V-Flyer

After my weekend in Las Vegas, it was time to head back to San Francisco.

I'd booked a Super Shuttle shared van to get to/from LAS, which turned up on time to collect me from the Palazzo. After the short drive back to LAS, I was dropped off at T3.

First Class check-in was again fast and efficient. I was informed there would be a delay of about 30mins due to weather in San Francisco. Priority security was almost deserted and was nice and quick.

I found a seat by my departure gate and as I had an hour or so before the departure, I fired up my Sky Go app on my iPad to watch a film I'd downloaded before I left the UK (you need the Sky Go Extra service to allow the offline watching / downloading service which you do get for free if you have Sky Multi Screen).

During this time VX gate staff kept everyone updated with the minor delay every 20minutes or so. I saw the VS43 arriving from LGW. Around 14:00, there was another announcement from the gate, this time it was our captain who introduced himself to everyone and then took the time to come round and say a quick hello to pax as well as doing a quick group Q&A session which was kinda' cool and everyone did seem genuinely impressed with this

Boarding commenced around 14:15, with First Class getting priority boarding as usual. I was welcomed on-board by the captain again and the team member looking after the First Class cabin. Row 2 again here. I've flown First a couple of times now on VX and row 2 does look to offer slightly more leg room than row 1. Pre-departure drinks offered again.

Before long, all the pax where on-board and the door was closed. We pushed back around 14:40 so only 10minutes late and was airborne a couple of minutes later.

Todays flight back to SFO would only be 1hr 9mins. The IFE and WiFi was soon turned on. I wanted to finish watching the film I'd started on my iPad which only had about 20mins left so after that I surfed the net on my iPad again using a pre-paid pass. Phones and tablets can be placed in the seat pocket during take off, but lap-tops need to put away in your carry-on.

Drinks orders were taken and the snack basket was offered. Again it was a selection of crips, cookies or pop-corn etc. The flight was a little bumpy as we left the LAS area, but the captain did say this is normal for this time of year in this area due to the hot weather & thermals.

Before long we started out decent into SFO to the cabin was cleared and the seat belt sign was put on. We touched down a few minutes after 16:00. One thing I forgot to mention is that VX have the same policy as QF in that as soon as the aircraft leaves the runway an announcement is made informing pax they can now turn on and use mobile phones. A few minutes later we where on stand and soon leaving the aircraft. You arrive in the same concourse area you depart from at SFO. It's not too far to walk to the carousels. Bags where soon coming off and I was soon on my way to the BART station via the Air-train.

Safely settled into my room at the InterContinental San Francisco by around 18:00. Just about coming to terms with only having 1 TV in this room, unlike the Palazzo which had 3

All in all a great VX flight, better than the out-bound overall

I think I love Virgin America and haven't even flown them yet, great TR James, almost like being ON the plane from a reader's perspective, great stuff.

Enjoyed the TR, thank you.

I too haven't yet flown VX but very much want to.

How did you cope with just one TV ? !!!

James, you bring your flights to life for the rest of us Great TR and particularly loving the Captains impromptu Q&A

James

Thanks for this latest instalment of your journey

Glad to hear that the service was better on the return to SFO

looking forward to the next chapter

buns

What a great TR. Lovely to hear the Captain engaging with his pax.

Thank you for the TR, as others have said I thought the contact from the Captain was a great touch.

oldboy

oldboy wrote:Thank you for the TR, as others have said I thought the contact from the Captain was a great touch.

Agreed. One of the perversely outstanding experiences I had on EasyJet was when we were severely delayed due to a tyre needing replacing. The Captain had spotted it on his external check, but rather than simply locking himself in the flight deck and relaying the news over the intercom, stood at the front and, without a microphone, explained the issue, explained what was going to happen and how long it might take. This personal touch seem to take the potential heat out of the situation and the feeling was very relaxed even when we departed 90 minutes late..

It seems to be pretty standard for someone from the VX flight deck to greet passengers and give his/her briefing standing at the front of the cabin. If you're in First there is sometimes the chance of a quick conversation. It's a nice touch on an airline with many other nice touches. I just wish their partnership with VS was increasing.

Just to add, guess I choose the right hotel in San Francisco as if it's good enough President Obama, it's good enough for me!! Yes he checked in last night. I did wonder when what looked like half the SFPD appeared in and around the hotel yesterday and security check points where added to the hotel entrance.

Thanks for the TR and having traveled both first and main Cabin select I love this airline , fun efficient and all in all love them

mitchja wrote:Just to add, guess I choose the right hotel in San Francisco as if it's good enough President Obama, it's good enough for me!! Yes he checked in last night. I did wonder when what looked like half the SFPD appeared in and around the hotel yesterday and security check points where added to the hotel entrance.

Pretty cool!!!