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#251635 by Alex321bartie
24 Oct 2007, 12:34
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Well, a long needed rest for the family was required so we booked a week to JFK with Expedia. Our flight was at 1600 and we were there by 1300. I checked in me and my kids the night before (46 H,J,K). And these were the furthest forward seats available. At check in we saw the VS check-in which looked bad. But, nonetheless VS were making the best of the situation sill having the DIY check in. Check In took no more than 5 mins from entering the queue (even with 5 bags!). The check in agent did not work for Virgin and said the flight was full and that 46 was the furthest forward row available. Once through the nightmare which is UK security and passport control, we got into departures had a sandwich and before we knew it we were off to board. There was a 20 or so person queue outside gate 9 but, after that you were immedietly on (at the most 5 mins). Once on board and on push back I had seen the econ. cabin which out of the 318 seats had at the most 30 filled, So the BAA check in agent lied to me. So after a 15min wait we were off and in about 5mins the seatbelt signs were turned off me and the kids were off to row 30 H,K,J which is a great seat bulkhead with windows!!! [:o)]. About 10 mins afterwards dinner was served the choice was:-
-Chicken Tikka
-Meatballs and Rice
I had the meatballs which was really good also it had a great pasta salad and my fav. Gu Chocolate Pots. After that I watched some movies on V:Port while my kids ran around the front econ. cabin which seemed to only have us in. Soon enough we started the decent into JFK which was quick and then we landed (very well) as soon as we were off we started the long walk to passport control which is soooo long at JFK. Once done our bags were already on the baggage reclaim and off to the Empire Hotel (44w 63rd Street, New York) which is an absolutely great hotel.
#423001 by FamilyMan
24 Oct 2007, 13:01
Originally posted by Alex321bartie
...we started the decent into JFK ..

The decent what [:D]

Seriously - Thanks for the TR. I know it's always difficult to find things to say about Y but you did a good job. I is amazing how relatively empty these flights are in the back - surely the trim must be difficult - maybe they load the cargo at the back.

Surprised to hear that you encountered a non-VS check-in agent - are they BAA as stated?

FM
#423064 by buns
24 Oct 2007, 21:07
Alex

Welcome to V-Flyer and thanks for posting a TR on your Y experience.

Originally posted by FamilyMan
Surprised to hear that you encountered a non-VS check-in agent - are they BAA as stated?


I don't think they are BAA, but some check in staff are provided by an outsourced operation Swissport I beleive?

buns
#423065 by n/a
24 Oct 2007, 21:16
Great TR! Thanks for posting!

GJ
#425089 by Alex321bartie
08 Nov 2007, 17:05
It was definately no a VS check in agent as they had they had the BAA neck band thing. None the less he was very nice, really his uniform was better than the VS check in agents since there were only about 3 check in agents with the proper uniform not the terrible red polo shirts.... Other than that VS have made online check in a breeze and DIY unlike economy which was about 30 people deep so I glad that I checked in online...
PS: To avoid the Economy Queues just use the DIY check in.
#425091 by willd
08 Nov 2007, 17:40
Thanks for the TR and welcome to VF!

I am not 100% sure on who the outsourced lot are at LHR. I believe it could be swissport or it could be aviance/airplane handling company.

Certainly the BAA neck band is nothing to go on- I have seen VS cabin crew with swissport neckbands!
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