Intended as a review rather than a whinge (hope its not to whiney) but there are several areas to highlight.
I flew VS PE on 18th Oct to MBJ and returned on 1st Nov. We had the Jersey Girl on both flights. IFE was poor. IFE was totally in-op in the bubble (and qtr of economy) on the way out - a disaster when travelling with small children (but compensation forms were distributed, and belatedly we were offered a dvd player); and was pretty poor on the return. On the return we had the Nov film guides (naturally as it was 1st Nov and the plane had departed London on 1st Nov), but the Oct films were still loaded so the guides were useless and no one knew (or was prepared to announce) what the films were, we were told to flick through the channels to work out what the film was - which was difficult as all the titles are shown at the same time, so if you caught one title you had missed the others. IFE also broke down for over an hour and restarted 20-mins or so before the point of breakdown, so had to wait 1hr 20mins or so to see the last 10 mins of the film I had been watching (doh!). Only time for 2 films on an 8 1/2 hour flight. No evidence of enhanced PE food service or fruit bowl either way, so it appears to be awaiting roll-out of new seats (edited to say I see from other threads roll-out will now be Dec or so). Service from FAs was lack lustre on the way out, but good on the return - down to individuals. Infant was repeatedly sick on the return flight (MBJ airport food) largely over DW and DW swiftly expended her travel wardrobe and emergency clothes, so top marks to FA who offered an UC sleep suit for her to wear. Dedicated PE check-in was good. Skycot was flimsy compared to those of other airlines but did the job. Flights left and arrived on time and safely. All in all I would say 6/10.
I understand VS reluctance to enhance IFE for existing planes (cost said to be $2m per plane), but wouldn't it be worth opting for the personal mp4 players offered by the likes of Maxjet for the old Nova planes?
As for the IFE compensation, the offer is 5,000 FC miles, 10% off published price of future flight (within 12 mths) or £25 off a V-Holiday. 10% off appears the best choice - worth having if we book UC next. What would you guys opt for?
I flew VS PE on 18th Oct to MBJ and returned on 1st Nov. We had the Jersey Girl on both flights. IFE was poor. IFE was totally in-op in the bubble (and qtr of economy) on the way out - a disaster when travelling with small children (but compensation forms were distributed, and belatedly we were offered a dvd player); and was pretty poor on the return. On the return we had the Nov film guides (naturally as it was 1st Nov and the plane had departed London on 1st Nov), but the Oct films were still loaded so the guides were useless and no one knew (or was prepared to announce) what the films were, we were told to flick through the channels to work out what the film was - which was difficult as all the titles are shown at the same time, so if you caught one title you had missed the others. IFE also broke down for over an hour and restarted 20-mins or so before the point of breakdown, so had to wait 1hr 20mins or so to see the last 10 mins of the film I had been watching (doh!). Only time for 2 films on an 8 1/2 hour flight. No evidence of enhanced PE food service or fruit bowl either way, so it appears to be awaiting roll-out of new seats (edited to say I see from other threads roll-out will now be Dec or so). Service from FAs was lack lustre on the way out, but good on the return - down to individuals. Infant was repeatedly sick on the return flight (MBJ airport food) largely over DW and DW swiftly expended her travel wardrobe and emergency clothes, so top marks to FA who offered an UC sleep suit for her to wear. Dedicated PE check-in was good. Skycot was flimsy compared to those of other airlines but did the job. Flights left and arrived on time and safely. All in all I would say 6/10.
I understand VS reluctance to enhance IFE for existing planes (cost said to be $2m per plane), but wouldn't it be worth opting for the personal mp4 players offered by the likes of Maxjet for the old Nova planes?
As for the IFE compensation, the offer is 5,000 FC miles, 10% off published price of future flight (within 12 mths) or £25 off a V-Holiday. 10% off appears the best choice - worth having if we book UC next. What would you guys opt for?
