VS025 LHR-JFK 27 MAY 13 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Last year was a good one for me in terms of accumulating “Virgin Miles”; with the PE fare to New York being quite expensive (compared to previous trip) made a call to the Flying Club to see what we could use our miles on for a trip to New York at the end of May. The best we could get was going out UC to JFK and returning 6 days later PE from Newark for the bargain price £450 each in taxes & charges (plus 67,500 miles each). The outward flight was VS025 at 1925 from Heathrow due in JFK at 2220, allowing for immigration and getting to Manhattan we should get to hotel by midnight (they guarantee to hold room until midnight). In April received email advising that VS025 would now depart at 2005 with an arrival of 2300. Emailed hotel to advice that we would probably not arrive before midnight and would they hold the room for us, which was no problem.
Used the M25 on both 25th & 26th May and on both occasions the heavy traffic reduced it to a car park , so on way to Heathrow decided to use the “non motorway route” on the satnav. We got to Heathrow in very good time, parking the car at long stay car park.
Check in was very quiet and we dropped of the bags and collected our boarding cards in only a few minutes. We were given directions to the Clubhouse and wished a pleasant flight. Security was deserted and went straight through. The total time from getting the bus at car park to getting through security was only 20 minutes ! Which gave us more time for getting some duty-free gifts and then to the Clubhouse . This was only our second ever visit to Clubhouse and we were totally impressed with the great, friendly service. We got through a couple of glasses of champagne, some cocktails and a burger. We left the lounge when called at approx 1920. Got to the Gate just as boarding was commencing, so were able to go on to aircraft without any delay.
Welcomed on board by name and shown to our seats. The aircraft was Airbus A330 and the first thing that struck me was that there were a lot of seats in a relatively small area compared to either the A340 or a jumbo. Also not much overhead storage space with no luggage bins over the central seats. Once we had taken our seats were offered a glass of champagne. The cabin crew were brilliant making us feel very welcome and explaining about the seat and IFE. Were advised that there were 258 passengers and 15 crew on board and to expect a flight time of 7hours 20 mins. Pushed back a few minutes early just before 2000 and took off about 20 minutes later. Orders for food were taken and along with a very good selection of wine to choose from. The highlight of the meal for me was the cheese & biscuits served with a glass of port . The service throughout the flight was excellent and we were really well looked after .
Watched a film and after all that food and drink had no problem in getting a couple of hours sleep . Before long and we started our decent into JFK.
The aircraft landed at 2240 and we were at the gate 10 mins later. We headed to the immigration and I thought that this time of night should be no problem; however we had to wait in line for well over an hour. It was gone midnight by time we collected our bags. Headed straight to for the official taxis and by 20 past midnight were heading to Manhattan. Taxi took us through Queens Midtown tunnel and only took 25 mins to get us to our hotel – fixed price is $59 (Inc tolls) plus a tip.

In summary:
The whole UC experience was superb – the cabin crew were excellent (I’ve sent a message of thanks to Crawley Towers).
The VS025 is not a bad flight, time wise for departing from Heathrow, although it arrives a bit too late (when compared to VS001 or VS009).
It seems that immigration at JFK can be bad any time of day.
The Airbus A330 was very comfortable but gave the impression of being a bit cramped to the A340 or B747.

Good to read such a positive TR, we are on VS030 tomorrow from BGI to LGW & hoping that return trip is as good as our outbound flight.

oldboy

[buns]

Thanks for the detailed TR

I too recently took the VS25 and i concur with the flight timing and the cramped cabin - although I perhaps was a little more fortunate in getting through US Immigration in record time.

The ability to use miles makes up for the A330 drawbacks

buns

Thanks for the TR....I'm on the VS25 next week....got a 2 1/2 hour journey after, so hoping I'm thru immigration in record time !!!

Great TR, thanks for posting!

Good to hear that the Hotel played ball as well.