VS029 LGW-BGI 14 Jun 07 (Econ)

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

A TR from a long weekend in Barbados. I know it's a long way to go for 4 nights but the fab VA offer was too good to refuse.[}:)]


I have not travelled in VA econ for 10 years but thought that it would be worth it because of the VA offer of half price airmiles plus tax. Also, I made sure that both sets of airmiles came off my husband's a/c[:w]

We completed OLCI the morning before without any probs[:)]

Upon arrival we were directed to UC check-in as no-one was waiting in this queue. Excellent idea, get the pax thru asap.

At no stage was our hand baggage weighed & often the staff are red hot on this.

The young lady told us that it was a different plane & were our seats ok. I asked her what plane it was & was it a LHR config? She said yes.
I asked her which one & she didn't know but very kindly went off to look for a config print out[^]
After coming back with a layout she brought the screen up & we moved forward to 4 rows behind PE.
This took a few minutes & she was so helpful.[y]

We thanked her & moved away to sort ourselves out. A few moments later she tapped me on the shoulder to say that she was sorry but I could only take one piece of hand luggae on board. I thanked her & said that I knew this & my handbag fitted into my small suitcase. She apologised for interupting us, wished us a safe flight & left. How kind of her.[y]

Security was well organised & swift.

We boarded Cosmic Girl without incident & made sure that we were near the last to board so that we could see if there were many empty seats. We had decided to do this as there didn't seem to be that many people in economy.
We were correct, quite a lot of empty seats but blow me down with a feather if after we had sorted ourselves out a lady sat in the aisle seat. Darn!
We spied a set of 3 seats empty 2 rows in front of us so we quickly shifted whilst none of the CC were around[:w]
I know that we are supposed to wait until after take off but this woman didn't even shift to the other side of the aisle to a row of 4 empty seats.

Take off was a bit delayed but we made it up on the flight. The captain announced that there approx 100 empty seats & do move if wishing to but wait until after take off[:w]
We were really pleased to have 3 seats to ourselves. It did make a difference to be able to have a seat between us to spread ourselves out.

I got out my new toy to play with. A set of noise-cancelling earphones. What a great purchase. [^][^]What a difference they make. Why didn't I buy them a couple of years ago[?]

'Love-him-as-I-do-but' also got his new toy out. It was an 8gb ipod. He couldn't use it but was happy playing with it for a while 'til drinks came round.
Why can't VA serve red wine at room temp when other airlines can? I know that this is petty but it is a personal gripe of mine.

The lunch was quickly served but unmemorable as was afternoon tea.
The CC looking after our section of the plane was ok but IMHO one member should not be in a customer orientated environment.[V]
I'll leave it at that.

I watched 4 films with my new earphones.[:D]

We landed ahead of schedule & were thru immigration before some of the passengers had disembarked, it was all so effortless & smooth.

Why do I go to America & queue for ages at immigration when I could go to Barbados hassle free???

We had to wait 15 mins or so for our luggage but that was no big deal as it gave us a chance to stretch our cramped legs & people watch.
Our driver from the hotel was waiting for us as we left the airport & in 15 minutes we were in our hotel. Great!!!
A walk along the beach after lunch got rid of the last of our aches.[:D][:D]

Great TR Roxy-Popsy [y]

Where did you stay ? We are thinking of taking advantage of the miles offer to BGI too at the end of September.
Have been to BGI before and we stayed in The Bougainvillea, but fancy something on the west coast this time.
Will also be my first trip in EC for 6 years [:0]

How was the return trip ?

L2H

We stayed at The Blue Orchids Hotel & I have posted a report under Hotels.
It was a FANTASTIC location & excellent value [:D]but no good for snorkelling from the beach.
Have fun planning your trip [:D]
R-P

[buns]

Roxy Popsy

Thanks for the TR[y][y]

I got out my new toy to play with. A set of noise-cancelling earphones. What a great purchase. What a difference they make. Why didn't I buy them a couple of years ago

Couldn't agree with you more, they certainly do make the difference.

Clearly the handbag thing has been a bit of an issue at LGW as the same thing was mentioned to us when we checked in

thanks once again

buns

Thanks for a great TR, glad you were able to get an extra seat, it always helps when down the back.

DMB

Will post my return TR asap but at wet Wimbledon tomorrow.

Having done econ I have decided that unless a REALLY REALLLLLY good offer comes along again, (& I con 'love-hin-as-I-do-but' to cough up on his miles[}:)]) I would rather fly once in PE, or pref UC than do 2 econ flights. I think I am too old for my body to do origami for several hours.
R-P [:)]

I Love Barbados, have just confirmed my PE seats, thinking of going the whole hog and doing upper bit with 4 to pay for, its not cheap.

We stopped on the west coast last time at Crystal Cove, had a fab 1 bedroom ocean front suite, absoloutly fabulous, next time we are stopping at Turtle Beach as we have the kids with us and feel this hotel is more suited to families

Why can't VA serve red wine at room temp when other airlines can?

Could be worse, other airlines serve white wine at room temp as well[n]