LGW-BGI Had to go to tkt desk first as changes to date of travel meant I needed a new tkt. No queue and all done in about 1 minute...normally LGW tkt desk much busier so guess I was lucky. Had checked in online...waste of time as so few details taken and still had to go bag drop, this is often a joke with VS as the number of desks for bag drop are never enough. This day was the same, about 15 people in the bag drop line ahead of me, and no one in the normal economy queue (had to use economy as the tkt is economy but upgradable if space in J)wasn't sure wether could use the normal economy check in as we had done OLCI, so asked, was told no, must go to bag drop desks and to queue behind the other 15. Did this, and to get things moving, they then sent passengers to other desks, not just bag drop desk! (one hand doesn't know what the other is doing ?!!) Once at desk, checkin and J uprgrade sorted out straight away. Lounge pass isssued, and went upstairs to go to fast track....not open, even though it was passed 7am when it should open. Had to queue in the normal long line, asked the BAA girl on the desk and as is usual with the BAA, she couldn't really care less! (hopefully the spanish owners can buck up a few things). Up to lounge, relief to get away from the busy public areas! Great ervice in loung, great staff (and no, they don't know I am staff!) Had good breakfast, caught up on some company work on the pc before taking a leisurly hike to the gate. Priority boarding was in action, however they had called eveyone to early as there was a 30 minute delay to the flight. So had to wait around at gate for about 15 minutes before we could board. Once on board looked after excellently. Departed a bout 30 minutes late so not to bad. Usual reason given of the inbound flight was late !(means nothing really does it !) Had a seat near the bar so after take off moved as J was only about half full. Wanted a bit of piece and quiet so moved away from bar area.! Watched a fim (ice age 2 - good entertainment) had a snack and got on with some work on the lap top. Quick snack at bar before landing. Must say the crew in J were very good, better than I have seen for a long time when flying with VS. Quickly though BGI imigration, but then had to wait till nearly then end before bags came up. The J bags were coming one or two at a time, other pax in J were the same...something went wrong there I think. Off to hotel with a very chatty cab driver.
Return journey, check in empty so took about 2 minutes! J class was not full so got the upgrade again. Couldn't use the loung as it is not VS lounge and staff can't use it (fair enough). Boarding started on time, but the announcements totally inaudible. So most of the pax just jumped up and swamped the gate desk!. I waited till it had cleared a bit then took a slow stroll, then one of the VS staff was going down the line asking to see boarding cards, saw I (and my colleague) had J so took us straight to the gate door, and onto the plane! Excellent.! Once again the J crew were excellent. One of the crew recognised a pax from months ago and asked him how his business was etc, remembering the details as well. Good PR ! J was nearly full, but had seats away from the bar so OK. Only gripe was that one pax had his wife and 2 young children upstairs in W. and for the first 2 hours they kept coming down into J and making a nuisance of themselves, much to the annoiance of the other pax. Think the pax should be a bit more considerate and the crew should have said something. Only other minor point was the IFE failed on my seat and couldn't be reset. No really a problem as I slept. Must say the saets are good though. At LGW long wait again for J bags for everyone ? Don't know why.
Overall it was a good trip, however I can see how things have changed a lot over the last few years for the worse (ammenity kits !!!!) but do think the food is starting to improve again. Luckily most of the crew keep things above average. Shame the LGW fleet don't have Vport. Got the impression most pax were satisfied...hope so!!!
hope you enjoyed the trip report (my first)
