This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew

Alarm went off at 5am - over to VS check-in - deserted! I thought it was closed but it wasn't - greeted by a pleasant staffer and shown to a UC desk (being AU). Check-in was quick - original seats moved back from row 28 to row 43 (weight and balance - light load). Boarding passes issued and fast track sticker applied (not needed as security was dead). Went to go into the CH at 6am (check-in agent stated this as the opening time) but advised at the door not open until 6.15.
First time in the LGW CH and was given a tour - impressed with the CH space and facilities and the service. Had the full breakfast washed down with a coffee and a couple of glasses of champagne

Flight was called at about 8:45 - perfect timing as the CH users were the last to board. Seats taken and flight pushed back on time - captain advised flight time of 8 hours 30 minutes and that there were only 225 pax on board. Y was very empty!
Short taxi and wheels up, seatbelt signs off and dashed back up to the empty middle of the plane (which was G-VROS by the way) to take up 28 A, B & C between the 2 of us. No-one in front or behind

Entertainment switched on - this was the first time I've experienced non AVOD and, to be honest, in the days of iPad and iPod it really isn't that bad to not have AVOD - it worked, I watched 2 films listened to a couple of albums. However, as AVOD is the norm nowadays I have rated average.
Now - the food....very very average! The cocktail is good and strong. The menu is a total waste of money and effort. The portions were small (and I am not a big eater) but the chicken was tasty and well cooked. Afternoon tea was pretty average too. For an extra few pounds per head (which i would happily pay) VS could add so much more to Y food offering IMHO.
The CC were amazing - one chap who looked after our section kept plying me with wine and Pretzels


I had mentioned that this trip was partly to celebrate an anniversary to this particular CC at the start of the flight when we were chatting - about half way into the flight he shos up with 2 glasses of champagne from UC - now the wife was very impressed with this

Before we knew it we were decending into BGI - fantastic views from the ABC side of the AC! Wheather is was the light load or not I don't know but there was no priority disembarkation for PE pax


In summary - this was a good solid Y flight. What I expect from Y with some great CC service thrown in. Food could have been better and AVOD would have been nice, but not essential!