VS018 EWR-LHR 14 NOV 10 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

As I was staying at the Marriott hotel at Newark Airport, I simply walked out of the main entrance of the hotel and across the car park and was within Terminal B within 10mins.

I waited around 10mins to check in choosing to check in the traditional way this time. I was processed quickly by a friendly agent who advised me the flight was full to overflowing and sent me on my way wishing me a good flight.

Security was a nightmare, probably because it was quiet at 0630 but they went through everyone's bags and everyone had to visit the special body scanner - my first time in it and not really complaining but it did take over 30mins to get through security, though nothing else to do I guess!

The aircraft was Jet streamer which I knew from v-flyer but this was also announced at the gate which some people found really interesting. Boarding commenced at 0710 and I was welcomed by name at the gate and again on the aircraft.

The flight was crammed to overflowing but the cabin crew quickly got everyone organised and offered bucks fizz, sparkling wine and OJ before take off. A menu was provided which suggested a snack would be served before landing and lunch after take-off - though regular flyers will know that is not the case on this flight.

Push back at 0753 with departure at 0808 and a flight time of 6hrs 18mins promised. About 30mins into the flight, served from the economy galley was a warm ham and cheese bagel or cheese and egg croissant - served with juice and tea/coffee.

I must say as I was starving, the ham and cheese bagel went down well. The low light of the flight was odyssey - my first experience but disappointed with the grainy screen and poor choice - that said, did find a comedy film which kept me entertained for 2hrs. I have been so spoilt with vport just lately!!

Regular water and juice runs from the exceptionally friendly cabin crew.

The FSM was jolly over the pa system but did not make an appearance in PE, why don't they make more of an effort?

The cabin lights remained dimmed for most of the flight. I noticed the mini UC cabin just in front of me, was very busy with cabin crew traffic and extensive use of the UC toilets by some in PE which was not challenged - this made me realise to ensure I avoid this cabin on this flight should I find myself in UC.

About 1hr30mins from LHR, dinner was served which consisted of Smoked Salmon salad with lemon dressing, beef with potatoes and green beans - the beef had run out by the 2nd row so I just made it!

A cream pastry puff which was actually tasty followed by cheese and crackers - two glasses of wine and water helped wash the meal down - a good meal actually.

Baileys and brandy offered too and I was served a rather large glass of baileys which was welcome.....

The usual holding over LHR for 10mins meant we touched down at 1927 and having to wait for free stand, did mean we reached the stand at 1949.

Another good flight from Virgin, please keep it coming....

Thank you for the great TR.

Nice and smooth with a full belly thats what we like to hear, such a shame you had to have the rubbish odyssey it really is pants.
Your note on the uc mini cabin is worth mentioning, I would hate sitting there with pe trudging through every five minutes, an awkward little space and not for me!
BTW were the overhead lockers creaking badly and making quite a noise in pe or have they fixed them now?

cheers

alex

[buns]

Thanks for the TR

Well, the important thing is that you were sufficiently impressed by the flight that you are willing to travel with VS again. To my mind, pretty poor show that one of the courses ran out by the second row though

It would be interesting to know how your body clock coped with flying back during the day

buns

Thank you for the TR and glad you enjoyed the flight.

Forget to mention that they even gave out lovehearts before landing, which was a nice touch!

The overheard lockers seem to have been fixed, the flight had only a few bumps and lumps but no noise from those lockers.

This was my first ever daytime flight back from the USA and I think it is better, got home and went straight to bed - waking next morning fresh - think my body coped better this way than the overnight flights.

Thanks for the tip about the UC mini cabin. I've noticed on my next trip back from the States I'm on a 343-300 with the mini cabin. Have chosen a seat in the front part of UC based on this.

It does seem odd that the mini cabin is the dedicated snooze zone if there is loads of through traffic.

[honey lamb]

Thanks for the TR
It would be interesting to know how your body clock coped with flying back during the day

buns

buns, I did this flight a couple of months ago. It linked beautifully with my onward flight to Cork. Bed shortly after I arrived and absolutely no jet lag whatsoever

Yes I noticed that the menus in PE are written the wrong way around the last time I was on the VS18. That beef is so popular and I think it runs out on most flights. The veggie option of pasta is delicious at the moment so that's my recommendation if anyone can't get the beef.

I'm trying to decide premium over economy $1005 economy vs $2600 premium.

