V-Flyer

So it was time for another little trip to Florida. This was quite a last minute trip so wasn't booked until just over two weeks before and decided flying from MAN was the most sensible option this time around.

Took the train from Huddersfield to Manchester airport, usual service in TP Express First class - a newspaper, a hot drink and a snack from the basket (biscuits etc)

Arrived at the airport around 1015am and walked across to T2. One of the UC check in desks was blocked by a trolley full of luggage of someone checking in at the PE desk. This was quickly moved and I was waved forward. The Swissport lady was not at all welcoming and lacked any real warmth, she handed me my silver envelope with the lounge invite, luggage tags, customs form etc.....it does it keep it altogether for sure.

I was told I could use the fast-lane and that was it. Not the best of starts

Used the fast-lane but security overall was very quiet so through in no-time at all and picked up some currency which I had pre-ordered and some bits and bobs and then it was up to the Escape lounge too. I was welcomed warmly and positioned myself by the window which looked out into the terminal.

This lounge did use to be the Air France lounge and little has changed really. I arrived just as the breakfast service was finishing so managed to order a sausage sandwich. The lounge did get a little busy, signs indicated this was the dedicated lounge for Delta/Virgin but passengers from other flights were visiting, so it seems to act as an overflow from the main escape lounge. From 11am, the food offer changed to sandwiches, cheese/crackers, soup, cakes and some salad items.

Boarding was going to be called at 1300 but I left around 1230 to make the first boarding call at the gate at around 1245. The gate staff were just as unfriendly as the check in agent but I was on my way rather quickly and down the airbridge.

Welcomed warmly at the door with (I bet you know where you are going....) and directed left. I quickly found my seat to be welcomed really well by the CSS who introduced himself and offered a glass of champagne.

The UC cabin started to fill up with 12 of the 14 seats taken on today's flight. Refills of champagne were offered and accepted along with newspapers, the amenity kit and a bottle of water.

Pushed away from the gate early with 432 passengers on board and 17 crew. Take off was at 1347 with a flight time of 8hrs25mins promised.

Once airborne- hot towels were offered and menus handed out by the FSM along with the Summer drinks list. The FSM was really hard working throughout the flight in UC, highly visible and worked well with the CSS to ensure everyone was well looked after.

Drink orders were taken by the FSM and dispatched with crisps- refills offered and accepted. A good atmosphere too in the cabin had this shaping up to be a really good flight.

Just before lunch we had company over the Atlantic until we finally left them behind....

Tables were set for a late lunch at around 1515 and I enjoyed the Pea and Mint Soup, Chicken Katsu and the Warm sticky toffee pudding, rounding everything off with the cheese.

Throughout the crew were simply fantastic offering bread and ensuring your wine and water glasses remained full. A great team on board.

Tea/coffee and liqueurs were offered after lunch and then later in the flight the usual offer of ice-cream

Throughout the flight the crew were always visible in the cabin offering drinks and refilling the snack basket at the bar with chocolates, crisps and sweets.

About 1.5hrs out from Orlando the afternoon tea trolley appeared and I enjoyed a good selection of sandwiches, though not the same ones as the menu, a couple of sweet treats and a delicious scone with clotted cream and jam

With everything cleared away just time for a final round of hot towels and a cheery goodbye personally from the FSM we touched down at 1715 just behind the delayed BA flight from LGW but ahead of the VS15

Fearing the worst I left the flight quickly thanking the crew for a really good flight and joined the APC queue which moved quickly and I was through in minutes, a record for me at MCO. The case was waiting for me on the luggage belt and I was through into the terminal by 1730

A superb flight with a fantastic crew!

Great TR.
The Katsu looks lovely, I might have that instead of beef if it's still on offer for my flight in 10 days. The scone I had last time was amazing...was it warm?

Sounds like an excellent flight!! Shame to hear about the less than stellar welcome before the flight though. Many thanks for including some photos too.

ultreen1 wrote:Great TR.
The Katsu looks lovely, I might have that instead of beef if it's still on offer for my flight in 10 days. The scone I had last time was amazing...was it warm?

