V-Flyer

Well another TR for the Buns Household to Florida beckoned with the the UC sale offer and the opportunity to grab some extra points allowing the ability to head to re-qualification

The day started well, with the personally booked Tristar Car arriving on time and luggage easily stowed in the Volvo Estate Car they sent and we were off on our way to Gatwick. Within 30 minutes we were at check in (despite the driver not being able to access the upper level as nobody was willing to answer the intercom )

The new Check In area is very inviting and we were quickly attended to and real boarding cards issued (vital as for perhaps the first time I had secured SEQ 1&2 ). I know many V Flyers have an aversion to Gatwick, but I have to say that the new owners have done well to bring the South Terminal up to date to meet the demands of the 21st Century

Things have changed since we were last there and after going through the security channels there is a passage way that now leads out directly next to the Clubhouse (The original escalators have been removed and so there is no need to be tempted by the Duty free on offer). As always, we were warmly welcomed at the Clubhouse reception as we have come to know many of the regular staff team who work there over the years.

I had read on V Flyer earlier in the morning, that this coveted area was already being occupied by a fellow V Flyer (CHill710) so took the opportunity to meet up and share a soft drink - he was travelling on the earlier MCO flight, as were our friends who would be staying at the same hotel). I realised that I missed an opportunity to meet him before as i had to drop out of the inaugural Manchester flight and congratulated him on getting to Au

Tucked into the British Breakfast (which is now considerably smaller than it used to be) and collected our friends from the Duty Free before properly settling down. The Clubhouse was quite full (it was explained that the 330's now put additional strain on the facilities there and indeed I was with the shoeshine man when I saw people being turned away who were trying to pay on the door. Mrs Buns had a treatment and it was all too quick that our time there was over.

We went on the first call as I had already detected on Expert flyer that this would be a light load and the Clubhouse staff said that the V Room had nobody for our flight.

Quickly through Gate Security and ensconced in our seats and provided with welcome champagne (in those ridiculous glasses) much to my protestations as I was picking up a car at the other end and wanted to save myself for the Gentleman Jack Indeed this was to be an excellent flight with a superb crew as the announcement from the FSM said we had only 119 passengers on board the 747

Orders for post take off drinks and dinner were taken by the FSM prior to take off.

After take off, I had my first Gentlemen Jack, which was very nice indeed, and then had a stroll around the aircraft. I have never seen a 747 so empty - the downstairs PE cabin and in the upstairs EC Cabin. Economy passengers had plenty of space to move around and in Upper all but two of the seats were taken. All in all a rare experience.

Menu service was first class:

Starters

Dill and Caper-infused Potted Salmon
Organic Leek and Potato Soup

Mains

Herb-encrusted Fillet of British Beef
Free-range Grilled Chicken Breast
Hot-smoked Scottish Salmon
Mushroom Stroganoff

Dessert

Cherry Sponge Pudding
Rich Chocolate Marquise

The soup and beef were superb - as was the cherry pudding

After lunch, i settled down to watch "Behind the Candelabra" - an engaging film which if nothing else ought to win an oscar for make up.

After a little nap, it was time to afternoon tea and this is great in the nose cabin of the 747. The only thing that continues to let VS down is the awful coffee they continue to serve

Throughout the flight, the Crew could not do enough for everyone in the UC Cabin and addressed everyone by name. All too quickly it seemed that the flight came to an end and as we touched down I saw that there already three VS aircraft in situ. Prepared for the worse, we made our exit as quickly as possible to find an almost empty Immigration Hall.

As CHill710 has already told you, the early flight was late leaving, but as luck would have it, all the passengers had been processed and it turned out that our friends who were on that flight, arrived at the Hotel at the same time us us

Have to say, if every flight was as good as this, then retaining Au would be worth it.

Thanks for reading

buns

Thanks for the TR buns. An empty 747 must have been a sight to behold.

I have to agree with you about the departures area of Gatwick. It's much better than it used to be.

Sounds like a fantastic flight buns ,shame about the coffee , never had it as it's not my thing but if it's like the tea I know where your coming from !

Thanks for the TR buns, sounds like a great flight.

Thanks for the TR. The crew on the 27 did say that the 15 was the flight to go for with a very light load. Glad you missed the end of the croud at MCO immigration.

Thanks for a lovely trip report!

Oooh I am getting into the holiday spirit now!

Great TR and very pleased you both had such a good flight. I was also impressed with the new Gatwick departures area.

Thank you for an interesting TR and for including the menu. It must be quite an odd sensation to walk around on such an empty flight. What a relief that you missed the immigration queues. So pleased the crew were on top form.

Sound like another great flight ex Gatwick which I agree has really improved over the last few years.

And yes, I would agree 100% about the coffee. How is it 1 time in 10 you can get a really nice, hot cup but most of the time its luke warm and tastes like something we can't mention on public forums

David

Brilliant TR Buns, many thanks! We loved UC on our recent trip LAS-LGW on a Gatwick 744, the refitted Gatwick fleet really makes the LHR 744's the poor relation now!

Amazing the difference a month makes. Same flight on the 9/11 - absolutely chockers.

I once flew LHR - JNB on a BA 744 with just 24 in Economy. Brilliant.