This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Having read all the negative stuff about the Vegas flight being a real pain with groups of stags getting well boozed up, I thought it only fair to give the stags perspective on one of these![:)]
We all decided that twilight check in would be the best bet, this combined with LGW Hilton makes life so much easier!
Short queue to check in, lady on check in was excellent; friendly, professional with plenty of humour. Did have some concerns though as we'd booked as a group of 12 through Virgin Flightstores, I called them a week before to say that 2 of the group couldn't make it anymore (wasn't looking for a refund just aware that the flight is a busy one and thought they might like to release the seats!)Flightstore said that unless the whole group travelled none of us could[:0][:0] I called Virgin who said this was rubbish, but I was still worried until we all had our boarding passes.
Anyhow off to Lloyds N#1 for a few cheeky shandies and dinner.
The following morning security was a pain, we were sent upstairs to an overflow security checkpoint and still had a 20 minute wait. Through to the holiday refugee camp that is the south terminal. Time passed quickly and as we approached the satelite terminal boarding was just commencing. Had the boarding card rejected by the machine, thought 'hello'[:D][:D][:D], alas we'd all been moved to row 22, still good as it's like a private Y cabin. For some reason however, 2 of the group were in rows 43 and 57[:?][:?][:?].
On boarding we explained our predicament to the crew, not really expecting anything to be done as the flight was rammed! Within 5 minutes our seating problems had all been solved[oo][oo] Seeing our stag T-shirts (I know very blokeish) the FSM popped over to say hello and introduce herself, very friendly and it made the flight for us from the start.
I'd warned all the boys to take it easy on the flight with the drink, but I needn't have worried as they were all too excited to get into the movies, an easily pleased bunch[8D]
Aircraft was OP, we pushed about 15 minutes late and then the long taxi to 08R, airbourne in no time on a Lambourne? departure. Annoyingly my seat wouldn't stay in the upright position, I could only apologise to the gent sat behind me[n] I reported it to the FSM who promised to stick it in the fault report.
Drinks and IFE started up asap quickly followed by lunch, can't remember the choices but my chicken and pasta was quite tasty, followed by the fruity Gu thingy for pudding[:)]
Watched a few films, destroyed any challengers at Chess and lost the lot on blackjack.
Food and drink gets an average as the snacks served later on in the flight were poor, a chicken cesar sandwich and then later a pannini, both had less filling than a bread and butter sandwich[n]
About halfway through the flight the aisles of economy were very busy with people stretching their legs and queuing for the toilets, it seemed that the cabin crew kept asking the captain to turn on the seatbelt signs to clear the aisles (the excuse was forecast turbulence, in all my expereince of flying as a passanger and observer on the flight deck I'd never seen this before, so I assume it was a tactic to get people to sit down) Not that it bothered my group as they were all enjoying ice creams and watching films[:D]
Before we knew it, 90% of the flight had passed and it was nearly descent time. Quite expeditious approach to 25L at LAS, and without a doubt the softest landing I ever experienced, the applause from behind always makes me cringe[:$]
Quick taxi to the gate and disembark from 2L which suited us as we were sandwiched between W and J so we were off very quickly to a deserted immigration, with all booths open waiting for us. Tried a Hello and small talk with immigration man, should've known better[n][n] Half the group got sent to the back of the queue for not fully completeing the green form (the bottom departure bit), this didn't matter as all the bags took 3/4 of an hour to come off[:?][:?]
Overall, about 50% of the group had never travelled long haul before never mind with Virgin, everyone of them commented that it was the best flight they'd ever had and the 10 hours had flown by (sorry about the pun[ii]) Personally I was dreading it having been op-upped to Upper on my last flight, but I've got to say it was the best Y flight I've ever had also.
Incidentally, there were other stags on the flight but none were misbehaved, and the bar stayed open throughout the flight!
Finally, I have to say Vegas provided the finest stag trip I could wish for. It literally was the best weekend of my life! Anyone considering it, you won't go wrong! Treasure Island is a great base for a stag, and everyone should see the Beatles Love Cirque du Soleil show.
