VS019 LHR-SFO 23 AUG 12 (Economy) NOW WITH PHOTOS!

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

**Photos added : return TR on way**

Prior to our trip we decided to overnight at The Comfort Inn just 10 mins away from LHR.  It was average but had a bar and restaurant and was adequate as well as very cheap at £72 for 2 rooms. Mrs P has posted her obligatory TripAdvisor report.

Arrived at LHR T3 about 8.15 to a steady but not busy VS bag drop. Seen within 10 mins by a very pleasant agent who confirmed our seats in the bubble!
A trip to Starbucks for coffee and cakes as all restaurants were busy...oh how I'd love the CH
Called to gate 18 where Cosmic Girl was waiting for us after her return from JFK this morning.

Outbound plane.JPG (24.05 KiB) Viewed 6763 times

At the gate priority boarding was very much in full flow and well managed
We were met Onboard by smiles from the CC and directed upstairs to 78a & b. First impressions of the Y cabin in the bubble are very positive. Cosy but spacious and a nice glow from the UC lighting

Outbound Bubble Cabin.JPG (40.62 KiB) Viewed 6763 times

Seat & area all in acceptable condition. Still get annoyed by the positioning of the IFE handset as I kept accidentally pushing the buttons especially switching the channels
Pilot announced flight time of 10hrs and 25mins (seems long to me - headwinds?) with 366 pax 17crew on board

FSM up and around the cabin early in flight and thanking a couple of pax for moving seats. I think Y was full and there were a few random seating issues.
After take off on runway 9L, our very friendly CC member looking after us came round offering drinks then surpassed my expectations by offering to pop a few beers in the fridge for later on. Great service..

I think the family sat in front were Au as they were recognised by both our CC and FSM.  The FSM was in the UC cabin chatting and handing out menus for a while. As always stated on here, a good positive FSM leads to a great CC and flight
It seems that they were a crew member down in the bubble and that was obvious as the FSM and CC dashed around serving the UC pax their lunch. Apparently,according to Mrs P's gossip with our CC, a crew member had to be diverted to a NYC flight as it was 3 CC down!

Outbound Menu.JPG (24.04 KiB) Viewed 6763 times

I chose the vegetarian pasta from the menu as everything else seemed herby and not great for a longish flight. I was served by the FSM and she was chatty and friendly The pasta was good, plenty of cheese which is always ok with me.  Mrs P had preordered a low fat meal to see what it was like and apparently it was ok. She will be trying a different preorder on the return in order to get served early and then sleep

Mrs P Vegetarian Meal
Outbound Vege Meal.JPG (40.91 KiB) Viewed 6763 times

My pasta meal
Outbound Y Meal.JPG (34.02 KiB) Viewed 6763 times

It is in situations like this I believe that the split service is a pain for the CC. Main course empties collected, they have to duplicate the service for dessert

The regular Gu dessert (passion fruit cheesecake thingy) was  served with tea.

I have flown Virgin for 15 years mostly in Y for leisure but have never received such exceptional service in Y from our dedicated bubble CC member. Even though the flight was short on crew  he was asking if anyone wanted drinks, assisting in Birthday celebrations with the Au's in front and treating each pax with individual undivided attention. Legend! Crawley Towers will be receiving a letter of commendation
After a little sleep a savoury Danish pastry was served - tasted a bit weird but filled a small hole.

This was followed by high tea 2 hours prior to landing. This consisted of the well discussed cheese & onion sandwich (that I am a fan of) and a cupcake.

Outbound Afternoon Tea.JPG (30.55 KiB) Viewed 6763 times

A wonderful sweep around San Fran to the east with a great view of The City (pics to follow) and it's beauty followed by a smooth landing and congested taxi to the gate.

Outbound view 1.JPG (21.09 KiB) Viewed 6763 times

Outbound view 2.JPG (27.1 KiB) Viewed 6763 times

Outbound view 3.JPG (29.91 KiB) Viewed 6763 times

Outbound view 4.JPG (37.36 KiB) Viewed 6763 times

Another awesome detail of being up in the bubble is the very quick exit from the plane to a fairly clear immigration hall We were in our car within 60 minutes of touching down thanks also to the amazing Alamo online check in that I completed before we left the UK.

So, in summary, an outstanding flight in Y due to a fabulous crew members, great seats in the bubble and quick exit out into the City.

Mark

Great TR and by all accounts great flight and crew . Well done to all crew on your flight . Hope you get a response from Crawley Towers and Dosent it show when the crew get it right how much enjoyable a 10 hour flight is.

Fantastic TR

Sounds like excellent service on board and I think we borrowed the missing crew member on the VS3

Thanks for posting

[mitchja]

Excellent TR, thanks for posting

You can't upload pics within posts on here using an iPad I'm afraid.

Thanks for the TR, what a fab crew, they really do make or break a flight!

