V-Flyer

A very quick work trip to Virginia had me arriving at a chilly Heathrow just before 7am – greeted by the warm glow of the Virgin Atlantic check in area. Walked straight up the UC check in desks and was attended straight away – the check in agent smiled (just the once!) and had me checked in quickly, all very businesslike but no real warmth.

I was up in the lift and walking down to the private security channel quickly and was through and walking up the stairs to the Clubhouse within minutes and been asked if I had been here before……

Booked a quick haircut and then settled down to breakfast – a delicious Clubhouse breakfast was enjoyed with juice and piping hot coffee, which was topped up. With the haircut done and dusted, I settled down to process some emails. I was seated in the business centre by the large model of the A340-600 and it seems I might have been invisible as I was not approached once, whilst others around me were asked if they needed anything. In any case, when I wanted a drink I just got up and went and asked for one so no major issues.

I then went and sat at the bar and had a brief chat with the staff whilst enjoying a couple of glasses of English sparkling wine which was very Moorish and going down a storm by all accounts

I left the Clubhouse on the first boarding call at 1030 and walked to Gate 16 to board Miss England who was waiting patiently for me. Boarding through door B, a quick turn left and into 3K. I was not greeted by name and passed two crew members talking by the bar, who ignored my cheery “good morning”…….perhaps I was invisible again

The menu was on the ottoman (which I thought was odd but all became clear once we were in the air) along with the newish amenity pack which is unremarkable. Now this was my second flight on the A330 and I was nervous to say he least after such a poor first experience, but as I settled down it didn’t feel as cramped as I remember and I was comfortable. A glass of champagne was offered and accepted, though no refill and UC was busy with only two seats free….though I counted at least three off-duty staff members who were travelling with their partners.

The Captain confirmed a flight time of 8hrs 23mins due to a strong jet stream across the Atlantic and confirmed we would late leaving the gate as we were awaiting some paperwork, a few more bags whilst taking on some more fuel.

At 1136 we left the gate and taxied – Heathrow was rather quiet and we were airborne at 1157. Once airborne the FSM introduced himself and confirmed the flight was two crew down and he hoped we would not notice a drop in service standards – a rather strange choice of words…... Hot towels were quickly offered, followed by a bottle of water and then the offer of a drink, A smallish G&T was supplied with lime as requested and a small bowl of crisps. No refills, the glasses of those around me were just collected without any offers to get anyone another drink.

It was clear the two crew down situation was actually having an effect – the FSM was supporting the service in PE and it seemed they were not offered a pre-lunch drink and went straight into the main meal service, with drinks on request!!

The menu choices were confirmed, no names used or flying club status checked and all very businesslike. We had a two crew members in UC with a dedicated galley crew member too. The CSS was actually a different FSM who was underwhelming to say the least, she only appeared to serve the wine but she may have been helping out in Y so don’t want to be too unkind.

Tables were laid at 1330 with a piping bowl of Somerset Cider and Onion soup enjoyed. Wine and water were only offered once, no refills but the USA sauvignon blanc was delicious!! My main course of Breast of Chicken with gnocchi, spinach and truffle cream was wonderful and I really enjoyed it and quite a sizeable portion too. The amuse bouche was not missed one bit or the brown runner thing....

Dessert of warm chocolate and salted caramel pudding was as divine as ever and a plate of cheese and crackers rounded things off nicely – of course on the A330 the cheese trolley is not offered because of the narrow aisles!!!!.....

The seat is certainly tighter than the A346s and 744s though the padding was comfortable and the seat does recline more than the older design. The cabin looked smart with its mood lighting and little crystals but it is cramped and boy does it look it - though I think for a day-flight with the seat just reclined, it sort of worked for me...

With tables cleared away, I went to the bar to enjoy a glass of port and read a magazine where I got talking to a couple of the crew. Sadly, they were rather critical of the A330 and said, passengers just didn’t like it and neither did the majority of the crew. They mentioned the lack of a crew rest area in particular and that everything was just “so tight” it was a really difficult environment to work in.

My own view was, yes it is cramped and looks it but I found my seat comfortable though at times, especially when the monitor was out it made life really difficult for the crew who were trying to set my table or serve drinks over the top of it.

One of the crew (serving my side) was very energetic and worked hard but by rushing dropped plates and drinks in the cabin, which just added to the work they needed to do. It all felt rather chaotic.

No ice-cream had been loaded so nothing was offered mid-flight though the crew were in the cabin at regular intervals offering drinks and on my visits to the washroom and the bar to have my water bottle refilled, the fruit basket and the graze snack basket were available.

I have said before in my reviews that JAM (renamed Vera Touch) is excellent and worked perfectly. I did have to ask for a replacement set of headphones as my original set were faulty but it was done quickly and without any fuss.

About 1hr30mins before arrival – the afternoon tea service commenced, again no trolley as he aisles are too narrow but the cake stands were in use and the sandwiches were fresh, the little cakes delicious and the warm scone just what was needed. Refills of the hot drinks were offered and accepted.

With the cabin secure, we touched down at 1505 (sadly no love hearts), so a little faster than planned and we were at the gate disembarking quickly into the mobile lounges which seemed to work well – one lounge for J and W passengers and the other for Y passengers and the crew….immigration was horrendous, it took over an hour to get through.

It was then out into the cool Virginia air. In summary, a bizarre flight not at all helped by having two crew down. I did feel the service standards did suffer and it all felt chaotic. The crew though polite and friendly, were not really chatty (but were happy for their views on the A330 to be heard to anyone who would listen!) I will say I enjoyed the food choices too.

My overview views of the A330 are starting to change I feel – the cabin is cramped but I did find the seat comfortable when just sat and reclined, it is a tighter space despite all the reassurances that it isn’t…..but I feel I am going to have to embrace it and suck it and see going forward – more of my regular flights are switching to the A330 with the VS400/401 and VS9/10 coming next... so I feel my choice is somewhat limited unless I change carriers, which I am not ready to do despite the rather lack-luster feel to this flight.

Now for the return……

Great review, thank you.



Cheers

Gerry

Thanks for the great trip report - very balanced.

I share you view on accepting the fact of the A333s, with ten of them to be operational they'll be a regular feature for years to come, and we'll just have to get used to the inadequacies of UC when we have to fly them.

That doesn't absolve VS from their failures here though, it is a poorer (if prettier) cabin, customers and crew are consistent in that view and that represents a downgrade in VS's service that is regrettable. Especially when other airlines have caught up and in some cases have gone better as they upgrade their business cabins ... just a real shame it's such a cock up really and leaves me saddened about VS and the people there who determined this to happen.