously describe their chocolate cake as chewy!?!? Wow... they need to get a better thesaurus in Crawley.. perhaps I will send them one

Shame about the breakfast service but it doesn't appear to have overly spoilt the flight for you.
Cheers for posting

Thanks guys for your comments.

Joey, that was the printed menu exactly.

Buns, I actually hope it does and it will maybe start to drag other airline's and Servisair up.

Great TR and pictures. It doesn't take much to smile and at least pretend you are enjoying your job when checking someone in - it really does make a difference but every once in a while you get someone who really is in the wrong job! Overall a good flight but another thumbs down for the "chewy" chocolate cake!

Nice report.
I noticed that you said you were disappointed that the meal service was done on a trolley. That is how it's done in premium economy, it would never really be done by hand unless there were say only. 5 or 6 pax in the cabin where it's easy but otherwise the service is from a cart.

Kind regards.

The main dinner meal on this flight doesn't look entirely dissimilar to the pics of BA Club offerings over on flyertalk.