This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
She also mentioned that as we were early checking in, there was an internal flight leaving in 10 minutes for LAX where we could catch the LAX-LHR return instead. We had to turn this down as we had a car at LGW and there was no way Virgin could guarantee us getting between the two airports on landing.
We were taken by shuttle bus to the Tropicana where we checked in to the Paradise tower on the 6th floor. We had a crappy view of the airport but my niece had a great view of the strip so they were happy. We were given meal vouchers for the deli cafe for evening meal and breakfast. If you like fast food and no refinery, this place was great. Choices were chicken fingers or burgers, sandwiches etc, eaten off plastic plates and no cutlery. No fries were allocated in the meal option just one main only and a bottled drink out of the chiller cabinet. Breakfast fayred a little better and plastic cutlery was issued.
I will give the Tropicana its due though, it has had a refurb and looks a lot better inside than it did 3 years ago. The rooms are clean and adequate for their purpose.
Spent a further night gambling in the MGM over the road and an early night at 11pm for us!!
Popped back to reception where a Virgin rep was waiting at 9am to advise the flight would be leaving today but late. She had organised late check out with the hotel at 3pm in readiness for a bus to leave for the airport at 4pm.
We were the first to check in. It was originally meant to be a LHR configured plane but somehow they had managed to get a LGW configuration from LHR so our originally requested seating in the first cabin downstairs in upper was lost. We managed to get 9 and 10a so were at least happy to get an upper seat because I know all bets are off when you are a rescue flight. My niece managed to get upstairs in PE on the last 2 seats available 80HK so we were indeed lucky as I understand there were quite a few downgrades. Pity they didn't send an LHR plane as it would have been nice for it to be the other way around with quite a few upgrades.
Following check in, we were given a $20 voucher for food each. The international terminal only has Burger King and Pizza Express to not the healthiest. Unfortunately, it was a one shot deal so the 20 had to be spent in one go. I just had lots of extra cookies and took them home with me to eat following a simple burger.
We gained entry to the lounge but due to some PE passengers who had been downgraded being allowed to use the lounge, VS said no guests or gold card holders allowed in so my niece and her friend couldn't gain entry with us.
The originally planned departure time of 9.45pm had also been moved back to 11pm and a long time was spent at the airport and everyone was really tired.
Boarded first and asked for a sleepsuit. Quickly changed, had a pre-take off drink and was advised no further alcohol would be served due to it being a rescue flight and no booze or duty free had been loaded. I had ordered the Glenfiddich special reserve for hubby's Xmas pressie at £250 but this wasn't loaded either and the FSM said I could get it refunded on my return to the UK (I've since phoned and they've transferred the order to my DXB flight in March instead).
I don't think anybody bothered with the meal after take off as it was so late and everybody just bedded down for the night.
After a good 6 1/2 hours sleep, woke up and was asked if we would like breakfast. This was promptly served and with plenty of time to change out of our sleepsuits, just watched a little TV before landing.
The crew kept updating everyone on the PA about the weather on landing and how it could take a while from landing to be allocated a clear gate etc so no one was under any illusions of a quick get away.
On landing, the first passengers got off but we were told to wait as the jetbridge was icy and they would put some salt on it to ensure it was safe.
This took about 5-10 mins. Quickly through IRIS and then to the baggage hall, a quick trip to the toilet and waited for the belt to be allocated. About 10 mins later, a belt was allocated and Upper and PE bags thankfully were off very quickly.
I had called the meet and greet parking company on landing to give them time to clean the snow off the car in advance and our vehicle was waitin for us when we got outside. This all took about 30 mins and we were facing a nasty drive (the wrong way round the M25) due to weather and accident problems. We got back to the Midlands from LGW in about 5 hours (which normally takes about 3 in normal weather).
What we saw of the crew (due to sleeping most of the flight) they were very good and were lovely with everyone when people woke up. They were advised that they were not allowed to travel home and Virgin had put them up in local hotels for the night. The captain made an automatic land due to the adverse weather conditions which is apparently considered normal.
Overall, we were looked after and kept informed throughout.
