Back in the fold

Hi there, after spending the past 7 years flying almost every other airline (but mainly BA and Cathay) I'll be hitting the VS3 on Monday have scored a PE->UC upgrade with my Flying Club account which I'd happily kept active all this time.

For someone who last flew on Virgin before the A333s made an appearance, before the JFK lounge was updated, before the VS Wing was created and who, I fear, can barely remember anything at all about Virgin, does anyone have any sage words of advice?

I seem to recall that the Clubhouse opens at 7am, so hopefully check in is open early enough for me to maximise my time there prior to the 0920 flight?

Any hints about food/booze and the return flight (VS4 the next day - the joys of business travel)?

I must admit to being slightly excited about being back on VS. If it's any good I'll switch over some of my business travel (mainly DXB, NYC and HKG) for next year. And maybe I'll even replace this horrid red card with something more shiny!

Thanks,

W4Cat

For years I flew only UA and CX and was GS and DM in their programs for the last 5 years I was with them so I was giving up a lot of perks when I I switched to VS in 2009 and have not regretted it once.

The main things you will notice is how bland the corporate look of the major airlines cabins and service are. Like staring at a magnolia wall for 12 hours. At least the VS cabin has a bit of sparkle as do the crew. There is individuality rather than conformity - clearly a lot of skin care products are used. The female crew use some as well.

The mileage program is way better than CX. Earning and redemption is far superior although with only one flight a day to HKG availability is not great.

The whole LHR experience is smoother with the private security and CH. CX lounges are good but they are still bland.

The major airlines will all get you there but VS still does it with more style and fun than the others.

Not an auspicious start: online check in seems to be down and I've lost the ability to change my seat assignment.

Hmmm..

W4Cat

I have never used OLCI but all the seats that side of the curtain are nice.

100+ TPs and never used OLCI - blimey, how come?

I disagree about the UC seats on the A333 - there are two that really aren't great (9a and 9K), unless you are incredibly unfussy!

I am never that confidant I will take the flight I suppose so I rather use the machine at LHR when I know I am there ready to go.

Outside of LHR I actually quite enjoy the check-in process for some strange reason. I have to admit that is because I use the UC check-in. If I had to wait in a lone queue I would soon change my tune.

Not a real trip report but:

- Private security channel great
- LHR Clubhouse as good as ever
- A330 suites much narrower than even on the A346
- Food much better than I remembered
- Wine absolutely terrible, but a palatable single malt
- No attempt to dissuade PE pax from using UC bathrooms
- Crew seemed a little younger, more bubbly but less elegant

Flight arrived 20mins early and was in Midtown Manhattan within an hour.

Looking forward to the return flight.

W4Cat

Thanks for the update y)

- A330 suites much narrower than even on the A346
- Food much better than I remembered
- Wine absolutely terrible, but a palatable single malt
- No attempt to dissuade PE pax from using UC bathrooms

Thanks -

Lots of people have made similar observations about the A333. The toilet issue is a bit of a blunder in my view. I also agree about food and wine; in fact it is good to see someone else saying that about the wine because I was wondering if it was just me...

Well, flew back last night.

'Four years of research, imagination and expert design' has delivered a flat bed which is shorter and narrower than both the 343, 346 and 747 variants. Just rubbish for someone 6ft1 and broad shouldered: could only sleep on my side with my legs bent as much as I was able to ensure people didn't kick me as they came down the narrow aisle.

It used to be said that BA was better as a seat and VS as a bed. In respect of the A333, one of the upper deck extra legroom seats on a BA747 is a far better sleeping experience. Flight was full coming back and you really notice the density - even worse than the BA flying dormitory (777).

Staff OK although they did try and keep the forward lav off limits. I rather gently told them that if they weren't going to police the aft lavs from PE pax then as I was in 1K I was certainly using the nearest.

Oh, final whinge: the nice flat triangular area level with the top of the suite you used to get in front of 1K (my preferred seat) is no more. Still 1K is still preferable due to not looking straight through the 'opaque design' suite window at someone else.

Sorry for the extended negativity: I will be avoiding the A333 from now if on Virgin. Incidentally the bed experience was rather like the 'flying coffin' narrow version of the herringbone design Cathay used to have. And reputedly someone got fired over it...

My one positive: food in the JFK Clubhouse was great!

W4Cat