V-Flyer

Having watched Matilda (great show) and spent the night at the very nice Cavendish Hotel (thanks to Bretty for the recommendation) an easy trip to Heathrow via a cooperative Bakerloo line and the Hex.

Check in and bag drop area was rather empty, no other passengers at the Virgin area and very few elsewhere which surprised me slightly but not complaining. Had checked in online but left them my bag and got a printed boarding pass in return.

Through security with no waits nor issues and through to wait by the gate and the seats there where the staff were trying to find enough people to fill the emergency exit seats. I however, as approached by a woman with a clipboard who asked me if I was a transfer passenger (no), was I starting my journey at Heathrow (yes) and was I sure I wasn't connecting from another Virgin Atlantic flight (positive). She didn't look convinced but wandered off at that point, what gave the impression that I didn't know my itinerary I'm not sure.

Boarding started slightly later than stated than stated but not by much, no one took advantage of the priority boarding and all on board well before 11:20, announcement from the Captain that we there would be a slight wait in a queue before we could take off and to expect some turbulence at take off.

In terms of loads I would be surprised if the flight was a third full, most people seemed to have three seats to themselves and there were a few empty rows. We left the gate at about 11:20 and just when I started to wonder if we were driving to Edinburgh we arrived back at the gate area, where there was an announcement for a certain passenger to make himself known to the crew, which he didn't, this was followed by three recounts, we then started moving again about 11:55 followed by an as promised rather wobbly take off around 13:05 and a pretty standard flight and arrival.

Would have been good to have a bit more information as to what was going on, an announcement saying slight discrepancy in the paperwork/passenger numbers or some such rather than no contact until the request for the passenger but overall a good flight, that was a fair bit cheaper than those in orange wanted flying from Stanstead at a rather early hour with no luggage.

Thank you for your TR.
I know what you mean about feeling you were driving to Edinburgh before take off. I always feel the same that I'm walking to my destination when sent to some of the distant gates.