AmyHuang
Flight Review: Virgin Atlantic economy class
Flight date: 11 June 2011
Flight: VS201 Virgin Atlantic
Route: Sydney to Hong Kong
Class: Economy
Seat: 61K (window)
The check in experience was quite average to Sydney airport: mono-toned greetings with minimal chit-chat. I arrived 2 hours prior to department. From previous experience, flights to Asia are generally chaotic and crowded yet the queue was not as long as expected and the process was relatively easy and fast. I did notice a counter dedicated for Bag Drop, perhaps most passengers were more organized and had checked in online.
The boarding process was relatively seamless, and we were promptly greeted by the captain, updating up on the local time and weather in Hong Kong, as well as a vital information: the name of the plane is Indian Princess and she was built in 2003.
I had been placed right at the back of the economy seating, so I got to get a peak into the ‘Upper Class’ and ‘Premium Economy’ cabins as I approach my seat. The premium economy seating didn’t look as impressive as it sounded on the ads: based on a quick glance, the seats looked wider and more comfortable, but it doesn’t recline any further than economy and the entertainment unit isn’t any different. I will however, get a taste of it on the way back so stayed tuned on an update.
There was a hype of activity directly after take off, as cabin crew took turns in giving us everything we need for the journey, from the entertainment headset, to the immigration cards for Hong Kong and a cute little bag of amenities of socks, toothpaste, toothbrush and a pen. Perhaps it’s because I haven’t flown a full serviced airline for a while that this excited me just a little and I was rather impressed with the pack.
My seat is comfortable enough, with ample bum and leg room. Our cabin was serviced by a team of young staff and generally pleasant, although the friendliness seems to be quite superficial, with requests answered by standard and mechanical replies with no further attempt to build a rapport. I suppose I have been on worse flights.
The v: Port, Virgin Atlantic’s entertainment unit, wasn’t particularly impressive. There were movies and tv programs, but not the latest as other airlines would offer, and the TV programs did not have enough episodes of one show to satisfy someone on a nine hour flight. Never the less, it did provide temporary relief of boredom in between reading and doses of sleep.
We were served dinner about two hours after take off. The choices were beef with mash, vegetarian pasta and chicken and rice, although by the time it reached seat 61K, chicken and rice had already gone. I chose beef with mash, and out came a tray with salad, bread roll and banana cake. The food was surprisingly good, after having heard some bad options from previous passengers. I knew I wasn’t alone in being impressed when from the corner of my eye, I saw the guy next to me wiping down his beef sauce with the bread roll.
Or he could just be starving.
Approx. two hours prior to landing, we were fed again, this time with just a simple quiche. We weren’t offered even a fork to eat this quiche, and so we all used our hands. It was somewhat baffling why you wouldn’t offer cutlery for a soft, messy item such as a quiche, but seeing that no one else was complaining, we laughed it off and wiped our fingers clean with the provided napkin.
The economy cabin leaves me with no major complaints, although, I also have nothing special to write home about. Perhaps I might have a better time coming home in Premium? Perhaps I shouldn’t bother with it, and pay a bit more and upgrade to Upper Class?
We’ll see.
Flight: VS201 Virgin Atlantic
Route: Sydney to Hong Kong
Class: Economy
Seat: 61K (window)
The check in experience was quite average to Sydney airport: mono-toned greetings with minimal chit-chat. I arrived 2 hours prior to department. From previous experience, flights to Asia are generally chaotic and crowded yet the queue was not as long as expected and the process was relatively easy and fast. I did notice a counter dedicated for Bag Drop, perhaps most passengers were more organized and had checked in online.
The boarding process was relatively seamless, and we were promptly greeted by the captain, updating up on the local time and weather in Hong Kong, as well as a vital information: the name of the plane is Indian Princess and she was built in 2003.
I had been placed right at the back of the economy seating, so I got to get a peak into the ‘Upper Class’ and ‘Premium Economy’ cabins as I approach my seat. The premium economy seating didn’t look as impressive as it sounded on the ads: based on a quick glance, the seats looked wider and more comfortable, but it doesn’t recline any further than economy and the entertainment unit isn’t any different. I will however, get a taste of it on the way back so stayed tuned on an update.
There was a hype of activity directly after take off, as cabin crew took turns in giving us everything we need for the journey, from the entertainment headset, to the immigration cards for Hong Kong and a cute little bag of amenities of socks, toothpaste, toothbrush and a pen. Perhaps it’s because I haven’t flown a full serviced airline for a while that this excited me just a little and I was rather impressed with the pack.
My seat is comfortable enough, with ample bum and leg room. Our cabin was serviced by a team of young staff and generally pleasant, although the friendliness seems to be quite superficial, with requests answered by standard and mechanical replies with no further attempt to build a rapport. I suppose I have been on worse flights.
The v: Port, Virgin Atlantic’s entertainment unit, wasn’t particularly impressive. There were movies and tv programs, but not the latest as other airlines would offer, and the TV programs did not have enough episodes of one show to satisfy someone on a nine hour flight. Never the less, it did provide temporary relief of boredom in between reading and doses of sleep.
We were served dinner about two hours after take off. The choices were beef with mash, vegetarian pasta and chicken and rice, although by the time it reached seat 61K, chicken and rice had already gone. I chose beef with mash, and out came a tray with salad, bread roll and banana cake. The food was surprisingly good, after having heard some bad options from previous passengers. I knew I wasn’t alone in being impressed when from the corner of my eye, I saw the guy next to me wiping down his beef sauce with the bread roll.
Or he could just be starving.
Approx. two hours prior to landing, we were fed again, this time with just a simple quiche. We weren’t offered even a fork to eat this quiche, and so we all used our hands. It was somewhat baffling why you wouldn’t offer cutlery for a soft, messy item such as a quiche, but seeing that no one else was complaining, we laughed it off and wiped our fingers clean with the provided napkin.
The economy cabin leaves me with no major complaints, although, I also have nothing special to write home about. Perhaps I might have a better time coming home in Premium? Perhaps I shouldn’t bother with it, and pay a bit more and upgrade to Upper Class?
We’ll see.
