OK, so not the most exotic itineraries, but thought it might be of interest because of the series of contrasts on both legs. Virgin flies the A-340 instead of the 747 on these routes. No problem, still a lot of space, but some planes are showing their age.
On the outbound Flight 9, the ticket agent said "I don't like your seat," and went away. When I came back I was now in the W "premium economy" section without asking.
That would have been fine. However, I was placed in the second row, directly in front of and across from families with young children, none of whom had an inclination to go to sleep, despite the 23:10 departure on a plane that was one-third full.
My pre-ordered seafood meal arrived without my asking, though the cod-like product was not up to VS standards. Neither was the Arcadia sound system, where the audio malfunctioned on the only movie I wanted to see.
Customs at Heathrow for non UK or EU residents was a hassle. It took the better part of a half-hour to get through, simply because so few inspectors were on duty. When I had passed through two months before on an AA flight, it took less than 10 minutes.
Because I had finished a meeting early I tried switching to an earlier VS flight to EWR, but the agent wanted to hit me with the $175 change fee, even though my ticket cost over a thousand bucks. Because that wasn't the full coach price (about $1,300), he wouldn't budge. Fortunately, VS9 was worth the wait, even though I couldn't move up to W.
The A-340 was new and had more comfortable seats than the W on VS10. More importantly, it was one of six VS planes with the new on-demand entertainment system compelete with 50 movies, 15 CDs, video games you can play against someone in another seat, and all sorts of other gizmos. I watched "Secretary", "Bend It Like Beckham," and "Eight Mile," all in succession. And they had a ton of other movies that were just out of theatres, like "Chicago," "The Hours" and "Far From Heaven." And VS treats its passengers like adults and doesn't edit the flicks. That alone was worth the price of admission.
My seafood meal this time, however, took some time arriving. After five minutes of confusion and then being told it wasn't on the plane, it arrived at my seat, after I was told it was initially confused with a vegan meal. Not sure how salmon (pretty tasty) and all the fixins get crossed up like that, but I ate well.
Suffice to say, if my travel department gives me a choice again next time to LHR, VS is a winner. And lots of SkyMiles for good measure.

Hi,

Very good trip report, thanks murrayhill !!.

On your outbound VS10 ,the older A340, there has been a lot of comment on tthe virgin forum about the poor state of Premium Economy seating ( ie having to go back to Y for the lavatory, no proper leg rests).
I do prefer the 747-400 ( I think it serves osme of the NYC routes) and especially on the Upper Deck with the side storage containers and dedicated crew.

Your return flight (9)on the new A340 would have been on the new A340-600 series with the vport video on demand system and the new seats in Premium Economy and Economy.

Glad you enjoyed VS.

Regards

TBS

[This message has been edited by The _Banking_Scot (edited 05-22-2003).]

I've seen the special meal mixup at LHR VS. Two labels show up on the meals - and hence the confusion.