VS020 SFO-LHR 31 AUG 13 (Upper Class)
Posted: 03 Sep 2013, 16:52This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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) by the time this had been sorted her flight had closed so VS arranged for her to fly to LAX with United 
(this took about an hour all in all). With Mrs H now safely in the hands of United I made my way to the International terminal to checkin with VS, I was first in line and dealt with very quickly and friendly, checkin staff checked that I had been informed of the delay due to the late inbound aircraft, and given my invitation to the Clubhouse. Being first in I took the opportunity to have a shower.
After my shower I was greeted by a very friendly bartender “T”
who kept many of us entertained and lubricated during our time in the CH.Slightly before our re scheduled boarding time of 2000 an announcement was made that there would be a further delay due to a technical problem with G-VBIG, there were further updates with the promise we would be boarding soon. “T” stepped up to the plate and kept the entertainment and lubrication flowing, by this time there was quite a gathering at the bar all exchanging stories.
Around 2300 it was decided that G-VBIG couldn’t be repaired and that an Engine part would need to be replaced (this had to be flown in from London) resulting in the cancellation of todays VS20, there was no CH manager today and I feel his presence was needed, we were all told that the flight was cancelled and that VS were unable to help with accommodation and that we should find our own and claim back reasonable expenses, at this point a barrage of DYKWIA’s were directed towards the Cabin Crew who were sent to inform us of what was happening. I along with three others took the opportunity to catch a cab into Union Square and checkin to the Grand Hyatt for the night. I spent a few hours the next day watching the Americas Cup Yachts in the Bay before catching the Bart back to SFO.
As a result of yesterday's VS20 being cancelled due to technical issues there are two 744's from SFO to LHR today ours being re numbered VS1020.
Check in was a nightmare 50 minutes due to people not having some or all of their luggage and the fact that there were two flights today, for some reason original seats had not been kept and I was given 4A which I wasn't keen on, 19A which I had been in yesterday had gone but 19K was available so I swapped to that, (I think the seat needs re padding as the back rest felt a little worn out).
The Clubhouse was very busy but the staff we great, last nights bar tender (T) was off, I really think he is your kind of bartender Joey.
The CH manager "R" was present this evening and making sure he visited everyone and kept us all up to date (shame he wasn't there last night).
G-VBIG has been repaired and is now undergoing engine tests before being confirmed fit to fly.
Tonight's scheduled departure is 1945, however this turned into boarding at 2030 and pushback at 2100 with a flight time of 9.25 with a total of 347 onboard.
The FSM “D” did a great job in making sure everyone onboard was aware of the reasons for the delay and what they were entitled to in terms of compensation and judging by his remarks some people opted to sleep on the floor of the airport rather than get a room. CSS “B” and SCC “H” were fantastic taking care of us in UC, I opted for an early diner of the Cheese Plate then sleep, I got about six hours waking up around 1.45 before landing, I had two bacon rolls and a coffee for breakfast and felt pretty good. “H” advised me that she had placed my Duty Free pre order under my bed
We landed at LHR at 1415 I was third off the plane thanks to 19K, the immigration hall wasn’t too busy but IRIS was working today so I zipped straight through and by the time I had visited the washroom my bags were already on the Carousel.
With the exception of the delay and the re checkin fiasco it was another great flight, as previously stated the onboard crew were fantastic despite being brought in from San Francisco to SFO around 2200 to then be sent back into town getting to bed around 0400.
I guess I was one of the few who were not really inconvenienced by the delay as I had no plans or work that I missed out on and that Mrs H was in NZ so I was only going home to an empty house anyway.
I have put in my claim for the €600 due under EC 261/2004 and for $242 for my hotel room and also the claim for 25000 miles for the inconvenience caused.
![][|)](./images/smilies/icon_smile_sleepy.gif "Sleepy"){kind=icon}
I'm using the jet lag and the downtime during the night trying to get an Upgrade for Saturdays flight to SYD
so no CH 