VS004 JFK-LHR 31 JAN 13 (Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

When booking trip (Expedia flight & hotel package) the cheapest available flight was returning on the VS004. OLCI done previous evening courtesy of free Wi-Fi in Starbucks as the hotel were charging silly money for internet access .
The bus service from Grand Central to JFK is now operated by NYC Airporter, with online fare of $13 per person one way. Unfortunately the alternatives are either take a taxi (expensive) or combination of subway & Air train (not good if you have loads of luggage). To be honest I would not use them by choice, as I find them unreliable and the staff are not very polite. The timetable is just a rough guide as they seem to run the busses when it suits them we were given conflicting information about which bus to board by two different members of staff and the driver was not the friendliest person . The bus takes just over 30 mins to get to JFK but T4 (for Virgin Atlantic) is one of the last it serves so it’s an hour from leaving Grand Central to getting to Terminal. Allow longer if travelling in rush hour traffic.
Once at Terminal 4 headed up to Check-in, as Silver members we were directed to the PE desk. No queue at all very quick & efficient collected boarding passes then dropped luggage.
The place is still like a building site with a very small duty free shop, luckily able to get what we wanted at duty free shop. We had a drink and quick bite to eat before heading through Security. Security was very busy as there was a departure to Brazil & also the Virgin America flights. Once through headed down towards the gate and found somewhere to sit down. Had time to visit the few shops before boarding commenced.
Boarding commenced about 1715 and we collected our duty free just before boarding aircraft. Boarding was fairly quick and we found our seats at the very back of the aircraft. As with outward found the Airbus A330 to be more comfortable when compared to the Boeing 747 or airbus A340. We were advised that as economy was lightly loaded in order to balance the weight seat rows in middle of aircraft (rows 40-46 I think) were to be left empty for takeoff and landing but could be used once we were airborne. The Captain advised that it was a very short flight time of 6 hours with 165 passengers and 12 crew. Due to the 6am rule at LHR we would leave the gate then sit on a remote stand before a later take off. So we left the Gate at 1810 and headed for the remote stand, we had been sat there a few minutes when the Captain advised us that they were only operating on one runway (for both arrivals & departures) and we were going to join a big queue of aircraft waiting for departure. We eventually took off at 1915. Very smooth take off and generally a quieter aircraft than the Boeing 747 or airbus A340. There was the drinks service before the meal service – I thought that on overnight flights from East Coast there was just one service. Meal consisted of Caesar salad then a choice of Beef stew, Chicken korma or pasta option; served with a choice of wine. Followed by some sort of chocolate pudding with a choice of tea or hot chocolate (no coffee). I then decided to try and get some sleep with the help of the earplugs & eye mask! The back of the aircraft is close to the WC & the galley so it’s more noisy than further forward. Breakfast was served as we flew over Southern Ireland. Nothing special – orange juice, muffin & cereal bar. As there was the usual early morning congestion at LHR we circled for a few minutes before landing at 0620. Arrived at the Gate 5 minutes later. Once off the plane headed to Passport control, was directed to one of the automatic passport readers. This seemed very a slow process and I’m sure it would have been quicker if we had of used the conventional passport control desks. After collecting the luggage exited the airport not long after 0700.

In summary:
The Airbus A330 gets my vote for travelling economy (compared to 747 or A340).
The VS004 is not my first choice of flight – it’s too early for my liking.
Cabin crew were friendly & efficient , although apart from meals I spent most of flight asleep.
Now got enough TP to ensure Silver next year and enough Miles for a UC reward flight later in the year .

Thanks for the TR. Congratulations on keeping Ag for next year and good luck in finding an UC reward flight.

Excellent to see a pair of positive TRs. How was NYC itself? Any highlights and tips?

Occasionally you'll find the hotel may let you have short term access to a pc in the business centre if you say you want to print off your boarding passes. Had you pre assigned your seats or did you just take the chance at OLCI?

Hope you find a Reward flight that suits your needs.

Thank you for the TR.

ISTBC, but I think the combined dinner and drink service is only on flights with a post-8pm take off time.

I agree that the 4 is rather early. We've mainly come back on the 46 which we've found OK. Trying the 2 from Newark in April, so will TR how I feel after a later departure.

I think consensus on here is that the 10 is the best overnighter for jetlag.

The best for jetlag was the 18 thought.

pjh - NYC was great, main purpose of trip was to visit friends (and for Mrs N to do some shopping). Went to MSG to see Ice Hockey - great fun winter sport, but not as good as baseball. Some parts of lower Manhattan still suffering from huricane Sandy - my favourite Heartland Brewery pub at South Street Seaport still closed . Best tip - if staying for a few days get a unlimited ride Metrocard for $29 gives you all buses & subways (otherwise its $2.25 each ride). You are correct some hotels will let you print off BP's for free but I guess they will want a tip!
Booked through Expedia & seats allocated were 2 together by window so did not bother to request anything else, just confirmed at OLCI stage.
Got a result with Reward flights used rewardseats.com and got UC outward back PE at end of May.

clarkeysntfc - agree that VS10 is the best flight to avoid jetlag, also got flight back on VS02 in May so will see how it is.

ISTBC, but I think the combined dinner and drink service is only on flights with a post-8pm take off time..

I believe this changed a few weeks ago and most flights with a few exceptions (Vs10 I think) should offer a drinks service before the meal.

New York City is one of my favorite place for travel. It is a well-known city for tourists nad visitors. I love many places in NYC but Strawberry Fields, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum and the Dakota are my favorite places in NYC. and thanks for trip report.