VS3041 LHR-MAN 31 MAR 13 (Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

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So after months of build up both on here and elsewhere the day had finally arrived for the inaugural flight of Virgin Atlantic Little Red.

The "down south" leg as VS3046 has been covered well by others so here is a report of my northbound flight.

So disembarked into the gate area and with less than 20mins until boarding commenced, I decided to hang around and enjoyed a krispy creme doughnut offered by the excited VS staff.

Boarding commenced at 0910 and I was welcomed back on board by the lead CC member who welcomed me by name (again) and said it was lovely to see me so soon.....all tongue in cheek as she knew but none the less a lovely warm welcome which was extended to everyone else boarding.

I was further forward this time having been moved from my original seat to 19F on the inbound and where I missed out on a drink because they crew ran out of time. I blame the thirsty V-flyers ahead of me who were ordering alcohol.....

Anyway back to this flight. The flight was about 50% full and some people were asked to move further back to balance the load out...

Pushed off stand at 0935 and waved off by a crowd of ground crew who stood around taking pictures etc.

A longish taxi had us airborne at 0952 and the service began. A choice of soft drinks, coffee/tea, beers, Vodka, Whisky or Gin served with either cookies or crisps.

From what I could see most people were enjoying a stronger beverage this particular Easter Sunday....I ordered a G&T in honeylamb's honour...well that is what I told myself

Nice to see a Bombay offered and the crisps in a special edition "Little Red" bag were dinky but tasty.

As the inbound, the crew were super friendly (though we did have a new flight deck crew).....the lead CC member and the male crew member were exceptional - the two ladies at the back were not seen in front of row 8....but I think they were working a drinks trolley from the back too which ensured everyone got a drink....

The flight to Manchester was 37mins and with service items collected the cabin was secured and we touched down at 1029 on runway 5L.

It took a few mins for the airbridge to be connected but it was and we were off rather quickly after that. I said my goodbyes to the two crew members up front like we had been friends for years.

So a great flight northbound, the service issues of the inbound seem to have overcome though it was a lighter load and no hot items to provide. What a great day and everyone both at Manchester and LHR were clearly proud of this new route....the future looks good for Little Red and they will surely give BA a run for their money and rightly so too.....the service was fun, funky and friendly...well done and many congratulations.

Jon

[Decker]

Lovely to hear Jon. Be interesting to see how loads pan out especially as Euston Manchester is only just over two hours now

[honey lamb]

I ordered a G&T in honeylamb's honour...well that is what I told myself

Of course you did. After all you were on a former EI plane and one on which I had flown previously. Did they serve the gin in miniature bottles?

Thanks for the return TR. It sounds like a good model

I ordered a G&T in honeylamb's honour...well that is what I told myself

Of course you did. After all you were on a former EI plane and one on which I had flown previously. Did they serve the gin in miniature bottles?

Thanks for the return TR. It sounds like a good model

Sure thing miniature bottles....will say the brown seats and the mood lighting looked good too and the Aer Lingus flight crew were chatty on the return too.....think an Aer Lingus Director was on the south bound flight....who said to get the four aircraft ready with crew had been challenging....

Thanks for the return TR Jon and good on ya for grabbing a G&T.

Sounds like a smooth flight, and good to hear the crew are following in VS tradition. Let's just hope this personable nature lasts and brings people coming back.

Cheers

Sounds like a good flight was had by all!

Thanks for the TR, great to see such positive experiences from both the outbound and return.

Another fine TR Jon ,sounds as though the future could be bright domestically
Blacky

Lovely to hear Jon. Be interesting to see how loads pan out especially as Euston Manchester is only just over two hours now

True, but I don't think you'd ever have to stand all the way on a flight....

Thanks to the many and various authors of the TRs. Almost a full 3D experience for those of us who sit and read...

Thanks forthe TR Jon, great to hear Little Red has started well.

[Pete]

Lovely to hear Jon. Be interesting to see how loads pan out especially as Euston Manchester is only just over two hours now

I think the plane option only really makes sense if you're connecting at Heathrow onward or live west of London. If you actually want to go from Manchester to London to be in central London (or you're going from central London to Manchester), the train is the way to go. My Little Red flight down to London on Sunday was cheap at 55 quid, but the first class ticket on the train up to Manchester on Saturday was cheaper at £38. Especially since the Heathrow Express fleeced me for £20 to get to Paddington and back into Oyster-friendly territory.

Wonder if Virgin will consider a joint ticket, I remember bmi did something similar with Eurostar when they operated to Paris.

Excellent TR Jon, thanks for posting Great to hear that the first domestic VS service is off to a wonderful start
Love the fact that you deflected the blame for the Bombay moment across to HL

Not sure if this was from a V-Flyer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0mSbKcwusA

And this too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A38wU6OH2zs

I remember quite a few people taking pics out of the windows.......quite a few things on YouTube now and have even seen myself in a couple of them......a star at last!!!!!