DrivingRain
Aug 15, 07, 8:34 am
Check-in:
We got to the airport early. No line. The agent suggested we skip the kiosk and check-in with her manually. As I walked past the kiosk I noticed that they look like PCs, not the usual Kinetics or IBM brand kiosk. We checked two bags. The process took longer than it should have, but it was only 10 minutes in total. No priority tags for F.
Lounge (or lack thereof):
I have an Amex Centurion, VS Gold Card, Priority Pass Card and still had no lounge to go to. The VS Clubhouse was closed, so I couldnt try to talk my way in there as VX F and VS Gold. The NW Worldclub was closed too (entry via Priority Pass). Most of the other lounges were closed, granted no access with my credentials or both. So no luck.
Boarding:
My bp said 8:25 boarding. The process actually started at 8:45. The gate agents introduce themselves and raise their arms to say hi to the "guests". Nice, but a bit too tacky for me. First was called along with extra-timers". I boarded right then so I dont know how they boarded the rest of the aircraft. I assume by row number.
Dark purple lighting sets the scene onboard. I like it. Three FAs in total. One was apparently assigned to F throughout the flight. After 10 minutes being seated a drink offer was extended. There was no printed menu handed out or in the seat back to know what was available. I asked for a vodka and tonic. I dont know what vodka it was or what tonic it was. It was nice, stiff drink though. Overhead space is tight upfront. Very tight. If everybody in F has roller-boards then at least 2 people wil be putting their bag up in Y territory.
The pilot steps out of the cockpit for the flight briefing. That's a nice touch.
Seat:
The Virgin site can give you the hard details. The subtle points worth mentioning are:
-It seems as if there was more room for the seat to slide forward for a more complete recline. Unfortunately, it means there is some dead space in the fully relaxed position.
-Nice, soft leather or feaux-leather (I couldnt tell which it was).
-It would be nice if the feet could be raised higher for a more flat seat.
-At full recline, you're in a cradle. It's a fairly straight cradle, but it's a cradle.
-Seat width was good enough for me to sleep on my side
-The pillow and blanket were very cheaply made. It didnt fit the rest of the product
-No amenity kit or amenities
-All this being said, it's a great seat. Somewhere between UA PS F and J IMO.
Food:
After a lengthy delay, a plasticy placemat, plastic dinner ware, plastic salt and pepper and fancy paper napking were presented. Then came three choices of appetizers presented on a tray. I took all three. Drink orders were then taken (a little late). Again, no drink menu. No food menu. I asked what reds he had. He said he had a Pinot Noir and Merlot. I didnt ask to see the bottle to know what I was drinking and I didnt ask what the mains were to make the right choice. So I went safe(r) and selected the pinot.
The starters were all presented in clear plastic ramekin-like holders about 2 inches in diameter. The first of the apps was a single boiled shrimp with half of it dipped in a pool of cocktail sauce with a lemon wedge. I ate it first b/c I still didnt have my wine b/c cocktail sauce is usually a tough match for wine. The wine arrived. It was good (no idea what it was). Next a melon ball wrapped with proscuitto. Although the parma ham was sliced too thick....it was at least not too cold. Overall...excellent again. Third up was two mozzarella balls in a balsamic bath with cherry tomato halves. Another winner. Unfortunately, no bread was offered.
After clearing the apps, two mains were offered. Thai chicken or shrimp over rice. Given the solid quality of the shrimp cocktail, I chose the shrimp. It came out on a plain rectangular white plate. The presentation was not as good as the apps, but better than most domestic transcon F. Bread was now offerred. Three choices. It was slightly warmed. The food quality again was good with the exception of the accompanying green beans which were overcooked. A refill of wine and water arrived after a few bites in.
The same setup as the apps was presented for the deserts. I chose all three again and coffee. Coffee comes in a white 14+ ounce glass cup. Sugar and cream are offered when the coffee is served (no individual coffee service with saucer, sugar holder and creamer...but that's OK with me).
The first desert I ate was jello with suspended raspberries. It was as good as jello can be. Next was the chocolate mousse with orange rinds. Not incredible, but great for airline food. Finally a mini cream puff with chocolate sauce. Great.
The food gets high grades from me. It crushed the Singapore Airlines Business class food I had the night before from HKG to SFO.
They need some sort of drink menu though. In coach, the IFE displays the food. In F, that menu is not shown. Instead you get text that says something to the effect of, "You'll be served great food and drink in F. Sit back and enjoy". Not enough. The only way UA PS F beats this is their great printed menus. In every other way VX kicks their butt in the food category.