The Katsu has been delicious each time I have had it onboard, think the new menu starts next week but you never know your luck.

The scone was huge and nicely warm

Jon

Great TR as always Jon made better with the pics , shame about the ground staff but everything else sounded spot on , who was the race against ?

horburyflyer wrote:

ultreen1 wrote:Great TR.
The Katsu looks lovely, I might have that instead of beef if it's still on offer for my flight in 10 days. The scone I had last time was amazing...was it warm?

The Katsu has been delicious each time I have had it onboard, think the new menu starts next week but you never know your luck.

The scone was huge and nicely warm

Jon

I thought the menu was due a change, the Katsu was available when I flew to miami in June. I'm sure I'll enjoy whatever's on offer

Blacky1 wrote:Great TR as always Jon made better with the pics , shame about the ground staff but everything else sounded spot on , who was the race against ?

It was a Lufthansa A330.....

Thanks for a great TR Jon, pity about the checkin and gate experience, but glad if didn't put a dampener on things.

horburyflyer wrote:

Blacky1 wrote:Great TR as always Jon made better with the pics , shame about the ground staff but everything else sounded spot on , who was the race against ?

It was a Lufthansa A330.....

Thank you for a most enjoyable TR. Loved the pictures. Great that you got through immigration quickly.

Great TR Jon thanks, what a pain that the ground staff were so useless. We never think to fly from Manchester, though it could make sense as we live in South Yorkshire - we have family in Horbury where I assume you are, given your forum name - and didn't realise you could get the train to the airport.

Enjoy Florida, where are you staying? We're going to Fort Myers Beach in September/October for a few days doing absolutely nothing at all.

whiterose wrote:Great TR Jon thanks, what a pain that the ground staff were so useless. We never think to fly from Manchester, though it could make sense as we live in South Yorkshire - we have family in Horbury where I assume you are, given your forum name - and didn't realise you could get the train to the airport.

Enjoy Florida, where are you staying? We're going to Fort Myers Beach in September/October for a few days doing absolutely nothing at all.

I do indeed live in Horbury, such a small place, I might well know your relatives! I did use to get the train from Dewsbury directly to the airport but since May you have to change at Huddersfield or Leeds as only a couple of services a day now stop at Dewsbury whereas it did use to be a train every 30mins....

I'm now in NJ but was staying in the Orlando area this time, though usually I am out at the beach at either St Pete or Clearwater.

Like the sound of doing nothing at all, just what a holiday should be. Have fun and enjoy.

Jon

Apart from the poor start at the airport, sounds like another great flight to the Sunshine state.

We will be (hopefully) tasting the new menu ex GLA in a couple of weeks time and am hoping for a little bit more sparkle than the last trip across the pond ex GLA a few months ago.

As long as the sun is shining, the beer ( and the pool ) are cold, I'll be a happy bunny.

Using the new machines at MCO the last time was pretty quick for us as well so here's hoping for a quick trip through and onwards to disneys Saratoga Springs in good time.

Glad you had a good flight which was a bit longer than your usual LR ones

Thanks again

David

Good to hear of such a good in flight experience.

oldboy

David wrote:Apart from the poor start at the airport, sounds like another great flight to the Sunshine state.

We will be (hopefully) tasting the new menu ex GLA in a couple of weeks time and am hoping for a little bit more sparkle than the last trip across the pond ex GLA a few months ago.

As long as the sun is shining, the beer ( and the pool ) are cold, I'll be a happy bunny.

Using the new machines at MCO the last time was pretty quick for us as well so here's hoping for a quick trip through and onwards to disneys Saratoga Springs in good time.

Glad you had a good flight which was a bit longer than your usual LR ones

Thanks again

David

I'm sure the sun will be shining, the beer will be cold and all will be well. Looking forward to the TR already.

The APC machines are a great investment at MCO, could not believe the amount of time I saved, for the second time over the summer!

Back to the LR flights next week.....

Jon

Thanks for the TR and photos. Sounds like a great flight.