V-Flyer

After a fantastic 2 weeks touring around the North East Coast of US and our final few days in New York, it was time to head home to London from our vacation. After our fantastic trip out to IAD a few weeks ago (see TR from 15/09), we were looking forward to our flight home and the hospitality of VA once again. And we were not disappointed!

Thanks again to the fellow V-flyers for your tip about Dial 7 who arrived promptly at 0515 to take us from Manhattan to Newark for our check in and flight home Arrived at Newark at 0600, and a prompt and efficient US check in, (little grace or acknowledgement from the check in team) and a very warm welcome at the Clubhouse. A quick and tasty breakfast (boy are the sausages spicy in the Clubhouse) and a quick sniff at duty free before the over zealous inspection from TSA at Newark (everyone got body scanned) and to gate 55 for departure.

Upper was almost full, PE full, and Economy a few seats going spare. Lots of connecting pax for onward flights in London, and was shocked by the downright rudeness of some in the UC cabin towards the cabin crew.

Met by a superb FSM at the door, who was very warm and welcoming and extremely present throughout the whole flight. Settled into UC and our UC Senior Cabin Member was delightful - I really wish we could mention names on this site as the whole crew were a dream team. Nothing was too much of a problem and bearing in mind they had brought the Newark flight in the night before; I really appreciated their warmness and attention to detail.

Mimosa's and tea a plenty before take off, although its interesting that UC is boarded first, when the rest of the plane then has to traipse through the UC cabin to get their seats. Am sure we would be better kept in the Clubhouse until the plane is almost boarded? Boarding was done ahead of schedule and with a 6-hour flight time we knew we'd be landing early at LHR.

Settled back to a bowl of rice krispies and bacon butty (or two), which was welcomed and tasty, and then caught up on a few films, on what I feel is know an aging entertainment system when compared to other airlines now. I know this is being out to rights on the A330's and it does sound amazing. A quick stop at the bar for a G&T and a friendly chat with the UC crew who were really interested in my travels and as always, some great chat ensued. Good to hear that there is going to be a morning flight from JFK to LHR in the near future.

3 hours before landing a good drinks service, and meal order taken which was served about 2 hours before landing. Really loving the new look meal service with new glassware, crockery, etc. has a real modern feeling. Food was great again, really feel VA has upped their game on this

Amuse bouche of Gaspacho
Sweet corn Chowder
Breast of Chicken Supreme with Morelle Sauce and Crushed Potato
Bread and Butter Pudding and Chantilly Cream
Cheese Trolley (where do they get that Onion Chutney - it is simply stunning - you have to try)

Soon after dinner was cleared, final cabin checks were happening before a quick landing at LHR and on the ground at 1905. A warm goodbye from the FSM and the UC team - thanks again guys n gals you were superb

T3 passport clearance took longer than IAD queues for both normal and biometric for UK were longer than international - why are there only 3 bio machines so by the time we got to baggage hall, UC bags were through, although noticed Premium Econ had been offloaded first!!

I know the crew probably read this, so once again a big thank you from the two of us, for making our hols finish so nicely - you were great!

So far so good on the jet lag front too, a good sleep last night and whilst up at 6am this morning got 8 hours solid and feeling great - will def do this flight again!!

Just wish I could fly with VA more, after the last two flights I cannot wait for my next flight and report back to the v-flyer world.

Thanks for a superb TR

The 18 is a unique flight to my mind, with it being the feed for VS connections, it has a different atmosphere (especially at weekends) from the other VS flights returning from the States

Your Report is another instance where it appears VS has worked on improving the on board service - top marks for the CC

Not long before that new airside Clubhouse opens

Thanks once again

buns

Thanks for the TR and observations - yes at EWR they can only board the A346 from L1 and I agree about encouraging people from the clubhouse to board early.

The day flight is a good one and I also like the fact that the VS25/26 is coming back to JFK ...

Now that IRIS is gone I'm dreading immigration - whyohwhyohwhy did they take it away, it worked, it was fast, it was a good service .

A fabulous TR with oodles of positives for VS especially the CC I also
loved the 18 when i used it frequenly a few years ago - always reduced the effect of jet lag or me too

Please do tell us more about your tour

Good to hear of another top drawer flight.

I believe the VS18 crew have actually operated the VS3 westbound. I asked how long they get in NY on my recent flight and the CC said they flew over 'yesterday morning' which seems to Indicate the 3.

I don't think the 17/18 return trip would allow enough rest time to be legal.

Thanks for the TR nice to read about the 18 as I will be taking this flight next year, any idea when the airside clubhouse is due to open?

Petmadness wrote:A fabulous TR with oodles of positives for VS especially the CC I also
loved the 18 when i used it frequenly a few years ago - always reduced the effect of jet lag or me too

Please do tell us more about your tour

Hi Petmadness - am not sure where to post more details of our tours - topline Washington DC, US Airways to Boston, Driving tour of Cape Cod and Rhode Island, back to Boston, Acela Express to New York then home... happy to send more details - fabulous time had!

buns wrote:Thanks for a superb TR

The 18 is a unique flight to my mind, with it being the feed for VS connections, it has a different atmosphere (especially at weekends) from the other VS flights returning from the States

Your Report is another instance where it appears VS has worked on improving the on board service - top marks for the CC

Not long before that new airside Clubhouse opens

Thanks once again

buns

Thanks Buns - have to say it is a unique flight and feeling fabulous this morning with no jet lag feel at all - long may that continue - as you say not long now until CC opens - October seems to be being muted....

slinky09 wrote:Thanks for the TR and observations - yes at EWR they can only board the A346 from L1 and I agree about encouraging people from the clubhouse to board early.

The day flight is a good one and I also like the fact that the VS25/26 is coming back to JFK ...

