Another VS First Time Flyer ....

Hey Guys,

As an avid Emirates flyer, I am now finding myself leaving behind a very attractive set of gold tags, leather coin holder and international lounge access in search of a new airline. Recently I have been cabin downgraded twice, hardware downgraded on multiple occasions and been treated rudely by many staff with only a handful attempting to make up for this. Rather than sit and bear it, I am voting with my feet. It was on one of these downgraded flights I was reading a certain propaganda autobiography by the father of VS, SRB. After some research I have worked out that a switch to VS won't really have much of an effect on my schedule so I thought I'd give it a try.

I have booked two DXB-LHR returns, the first being next week. They are both in the Upper Class cabin. I would love to hear any tips/pointers to ensure I get the best out of my VS flights ...

Oh and Hullo!

[Nottingham Nick]

Welcome to the site. y) y)

The best place to start looking is the trip report index. - just select the DXB flights from the drop down menu, or read ex-LHR reports for details of the on the ground service.

I hope your VS experiences are good ones. Like all airlines, VS have suffered a lot of budget cuts from their on-board and on the ground services in the past couple of years.

The Clubhouse is still very good, but not as good as it used to be - treatments are no longer bookable, and the 'premium' treatments are now charged for.

The on board amenity kit has been pared to the bone, and gold card perks aren't what they used to be.

The revivals lounge is still good, but it is closed by the time the DXB flight arrives.

The Virgin brand used to be innovative and new, but general opinion here is that it has been pulled back into the pack.

Having said all that - I still love to fly Virgin, we just hanker for 'the good old days' too much.

Nick

Thanks for the reply Nick.

In regard to the a-mean-ity kit, is it this snooze pack they put on the website or do they offer more from a tray? Seems to be the same in each class just different colours.

I've noticed the premium squeeze, especially with Emirates. You only get a amenity kit on night flights or ones over 8 hours now. It does have Bvlgari contents but no where near what it used to be.

Their meals have also dived in quality, portion size and avalbility - something which has put me in good standing for VS so I read!!

Do VS serve a good champagne (currently Bollinger on EK) and, more importantly, garlic bread? If the answer is yes to both then I'll be happy.

[Neil]

Welcome to the site from me also.

Just in relation to two of your points. The garlic bread of VS is very yummy IMO, I always ask for seconds! In general also, the food in UC does seem to have improved recently, certainly the reaction from members on here has in the main, been a positive one and the current menu has gone down well.

The amenity kit is a poor offering. It is the snooze pack they talk about on the website. They used to come around with a basket of goodies for you to choose from, but this has been cut in the last year.

Neil

Thanks for the reply Nick.

I've noticed the premium squeeze, especially with Emirates. You only get a amenity kit on night flights or ones over 8 hours now. It does have Bvlgari contents but no where near what it used to be.

Their meals have also dived in quality, portion size and avalbility - something which has put me in good standing for VS so I read!!

Welcome to the site hope you enjoy y)
Im supprised about the EK cuts you speak of i thought they were one of the only airlines that has expanded through this global recession, and what with ordering another 38 A380 recently or something to that number which pushes there total order to over 90 aircraft waiting to be delivered, i wouldnt have thought they would need to skimp on food when clearly global domination wont happen if pax are treated poorly.

cheers

alex

Thanks for the warm welcome.

With the amount of flights/'craft they operate skimping on meals and kits can save a HUGE amount. EK have a reputation for treating passengers very badly, especially those from the sub-continent. It's all part of the Emirati food chain. Global domination is with fancy airplanes and cheap prices with EK, rather than customer loyalty - demonstated by their devaluation of the FF programme.

The food is still good, just not as good as before. The crew are still good, but not as good as before - with some shockers mixed in. Whilst they boast of the 380, in reality other than high yield routes you are going to get an older generation product unless you plan you itin. around planes rather than schedule. I guess this will be the case when VS introduct the new UC soon, but at least they don't have as many planes to retro-fit and you will always have a flat bed.

My friend who flies EK in economy frequently was moaning about the fact they have replaced the hot flannel towels with warmed paper wrapped ones now! I can confirm it's still flannel in J though.

Welcome Dubaiification. I too used to be a Skywards Au but don't travel East as much as I used to. Agree that EK has taken a downward slope and the points you make. I used to be greated by EK pursers all the time but also have witnessed the quality of crew go down - which is one thing I haven't seen on VS, despite the ameanity kit!

On the champers - unfortunately VS's offering is not close to EK first - can't even recall the name and I flew yesterday, but it is palatable! We may hanker here after red pillows, baskets of amenities etc but I've had some of my best ever flights on VS this year.

while i agree with most of the comments on here, lets not forget where VS are in terms of customer service; try using an American carrier - any of them - & see how they compare

The champagne is Lucas Carton Brut.

Welcome on-board.

Like others have said, VS is quite the airline it once was, but then which one is these days.

Fact is, I'm a challenging customer in terms of having my expectations met, and I still choose VS above ost when ever I can.

The FF programme is pretty good by today's standards, and with very, very few exceptions, my flights on VS have been pleasant and uneventful.

But for me, it's the level of customer service you get - in my view, not many airlines today match or exceed VS in this regard.

Have fun.

Al

Thanks for the positive feedback, then again what did I really expect!?!

Never had this champagne so that's pretty exciting, I am not a massive brand snob when it comes to it and after a few glasses you could swap it for appletiser and I wouldn't notice

I never quite get this comparison to American Carriers, an industry that just feels the need to be 'better than' rather than 'the best' is going to be one in decline.

I joined Flying Club last month with the Amex card and have 8000ish points from my first months spending so I am sure I'll be quizzing you lot on the best way to spunk them

Welcome to v-flyer.
I had my first ever experience of EK recently and have to say it was fantastic (First on the A380) oo) .I have been a VS die-hard for many a year but if I could afford to, I'd use EK First for all my travel as it was so so impressive on all counts and the crew were outstanding.
It'll be interesting to see how VS UC compares to the EK business offering. VS can be really hit and miss too. I've recently had a really good UC experience to SYD and back which has renewed my faith in VS somewhat (although the food IMHO is still lousy) , but the trip before to CPT in UC was my worst travel experience ever v( .
The champagne VS serve is still nowhere near as nice as the Dom Perignon 2000 though .
DL

All packed and ready for tomorrow. I am pretty excited about losing my Virginity! My fare didn't include ground transport so I've had to rope a mate into dropping me off at the old T1 - which I kissed goodbye to well over a year ago! The return to the old J class lounge will be a novelty though - I could visit the new lounges if I get fed up though. Maybe with all the prescreening and early departure I won't have time though ...

I've packed one of my EK amenity kits just incase I freak out over the snooze pack! I'm staying in London for a few nights so will HEX, yay.

[honey lamb]

All packed and ready for tomorrow. I am pretty excited about losing my Virginity! My fare didn't include ground transport so I've had to rope a mate into dropping me off at the old T1 - which I kissed goodbye to well over a year ago! The return to the old J class lounge will be a novelty though - I could visit the new lounges if I get fed up though. Maybe with all the prescreening and early departure I won't have time though ...

I've packed one of my EK amenity kits just incase I freak out over the snooze pack! I'm staying in London for a few nights so will HEX, yay.

Enjoy your flight.

Have a great flight and hopefully you will be a VS convert - don't forget the TR!

Have a goodun

cheers