I remember that VS018 and VS017 use to be the old planes. Is this still the case. It's nice to have control over your entertainment and have a new style seat.

Can anyone give me info on these flights.

I'm going from Newark to Heathrow and then onto Nairobi and same flights back on the return.

Outbound VS018 - VS671

Return VS672 - VS017

James

I'm trying to decide premium over economy $1005 economy vs $2600 premium.

I remember that VS018 and VS017 use to be the old planes. Is this still the case. It's nice to have control over your entertainment and have a new style seat.

Can anyone give me info on these flights.

I'm going from Newark to Heathrow and then onto Nairobi and same flights back on the return.

Outbound VS018 - VS671

Return VS672 - VS017

Thanks in advance,
James

Frankly I'd go in Econ over PE on the VS18 - you are more than likely to get an old plane, and while it is in my observation more popular in the premium cabins than Y, why pay that much more for a wider seat in a dated product when you're likely to have space in economy ... depends on when you travel though, when is it?

I believe (though don't hold me to it) that the VS017/VS018 in the summer timetable (from late March) will be using the A340-600 which obviously offer v-port.

I agere with Slinky09 that the A340-300 currently used on the VS017/18 offers a dated entertainment system through odyssey which is way past its sell buy date (other than G-VSUN) which is vport enabled. When I travelled on the VS018 it was overflowing in all cabins though I understand that both UC and PE are always heavily sold whilst people in economy stretch out across an entire row of seats....

Would I go PE again on these flights, the answer is probably no but only because the price for PE and UC is much much more than other flights to EWR/JFK but that might change when the A346 is rolled onto the route at the end of March - others on here will know, but this aircraft type always use to oeprate the VS17/18 in the past and I am told that because demand is back that is why the A346 is making a return.

It comes down to personal choice at the end of the day.

Thanks for the responses.

I will be going Thursday April 7th landing in Nairobi the 8th

VS018 to heathrow and VS671 to Nairobi

Returning Friday April 22nd

I wonder if I call Virgin if they will have this information. Then I have to figure out what planes they use for the Heathrow to Nairobi route.

They use A340-300 on the LHR-NBO. Give them a call, though your seat map on your booking will also confirm this information once booked and any changes that may be made.

Just checked the dates you have confirmed and the VS017/018 are showing as A340-600 and the LHR-NBO are showing as A340-300 though worth keeping in mind - this can change right up to departure.

Horburyflyer

So are the 340-300 the old planes and the 340-600 the new planes?

When i look at the booking for April and click on the VS018 it says 340-300 but if i change the booking to Jun then the VS018 say 340-600

I believe (though don't hold me to it) that the VS017/VS018 in the summer timetable (from late March) will be using the A340-600 which obviously offer v-port:

Our VS017 trip on 2nd April, is showing a 300..Which I'm highly pished about As I have got used to V-Port out of LHR...

NH

I just upgrade on my London to nairobi portion as it was only $250 extra each way. I left the NYC to London and return as economy as it's $500 extra each way.

Horburyflyer did say don't hold him to it.

Jamesch01,

Can't help saying I'll be making the same trip in July. NYC-NAI and return 3 weeks later. Haven't booked yet...also trying to decide on whether PE is worth it. I think I decided that the overnight outbound LHR-NAI could be worth getting PE for but could live with econ on other legs.

I see you chose the short 1 hour layover between legs outbound. I was worried about choosing such a short layover although the alternatives aren't very appealing. Either an overnight stay or a half day layover.

The 1 hour layover is in the same terminal but since it's one after another I thought i'd upgrade on the LHR-NAI for an extra $250 each way. Not sure why this one is half the price of NYC - LHR upgrade. I guess NYC is more popular.

I guess it's like flying a direct 16hr flight which a lot of the time people do. 24-25hrs didn't seem fun either.

Isn't one hour cutting it fine in terms of getting off the plane and progressing through flight connections and getting to the next gate?

The VS17 will be operated by a A346 between 9 June and 29 October.

I have begun a new thread to find out if anyone else has taken the EWR-LHR-NBO route with the 1 hour connection and made it just fine. I don't know how to post the link its easy to find in the forum under 'Connection time in LHR'.

Thanks for the info Tinks- I am on the VS017 a couple of times in late March/April and both are showing as a A346 - just checked the seatmap tonight!!

Horburyflyer