Now that IRIS is gone I'm dreading immigration - whyohwhyohwhy did they take it away, it worked, it was fast, it was a good service .

Hi Slinky - immigration was the lowlight of the whole journey - its easy to see why its criticised at T3 - 7.30pm and the queues were awful. Even Faro Airport in Portugal has more biometric scanners for both arrivals and departures - and they are quick, unlike the UK ones - three at T3 its a joke!

Yes, those biometric scanners are as much use as a chocolate teapot when it comes to speeding through.

I read recently that LHR was going to start trialling automated entry for 'high value' travellers or whatever that means ...

I read recently that LHR was going to start trialling automated entry for 'high value' travellers or whatever that means ...[/quote]

Sounds very similar to a scheme that the TSA has recently introduced for US citizens of equally "high value" - shame that UK pax in UC don't get a fast track pass to clear immigration

Thanks for the TR. Another great review for the day flight has whetted my appetite further for the VS026 next April. I admit that taking this flight is more to do with extracting maximum value from a UC experience rather than dealing with jet lag...

Will keep Dial 7 in mind for ferrying us out of Manhattan in the morning.

We were given Fast Track vouchers (by accident, I think) when we flew back from NYC at the end of 2011; it took far longer to get through than the standard queues (though to be fair that may have been to with the fact that there were far more people in Fast Track than should have been).

slinky09 wrote:I read recently that LHR was going to start trialling automated entry for 'high value' travellers or whatever that means ...

What are they going to do ? Weight your wallet? Ask for your card limits? Examine your family tree? Ask how much you've spent in duty free?

robbiechops wrote:
I really wish we could mention names on this site as the whole crew were a dream team.

Provided you got permission from said crew you can . I normally say " I'll be doing a trip report about this flight for v- flyer. May I mention you in it?" A lot of crew are aware of v- flyer and I've never had anyone that I've asked refuse .
Thanks for a great report .
DL

Thanks for the TR - very thorough and upbeat.

As DL says in future feel free to mention v-flyer to the crew, not quite sure if it is required reading or just a curiosity from their standpoint but a lot of them do read it.

I was on the VS3 on the 28th and yep this is the same crew that I had - will hammer out a TR no doubt if I get time later on. They were definitely a good crew.

Just to weigh in on the biometic and IRIS gates front, it is pretty much the same system, just more people use it - which is why the long queues. I agree with the others that there should be more installed, but as you may have noticed from the border control room, there simply is not the space for them. Looks like joining the lines with the other EU pax may very well be the faster option - for now

Cheers for posting

another good TR for VS mainly down the the CC and FSM. I hope the airline value their excellent staff

flabound wrote:another good TR for VS mainly down the the CC and FSM. I hope the airline value their excellent staff

Thanks to all of you saying I can mention their names if I get permission, I know they do read v-flyer, so J (FSM), C (Upper CSS) and M (Upper Senior) thanks for a fantastic flight - you really made our holiday end with a bang - hope to see you all again soon!!

And have already written to VA complimenting these people, and the lovely crew out to IAD in my last report as well - smashing lovely people - such a delight

joeyc wrote:Thanks for the TR - very thorough and upbeat.

As DL says in future feel free to mention v-flyer to the crew, not quite sure if it is required reading or just a curiosity from their standpoint but a lot of them do read it.

I was on the VS3 on the 28th and yep this is the same crew that I had - will hammer out a TR no doubt if I get time later on. They were definitely a good crew.

Just to weigh in on the biometic and IRIS gates front, it is pretty much the same system, just more people use it - which is why the long queues. I agree with the others that there should be more installed, but as you may have noticed from the border control room, there simply is not the space for them. Looks like joining the lines with the other EU pax may very well be the faster option - for now

Cheers for posting

Thanks Joey, really enjoy writing the TR's just wished I did more flights with VA every year, hopefully soon!!

Just a shame that arrival at T3 is such a hampering experience - god knows what it was like for the Olympics and Paralympics - wasn't expecting it to be so bad in the evening.

pjh wrote:Thanks for the TR. Another great review for the day flight has whetted my appetite further for the VS026 next April. I admit that taking this flight is more to do with extracting maximum value from a UC experience rather than dealing with jet lag...

PJH exactly why I did the VS18 and I hate night flights as I always feel dreadful coming back from US.

Today I feel amazing, no jet lag, and as you could see from the TR had a thoroughly enjoyable flight home. I shall certainly be taking advantage of this flight again.

I just can't believe how rude and ungrateful some of the pax were to the crew, I appreciate the £££ spent but really, whatever happened to "please" and "thank you" and a smile back? Or is it just me

robbiechops wrote:I just can't believe how rude and ungrateful some of the pax were to the crew, I appreciate the £££ spent but really, whatever happened to "please" and "thank you" and a smile back? Or is it just me

The advice my parents gave me and which I passed on to my children is "do unto others". It must be very challenging for the crew to deal with such f*&%&>ts who believe that a bit of cash entitles them to dispense with common courtesy.

pjh wrote: The advice my parents gave me and which I passed on to my children is "do unto others". It must be very challenging for the crew to deal with such f*&%&>ts who believe that a bit of cash entitles them to dispense with common courtesy.

PJH couldn't put it better myself, sadly it seems we are in the minority

robbiechops wrote:... if I get permission, I know they do read v-flyer, so J (FSM), C (Upper CSS) and M (Upper Senior) thanks for a fantastic flight ..

Just to confirm robbie, did these guys give permission to be named here?

If not I'm afraid one of the mods will have to grey out their names in your post and mine now

The crew were the same for me and yep they did an excellent job on the 3 too


Edit - we have edited our posts to contain only the initials of the CC - just in case the mods are watching