This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
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We set out around 6:15 to head to Gatwick. It being Bank Holiday Monday we were not expecting much traffic on the M25/23 and this proved to be the case. We were in our own car as MMA was unavailable (he was on a golfing trip, how damned inconsiderate!) and had booked Long Term PLUS, a few quid extra over long term, but I like the idea that your car is going to be parked with no casual parking activity around it during the week.
The buses run every ten minutes and we were soon in the Virgin check-in area. I had done OLCI. I had been waiting for it to open the day before as we had no seat allocation through booking quite late. The seat map actually became active about an hour before OLCI. There was very little choice. We (four of us) had been put in row 65. There were only 2 other sets of 4 available so I moved us to row 22, just behind PE downstairs.
There was a modest queue at economy, but no-one at PE or UC so we headed for the PE desks. The Virgin agent at the entrance asked what class we were flying. I said, economy, but. Before I could finish she said economys over there, sir. were silver, I finished.
With an apology she gestured towards the PE desks and we moved on, only to be called back with an Oh sorry, Sir, you have to go over there, pointing to an area in the corner to the far left of the economy desks. With a puzzled look on my face we headed in the direction she was pointing which was a small gap in the maze of Tensa barriers around economy.
After explaining to another agent that we not going the wrong way to the bag drop we arrived at two check-in desks with screens announcing Silver Card Flyers. New to me!
There was no-one at the desks. The check-in agent was friendly and chatty. I did enquire about a miles upgrade to PE, but being on an N fare I knew the chances were low, as it proved to be. Boarding passes were swiftly produced along with the green visa waivers. I asked for one extra. Why? Surely youre not going to make a mistake, I was asked. No, I said, but just to be on the safe side.
The queues at security were light and after a double shoe check (Id asked the guy at the scanner if he wanted shoes off, he said yesonly to find a separate shoe check after!!) we made our way to the No 1 lounge. I had booked this after seeing an offer for 55 pounds for all of us, which I thought was reasonable given you could easily spend that in a crowded airport restaurant.
The lounge, situated near Frankie and Bennys, had only been open a few days after a major refurbishment. There were only about 10 other people in there, so there was plenty of seating. The lounge overlooks gate 13 and up. There is an upstairs section but that was closed so I could not see how much additional space was up there. The seating was a mixture of comfy seat and more dining areas, although the areas are not exactly defined. You are served at table, but the menu is quite light. Breakfast is a selection of toast, cereals, muffins, pastries etc, with various juices, tea, coffee etc. A limited range of hot food comes on at 11:00am. Alcohol is available, but champagne and cocktails come at an extra cost (8), which I though was a little steep (especially the cocktails, given spirits were available at no charge). The service was pretty quick and friendly. When my lad mentioned he was still hungry, but didnt fancy anymore of the breakfast stuff, the chap serving us offered to go and make James a chicken sandwich.
The free wi-fi was in operation and they were happy to look after our bits and pieces whilst we went for a quick shop. We had a couple of G and Ts before setting out for the gate (were on holiday!).
G-VROS, English Rose was waiting for us at gate 13, so a short walk. There was a small queue at the entrance to the gate, but as we walked up we were called up to the UC/AG/PE entrance. Thats handy, I thought, but no, we had been selected for the full bag and body search. This was carried out in a very friendly manner with the agents making a bit of game of it with the kids Lets make Daddy stand in a funny position.. (yeah, funny!). I asked for 2 more visa waivers at the gate entrance (yes 3 mistakes!). Needless to say, it was the guy from the check in desk who I happened to ask. With a broad grin he handed me another 6!
General boarding began as soon as we sat down. I have never seen row boarding observed so well by waiting passengers! No scrum at the jetway, no mass rush as each section is called. As a result the whole process appeared slick, comfortable, quick and, well, civilized!
We were last on the plane. This being a consequence of being in row 22 and still chatting to the security chap who had carried out the full search. He was amusing James and Victoria with his hand held scanner whilst giving Karen and me his full repertoire of piercing stories.
It was nice to turn left. But, sadly only a short walk to the 3 rows of economy that form that funny little mini cabin. Economy looked pretty full, no surprises for a Vegas flight; there were probably only 4 or 5 empty seats. Push back was pretty much on time and we soon up and away.
There was a drinks round before the main meal run. Being in row 22 meant getting your first drink quicker and, probably, guaranteed choice of meal. The kids meals came out before the main run. It was chicken nuggets, wedges and beans. To my surprise, both James and Victoria pronounced it very good! They had never previously enjoyed the kids meals other than last years trip in UC. My wife and I both chose the BBQ chicken. It actually looked very appetising, each of the component parts having the correct shape and colour, and was very tasty. I did think portion size had gone down since my last Y meal though.
I watched Slumdog Millionaire as I ate. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. The kids happily watched Bolt and the wife something else, probably romantic. When the film finished my thoughts turned towards another beer. It being a Vegas flight I wondered about the bar situation as I wandered into the galley, but a beer appeared as did a Baileys for the wife. I mentioned to the CC that it seemed quiet, Any stag parties? I asked. No she beamed!
A while late the ice creams came round and there was a snack run of a hot warp (spinach and ricotta, I think). I think I would prefer a more substantial main meal than this.
I found I quite enjoyed being in the small section of economy that is behind PE. It became quite a social area with conversations breaking out amongst the occupants in a way that doesnt seem to happen in the main economy sections.
The FSM was very visible, probably due to her travelling between UC and upstairs PE, but I may be doing her a disservice. But she was friendly, and observant, noticing that my lad looked a bit desperate for the toilet when there were all occupied, and sending him up to use the vacant UC cubicle (can I hear, tutting?).
I settled down to a few TV repeats and managed to get a couple of hours of light dozing in before the afternoon tea run, a choice of rolls, ham and cheese, I think, but I did not fancy either (mustard was involved!).
Not long after we had a smooth descent and landing into Las Vegas.
The other great advantage of the economy mini-cabin is being practically first off the plane and being greeted with an empty immigration hall. We were processed in under 5 minutes and had the added bonus of our bags coming off very quickly. We jumped a cab to our hotel and I am pretty certain we were in our room within an hour of the wheels hitting the tarmac.
So, all in all, a good flight, exactly what the economy product should be. Good crew, good, for airline, food, no issues with the IFE, no restrictions on drinks and on time! I really enjoyed it. Its the sort of flight that would bring people back and have them recommending the airline to their friends as I will be doing.
So on to 8 nights in Vegas staying at the Venetian and the Flamingo.
or were we?
