V-Flyer

Well the day has finally come where Little Red will suffer the eyes of joeyc. 

Checkin agent was very friendly, provided both of my boarding passes and lounge invite as well as let me know there was a note on my booking about the OLCI problems and to make sure I got both BPs at Heathrow, given I will now being flying back to back.. I am more and more impressed with the VS online chat service now.  

I tried to use the fast track security, but the moody security agent said her desk was closed due to quick transit through normal security... Will try not to take it personally, but used the gates and yep I did break the first set Computers... Passed through in short order, after the second set of automatic gates coped with my reflection, and into the departure area I strolled. 

I made a beeline for the Servisair Lounge and whilst basic it provided a welcome greeting, a place to sit and eat a croissant or two and of course have a beer. Given my late arrival that was all there was time for before the brisk walk to gate 8 passing hoards of lost tourists looking in the air for some sort of divine guidance. I did not mow anyone down this trip as I lacked my trusty wheeled carry on, opting for a backpack instead.... Shall know better for next time

On arrival into the boarding area, a quick look around highlighted the unfortunate accuracy of the article on LR loads that was recently posted, it definitely looks to be a pretty vacant flight. Boarding was called and with everyone looking around to see who would brave the gauntlet of red jackets first I opted to give it a go.. A smile, a quick joke shared and in no time at all was on the jet bridge heading for the plane. 

Greeted at the door and whilst no direction to my seat, 1A is in a pretty obvious place so I will forgive them on that one. The elderly couple behind me did warrant an escort to their seat though, so top marks to the crew for helping out. 

I did nearly sit on a pair of glasses left on my seat. Turns out one of the crew had been reading whilst eating crisps between flights :-P either that or the cleaners had done a fine job. 

The loads are extremely light today I would say about 15% full. With pretty much all pax having a couple of rows to themselves. So I settled in to watch the stream of humanity trickle passed. One thing that I observed that was a bit of a let down for the crew was that after boarding was nearly finished a member of the crew started finishing off his snack of crisps and Pepsi and then proceeded to let out a rather loud belch... Whilst it made his crew mate laugh, it was not as well received by the pax in the first few rows. It did make me smile though - simple things. 

We were sat on the ground awaiting one pax that had gone walkabout... Always one isn't there. But ultimately they gave up waiting, closed the doors and taxied to the runway.

First impressions. I like the seats.. Plenty of space even without reclining, the purple leather sticks out and reminds me of being in PE which is probably what they were going for and there was a welcome lack of a strong bleach smell, unlike their BA counterparts. With the loads as light as they were I had 1a, b and c to myself... Ahh space. 

Takeoff was smooth and I did look out over LHR to see if I could spot the VS CH terrace. Unfortunately not, but I will be there in a couple of weeks to get a closer view ... 

As soon as we had completed ascent we were given the introductions by the crew and then a drinks and crisp service begun... Gin and tonic ordered and unfortunately they ran out of gin, clearly a heavy lot hungover on the morning flight so opted for a mini bottle of whiskey and Pepsi. Didn't try for JD, but will on the return. 

The flight was truly very quick with pretty much no time for me to write this TR let alone make my way through the myriad papers that I have been meaning to read... Looks like they will have to wait for the return... Or perhaps not

A good flight overall and thanks to a change in plans I have transferred onto the VS3048... A very quick turnaround but long may Little Red be flying.

Sounds like a solid enough flight and a good product , just a shame that the load was so light but horburyflyer has been experiencing fuller flights of late so let's hope it was just a one(ish) off

joeyc wrote:
Gin and tonic ordered and unfortunately they ran out of gin,

Thanks so much for your inaugural Little Red TR joey...I agree about the Servisair lounge it is very basic, in fact I rarely go these days unless I have plenty of time, like Sealink and others much prefer the seating area near Gate 8 watching the planes....

I do know VS are very much aware that the lounge isn't the greatest advert and when T2 opens next year things will resolve themselves (hopefully!) but feedback isn't falling on deaf ears trust me.....

Despite the unexpected belch, welcome to the world of Little red and long may it continue.

May see you next Monday.....

Jon

Cheers guys, I would say that the lounge is a good place to stock up on mini muffins, cake squares and mini juice cans though Jon.. then wander along to gate 8 to watch the planes land (and the hoards of BA pax that appear to live there desperately awaiting a flight to Belfast )