VS401 DXB-LHR 7 Nov 07 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Just returned from sunny Dubai yesterday on another very average U/C experience. Checkin at Dubai is getting alot better and smoother, and for the first time in months plenty of vigin atlantic representatives instead of just dnata handling agents.

So note to all get yourself and e-gate pass, this saved me 1 hour of queues through passport control

Actually some great news the gulf air lounge that was terrible is finally closed for a re-furb for 11 weeks, and so hopefully when it re-opens they will have more space and better seating. The downside right now is that you need to use the Marahaba Lounge which is currently used by some 10 airlines. Was totally packed with early morning flight customers and no seating for around 30 mins. Food was excellent though

Boarding, well as a regular on this route, it is actually getting better, but still the plane is at a remote gate, but the bus transfer is getting alot smoother and earlier to try and get on time departure.

So the journey itself...... hmmmm well Dubai airport airshow caused a 30 minute delay to leaving the gate.... they needed to practice apparently.... nice airshow mind

After take off it became apparent that V-port was not working very well at all. In fact the old selection of movies from the last few months was available and did not match the magazine on board. No big deal as I thought, as there is plenty to choose from. No, wrong, infact what ever you choose the film or program was totally different. So the token apperance of the FSM, apart from bread delivery was to reset the system, again and again....3 Hours with no entertainment.

The Seat. Was actually in not bad condition at all, compared to some of the ones I have seen, all operational, and a really comfy bed, so full marks on that one. Cleaning could have been better.

So the service, in all the crew were very good apart from the person that was serving the section of seats I was in. Let just summarise this as AWFUL, I was sat there wising I was served by the other girl who acutally was engaging with passengers.

Food, acutally was really tasty and the menu had plenty of selection
Chicken Kiev - with mash and veg
Lamb Koftas - looked amazing
Salmon with cous cous
Pudding - choc cake, or chilli ice cream with butterscotch sauce ...delicious

After the service, finding a member of crew to help with the problem with the IFE was actually like searching for a needle in a hay stack.

So in summary,
FSM token appearence
Cabin crew very mixed on the approach to service
IFE - Terrible
Food- Excellent

Thanks for the TR ofarvoo,
Sorry to hear that the trip wasn't up to the highest standard of service.

Glad the Gulf Air lounge is finally getting an upgrade. I'm at Dubai in 2 weeks so I think I'll be spending the least amount of time possible at DXB on my return...[:D]

How/where does one get an E gate pass?

Thanks for the TR. I agree - that lounge is skanky. There was even a queue for the gents the last time I was there!

The E-gate pass, well this is open to visitors and costs 200 Dirhams. So everytime you visit Dubai- no more standing in queues for passport control. It lasts for 2 years.

Where to get one - Two options, in the departures on your return, at the middle of the concourse there are a set of stairs that lead to the food court. Go up these, and you turn to your right and you will see the e-gate office. Bascially grab a number an wait to be called to a desk. It takes around 15 minutes and you get given an ID card.

Option two, you can visit the Dnata and Emirates Holiday Centre on Shaik Zyiad Road and complete the same process there.

Makes me glad I've chosen to try out Emirates business when I fly to Dubai next time, also 400 quid cheaper than PE....

Originally posted by davidfsmith
Makes me glad I've chosen to try out Emirates business when I fly to Dubai next time, also 400 quid cheaper than PE....

And when you reach Skywards Gold they give you a free eGate pass [y].

I have done London-Dubai heaps of times mixed on VS and Emirates. Overall I prefer Emirates that said the UCS beats EK business seats hands down (unless you are very lucky to get the new EK business seats). Mostly however, I need to connect and the VS flight time doesn't work for me so the logical choice is EK.

Glad to hear the Gulf lounge is getting a makeover, I find it OK just but still better than the EK business lounge. Small it may be but the amenities are OK.