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#962741 by ukcobra
05 Nov 2023, 04:33
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I used to write trip reports on every VS trip, mainly because I travelled on business in Economy and Premium. This report was prepared because I could not find any recent PVG ones and my last Upper flight was in May 2015 !

I decided not to use the Drive Through check in, but the regular Upper check in desks. This was a big shock, it was heaving on a Thursday at 10am. The agent was new, as she lost my luggage tag receipt, and found it in the bin. I did ask about if she could explore the possibility of Interlining by bag with EVA. She checked but this was not possible.

Headed up to the lounge by the elevator, to find the longest line I had ever seen for the Virgin Security Channel, with queuing on both the left hand and right hand side of the corridor. I went direct to the VS lounge, somewhere I had not been in a long time, and while the decor and ambience is to my likes, what I did not like was the fact that it also was very very busy, and was difficult to find a spare seat. It got a little better once a few flights were called.

The food ordering system quite frankly sucks, it did not work, I had to get help, and I ended up with 2 of everything. I was not the only one who had problems with it, as a seat neighbour also got 2 of what he ordered. He also was someone I had a long chat to in PVG. The food was average. Overall I was a little disappointed with the lounge experience.

Boarding was called on time, and the usual trek to 30 Gates and settled into my seat. The plane was Dream JeanieI am not a large chap and wear Medium sized clothing, but the seats were very narrow and showing their age with lots of worn out look, chips and damage. The IFE screen is too small, and the screen display is not crisp enough, the USB arrangement is appalling, with my iPhone charger dropping out more times than I can count.

What was great was the Food, everything I had, including my pre-ordered Fish was some of the best food I have ever had in the air. The crew service was very good. As always I find the bed too hard, and a faff to have to get up to flip the bed.

Landing was on time at around 9.30am into T2, and VS now use T1, and this was my first time into PVG, so an airport I don't know and a procedure I had never gone through with the 24/48hr Transit Visa. I also had done the China Health Declaration just before leaving. There were many people milling around the entrance to Immigration trying to download the page and filling it in. Something I found I never could do due to using my Airalo eSIM. I was directed to have a swab test, which was just a random set of people sent via the small room just to the side of the Heath check area.

The 24/48 Hour Transit Visa desk was all the way to the left, and its not clear what you need to do, and the whole process was very slow. After queuing for a long time, it turned out i needed to complete a Transfer form, so did that and headed back into the queue. There was ONE agent working, and taking 10 minutes per person, and a huge queue was forming, with people getting worried about missing their connection. Everyone needed to collect their luggage so they had little chance of making their flights. The process was to show ongoing flight details, you were then asked to step aside while someone else put a sticker in your passport. It just looked like they had made up a new process and no one really knew what needed to be done.

While in the line I was chatting to my Lounge seat neighbour who also got 2 of his food order, as he was connecting to Hong Kong and was a little frustrated at people with tight connections being moved in front of us. My connection was 5 hours away, so I was not worried.

With only around 6 to 8 people in front of us, it still took over an hour to get through the VISA on Arrival process. This meant my bag was waiting for me.

Exit and checkin with EVA was simple, although, despite their desks being open my flight was not open so I had to wait until 13:00. My decision to have a 6.5 hour gap between arrival and departure was the right choice due to the Transit Visa Delays.

Return flight was on the 4th Nov.

Arrival into PVG was overnight from Singapore Airlines into T2, who despite having an Interline agreement with VS, were not able to do it, for an un-published reason. I am guessing its either because China require all bags to be collected or the fact that VS had moved from T2 to T1.

The airport at 6.30am, was completely empty, also, while away China announced they no longer required their health declaration form to be completed. I was able to walk directly to the Transit Visa and was processed within a few minutes, by someone who clearly experienced, and did not need a third person to place the stickers.

I had to wait for VS to open, which they did early ! And headed to the China Eastern 36 Lounge. Which was a big disappointment. with poor food and drink options. Showers were available, and you have to get escorted to the shower by someone from the front desk.

Boarding was on time, and I left early to go to the gate, and I liked the 5 mins to Boarding and Pre-Bordring signs they hold up. The plane was West End Girl, and the flight time was 14 Hours and 15 mins.

Food was OK, Fish and chicken was good, the sandwich i had to ask for was not very good. Crew service was good. PJ's were secured, even though it was a 'Day' Flight.

This was a mileage reward flight, and I would do it again. This trip had multiple flights as part of my trip, 4 of which were changed by the airline post booking, all left on time, and no drama and I do think there has been improvements since Covid in operational efficiency.

Bags came off quickly, and I would suggest Priority bags worked (Are you listening BA?) as my bag was one of the first to get checked in, and was one of the first to come to the belt.
#962742 by ukcobra
05 Nov 2023, 04:43
Forgot to mention, arrival into T2 with SG and Departure from T1, was an easy 15 min walk via a walkway.

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