V-Flyer

A fabulous, if a little, ok very wet trip was now over and sadly it was time to come home.

After a superb outbound in UC I was not looking forward to the Y trip back so had been thinking about upgrading.... Alas it wasn't to be but more on that later.

Took the rental car back at about 6 to avoid a extra days charge, FYI personally wouldn't use thrifty again but that's a separate story. Got the MIA mover over to the terminal and made a beeline for the ticket desk, to see about that upgrade. Unfortunately we'd missed all the PE upgrades, last two were being paid for as we arrived, didn't quite here the figure but $149 was overheard I think, quite reasonable I thought. Anyway asked if any chance of UC, was told there are seats available total cost £1465 per person! Way out of my league unfortunately, but Undeterred I ask what about using miles, very helpful lady explained if seats still available at check in close then miles seats can be made available. Was checked in as a y passenger at this stage (at ticket desk) handed boarding pass and asked to wait around the area and return to desk at around 8, duly returned, still seats available and could do mileage but as original ticket was reward would need to check amount of miles needed, any way cut a long story short, didn't have enough miles (37000 ish each required) so Y it was. The agent was superbly helpful throughout and I got the impression she wanted to get us into upper but it wasn't to be, I did try my luck with an offer of less miles but it wasn't to be.

After all this we went over to the gate through a thankfully v quiet security. My isn't MIA in need of a bit of TLC!

Boarding was quickly called, Mustang Sally was our ride home tonight. Greeted by name at the door, a lovely little touch, took up seat 61a and settled in. Push back on time. Now confession time.... My wife's cousin happens to be CC for VS and whilst we've never managed to get on the same flight (we've tried) she happened to be on the outbound the same day we were coming home. For those who read my outbound TR you'll know it was our first wedding anniversary. Wife's cousin had left a note on board for FSM to explain and to look after us. She couldn't remember our married name so a call was made for us. We were made a fuss of and brought some champagne from UC to a few scalding looks from other pax. I've tried to not let this cloud my judgement on the crew and have given 5 stars from as an objective view as I can, but I have to say from the second I got on the plane the crew were fantastic, seemed really enthusiastic, nothing was too much trouble. They had the 'virgin spark'

Coming from the A330 and refurbed 744s I have to say mustang looked like she could do with a bit of a makeover, seat was comfortable and IFE was fine just no where near as good as the new offerings. I do wonder if the 744s at LHR will see a facelift? Think these are planned to be in fleet for a while?

Meal was quite tasty had chicken tika. Plenty of juice runs through the night(from what I saw) and I actually managed to get a bit of sleep, about 4 hours I think.

Flight was pretty bumpy, much worse that I've had for quite a while but nothing out of the ordinary, in fact the crew were allowed to carry on all duty's so although it seemed fairly bad to me clearly it wasn't. I happen to like a small amount of bumps anyway!



Landed into a cloudy LHR pretty much bang on time from what I remember. Through security and then the journey home.

In conclusion another wonderful trip with all those 'virgin frills' even if we were in Y.

Now trying to keep myself up after a 1st day back at work and have managed to pick up a cold from somewhere. Time to get that next trip booked!!!

Thanks for reading
Nick

Thanks for posting
Bad luck old boy on not getting the upgrade on the way back but 10/10 for effort in trying.
I missed your outbound TR somehow :-(
Can't search as on iPhone
I think we all agree that when VS CC are in it they are top class.

Thanks for the TR. Shame about the upgrade, but if you slept for 4 hours in Y, then it's all relative! The PE upgrades sounded good value though.

I have also wondered about the LHR 747s. My brothers and I flew to LA on a A340-600 last Oct, Cover a Girl (now retired) My partner and I in Upper and my Bros in Economy. In both classes she was in great condition, IFE worked. They flew back to LHR on Mustang Sally and they were both disappointed at how the 2 aircraft differed so much, probs with IFE, seats in a terrible condition. My partner and I had made it to SFO and flying out from there, we on Lady Penelope and again were shocked at how 'worn out' she was. My IFE was useless and my seat was grubby and falling apart (in Upper). Miles were offered as compensation and this was dealt with on board, proactively. I would avoid LHR 747's like the plague as I much prefer the A340-600 and am yet to try A330. An overhaul is required but would guess they will be retired in the next 2-4 years :-s

Thanks for your informative report, totally agree re the 'worn out' nature of the LHR 744's. I had a great flight out to LAX a few weeks ago but it took coming home on an LGW 744 (from LAS) for me to realise what a poor relation the LHR 744 fleet has become. Don't get me wrong, everything 'worked, - it just felt drab and in need of TLC, especially the IFE.

All of that said in IMHO the 744 outstrips the A340 big time and I always go out of my way to fly 744 over A340.

Thanks
James

Quite funny to see how after years as the 'poor relation', LGW's 747 fleet is now seen a superior to the LHR one :-)

I suspect that VS haven't got the cash to update the LHR 747 cabins, and will be trying to "sweat the assets" for the next few years. Kreeger said recently that the 747 fleet will be retired around 2018-9.

I agree about the 747s. Last year (I think) I posted a trip report in which I wondered how long it would be before people started complaining.

In my experience the condition varies markedly between them -- VHOT and VBIG were worse than VWOW. VROC was the best. (This is in UC; although I've flown PE in VROC (good) and Y in one of them (can't remember which but it was quite good too).