This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
As i arrived into the south terminal early at about 7.20 the queue was thankfully low. As we approved the lady informed us that the bags my parents packed were overweight, and the bags i have diligently packed.... were bang on the button 50lbs. we headed to repacking and frantically attempted to jettison some things.
My mother's return journey coat and several beautiful unworn items as well as a few gifts were left behind in that re-packing area. Virgin would e onto a money maker if they started a small enterprise, to hold the items for returning passenger for a nominal fee... especially if people are panicking ( as we were) about time.
By the time we returned the queue was huge and it was approaching 8.25 and I don't mind disclosing that i was starting to have a deodorant failure.
by 8.39 we had checked our baggage and the lady at the desk was smiley and definitely relaxed me a little.
I was immediately struck about how pokey Gatwick south was in comparison to north.It Made the USP of upper classes clubhouse seem like even more of a pull.
As we marched (yes we were that stressed and anxious) to the gate, I noticed two virgin planes beside one and other. Pretty Woman and Virginia Plain. I hoped that we would be on pretty woman, I had flown on pretty woman in 2002. It was not to be.
But soon we were aboard. Although the seat was near the galley, it seemed roomier than the economy seats I had in 2002, so I took that as a win.
as more passengers boarded my little sister noticed that other children had the K-ID bags and she hadn't. Like all kids are likely to do, she took it personally!! (maybe they don't like my outfit... maybe they don't think I'm pretty....) I placated her assuring her that because she is tall for her age they probably assumed that we were twins. As soon as the tide if passengers began to slow i approached the flight crew member and explained.She was an absolute sweetheart, she asked for me to take my seat while she sorted it out. She delivered it to my sister personally and was super smiley and it brightened up my sister's day, which perked me up too I'll admit. I should have written to customer service but I want to try and remember her name. My sister will remember, she really lifted her spirits that much!!
The IFE, was okay, but it had to be restarted twice while on the ground. I swapped seats with my mother half way through the flight and was saddened to learn that she (like most mothers) had been noble and hadn't complained, her IFE had no sound.... unless you constantly applied pressure to the headphone jack. She seemed to be enjoying the films in my seat. so i enjoyed the view out of the window.
The food.... well mine was okay sausage and celeriac mash. but what of the meal that most of my family picked the sweet and sour chicken.... well my mother vowed that she would book with BA next time. My sister ate my sausage while i went to the loo. My father on the other hand... finished off everyone mum's little sisters and asked flight crew if there was any more!!!! (ps there was and he ate it the shame oh the shame)
When the tea arrived we were all pretty much sated and happy people. Then we tried the tea.... I ate the GU chocolate and raspberry desert and that was ok... the biscuit and coronation chicken sandwich.... sorry an abomination unto my palate...
But all in all I was a happy passenger, the staff were great.Virginia plain was ok interior wise, but when I tried to take an exterior shot.... how upsetting was it to see that the paint was worn off and almost gone on tail.... it would have been a beautiful photo too!
Last edited by Neil on 11 Aug 2010, 13:39, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Edited by Neil to remove crew names as per forum rules.
but dont worry i am a considerate person and manged to buy some wipes and use my initiative!!