We got to the airport early. No line. The agent suggested we skip the kiosk and check-in with her manually. As I walked past the kiosk I noticed that they look like PCs, not the usual Kinetics or IBM brand kiosk. We checked two bags. The process took longer than it should have, but it was only 10 minutes in total. No priority tags for F.
Lounge (or lack thereof):
I have an Amex Centurion, VS Gold Card, Priority Pass Card and still had no lounge to go to. The VS Clubhouse was closed, so I couldnt try to talk my way in there as VX F and VS Gold. The NW Worldclub was closed too (entry via Priority Pass). Most of the other lounges were closed, granted no access with my credentials or both. So no luck.
Boarding:
My bp said 8:25 boarding. The process actually started at 8:45. The gate agents introduce themselves and raise their arms to say hi to the "guests". Nice, but a bit too tacky for me. First was called along with extra-timers". I boarded right then so I dont know how they boarded the rest of the aircraft. I assume by row number.
Dark purple lighting sets the scene onboard. I like it. Three FAs in total. One was apparently assigned to F throughout the flight. After 10 minutes being seated a drink offer was extended. There was no printed menu handed out or in the seat back to know what was available. I asked for a vodka and tonic. I dont know what vodka it was or what tonic it was. It was nice, stiff drink though. Overhead space is tight upfront. Very tight. If everybody in F has roller-boards then at least 2 people wil be putting their bag up in Y territory.
The pilot steps out of the cockpit for the flight briefing. That's a nice touch.
Seat:
The Virgin site can give you the hard details. The subtle points worth mentioning are:
-It seems as if there was more room for the seat to slide forward for a more complete recline. Unfortunately, it means there is some dead space in the fully relaxed position.
-Nice, soft leather or feaux-leather (I couldnt tell which it was).
-It would be nice if the feet could be raised higher for a more flat seat.
-At full recline, you're in a cradle. It's a fairly straight cradle, but it's a cradle.
-Seat width was good enough for me to sleep on my side
-The pillow and blanket were very cheaply made. It didnt fit the rest of the product
-No amenity kit or amenities
-All this being said, it's a great seat. Somewhere between UA PS F and J IMO.
Food:
After a lengthy delay, a plasticy placemat, plastic dinner ware, plastic salt and pepper and fancy paper napking were presented. Then came three choices of appetizers presented on a tray. I took all three. Drink orders were then taken (a little late). Again, no drink menu. No food menu. I asked what reds he had. He said he had a Pinot Noir and Merlot. I didnt ask to see the bottle to know what I was drinking and I didnt ask what the mains were to make the right choice. So I went safe(r) and selected the pinot.
The starters were all presented in clear plastic ramekin-like holders about 2 inches in diameter. The first of the apps was a single boiled shrimp with half of it dipped in a pool of cocktail sauce with a lemon wedge. I ate it first b/c I still didnt have my wine b/c cocktail sauce is usually a tough match for wine. The wine arrived. It was good (no idea what it was). Next a melon ball wrapped with proscuitto. Although the parma ham was sliced too thick....it was at least not too cold. Overall...excellent again. Third up was two mozzarella balls in a balsamic bath with cherry tomato halves. Another winner. Unfortunately, no bread was offered.
After clearing the apps, two mains were offered. Thai chicken or shrimp over rice. Given the solid quality of the shrimp cocktail, I chose the shrimp. It came out on a plain rectangular white plate. The presentation was not as good as the apps, but better than most domestic transcon F. Bread was now offerred. Three choices. It was slightly warmed. The food quality again was good with the exception of the accompanying green beans which were overcooked. A refill of wine and water arrived after a few bites in.
The same setup as the apps was presented for the deserts. I chose all three again and coffee. Coffee comes in a white 14+ ounce glass cup. Sugar and cream are offered when the coffee is served (no individual coffee service with saucer, sugar holder and creamer...but that's OK with me).
The first desert I ate was jello with suspended raspberries. It was as good as jello can be. Next was the chocolate mousse with orange rinds. Not incredible, but great for airline food. Finally a mini cream puff with chocolate sauce. Great.
The food gets high grades from me. It crushed the Singapore Airlines Business class food I had the night before from HKG to SFO.
They need some sort of drink menu though. In coach, the IFE displays the food. In F, that menu is not shown. Instead you get text that says something to the effect of, "You'll be served great food and drink in F. Sit back and enjoy". Not enough. The only way UA PS F beats this is their great printed menus. In every other way VX kicks their butt in the food category.