V-Flyer

Having done twlight check in, we made our way to Fast Track security, scanned our boarding passes and were through in minutes. Next stop the Clubhouse on handing over our boarding passes we were told because we were tavelling in PE today we did not have access. We pointed out Mr D was a gold card holder, she then checked the list to see we were actually on it. Not the best of welcomes, had she been a little more observant she would have noticed Mr D flying card gold luggage tags! This was not our first time in the clubhouse we have been quite a few times in the last two years. Things improved from then on. We booked treatments a facial for me and a massage for Mr D both were excellent and the rest of the service made up for the earlier blip. It was lovely to meet up with gayboyzuk and his partner, always nice to chat with another v-flyer.
We made our way to the gate on the first call, priority boarding had a queue so we used the non priority lane. On boarding we were directed upstairs but given no greeting. We were in 24A&C which were very comfortable and had the new IFE system. There were two cabin crew one for economy and one for PE. The economy young lady was bubbly and friendly ours in PE was there to do her job and no more. Pre flight drinks were handed out. It did seem strange with economy behind not getting a drink. We took off on time and once the seatbelt signs were switched off the crew started the drinks run. The meal was served around two hours into the flight. It was very good, a nice salmon starter, a tasty lasagne and Belgian chocolate cake. There was no brandy & baileys served. We were given a skinny cow icecream the same as economy, a hot sausage roll and the cheese sandwhich & cupcake. Blankets were provided but were thin and worn out, so offered no protection when the cabin become quite cold. I did ask for some flight socks but was told no amenity kits had been loaded, but a would get some on the return journey! The economy section behind was hardly noticible with the exception of the toilets becoming quite disgusting towards the end of the flight from the extra use. Economy passenagers were asked to queue for the toilets in the economy section behind the curtain when at one point the asile in PE become quite full. No lovehearts were handed out at the end of the flight so yet another small cut! So on the whole a good flight except for the missing amenities which would have made it just that little bit better.

Interesting TR regarding the upstairs PE in the refurb set up.

Your comments re the toilets, confirm my own expectations of this horrid new setup.
It obviously has got to be a problem with 13more people using these loos.
Another TR recently commented on the constant aisle queue, those first few rows in PE must be a nightmare.

We're dreading our return flight from LV, will probably opt for the large impersonal downstairs PE cabin now.

Hope you return flight has more 'positives'

Thanks for the TR

It strikes me that the FSM on this flight was not one of VS' finest which is a shame because even with the changes I think the PE product is still better than the competition but if VS does not keep its eye on the ball, folk will go elsewhere

buns

buns wrote:
I think the PE product is still better than the competition but if VS does not keep its eye on the ball, folk will go elsewhere

buns

I agree totally with you Buns, there is a lot of talk from vflyers moving there business already to the dark side and VS do need to up their game to maintain their attraction to pax.

Thanks for posting your TR Daffodil

an interesting report ,thanks. I have a PE ret MCO-LGW in Feb. right now I have the bubble on the way to LGW and on the return a mate and I are on a 2 cabin 330. so i guess I will get to see (or suffer|) the total 'new' package.

the lack of Baileys and the cheapo ice cream are disapointing, personally I never use the amenity kit contents or a blanket but again it sounds shoddy

flabound wrote:an interesting report ,thanks. I have a PE ret MCO-LGW in Feb. right now I have the bubble on the way to LGW and on the return a mate and I are on a 2 cabin 330. so i guess I will get to see (or suffer|) the total 'new' package.

If I were you, I would be looking to change to downstairs PE on your ex-MCO leg, if there are any seats available. Having seen a few PE TRs from the bubble, it seems to no longer be the haven of peace and tranquility it once was. We do need to accept that those heady days will never return, but oh how I used to enjoy flights in 79A-C

Nice TR from the PE cabin.

Ahh the ever annoying VS check-in staff that appear to take great pleasure in informing you that the lounge is not for PE guests.... I do love to rip that maniacal leer from their faces when I place my AU card on the desk and get the "oh, sorry sir!" You would think they would notice from the FC number starting 009, but then again

Shame about the lack of interest the css appears to have shown for her job, or the wellbeing of her pax.. perhaps an off day, perhaps not - VS service inconsistency strikes again!!

Cheers for posting

I think you need to write a letter to Virgin about this crew member, as she seems to have cut a lot of services off her own back!
You still get socks, eyeshades etc given out in an adhoc request basis on day flights. We have a loads of these loaded loose for this purpose.
Brandy & baileys should ALWAYS be offered in Premium.
Love heart sweets should ALWAYS be offered in all cabins.
The crew should be maintaining the toilets regardless of how many people using them!
I really annoys me to hear trip reports about my fellow crew giving a crap service, so please do write in & report this!!!

Seems like you had a few issues just like we did downstairs. It really is time that vs took their fsm to one side and reminded them about the virgin brand that made the airline famous. Like many have said the compation are looking more attractive.
That aside I hope you had a wonderful time in Mexico

As an aside question, but concerning the toilets on the upper deck, I seem to remember when these planes were delivered to Virgin around 2001, they were fitted with at least 3 or maybe even 4 toilets at the front of the upper deck.

Can anyone else confirm ?

Thanks

David

vscss wrote:I think you need to write a letter to Virgin about this crew member, as she seems to have cut a lot of services off her own back!
You still get socks, eyeshades etc given out in an adhoc request basis on day flights. We have a loads of these loaded loose for this purpose.
Brandy & baileys should ALWAYS be offered in Premium.
Love heart sweets should ALWAYS be offered in all cabins.
The crew should be maintaining the toilets regardless of how many people using them!
I really annoys me to hear trip reports about my fellow crew giving a crap service, so please do write in & report this!!!

These sort of reports must make your blood boil Sounds like you are loyal to VS and the standards their CC should deliver consistently!
I'm flying to LAX on 29th Dec and wouldn't mind you in my cabin

Yes there were originally three toilets at the front of the upper deck in these aircraft and a large cupboard behind the flight deck crew rest.

virginboy747 wrote:Yes there were originally three toilets at the front of the upper deck in these aircraft and a large cupboard behind the flight deck crew rest.

Thanks VB

Treelo wrote:

flabound wrote:an interesting report ,thanks. I have a PE ret MCO-LGW in Feb. right now I have the bubble on the way to LGW and on the return a mate and I are on a 2 cabin 330. so i guess I will get to see (or suffer|) the total 'new' package.

If I were you, I would be looking to change to downstairs PE on your ex-MCO leg, if there are any seats available. Having seen a few PE TRs from the bubble, it seems to no longer be the haven of peace and tranquility it once was. We do need to accept that those heady days will never return, but oh how I used to enjoy flights in 79A-C

me too..I dont know, I just love the bubble BUT think the PE/EC split is crazy...........changing wont be an issue , currently there are 3 seats reserved in PE and its only 70 days away

flabound wrote: I just love the bubble BUT think the PE/EC split is crazy...

yup, me too, on both counts. But as mentioned previously, those days are gone

flabound wrote:changing wont be an issue , currently there are 3 seats reserved in PE and its only 70 days away

go for it! You know it makes sense