This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
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After a week in the sun (and some BAD sunburn!) it was time to head back to the UK. Virgin Holidays offered a ‘check in and chill out’ service, which enabled you to check in and collect your boarding passes at the hotel. I wasn’t too keen on the idea and told our rep that we would be checking in at the airport instead. Her reply was that it would be fine and she would cross our name off the airport transfer coach… erm no, we still want to go on the coach (that we had paid for), just check in at the airport. We were told that this wasn’t possible however as we weren’t allowed to take suitcases on the coach and they can’t transfer unchecked baggage to the airport. Hmmm ok then. At 10:00 our bags were taken and we were left in the clothes we were wearing – being winter in the UK, it certainly wasn’t the same kind of clothes that I’d choose to be wearing in a tropical Barbados. An added problem was that we had to check out of our hotel at 11:00 and the transfer to the airport wasn’t until 15:00 so that meant waiting around in the heat without any air conditioning which only made it more uncomfortable. At least the hotel was along the approach path and I was happy watching the few arrivals that afternoon:
At around 15:00 the transfer to the airport arrived and we made our way to Grantley Adams, arriving around 45 minutes later. As the flight was scheduled to depart at 17:00 this wouldn’t leave much time to look around before boarding. From what I saw the check in was almost a kerbside affair, although with more of a waiting area. Security was pretty quick considering there was both a VS and BA flight departing around the same time. There wasn’t a huge amount to Grantley Adams. From what I remember there was just one small shop and one toilet block – that was out of order. Guess it was too bad if you were desperate! We spent the remaining time sat infront of our plane – was quite impressive waiting at ground level with a 747 and 777 parked up infront of you!
VS 030
BGI-LGW
17th October 2007
747-443 G-VROS
G-VROS would be doing the honors this evening – a new reg for me at the time. I’ve since been on this one twice more. Upon boarding, the captain announced a flight time of 7 hours 20 minutes and due to the short flying time we were being held on the ground to avoid arriving at Gatwick too early and having to hold. He also mentioned the route would be pretty much straight across the Atlantic before reaching landfall over Cornwall.
At about 17:40 local, we pushed back and made a fast taxi out to the active runway. Then came another powerful takeoff.
Can’t say I remember an awful lot about the flight as I slept for most of it. Around an hour before landing, I went to the galley to ask for some water where I was greeted with a very ‘tired’ looking crew. Maybe too much partying in Barbados the night before? Who knows!
Shortly before landing, the captain was on the PA again announcing that he had timed it just right when leaving Barbados, as we would be one of the first flights to arrive that morning. He also mentioned that we would be ‘having to go round the houses a bit’ due to ATC not giving us the runway he had anticipated. There weren’t too many views to be had as it was still dark outside.
Touchdown was around 05:45, and we taxied to the South Terminal, pulling up alongside G-VLIP that had also just arrived from the Caribbean (St. Lucia if I remember correctly).
After that, it was the usual formalities and onto a train home. Being a Thursday morning the train was packed with commuters not willing to give an inch to anybody. Still, my suitcase meant that they were kind of forced into giving way!
We arrived back at home at Approx. 08:30
Virgin were pretty good on the outbound flight, however they seemed to be a bit lethargic on the inbound. Almost like the passengers were a bit of an inconvenience in being there.
Barbados isn’t somewhere I’d immediately rush back to due to the fact there’s not a huge amount to do there. If you’re into just lounging on a beach for a week, then its brilliant, although if seeing sights is your thing then the options are a bit limited. Interestingly my dad has since been and had similar things to say about it!
My wife have been to Barbados and have to disagree with you as when we went we filled a week with a mixture of sunning and activities...horses for courses, I guess 
