This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Having now experienced Little Red at both ends, as it were, it seems clear to me that Heathrow is its achilles heel - and of course VS is limited in what it can do about it although the ground staff weren't great either. But a dismal lounge in a soulless terminal really isn't the best way to sell the VS brand when one has become accustomed to the delights of the CH in T3!
Thankfully, Manchester was much better. Two of the three check-in desks were open - including the priority desk. Unlike at Heathrow, the agent clearly clocked my AU status and her first question, without prompting, was "would you like extra legroom?". Now that's more like it! Having initially requested 2C, only to find at OLCI I'd been moved to 8C, I have to admit my hopes weren't high but with boarding card for 1A duly printed - this time happily adorned with a fast-track security sticker, I was wished a very pleasant flight (and she sounded like she really meant it) and invited to head to the Escape Lounge. So instantly a huge win over LHR.
So straight through security (no queue at fast-track) and up to the Escape Lounge. Again, what a difference to the small, utilitarian, charmless, windowless cavern that is the Servisair lounge at LHR. This is big, bright, relaxing, friendly and with great views of the airfield. No "lounge invitation" needed here - just boarding card and AU card - in fact it reminded me a bit of the Gatwick clubhouse in its design, appearance and location (though obviously without the brasserie and spa). Food included piping hot soup (a big bowlful, waiter service), a good selection of fresh sandwiches, cakes, tortilla chips & salsa, fruit & snacks. And while maybe not to everyone's taste, I loved the music they had playing (at low level) - lots of great 80s classics! If only VS could provide something like this at their flagship airport ...
Having watched the incoming flight land, I gave it 20 minutes before heading down to Gate 18 and had sat down for only a minute or two before AU & UC passengers were invited to begin boarding. Another win over LHR where there was just one general boarding call.
This really was an empty flight - I counted only 20 (with 4 cabin crew - now that's personal service!). The first 6 rows were empty apart from me in 1A and a wheelchair passenger they sat in 3F. As rows 1-6 were greyed out at OLCI presumably they needed to balance the weight? The flight itself was uneventful - another courteous and professional but not particularly warm cabin crew, another slightly early departure and arrival and another Little Red packet of crisps and - yet again - no offer of the elusive giant cookie!
So all in all a much better experience than the outbound flight. The team at MAN and in the Escape Lounge are a credit to VS and, frankly, are everything that Heathrow T1 isn't. I really do think VS need to address that if they seriously want to compete with BA - with loads as light as they are, the 12-18 month wait to move to T2 may be too long.
