VS036 ANU-LGW 22 JUN 12 (Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

So, after 2 fantastic weeks in Barbados it was now time to start the trek to BGI for the return home. The 36 is (un)fortunately a later flight than the 29 so that means a few more hours on the island Decided to leave the house a little earlier than we had planned so called the taxi at around 3. 40 or so minutes later we were dropped off at a deserted BGI - the open frontage is great and this now feels like an airport rather than a prison!

VS check-in must have only just opened as there were one or two staffers around and a few pax milling about. UC check-in agent very friendly and asked, as I was AU, did I want lounge access? Yes please ! I was slightly concerned that the lounge was landside but I was advised that I should head through a (deserted) security and head for gate 12 where I should use the stairs to ascend to the Airlines VIP Lounge (I think). Before that, had a quick trip round the airport (to buy some rum) - airside seemed plenty of seating and shopping etc but could easily get busy with a few wide-bodies leaving at the same time. Luckly the BA flight was taking off as we entered the lounge.

Now, this is no VS lounge but it's not a bad place to spend a while before a flight. Food was pretty poor - sandwiches, soup, crisps, scones, nuts etc. The drink selection was actually ok though the wine was limited to 2 of each but was constantly replensihed. The lounge is actually quite large with plenty of seating and was never more than 20% full (if that) the whole time we were in there.

Boarding time came and went and there was no sign of V-VROY at gate 12. Using V-Flyer and the VS app it became quickly apparent that we were in for a delay. A vague announcement came over saying there was a delay as the flight hadn't yet left ANU - no real explanation as to why nor a revised take-off time. The VS app finally told me that the plane had left ANU some 2 or so hours late. There was another announement saying the revised take off time of about 10:30pm local. We would therefore have about 5 hours in this lounge - of which I was now getting a little bored!

Anyway, boarding was called from the lounge and we made our way down. Quickly on to the apron through the priority lane and climbed the stairs - something about climbing up to a 747 makes you realise how big they are!!

Settled down into 29 A & B - clearly this was to be a busier flight than the outbound. The captain explained that the flight time was 7.5 hours but I forget the load now. He also explained that the outsourced flight planning company's system had failed (and so had the backup) hence the delay (that had affected many airlines worldwide). Once seated we were on the ground for another good hour for refuelling. Finally doors closed and safety video on for taxi.

The FSM was clearly one to be obeyed (he had a pop at one CC as he found a cable tie on the floor in the galley pre-take off). The announcements were very very quiet on this flight. Once airborne the CC immediately went into dinner mode. I had the jerk chicken with rice and spiced carrots - was very tasty and moist. Desert was apple crumble (again very tasty). By the time the meal service had ended it was now gone midnight local time so the delay had actually worked in the favour of getting some sleep - so I did for about 3 hours. The person behind wasn't overly happy that I had (mistakenly) reclined fully ( I actually prefer half recline in Y for sleep). Though the angriness of the shove was a little unneccesary...

3 hours of sleep later I woke with 2 and a bit hours of flight time left. I decided to use the IFE for a bit - again Nova - average but it worked - and my iPhone. Breakfast (muffin, fruit and yoghurt with coffee/juice). Was fine.

Soon we were decending into a (very green) UK. Priority disembarkation was applied this time for the bubble. Immigration was dead. Had a bit of banter with the border agent about my tan (quite dark compared to my photo) and up into baggage. Priority bags worked for one and not the other. Though we were seat to car in about 40 minutes so pleased with that!

Overall, another decent Y flight. IFE average again, food much better than the outbound (as I expected), CC were efficient if not overly interactive this time but hey, it was a night flight after all!

Thanks for the TR, shame you had no advance warning of the delay and therefore couldn't enjoy the island a little longer.

nice TR thanks

Thanks for the TR. Sounds like a "does what it says on the tin" experience. Shame about the unknown delay, but at least your weren't in the main departure space where you might have been revising your view of it being more like an airport than a prison.

Quickly on to the apron through the priority lane and climbed the stairs - something about climbing up to a 747 makes you realise how big they are!!

I enjoy using the stairs. As you say, it makes you realise the size of the machine. Using a jetway doesn't have the same romance (would the Beatles have been as big in the US had they used a jetway when then first arrived?) and the walk to the aircraft and then up the stairs reinforces the feeling of being about to do something rather different from your day to day experiences (except for those on the forum whose flying patterns mean that day to day is onboard one or other aircraft).

Thanks for the TR. Sounds like a "does what it says on the tin" experience. Shame about the unknown delay, but at least your weren't in the main departure space where you might have been revising your view of it being more like an airport than a prison.

Quickly on to the apron through the priority lane and climbed the stairs - something about climbing up to a 747 makes you realise how big they are!!

I enjoy using the stairs. As you say, it makes you realise the size of the machine. Using a jetway doesn't have the same romance (would the Beatles have been as big in the US had they used a jetway when then first arrived?) and the walk to the aircraft and then up the stairs reinforces the feeling of being about to do something rather different from your day to day experiences (except for those on the forum whose flying patterns mean that day to day is onboard one or other aircraft).

Yes - nothing more expected from a Y red-eye!

pjh - you live very close to me!

[buns]

Thanks for the TR

A positive experience for Y, which no doubt enhanced by a sharp FSM. However, the recent reports of on board Au recognition seems to have gone by the wayside

I too love that boarding via the steps - it is now such a rare thing, that it needs to be treasured

buns