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#772338 by horburyflyer
22 Mar 2011, 22:18
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Having been staying in Manhattan with work for a few days, it was time to head home and this meant getting across to Newark for an early flight. Getting up at 0430 and arriving into Newark at 6am felt wrong on a Sunday morning!

I was greeted warmly at the UC desk and was checked in. I asked about moving to row 18 but was told to ask in the lounge in a bit as they were still blocked off, though I was told the flight was full. I was advised where the Clubhouse was and told to go and make myself comfortable and enjoy breakfast. My case was priority tagged and I made my way to the lounge.

I was the second person into the lounge and welcomed warmly. I asked about moving to row 18 and was told to wait a little while and she would come and find me, I was promised I would be moved to that row (she never did come and find me but more of that later)

The breakfast buffet was been prepared when I arrived but table service was in full swing and coffee and juice were quickly offered. The staff were mainly friendly and polite though they did have a disagreement between each other in the lounge which was rather unprofessional but otherwise that seemed to be an isolated incident - perhaps I was not the only one who was not dealing well with the early start!

I had a bacon sandwich with some fruit and this went down well. Just before 8am and a shade before boarding was announced I went back to the desk and asked about row 18 - shame it was the third time I was asking but hey ho - the lounge staff member said it was still blocked off and telephoned her supervisor only to be told the row was full and she had been looking at the wrong day - I was speechless really, but nothing I could do and she apologised more than once for her mistake and for failing to come and find me - I left and joined a large line to security who seem to take a long time to process everyone - I was through to the gate at 0825 and boarding was well underway.

Boarding was completed through L1 which meant I had to walk through the whole of UC and was green with envy on arriving at my seat. Though was seated quickly and a bucks fizz was offered sharply which helped reduce the green gills!

The flight was full though did spot a couple of upgrades into PE and would you believe it, they were sat in row 18 - anyway time to move on and put it behind me!

Ash and Matt looking after PE (permission sought and granted) made sure everyone was comfortable. On push-back at 0900 it was confirmed a load of 223 passengers and a flight time of 6hrs37mins - the captain was chatty and friendly and confirmed we were on Jetstreamer - my second flight on Jetstreamer who was showing her age somewhat.

Once in the air -hot towels were offered along with menu's, amenity kits and a bottle of water.

At 0945 a glass of water or juice was offered and at 10am a hot breakfast arrived - a choice of English breakfast or cheese omelette. I had the English breakfast which consisted of bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomato, potato cake and scrambled egg. This was served along with a cup of tea/coffee in a china cup and a piece of fruit. This was a vast improvement on the usual offering on this flight and was welcomed with open arms!

A little later as I struggled with odyssey which needs to be replaced a drink was offered from the bar followed by regular water and juice runs. The crew apologised for the delays between services but all the food and drink carts had been placed at the back of the plane and they were having to bring everything up to the UC galley before serving, I had not really noticed to be honest.

The FSM was not seen at all on this flight, well not in PE anyway. Got a feeling someone could be acting up? Not sure if that happens but no-one seen wearing a black top.

About 2hrs30mins from LHR dinner was served which consisted of a salad with mozzarella followed by beef, chicken or a bean dish. I had beef which was served with egg noodles, garden peas and carrots. A warm bread roll along with a delcious wildflower honey cheescake followed.

Cheese and biscuits along with tea/coffee of which a second cup was offered ended a good meal. Wine was served on two occasions along with sparkling and still water.

I must say I do like this day flight - it helps with the jet-lag in my opnion and I felt quite rested really when I got home.

The crew were great on this flight, friendly and helpful and super attentive - they filled my water bottle up on three occasions without a word been said.

Arrived at Heathrow at 1947 and onto to the gate at 1958.

Another good flight and I get to do it all again next weekend!!
#772341 by Luke085
22 Mar 2011, 23:22
Thanks for the TR, looking forward to trying my first 'day' US to UK transatlantic flight on VS18 in May!

Luke :)
#772343 by virginboy747
22 Mar 2011, 23:33
thanks for the tr - that vs 18 sure is an early start!
glad you liked the new w breakfast offering.
CSSs regularly work up as FSM when one goes sick and there isn't another one available, so could be why you didn't see a black/grey shirt.
#772348 by honey lamb
22 Mar 2011, 23:55
Thanks for the TR. I took this flight in September and loved it in spite of the early start. Even with an onward flight to ORK I suffered no jet lag the following day.

I too have been on flights where there has been no FSM. On one he had been stuck in traffic (there was a multiple crash on the M25) but the person who acted up was as good as, if not better than some FSMs. There are ones who make my heart sink when I see them on board

The flight was full though did spot a couple of upgrades into PE and would you believe it, they were sat in row 18

As a matter of interest, how did you know they were upgrades?
#772353 by buns
23 Mar 2011, 05:44
Thanks for the TR

The cynical part of me thinks that Row 18 had been "blagged" long before you arrived at Newark

Nevertheless may try this flight one day as it does hel with the time adjust

buns
#772356 by slinky09
23 Mar 2011, 07:23
Thanks for the TR - security at EWR has got slow lately, especially in the a.m. as everyone leaves the clubhouse!

Did you notice the clubhouse refresh, my colleague who was there a week or two ago said that it looked like the sofas had been replaced, and that's all (and, he said, with more uncomfortable versions!).

I get really mad with VS about row 18 on a A346 - the lack of attention to providing those seats to the most frequent fliers, the haphazard way they appear to be allocated (as you witnessed) - and the relative ease of fixing this are really infuriating.
#772426 by horburyflyer
23 Mar 2011, 21:29
This flight really works for me - it certainly helps with the jetlag and is my preferred option where possible. I get to do it again this coming weekend!

The EWR clubhouse looked fresh, though from the last time I was in before the refurb I can't say I really noticed a difference other than that which is probably unkind but it was a a relaxing, comfortable environment but the seats were on the hard side!

The upgrades were making a few comments about how lucky they had been in getting upgraded and I really think the row had been allocated ahead of my arrival - just would have appreciated some honesty but will try again this week.

It is interesting that they don't always offer row 18 to their most frequent flyers, even on the way out it was not offered though was available.

HF
#772430 by slinky09
23 Mar 2011, 21:51
horburyflyer wrote:It is interesting that they don't always offer row 18 to their most frequent flyers, even on the way out it was not offered though was available.

HF


Simply put, write in to SR at Crawley towers and let him know of your opinion. Please. The more of us do, the more we might get change.
#772431 by tontybear
23 Mar 2011, 21:53
horburyflyer wrote:It is interesting that they don't always offer row 18 to their most frequent flyers, even on the way out it was not offered though was available.

HF


I agree - would be good if they said 'I see you are in row X, we have a seat in 18 if you would like it'

Then later in the check-in process or gate they can always jiggle things around
#772435 by slinky09
23 Mar 2011, 22:26
tontybear wrote:I agree - would be good if they said 'I see you are in row X, we have a seat in 18 if you would like it'

Then later in the check-in process or gate they can always jiggle things around


Why not simply let Au's request row 18 online ... loads of airlines do this, why can't VS? What is holding them back? Why won't they?
#772437 by tontybear
23 Mar 2011, 22:31
slinky09 wrote:
Why not simply let Au's request row 18 online ... loads of airlines do this, why can't VS? What is holding them back? Why won't they?


Because as we all know they don't behave rationally and would rather hack off loyal customers by assuming they will remain loyal whilst giving op-ups and the better seats to the one off flyer in the hope they will become loyal.
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