V-Flyer

As normal for a MAN-MCO trip for me, we stopped the night before at the Radisson at the airport – makes for a nice hassle-free start to the day. Headed into Manchester for food and a couple of drinks the night before the flight.

Woke up way too early on the morning of the flight, but could not get back to sleep. Had an early breakfast then checked out & headed down to T2. Was at one of the Upper Class desks in no time, boarding passes and lounge invite issued.

Security was a breeze – they did seem to be pulling a lot of bags from the X-ray for secondary screening though. Thankfully, ours were deemed OK so it was on our way to the Escape Lounge via duty free & WH Smith.

Why, oh why do WH Smith insist on a boarding pass to buy a newspaper airside? I just politely refuse and say I have not got it on me, but there must be a reason for this – I can only assume marketing / data gathering of some kind.

Up the Escape Lounge and the Male lounge dragon was severely stressed out, on the phone non-stop and generally ignoring people trying to enter the lounge for a good few mins. One couple (one elderly lady in a wheelchair) were waiting with UC invites – the OCS assistance guy got fed up of waiting for the dragon and just took them to another lounge [which we later learnt, onboard the aircraft, that the lounge they got to use was the v-room]. Dragon eventually let us into the lounge and insisted on showing us to the “business class” side of the lounge, which was full. We just made out way back to the other side when his back was turned and found a table no problem.

Well done to the Virgin turnaround team at MAN yesterday, as the inbound flight arrived close on 50mins late from Orlando, yet we boarded pretty much on time and pushed back only 10mins late. 436 pax onboard with a flight time of 8h36m on Ruby Tuesday. Bubbly was served on boarding followed by refills.

Once airbourne, the FSM was round the cabin doing the welcomes & taking drinks orders. There were only 3 silver card holders onboard & no golds. The silvers [one of them being myself] all got seen first for both drinks orders & meal orders. Drinks followed quickly, along with refills as requested.

For lunch I had the Crayfish & Prawn cocktail, which was very nice. Followed this up with the Braised Beef, which was also good, but just too much for me. Maybe I should have passed on breakfast in the Radisson! Passed on dessert and went for the cheese, which was very nice. By this stage, I was nicely stuffed, so settled down to watch the Jack Ryan film on Vera. Had actually seen this on Emirates last week, but had enjoyed it, so watched it again.

In the “quiet section” of the flight I took in a few TV programmes on Vera – Educating Yorkshire & the Penguin documentary. Had seen both before when they were on TV in the UK, but it helped to pass the time. Also watched stuff on the iPad.

The crew did frequent drink runs through the cabin & also an ice cream run. There was no way you were going to go hungry or thirsty.

Afternoon tea followed 90mins out of Orlando – was quite nice, with the exception of the scone, which was way too dry, even when you applied the clotted cream to it.

Had a smooth, early landing in Orlando just after 3pm local time. Unfortunately, the early Virgin flight ffrom LGW & also a Thomas Cook flight had beaten us into Orlando. The crew held back the main Economy cabin, so we were off pretty quick and into a not too busy Immigration hall. We joined the zig-zag queue and they were selecting a trickle of pax to use the automated machines (which seemed to be playing up a bit). We were not selected for this line, but were through in about half an hour. As we neared the front of the queue, the queue for immigration was snaking back into the corridor and round the corner to the gates. Ouch. I dread to think how long it took some people to clear immigration.

Within an hour of landing we were in the hire car – a nice little VW Beetle – heading towards South I-Drive. It was a little cool yesterday, but it has warmed up today to just the sort of weather you come to Florida for.

Absolutely nothing to complain about with regards to yesterdays flight. The crew were very good & on the ball. The food was good and plentiful. The plane was pretty clean and we arrived ahead of schedule. Have had a cracking first day in Orlando – 13 more to go!

James

Thanks James, an enjoyable read.

Shame about the dragon, not a good start for any trip.

Flight sounds like it was as it should be. Half an hour at immigration doesn't sound too bad either but after a transatlantic flight it seems forever.

Have a wonderful time.

Sounds like another good Upper flight I stand by my previous comments that, on board, they generally seem to be getting better.

Hopefully it will warm up in time for us to arrive in a little over 2 weeks ex GLA (which if anyone is interested, there seems to be plenty of reward seats in all classes available over the next few weeks)

enjoy !

David

Thanks James, good to see and hear more positive reports from onboard. Shame about the initial experience at the Escape lounge but great to hear the crew were on good form also.

Enjoy Florida and I hope to be out there in a few weeks time.....

Jon

Kraken

Thanks for the TR

I echo the sentiments above about there seems to be a move towards the on-board experience improving and I only hope this continues.

Enjoy the Florida sunshine as the recent spate of bad weather appeared to have passed.

buns

Good TR Kraken, thanks, and good to again read about the great on board service. Have a fantabulosa trip

Thanks for the TR, I normally travel from LGW but have considered the MAN flight and it's good to see that it's the same service you come to expect to get :-D enjoy sunny florida :-D

Thanks for your TR, I never quite understand why the reception staff at the escape lounge are quite so arsy and up themselves.