VS301 DEL-LHR 7 DEC 11 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

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Arrived early at DEL (the full 3hrs pre departure) with the somewhat naive hope of securing a better seat, only to find that the flight was delayed from a scheduled 13.55 to 15:35. At check-in was told that there was bad weather in LHR which delayed the incoming flight.

On board, the captain told us: ''despite the varying accounts of what happened, the incoming aircraft had to return to stand after taxiing due to an unwell passenger''.

I don't like being lied to, even on small matters. When the PE check-in agent said there was bad weather, I asked if it was due to snow, and she said yes! There was no bad weather of that sort! Hmph!

Anyway, everything else was fine - the VS301 departed just after 1545 due to ATC. Welcome drink was handed out by the PE FSM, though she looked a bit frazzled (Delhi will do that to anyone!). Seat was comfortable and for a change no-one reclined which meant that my long legs were comfortable and I didn't have to watch someone's head the whole way to London.

I order the Jain Special Meal (VJML) and for a change, it was appetising. Previously, I have had the exact same meal on all the 6 long haul VS flights I took last year and was going to be furious if I got it again... I would suggest a weekly change in the VJML menu... not anything drastic, just a different vegetable/format. PLEASE! I was actually considering bringing packed lunch.

No special hellos/greetings/etc for Silver club members (I have had that on JFK/EWR/BGI).

Landed 2hrs later than scheduled. Baggage came out about 15 minutes after I got to the belt (thank God for IRIS, the queues were phenomenal!).

Aside from the delay (not Virgin's fault), and the little bit of misinformation, I was pleasantly pleased with this journey.

Nice to see a report on a less frequently travelled route

I should have posted about my VS300/301 in November - the service on the ground in DEL was exemplary, but then being a UNIQ helps, I was escorted everywhere, including onto the plane before boarding started.

I was also hugely impressed with the new IG international terminal at DEL. On a par with any great terminal anywhere else, apart from the carpets everywhere which drags on your wheelie - all that let it down was poor Wifi in the lounge, but we get that at JFK LOL!

I'm still sad that BOM didn't work for VS, but then the route was flooded with seats by Kingfisher, Jet, Air India, BA, and even EK ... I'd like to see future expansion to India, a great country!

Thanks for the TR Don't know much about the DEL route - is it busy?

Thanks for the TR Don't know much about the DEL route - is it busy?

Very busy!!

Thanks Tinks

Thanks for the TR Don't know much about the DEL route - is it busy?

DEL is usually busy from late September till about early April as it gets extremely hot in Delhi from mid April till September. May is the hottest month (48degC is a normal occurrence!), and VS have reverted to A343 during that time instead of the A346. Don't know if they still do that as I didn't travel east this summer (I was in the caribbean ) Cattle class and PE are usually full to the rafters in the busy season with UC more or less full-ish! Everything calms down a bit during the off-peak season to the extent that I have had empty seats next to me on a few occasions (full advantage taken!). Be advised that the CC can become a little more irritable on these flights (large numbers of non-english speaking pax will lead to miscommunication-generated-frustration, but they have upped the numbers of CC from India per flight to compensate). But overall, they tend to maintain a decent enough standard; it comes as expected when it slips or as a pleasant surprise when it is exceeded

I wanted to echo the comment about the upgraded terminal at IGI T3... amazing stuff. The carpet, I was told is a nod to the Singapore Airport set-up in arrivals over there. I don't care for it too much, nor do I see how it will be able to keep a decent appearance for a long period. Prices in DF are all in US$ so no Indian bargains there, but they are comparable to Dubai.

All in all a good combination - VS & DEL. I can't wait for some new stuff to happen in PE / UC though. I expect that will happen when they start replacing planes... a long wait ahead.

Shame about the delay but glad to hear of an otherwise good flight, thanks for posting.

Thank you for the TR. I know it takes a lot of time and effort to write one.

Thank you for the TR.