VS301 DEL-LHR 30 NOV 12 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

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Cabin Crew

After 5 weeks in Gurgaon for business purposes, it was finally time for me to get back home. My flight was leaving Delhi at 1350 so I decided to leave my hotel around 1030. Got onto the motorway and all went fine until getting to the Toll Plaza as after it, severe traffic jams hit us...
Luckily, I had plenty of time oin my hands so didn't worry too much about it. It finally took almost 50 minutes for the 15 kilometers but it was all fine.
Got at the entrance of the terminal and had to prove that I was flying on the day to get access to the terminal (seems like a recurring thing in India in my experience so I was ready for it).
Got to Virgin Upper Class desks where no queue was waiting for me (always a plus) but a charming and smiling lady who arranged my check-in in minutes. She informed me that the seat I had picked (1A) had some technical issues with the bed but I had no issues with that as it was a day flight.
I was then shown to Security and explained how to reach the shared lounge facility.
After a bit of a queue for security (even though there's a special queue for First and Business passengers), I reached the Duty Free area. Stopped quickly for a browse and to buy cigarettes for a colleague and tried to find my way to the lounge.
Managed to reach the facility and wasn't particularly impressed but I have to say that I was possibly a little bit spoilt after the Heathrow Clubhouse on the way out ...
Stayed in the lounge for 40 minutes, time for a coffee and a pastry and a quick look round and I was on my way to Gate 1 where G-VGBR was waiting for us. Due to a slightly late arrival of the aircraft, the whole cabin crew was still having their briefing around their FSM. Priority Boarding was strictly applied and I could get onto the plane.
I was shown to my seat by one of the FAs and offered a glass of champagne (love those glasses !!). After a few minutes, a ground handling agent came to my seat and apologised for the defect seat and offered me a £20 voucher to use on the flight.
I was really impressed, especially as I had confirmed I wasn't bothered ... The flight was starting well !
After a very long taxi, we finally took off and a first round of drinks was offered while the IFE was switched on.
I was particularly impressed with Vera Touch compared to the "old" V Port system ... Nice and large screen, beautiful image quality and touchscreen facility which nowadays is so common that I almost do it on everything before realising
Orders for lunch were taken and I went for Lamb Sheekh Kebab for starters and Herb Crusted Chicken for mains. Both were really tasty and went very well with a few glasses of Picpoul (French white wine). For dessert I went for the Orange and Chocolate Cake which was absolutely gorgeous.
During the meal, I decided to watch "To Rome with Love", the latest Woody Allen film, which was really good.
After the film, I decided to go and explore the bar area.
I settled for a few drinks while chatting with the different FAs that were taking turns in manning the bar. I asked them what they were thinking about the new A333 in terms of their service routine and it was really interesting as they all seem to prefer the A346 in terms of service flow in UC but prefer the A333 in terms of service flow for the other classes.
Before I realised, it was time for afternoon tea which was served on the nice little cake stand and included sandwiches and cakes. I opted for coffee after having probably drunk a whole bottle of this beautiful Picpoul, thought it was a better idea than tea
By the time we started our descent to Heathrow, it was pitch black outside but London was litterally glowing and absolutely beautiful.
Landed very smoothly and after a very short taxi, got to the gate and disembarked for L2 (which I thought was surprising).
Quite a queue at Immigration but then my luggage was amongst the 20 first to show up ...
When compiling both flights, I have to say that I was well impressed by Virgin and that I've very much preferred them to BA on the same kind of distance and class.
I will most likely have to fly regularly to Delhi in the next year and will keep on flying Virgin as I was very happy with them.

Thanks for the TR

Prove you are flying? Do they get a lot of people that just hang around the airport for no reason then?

Whilst you may not be bothered as it was a day flight, some might be if spending all that money on a LIE FLAT seat that has a problem fulfilling its promise - had a similar problem on route to JFK a few months back and got £50 of vouchers - didn't bother me too much either.

Good to hear the VS experience eclipsed BA.

Cheers for posting

I think that's mainly a security thing Joeyc ... The front concourse is quite large and people accompanying passengers can't get into the terminal itself but can only stop before and wave goodbye ...

By the way, got myself a nice bottle of Bombay Sapphire, compliments of Virgin Atlantic ... :-)

By the way, got myself a nice bottle of Bombay Sapphire, compliments of Virgin Atlantic ... :-)

Ha ha nice one... who needs a lie flat seat when you have a bottle of gin

Too right ! LOL

Thanks for the TR

Prove you are flying? Do they get a lot of people that just hang around the airport for no reason then?

Should you ever have the joy of using Indian airports you'll observe how, when someone leaves on a trip, each passenger seems to take about 20 of their family with them to bid them bon voyage. It's a melee!

Hence to actually get into the terminal you have to show your itinerary to a soldier (usually) - only ticketed passengers can go into the terminal / departures itself.

It's all fun the first time - especially if like me you travel with etickets and electronic stuff and no paper!

Thanks for the TR! Glad the bed issue didn't cause any problems

you also get the 'trolley' boys who grab your luggage out of the car, haggle all the way to the entrance door, agree a price just before ,take the money and then run off...they arent allowed inside.......then you get another one trying to rip you off inside

you also get the 'trolley' boys who grab your luggage out of the car, haggle all the way to the entrance door, agree a price just before ,take the money and then run off...they arent allowed inside.......then you get another one trying to rip you off inside

And if you do then a sharp F off usually works.

[honey lamb]

By the way, got myself a nice bottle of Bombay Sapphire, compliments of Virgin Atlantic ... :-)

Why can't this happen to me?

Honeylamb, it's pure sheer luck, I have to say ... Especially because the bag drop lady really wanted me to change seats but I kept it as I wanted to fly once in my life on seat 1A ... I know it's tacky but it still got me some freebies ;-)