V-Flyer

This was my first time ever on Virgin Atlantic and, I have to say, I was really looking forward to it! My company normally uses UA whenever possible but they SERIOUSLY outpriced us for FC flights on this particular trip. I travel actors for a living so it can get a little dicey sometimes. I was hoping the VIP experience at VS would convince me that this is the way to fly them from now on.

I have had some experience in the past with the "included" car service for UC so I don't trust them fully when it comes to the actors. When you have a job like mine....it's a nightmare when things go wrong because their reps don't call the airline or the car company and scream at them...they call ME. So I try to make sure I have vendors I can COUNT on %99.9 of the time. Of course...there's always going to be a time when something goes wrong and you just have to accept that since this is, after all, the service industry. It just is what it is.

So...after making sure VS had the name, make of car, license plate, and mobile number of our actor's driver, I trusted that the VIP experience would run smoothly upon her arrival at Terminal 2 at LAX. I made sure to arrive a few minutes early so I could greet her as well. The driver was never contacted - BUT - ground personnell were expecting her when I checked with them and were ready to go - a porter was sent to get the bags outside and we were on our way.

On a side note -- I got a call that morning from my car company saying that the driver for my actor had to be changed because he was ill -- I told him I needed all the info so I could alert VS. I called VS and spoke to UC customer service. I cannot even begin to tell you how impressed I was. She made absolutely sure I was okay to call and change things to the actor's reservation (due to their very strict privacy policy) and after we had everything changed with the driver (not that it really made a difference either way as it turns out - LOL), she actually gave me her name and extension just in case I needed to call back for any reason. The first of many in the list of "things that UA would NEVER do".

We checked in for the flight, zipped through security, and went up to the Air New Zeland FC Lounge. The lounge was very crowded that afternoon but we were all so excited about the upcoming flight, we just grabbed some champagne and found a nice corner to sit and relax.

Before long, the flight was called and off we went. The plane was Cosmic Girl. I had the actor and her Mom seated in the nose of the plane where I expected it would be quieter (I was correct, thank you V-flyer) and my co-worker and I sat across from each other in 21G&K. We were both just so thrilled with the service from the get-go. Got the sleep suits, got some champagne, and settled in to start to enjoy the whole UC experience. I wish I had take a pic of the menu -- I did not, sorry! I do know I had a lovely salmon appetizer, some fairly decent beef for dinner, and cheesecake for dessert. I opted out of the cheese plate. They don't bring the trolley around on the evening flights as it's too noisy and people want to sleep. I did go down and sit at the bar, just so I could say "I sat at a bar on my flight".

Watched "Brave" and then had my bed set up and slept for at least 5 hours - I have NEVER done that on a flight - not without being woken up or waking up myself because I'm uncomfortable. It was MAGIC! My only tiny complaint about this flight? One of the loos wasn't operating so that was a bit of an inconvenience - but you really can't fault anyone for that...like I said, in the service industry...broken loos happen

I was gently awakened (per my request) for breakfast and ordered the English breakfast just to try it - it was quite good!

Soon we were landing at LHR -- breezed through customs and met our driver just outside M&S and off we went to the Soho Hotel. Will post a report on the LHR-LAX leg soon...oy, that VS UC Lounge...I am RUINED for life now!! Only VS for us going forward if I have any say in it! Well done!!!

Welcome to the bright side

Wow great tr glad VS have lured you away from UA

Thanks for the TR

Thanks for the TR

It just shows how new customers can be wowed with a good service , well done the crew and customer service team.

Nice upbeat TR and glad VS service has excelled itself.

Cheers for posting

Yep - when it's good, it's very good.

Thanks for writing this up...

Once you turn left... Time to sell the children, family heirlooms, your spare kidney.

Good TR glad you enjoyed the Virgin experience

Wait to you get to the Heathrow CH. staff are great !

Next time try the revivals lounge a nice shower and breakfast

I really like the clear enthusiasm that came through in this TR. Thank you :-)

Sounds like a great flight that really lived up to expectation! Look forward to the return TR!