This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
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At the UC queue we went through security and straight to the desk where the check in girl told us that the flight - which had been straight sevens for many weeks, right up to yesterday, was very busy down the back Dave speculated that this could be a result of the pounds recent surge through the $2 mark, but the agent said that it is often the case that the New York flights filled up at the last minute.
Once we were sorted we made our way to fast track security where there were only a couple of people in front of us. Straight up to the Clubhouse and straight for lunch. I had the salmon linguini with a Budweiser and Dave had the ubiquitous Clubhouse burger. The meals were very nice and there was even a lady doing quality control on the meals as they were served at the table. She pointed out that Daves bun was slightly burnt and offered a replacement he politely declined!
We dont fly until 6pm and our hassle free trip has meant that we have quite a long time to spend in the Clubhouse aint that a shame? [;)] Dave took advantage of the long stay and booked himself in for a haircut, and I had my Rhinestone Cowboy. After we had received our treatments we were joined by fellow V-Flyers Vegascrazy and Steve, who are on their way to Dubai. We chatted and took advantage of the various things the Clubhouse has to offer. Apart from the Budweiser with my lunch, I stuck to coffee and soft drinks, as it is going to be a long day, by the time we get to the other side.
We said goodbye to James and Steve, then made the long hike to Gate 40, where the Airbus A340 Indian Princess was stood in the sunshine waiting for us. Boarding was well under way and we walked straight onto the plane and right down the back, to seats 63 A and C. Flight time was announced as 6 hours and 55 minutes. The plane was indeed completely full down the back, and we pushed back exactly on time at 1800. We then had a long wait on the ground in the long take off queue and actually didnt get wheels up until 1825.
Once V-Port had started up, I watched The Last King of Scotland, which I really enjoyed in a perverse sort of way. Being at the back we got drinks quickly and first choice of meal. I had the chicken pasta with broccoli and Dave had the braised beef with potato and veg. I enjoyed mine and all of Daves disappeared, so his couldnt have been too bad.
I continued to read and watched a bit of TV Doctor Who and Only Fools & Horses during which we were served a choc ice. I also watched the latest in the Sylvester Stallone pension fund franchise Rocky Balboa and then wondered why I had bothered. The snack before we landed was a choice of shortbread or brownie with tea or coffee.
The pilot said that we should be on the ground at about 8.20pm local time, but we obviously had ATC problems, as we seemed to be stacked for a while and in a very tight pattern. This gave us great views of the Jersey Shore and New York and we seemed to take a very strange zig-zag route into the airport.
It was actually about 8.45pm when we touched down and then we had a very long taxi, with several hold ups before arriving at the gate. A long walk to the Immigration Hall, where there was already a long queue it was slow moving but well marshalled and we were through in about half an hour. By the time we got to the front the queue had grown massively and I am sure the people joining it would have been over an hour.
All in all a very good flight. IMHO flying in Y is very much a mindset we got what we expected & what we paid for, and that is all we could really ask for. Arriving as late as we did meant that we just got the shuttle to the Jamaica Fairfield Inn, and crashed ready to start the weekend properly the next morning.
If you are still awake, you can read about the return here. [;)]
Nick
