V-Flyer

So as is the way with the 1st night/morning when we land, I am lying here at 3.30am, wide awake looking at a coffee machine.

This trip, as the few who have read the previous parts

EDI to DUB

http://v-flyer.com/forum/index.php?f=21 ... =viewtopic

And DUB to LGW

http://v-flyer.com/forum/index.php?f=4& ... =viewtopic

was to be a trip of many firsts, 1st Ex DUB, 1st JFK clubhouse and 1st Dreamliner trip as well as a "trial" run for us to see how feasible it was going to be should the loophole stay open.

Checkin, already mentioned was actually in Dublin T2 which is a lovely new, clean terminal if a little upstairs downstairs affair meaning you constantly seem to be changing levels.

Bags were tagged through to MCO with the checkin girl making a point of showing me the labels, which was nice, and boarding passes also issued for both flights.

I did log into Virginatlantic.com and download a passbook version whilst waiting in the lounge (big fan of passbook )

So arrival at Gatwick, South terminal was great. No transfers and just a quick walk upto the Premium Security which was very quick. Used the new exit to your left which brings you out just a few steps from the Clubhouse door.

Warmly greeted, like a member of the family. Something about walking into Gatwick Clubhouse just makes you smile. Not only the tranquillity but the staff has such a calming effect

Asked if they could check my bags had made it and after taking a copy of the baggage tag, soon seated and tucking in to the 1st breakfast of the day. After a coffee, 1st glass of Lanson arrived. I had decided, on behalf of the v-flyer community to conduct my own taste test against the new onboard offering so had to have another 4 or 5 glasses just to make sure.

I was soon sought out and it was confirmed that indeed eyes had been laid on the bags and they were indeed being loaded onto the VS015.

Another smile

All too soon, after a few calls, there was only 3 of us left in the Clubhouse. I was beginning to think that we may have overdone the "hospitality" but on closer inspection it was only 12.15 with a 1.00pm departure time so I guessed it was maybe time to wonder down to the gate.

Straight on board and into a very busy plane. Think it was around the 420 + passengers

Quickly seats in 11k and not my usual seat of 10k for some reason and the taste test continued and you know, once a fresh bottle of Gardet had been opened, it wasn't too bad. Not Lanson but it bad (but maybe the 6 glasses of Lanson before hand had something to do with that )

And then we waited

And waited

A couple came into Upper with a disabled child which seemed to throw the crew. Paperwork didn't match, the bridge was reattached and there was quick a bit of conversations and wondering about taking place.

Turns out crew weren't aware of the child's needs and had nothing loaded. After a little bit of tension plans were put into place, something needed was loaded and we were off

I have to say, the crew in Upper were fantastic with the family. They have already been mentioned in despatches and throughly deserve any extra credit that comes there way. They constantly checked on them as well as everyone else and I think rescued what could have been a very bad situation and a very bad if not postponed start to,the family's holiday

Anyways, back to the flight. I think we sat on the ground and extra hour whilst things were getting fixed and that made for a very long day.

Looks like a new imenity kit ( will try and post pics later ) and whilst I have commentated on the menu looking poor, it was actually very nice (wither that had anything to do with just needing food, I don't know )

I had the soup, very nice and hot, the seafood, again lovely and skipped dessert and went onto the cheese course.

All in all a great meal outbound which seems to be continually improving. Never to sure about the inbound stuff though.

A couple of films, a lot of music, some coffee, some dozing and we still had 3 hours to go.

At one point I wondered if we were going round in circles but no, it was probably the result of the last couple of days travelling.

The only thing that was circling was the crew, and they were never more than a few minutes away, with drinks and snacks. Really top class

Afternoon tea came and went which meant we were actually starting to get a bit closer and then eventually it was seats for landing.

Into a warm Orlando and a quiet immigration hall, the new machines seem to now be for the U.S. Residents rather than the visitors but we were through in just a few minutes.

Bags had been tagged correctly and after a bit of a wait came of the upper belt. That gave the massive queue at customs of a German jumbo time to dissipate and we were straight of to dollar to pick up a new Chrysler 300 with more buttons, switches and screens than you could shake a stick at.

A quick trip to the Hilton at downtown for the first night only (Saratoga Springs is rammed with people for Memorial weekend) and into a stunning room with balcony looking over a very, very busy Downtown Disney.

Today we move to Saratoga Springs for the duration but not before partaking in some of the Memorial Day sales.

So, the outcome of outbound part of this trip.

Would I fly ex DUB again ? In a heartbeat. It is a bit of "guddle" ( great word that ) but it's all part of the experience.

It sticks on another day and another flight, but that's all part of the holiday and indeed the saving. You know, I was actually a little bit embarrassed about how little I had paid for the service I got, but will I take advantage of it again, if it's available - sure. Yes there are lessons to be learned ( the Radisson at Dublin airport for one ) but it raises the possibility of 3 or even 4 holidays a year instead of 2 or 3 and after what's been proved to me last week - time away from work is precious

Thanks for reading

David.

