V-Flyer

I've not posted much in the past 12 months, mainly because changes in my life mean I have gone from flying quite frequently to hardly flying at all. But I want to post this report from the excellent inaugural flight of the VS112, on which I had managed to upgrade a cheap economy ticket to UC with miles.

Arrived at JFK in good time. My first experience of the new check-in – VS check-in seems to yo-yo between different ends of the terminal. All was fine, except for the sceptical inquiry from the ladies at the entrance to the terminal that it was really Upper Class that I was travelling in today....

At check-in itself the friendly agent remarked that this was 'the new flight', and I later discovered that it was in fact to be the inaugural flight of VS112. Security was a bit busy, but it didn't take long.

The relocated check-in means a long walk to the Clubhouse, but T4 is one of the better JFK terminals. On arrival at the CH the agent was flustered by the fact that the flight was new – he was clearly used to reeling off from memory the times when flights are called, and we had a laugh when he had to make up the time for the 112.

Into the CH and pleased to see it was quiet, despite being a Sunday in spring break. Had a nice enough meal – red cabbage salad, burger, chocolate fondant – although the quality of the burger wasn't great, really, and the fondant was solid throughout and appeared very quickly, from which you can draw your own conclusion. The drink, however, was good – a lovely Redhead cocktail, and then a drinkable cabernet sauvignon. I moved over to read by the window seats and watched the arrival of VROC operating the 45/46. For some reason I decided to try a Cosmopolitan (for the first time in my life). I won't make that mistake again.

After a walk around the terminal, which took me past someone who had clearly been denied lounge entry and was apoplectic about it (raging on the phone to whichever airline it was... ), boarding was called, and it was straight on to Lady Stardust. From the outset I have praised the A333s, as I think that criticism of the new UC cabin is rather overdone (although I acknowledge its obvious weaknesses). I was pleased to be back, and continue to find the seat, when in seat mode, more comfortable than the normal UC suite.

Coat was taken, fizz offered, and then the crew-member assigned to my aisle came and introduced herself. She was absolutely brilliant. Nothing was too much trouble, and she was genuinely welcoming. The red-eye flights back to the UK are sometimes a bit hit-or-miss, but on this flight the entire team was first-rate and really on the ball. I cannot praise them enough.

We pushed back on time and were soon in the air. Drinks and supper were served quickly – I tried a vegetable curry, which was OK but not as good as the ex-UK food, and then bedded down. The flight was a quick one so there was only time for a few hours' doze before I was gently awakened for breakfast. My table would not eject itself from its housing, so I switched seats and was served a good full English breakfast, which I was (unsurprisingly) unable to finish.

Arrival was smooth and way ahead of schedule, and for a change there was no queue at the e-gates and the bags arrived promptly. I was not planning to go to Revivals but the early arrival prompted me to have a quick shower, which makes such a difference to how you feel.

It was a great flight, and it was wonderful to glimpse some of that VS magic again.

Sounds like a good flight and I share your views on the ucds , just too many of them in the cabin , good to see you posting TRs again