A short trip report for our outbound flight to Florida.
We booked a Virgin Holiday to Naples in January and boy it only seems like yesterday.
We are a family of 4, 2 adults, a 5 year old and a 2 year old.
Managed to bag row 41&42 h&k on the airbus but when olci opened up we had been moved to a middle row of 4 near the back. Thankfully I managed to get back original choice. Seq 5-9.
We set off early from Hertfordshire to LHR which is about a 40 min drive and had booked a bargain meet and greet through APH for £62 for ten days.
We were met at T3 by the driver and quickly off loaded the bags. It was great not having to stress about the car.
T3 virgin check in and bag drop was not at all busy - it was about 8am. However, we were called over to UC to bag drop etc and were wished a pleasant flight by various staff around the check in area. The whole process only took about 3 minutes - very impressive.
Up to security which was quick and painless taking about 10 minutes and then off to the No1 Lounge which is a short walk through duty free and upstairs.
The lounge was great, spacious quiet with plenty to do and great views over the apron and departures on 9R.
There was plenty on offer to eat - cereals, fruit, bread, pastries, juice, tea, coffee etc and also a selection of cooked items made to order. Well worth the £30 per adult.
Played a few games with the kids while the wife went shopping and soon enough it was time to trundle down to gate 19 where Bubbles was waiting for us to board.
We were welcomed on board and before long the flight with 297 pacs and 13 crew and a flight time of 8.50 was ready to depart.
After a short taxi and wait we were rolling down 9r and soon heading across to MIA.
IFE booted up quickly and worked great the whole way. Lunch was served 2 hours in. Kids meals were a kind of penne bolognese which they both ate. I and the Mrs had the beef which by usual standards was edible and quite filling. Salad was cold and fresh, but I do miss the cheese.
Lots of juice and water runs were made and mid way the skinny cow was served.
About 90 mins before landing afternoon tea - sandwiches and scones were served and were fine.
Captain came on just before top of descent to say cabin will be secured shortly and for us to complete the usual forms, use the toilets etc and soon after we were landing in a very sunny Miami about 25 minutes early.
A short taxi to the gate and after a few minutes we were off into the dreaded immigration that is Mia.
However we were seen after about 25 minutes which is not bad and the agent was extremely friendly and took time to chat with us and the kids.
A long walk to get the awaiting bags and another short queue for secondary immigration.
My wife's aunty was waiting for us and we left her and the kids whilst we took the monorail to the new car hire building.
As we had checked in on line we soon picked a car from a selection of mini vans and soon arrived back at the terminal to pick up the kids etc.
All on all a hassle free journey and after a lovely 3 days in Miami I am writing this from beside the pool at our favourite retreat in Naples - la playa.
We booked this all through VH and got a great deal after they priced matched the BA Holidays price.
Back on the 16th on the 747 so we will see how that journey compairs.
Thanks for reading.
Paul.
Add this to checking in the car prior to arrival = heaven (well a shirt queue at MIA immigration is better than heaven) 
