Someone asked me to post this Trip Report in this Forum

Trip Report on Silverjet: Luton to Newark 26.1.06 10am

I took the 8am train from St Pancras to Luton Parkway which was £11 and took 21 minutes. I live in Marylebone so Luton is OK for me once you get over the images of stuffed donkeys.

As I had a bit of luggage, getting out of the station down the escalators was a bit of a pain, but noticed there is a lift for future trips.

Outside the station I got into a taxi on the side who took me to the Silverjet Terminal in 5 minutes for free.

The Silverjet Terminal is not the old Private Jet Terminal someone referred to in another posting, but is tukced away between the main Luton terminal
and a big orange Easyjet hanger. Don’t know if it is a new build – looks
new inside.

Getting from kerb-side to Terminal is 10 yards. As soon as I stepped
inside someone took my luggage and told me to go into the Lounge. Much
more room than BA First Class Lounge at T4 (was there week before on
flight to Kuwait - fells more like McDonalds). Obviously not as impressive as the VS lounge, but with 30 minute check-in you don't need to be in it as long

Striking modern design. WIFI. Good selection of edibles (excellent
croissants, fruit and bacon rolls). Only issue was queue of people
wanting to get a cappuccino from the self-serve coffee maker. But beats
queing all over Heathrow whilst shuffling bags etc! Sat down with
breakfast then someone asked for my passport, disappeared for 5 minutes
and came back with my boarding pass. That is what I call service!

The security check is visible from inside Lounge, so
you can go when there is no queue. Short walk to bus. Shame it is not
straight onto plane, but as I was last through so no wait for me.

Got onto plane and warm welcome from CSD (or Flight Manager as they call
him). Immediateyl struck by calm, clean look of cabin. Seats and aisle
are narrow (it is a 767 not 777 as some posts indicate). I was able to
do my seat selection on “Manage my booking’” on their website and from
seat plan chose a window in Row 9 (bulkhead seat) which has extra
legroom.

As it was a day time flight had no desire to sleep, but checked out the
“flat bed” setting on the seat, which seemed OK, and was certainly
alright watching movies in semi reclined mode.

The crew came around after take-off with a mini-PVR with about a dozen
flims and other TV/audio stuff. My biggest bugbear with BA/VS is when they finally switch on the Entertainment system (50 minutes+ on last flight from Lagos) you are forced to watch BBC (out of date) news and ads for Wales for another 30 mins before you can start to watch what you want.

The system here while it's a little more cumbersome than an armrest
screen is to me a big plus. Also I was given “noise-cancelling” earphones (my Top Tip – listen to movies with your earplugs in. Nothing beats it
- but can annoy the hell out of your neighbour if they are reading!)

As for lunch, a hearty plate of lamb chops with potatoes in a fried
patty (cant remember what you call it, but was actually very tasty) and
beans. Can’t remember other courses, but at teatime tea and choc cake with fresh cream came round. The feeling of the food overall was that it was simple, good food and without all the finicetty packaging of butter/cheese etc. or plating up of trays with all courses in front of you that you get on club world. (I have yet to experience the "new" product - any views?)

About 60 people on board yet fast for everyone to get off the plane.
Short walk to Immigration and unbelievably, no queue and lots of
Immigration Officials. Baggage carrousel not too far either and bags
delivered quickly. Got to taxi rank within 20 minutes of touch down.

Taxi to Manhattan (around 2pm in the afternoon) took 25 minutes to mid-town (Mandarin Oriental).

On the return leg 3 days later, I donned eyeshades and earplugs at
takeoff and the next thing I knew I was being shaken awake 10 minutes
before landing. I am 6’2” and found that if the base of the legrest was
folded out then it felt a bit cramped. But with it folded flat I had no
probs. The surprise in the seat for me was the massage function. Also
inseat power with multiple socket for UK/Eur/US plugs with no need to
buy a transformer (another bit of kit to lug about)

As I had only been in NY for 3 days (and had been, ahem, working hard) it might be that I was simply very tired. But having flown 30+
overnighters of 6-7 hours in last 3 years, I have to confess to having
never slept so well.

On reflection I realise I kept comparing Silverjet during the flight, and as I was writing this, to VS Upper Class or BA Club World. It stacks up well with a few disadvantages but also a few big advantages (especially on the ground). But when you relaise the price differenetial it is a no-brainer.

So overall I rate them and only hope they start flying to the other destinations I have to go to regularly