V-Flyer

I wasn't sure whether or not to do a TR as I saw that McCoy had beaten me to it but thought why not, V-Flyers like to see the different perspectives from the same flight.

I actually had not planned a trip until darling Sealink organised the Social on the 30th. That seemed like a good enough reason for a weekend trip to London. I logged onto the VS website and saw that there was a sale to NY. So I thought why not. As is my style, I booked Y going out and rewarded myself for the pain and suffering of flying Y by adding another piece to my Globe Trotter collection. This one's a limited edition from Mr. Porter.

So back to the TR. I got into London on the VS652 around 4, and went home to Dulwich to change and headed off for the social which was a blast (love you Billy). The next morning, I left Dulwich at about half past 9 by train South Eastern and tube to Heathrow. It ended up taking longer than it would by car. Got to the airport around 11:15, picked up my boarding pass and confirmed that my bags were checked through from Lagos and headed to fast track which wasn't so fast. I can confirm that the guy that scans the boarding passes isn't there anymore. Through security after almost 10 minutes and a fast walk through duty free and into the CH where I promptly ordered a redhead and the ham and pea terrine, seared salmon and chocolate fondant and ice cream.

I had a maintenance manicure and did a bit of work and for the first time actually bothered to explore the CH. Boarding was announced at 1:15 and onto the waiting GV-HOT at gate 18 where I was sat in 43C which is an extra legroom seat, and I think 30 quid is good value for those few extra inches.

We pushed off on time and were airborne by 2:15.

Drink service started shortly after the seat belt sign went off, and for the first time ever, I got AU status recognition in Y with champagne and crisps.

Lunch was: Starter - Waldorf Salad (meh)., Main - Steak and mushroom cobbler (looked like baby food), Dessert - GU zesty lemon (greasy). All in all, the food was not great but it was adequate. Some time later, the Skinny lolly things were handed out. They're not particularly nice. The rest of the flight was mostly uneventful, there were about 2 water rounds and then afternoon tea that I didn't touch. I asked for hot chocolate and was told that it wasn't available on day flights and would only get loaded on the return flight. I think it's a load of rubbish, but hey that's the price of flying Y, you can't get everything you want.

Entertainment wise I watched Jack Reacher and Identity Thief, both were excellent. This was the first time I used the gate to gate IFE and it was nice to still have the sky map on as we were coming in to land.

We landed around 4:20pm and were at the gate and off the plane shortly after. Immigration hall was heaving and we were told to stand against a wall until space was available. In spite of this, I was out and in the Dial 7 Town Car by 6, so it wasn't as bad as I feared. And at the One UN.

All in all, it was a good flight, but I think that over time, I'm becoming less tolerant about flying in economy.

Thanks for reading.

Edited to add on the immigration issue that we were directed to a queue and the immigration officer just walked off and never came back and after we waited for a bit I had to complain to the queue managers who moved us to another kiosk where we got the friendliest immigration officer ever. He actually made me forget that I had just spent almost an hour standing and another 15 minutes waiting for the one that never came back.

Tinuks wrote: I asked for hot chocolate and was told that it wasn't available on day flights and would only get loaded on the return flight. I think it's a load of rubbish, but hey that's the price of flying Y, you can't get everything you want..

I believe that hot chocolate used to be round tripped, however it was a US requirement that it get binned on arrival in the US, so now it is only loaded EX USA for the overnight flights to avoid waste. (ie so there will be none loaded in economy for the ex LHR sector as it is not offered on daytime flights so would just be loaded to be thrown out).

Of course for non USA trips I believe it is still round tripped.

You are right wwings hot chocolate no longer loaded in w and y to the USA as they won't let us round trip it so is only loaded ex-USA

Thanks for the TR. Have a great weekend. I also like the hot chocolate as opposed to their dreadful coffee.

Thanks for clearing that up wwings and virginboy but I think they should load some. Not everyone likes tea or coffee.
I've seen how much wine and champagne gets wasted in UC, surely a little hot chocolate won't break the bank.

Thanks Daffodil, I hope that I do enjoy the weekend and I agree, their coffee is dreadful.

Thanks for sharing and I am glad you enjoyed your time with us!

Cheers for the TR Tinuks.... top marks for coming all that way to meet us

Sounds like a fair wait time for the VS45 actually.... you may not think it, but 90minutes is not too bad for that time of day, the CBP officers (not the one that vanished) must have been on form.

Hope ya have a good weekend

Tinuks

Thanks for a smashing TR - made all the more pertinent from briefly meeting you at the social last Thursday

You have my admiration for having the stamina to travel from Lagos, stop off in London and be on a flight to NY the next day

Nice touch on your Au status being recognised

No doubt by the time you read this, you will be on your way back Might meet in the Clubhouse on Wednesday

buns

Sorry I was not able to come along to the social as planned and meet up......thanks for a helpful TR and fantastic result with the Au recognition.

Have a great trip.

Jon

Thanks all. I have done a reset of my body clock and I am on NY time now. Been shopping all day and I'm now plonked on the bed in my hotel resting up for tomorrow's round of shopping.

Buns, I'll do my best to get to the CH early on Wednesday.

Thanks for the TR, do you have any hotel recommendations for NY? We're planning on going there for our honeymoon but I'm a bit overwhelmed by the selection!

Thanks for the TR, it's always interesting to have two viewpoints on the same flight. I've not stayed at the UN hotel - is it good? It always seemed a bit stuck out on a limb.

Tinuks wrote:

Buns, I'll do my best to get to the CH early on Wednesday.

That would be nice

As this is a special trip for Mrs Buns and myself, we are planning to get there extra early

buns