[buns]

Thanks for such a brilliant TR

Truly observant, your assessment of the FSM proves that irrespective of cabin, it is this key role that sets the scene and makes or breaks a flight for passengers.

Translate that simple fact and multiply by 350 - 400 passengers, when are VSgoing to realise this is what they should be investing in.

Thanks once again

buns

Great TR,I'm a new member to this site and find these reports such a good read.

How did you find the legroom ?

I recently went on my first VS flight in PE in the bubble and legroom was great and was just wondering if the Y up there is better than downstairs.

Thanks for a great a TR!

Great TR,I'm a new member to this site and find these reports such a good read.

How did you find the legroom ?

I recently went on my first VS flight in PE in the bubble and legroom was great and was just wondering if the Y up there is better than downstairs.

Found the leg room ok, probably the same as downstairs, but the roomy feeling in the bubble just made the whole experience better

Thanks for the upbeat and positive TR. Interesting to hear a rave review of the new config.

Thank you for the great TR.

Thanks for the upbeat and positive TR. Interesting to hear a rave review of the new config.

Only because I was in Y...if I was in UC in the bubble I think i woud have been a little miffed at sharing a toilet and being behind Y pax on exit!

Great to read such a positive TR

I know it is a bit slack but finally my outbound pictures have been added! Return TR to follow

[buns]

Great TR and Super Snaps

Goes to show if one's appraoch to a flight is right then you will not be disappointed

buns

Excellent TR!!

Great TR Petmadness!

I'll be making this same flight on the way home Sept 29.

Will be flying Y, but not in the bubble. Wish I'd joined v-flyer sooner because I've learned so much from the kind folks here.

Thanks for the great tr Petmadness. Did you pre-book your seats in the bubble, and if so was in the 3 month period or in the OLCI slot? I'm flying in Dec and hoping to get into the bubble, but can only book downstairs as my flights are showing the old Config. Basically I'm hoping that the Config will update and that I'd be able to book in the bubble.

Love the pics!

Thanks for the great tr Petmadness. Did you pre-book your seats in the bubble, and if so was in the 3 month period or in the OLCI slot? I'm flying in Dec and hoping to get into the bubble, but can only book downstairs as my flights are showing the old Config. Basically I'm hoping that the Config will update and that I'd be able to book in the bubble.

Made an amateur mistake when I originally requested seats as I thought upstairs was PE ! After realising my error I went on to MMB to rectify this but no amendment was possible due to the 60% rule. However, with knowledge found from this fine forum, I checked my booking 3 hour prior to OLCI and was able to snaffle upstairs seats for 6 PAX

Great TR Petmadness!

I'll be making this same flight on the way home Sept 29.

Will be flying Y, but not in the bubble. Wish I'd joined v-flyer sooner because I've learned so much from the kind folks here.

Gonna post my return TR tomorrow so you will get an idea what it may be like

Thanks for the great tr Petmadness. Did you pre-book your seats in the bubble, and if so was in the 3 month period or in the OLCI slot? I'm flying in Dec and hoping to get into the bubble, but can only book downstairs as my flights are showing the old Config. Basically I'm hoping that the Config will update and that I'd be able to book in the bubble.

Made an amateur mistake when I originally requested seats as I thought upstairs was PE ! After realising my error I went on to MMB to rectify this but no amendment was possible due to the 60% rule. However, with knowledge found from this fine forum, I checked my booking 3 hour prior to OLCI and was able to snaffle upstairs seats for 6 PAX

Thanks for that, appreciate it. I'll just have to keep rechecking before we go.

Hi Petmadness

Great TR! We are booked to SFO in Dec and i have reservations with Alamo too.

Whats the benefits of the alamo online check in?

Hi Petmadness

Great TR! We are booked to SFO in Dec and i have reservations with Alamo too.

Whats the benefits of the alamo online check in?

For me the clear benefit of using ths facility if that you bypass all the queues at the Alamo desks, dont have an eager clerk trying to sell you additional services that you dont need and go Straight to the car pick point to select your vehicle. Perfect! Used this 4 or 5 times now and keep saving time

Hope this helps

Hi Petmadness

Great TR! We are booked to SFO in Dec and i have reservations with Alamo too.

Whats the benefits of the alamo online check in?

For me the clear benefit of using ths facility if that you bypass all the queues at the Alamo desks, dont have an eager clerk trying to sell you additional services that you dont need and go Straight to the car pick point to select your vehicle. Perfect! Used this 4 or 5 times now and keep saving time

Hope this helps

Thanks Petmadness

I think I'll give it a go,

what type of vehicle do u normally go for?

I've gone for a standard SUV, however back in feb when we were last there I booked the same standard SUV, but I got a good upgrade deal from the clerk, and extra $100 for a full size SUV (Denali) for 2 weeks