VS602 JNB-LHR 10 Apr 08 (PE)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

http://www.markhayden.co.uk/album/index.html for pics
http://www.markhayden.co.uk for the Safari write up

We had a great holiday in SA, I would actually put it down as the best holiday we've ever had.

We drove back after an early morning horse ride, to Jo'Burg and stayed at the Montecasino hotel. I've been there before on business and it reminds me of the Venitian in Las Vegas.

We did some shopping the next morning, watched a movie for under 3 for both of us ! And decided to head to the airport around 3pm.

The Checkin area, even at 4pm, was very busy. We used the UC line, and were held there for some time. We got an agent who appeared to know what he was doing, but it turned out he told me quite a few untruths.

We asked for row 18 and were told that 18A and C were Non Operational and a problem with the screens. We kept our row 20 seats, and headed towards the security area. It was very busy, with what appeared to be 2 lines, and some very unhappy travelers compaining of queue jumping.

We got to the clubhouse, where I asked the concierge to check on Row 18, and was told that all the seats were functinal, and we were misled. The flight was full and she would see what she could do.

I later learned on this site, that a Cape Town flight had been canceled and that they were bumping down UC pax, so I guess thats why Row 18 was out of bounds.

The food in SA is fantastic, I've spent 3 weeks of my life there, and never had a bad meal. The clubhouse is no exception to this, easily the best food I've ever had in an airport. We had the ostrich steak and it was delicious, washed down with many glasses of champagne, the service was outstanding.

We were called a little later to the gate, and the plane took off around 30 minutes later than planned, mainly due to the full load i suspect.

We landed on time, the bags came off and we were home by 8.30am after a superb holiday.

I'd like to go back. Just waiting for this credit crunch to settle down before another trip gets booked.

Highly recommended, the usual Virgin hospitality and we met some great people.

Mark

Mark
Thanks for the TR. I too love SA especially the Garden Route and whale watching in Hermanus. Like you I can't wait to go back!

Regards
Bryan

Great TR!

Shame about the check-in staff,It would good if they gave you the true facts about why the seats were unavailable as oppose to making up a story.

Thanks for the return TR
I have a friend from SA who is desperate for us to see it, i have never heard a bad thing said about it, certainly would make a change to going to the carribean everytime.[y]

cheers
alex

Originally posted by DarkAuror
Great TR!

Shame about the check-in staff,It would good if they gave you the true facts about why the seats were unavailable as oppose to making up a story.

To true, in my experience this is one of the most common VS fibs, that and when you get given crappy BBR cremant and not champagne ...

SA must be next on my list. Thinking about SRB's game reserve next year.

Great TR! Thanks for posting!

GJ

Originally posted by slinky09


Too true, in my experience this is one of the most common VS fibs, that and when you get given crappy BBR cremant and not champagne ...

Thanks for the report, and the thumbs up on SA. Very much sizing up a trip for the world cup with friends who are from SA originally. Free lodging, good football, food, beer, wine ... it'll be winter, but especially around Cape Town I believe the weather is not all that bad. How did you find it?

I really don't see the point of telling someone a seat is not working, when there's a full-to-oversold situation. If you're gold, chances are you will have flown a few times and will figure out the score. Very unprofessional, and totally pointless.

I don't mind Cremant ... it's not Billecart-Salmon, but it, or prosecco, are perfectly fine drinks as things go. Again, just call it what it is. If I went to a restaurant, ordered a bottle of Pinot and got a Cabernet, with the waiter telling me it's Pinot, I'd not be impressed [V]