What a superb TR, full of positives and great experiences! I keep looking at the ex-dub flights but have yet to take the plunge. Great to hear how the CC handled the 'surprise' pax....I wonder where the communication breakdown happened? It seems, again, when the CC are brilliant they make the flight so special

Thanks for posting David and happy holidays

Sounds like an awesome flight, the crew do sound like angels in how they dealt with the disabled child, always good to see the praise that comes out when the crews perform

When I first embarked on trying to fly upper class for my 30th (114 days left!) I always imagined it would be a once in a life time sort of thing, but with The ex EU fares it can easily be something to do at least once a year!

I actually enjoy the buzz and hullabaloo of airports and flights even little short hops so I'm quite looking forward to flying the extra sectors.

We have built it as a day trip with quite a few friends all flying BA from LCY to Dublin for a birthday tour of the Guiness factory and the Jamesons distillery prior to flying back to LHR to start the real meaty trip!!

Thank you David, a most enjoyable and detailed read. I do hope your body clock starts to sync quickly and you can enjoy the break.

David - thanks for the TR, an enjoyable read too.

Sounds like the ex-DUB trick is worth doing - certainly something I'll consider in future. Trouble is I have enough miles for the next two trips & those G's, whilst elusive, are cheaper than an ex-DUB.

Your TR also goes to prove what has often been said on here - namely that when you get a good crew, Virgin are up there amongst the best.

Enjoy Florida - hope the weather is kind to you (we were very lucky, one 30min thunderstorm which we avoided in a restaurant & a 10min afternoon shower in 18 days).

James

Step away from the coffee machine.....

Thanks for the detailed TR and report of the level of service being as it should be.

Enjoy Florida!

Paul

Thanks for a great series of TRs David. I was really interested to see how it would all work out for you. Well done to the CC for rescuing the situation with the disabled child.

Enjoy the Memorial Day sales and your holiday in Florida.

Hi David,

Did you manage to see if you can check your bags in early with BA at Dublin.

Thanks,

Steve

stevedaley wrote:Hi David,

Did you manage to see if you can check your bags in early with BA at Dublin.

Thanks,

Steve

Hi Steve.

You can check in upto 2 hours before your flight.

David

Petmadness wrote:Great to hear how the CC handled the 'surprise' pax....I wonder where the communication breakdown happened?

Hi Petmadness.

It seems the trip was booked through Virgin Holidays.

Don't know if that's had anything to do with the issues

David

Thanks for the comments everyone

This greeted me this morning



Not a bad view, but this afternoon, Orlando on Memorial Day is not for the faint hearted.

It's manic, everywhere.

(But I'm guessing it's a little warmer than back home )

David

It looked even nicer last night



But this is a sight you don't see often



Maybe trying to beat the horrendous traffic

David

David, a fabulous read. Apologies we didn't have the opportunity to catch up but having spent the last couple of days at a Disney resort we have escaped the madness of Disney at memorial weekend and headed to the Gulf coast where we have just been greeted to a gigantic thunderstorm but the dolphins were on hand to greet us!

Looking forward to sleepy days and sunset nights. Have a great stay and I think you might have saved me writing a TR of my own from the same flight the day before as you know.....but happy to post the pics I have which can be summed up here....

Check in - Poor
CH - Amazing
Flight - lazy FSM in overall charge but a great FSM and CSS in UC providing great attentive service and a fabulous mojito tasting session!!

Immigration and customs were friendly, painless and very quick. I was airside within 15mins of leaving the aircraft door

Jon

Forgot to ask David - did the CC proactively offer the light bites on your flight....I ask because normally they don't but on my flight (might have been because it was close to 10hrs) but they were proactively offered to everyone 4hrs out from Orlando so much so that they used all the stock up

Jon

horburyflyer wrote:Forgot to ask David - did the CC proactively offer the light bites on your flight....I ask because normally they don't but on my flight (might have been because it was close to 10hrs) but they were proactively offered to everyone 4hrs out from Orlando so much so that they used all the stock up

Jon

Sorry Jon, missed this one. Pool been to tempting half way through and feels like I've been away from work for months.

No, no light bits offered which is a shame. I tend to forget about them as predominantly having travelled ex LGW, they were never on the menu up until about a year ago.

David

Great TR and love that car-boat! Maybe they would lend it to me for my trip next year?

David wrote:

horburyflyer wrote:Forgot to ask David - did the CC proactively offer the light bites on your flight....I ask because normally they don't but on my flight (might have been because it was close to 10hrs) but they were proactively offered to everyone 4hrs out from Orlando so much so that they used all the stock up

Jon

Sorry Jon, missed this one. Pool been to tempting half way through and feels like I've been away from work for months.

No, no light bits offered which is a shame. I tend to forget about them as predominantly having travelled ex LGW, they were never on the menu up until about a year ago.

David

I know what you mean David, I also feel like I have been away for weeks even though its only been a week. As I head home today from the Gulf coast, my return is already in the planning stages!

Have a good weekend and hope to catch up soon.

Jon

Just catching up on your TR's David, smashing all of them.

Cheers