Carfield From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1727 posts, RR: 9 Posted (5 years 2 months 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 3754 times:
Hi all,
I am sitting here at Hampton Inn Sea-Tac Airport after flying a few trips up and down the coast. I flew both the inaugural SFO to SEA and SEA to SFO flights. I flew coach on the outbound and return in first class.
So just a few brief and a larger report (including comparison to Alaska) will be provided later this week!
Both flights are operated by N625VA "Jefferson Airplane".
Both flights are on time and even five minutes ahead of schedule, which Alaska seems to struggle to do at times especially on the SFO flights.
F/As are Kelly, Rob, Eric and Rudy, and all are excellent and worked both outbound and return flights.
Buffet at both ends of course... but most of the press comes from Seattle for obvious reasons.
Entertainment - the Dish network was not working on the SFO to SEA flight and the CEO comped everyone free movies and TVs, and return flight worked fine.
Loading - full of Virgin America staffs...
Catering - full BOB menu was offered in economy class. According to the F/As, full meal and snack options are available on flights of two hours and above.
First Class, to my surprise, was offered a full hot meal. The lunch was the typical VX F fare with trio tapas, trio bread rolls, and a choice of entrees, but no trio dessert service - only a box of Charles' chocolate, which is nice. I asked Kelly if it is a one time thing, and she said, "no". First class will see hot meals on all flights of two hours and above.
Virgin America uses gate A6 and Swissport as ground agent at Seattle.
The check- in counters are located at Door 15 between Northwest/KLM and US Airways. It is actually pretty large area with first class, main cabin, and self-service kiosk (two rows of them).
ASAFA From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 167 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (5 years 2 months 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 3719 times:
Quoting Carfield (Thread starter): Both flights are on time and even five minutes ahead of schedule, which Alaska seems to struggle to do at times especially on the SFO flights.
Well lucky for you the weather today in SFO and SEA was crystal clear. I think anyone who flies in and out of SFO on a regular basis can fill you in on the delays that affect all flights in less than perfect weather, VX included.
Carfield From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1727 posts, RR: 9 Reply 3, posted (5 years 2 months 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 3675 times:
Yes I was in front of you at 1F!
I agreed that it was a wonderful flight... but still think Virgin America should give out first flight certificate or some kind of small things to commemorate the event!
PDXBJV From Turkey, joined Apr 2007, 145 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 years 2 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 3610 times:
Hahaha I kind of wondered especially since you were all picture taking and what not! But then again I pretty much accuse anyone (in my head of course) who takes pictures must be part of a.net
ThreeIfByAir From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 509 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (5 years 2 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 3153 times:
Thanks for the info! I might take VX to the visit SFO this summer, though AS has the cheaper fares right now. Gotta love fare wars.
BrianHames From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 795 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (5 years 2 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2922 times:
I was in D concourse of SEA yesterday and saw VX taxing out for departure. Didn't realize it was the first day of service, though.
AznMadSci From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 3541 posts, RR: 5 Reply 9, posted (5 years 2 months 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2817 times:
Hey! By chance have any pics of the new service? Always enjoy looking at your pics that goes along with your report! Thanks!
The journey of life is not based on the accomplishments, but the experience.
B747forever From United States of America, joined exactly 6 years ago today! , 16574 posts, RR: 11 Reply 10, posted (5 years 2 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 2453 times:
Carfield From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1727 posts, RR: 9 Reply 11, posted (5 years 2 months 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 2231 times:
The report is in the making... so please be patient!
As I said, VX offers the full BOB Menu on SEA-SFO and SEA-LAX flights.
Five kinds of snacks...
Four meals - yogurt parfait, turkey bacon roll, half caprese sandwich w/salad, and cheese & fruit plate
I have take photos the BOB menus... just wait.
First class get a hot meal - but no trio dessert service, only chocolate!
Loading was poor, especially Alaska is 100% full the day on and after the new service. Most folks are VX staff on the inaugural service. I think it is expected though. It will take a while for VX to get a brand recognition. On my report, there will be a comparison between AS and VX in terms of F and Y service.
After these six flights, VX has its opportunities and I can tell you VX beats AS in terms of seat comfort and service in both F and Y. AS' strength is its schedule, mileage plan, and great F/As. VX is just excellent in terms of seats, legroom, F/As (but a bit more formal than AS' down-to-earth... very personal), and catering. So both have their strong and weak points, and hopefully my soon to be released report will give you some ideas. I think I will post a separate thread. Hopefully it will be ready tonight or later tomorrow.
XJRamper From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 2345 posts, RR: 52 Reply 12, posted (5 years 2 months 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 2125 times:
I flew VX from SFO-SAN last Saturday and it was incredible. The seats were comfortable, the gate agents and crew members were very nice. In fact, there was some sort of around the world scavenger hunt going on and I had a group of people dressed up as tacos (or were they burritos?) and a group dressed up as scooby doo and the gang. The only bad part about the flight was nothing was turned on. I flew on the only aircraft that didn't have all of the electronics properly configured lol.
SeattleFlyer From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 153 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (5 years 2 months 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1966 times:
Quoting PDXBJV (Reply 2): So you were in first class on flight 737 down to SFO?? If you were I was in seat 2F! I thought it was awesome!!!
Quoting Carfield (Reply 3): Yes I was in front of you at 1F!
I agreed that it was a wonderful flight... but still think Virgin America should give out first flight certificate or some kind of small things to commemorate the event!
Carfield
Hey guys! I was there too. I was in 1C. Had a great time. I'll certainly be flying VX in the future!
I was thinking of doing a trip report also but thought someone was bound to beat me to it.
Me and the two people and 2A/C took a tour of the VX headquarters in Burlingame before our return to SEA. I had never been in an ops center before; it was pretty interesting to see. Spent some time with the dispatcher, Caesar (sp?), while he was working on routing flights around wx outside of JFK.
I couldn't resist checking out the Virgin Clubhouse while I waited for the return. The hostess and bartender there were great! Really friendly and made me feel welcomed to be there. The last VS flight had just left to boarding so I had the entire place to myself. Was able to tune into liveatc.net using the free WiFi and watch the comings and goings at the approach end of 28L/R. The cook had just left so no hot food or snacks, just nuts, chips and olives to nibble with my cocktail; that was enough though after the buffet in SEA, lunch on the plane and another dinner waiting for me on the return. Lounge seats about 70, has two internet terminals and three showers.
Return flight was almost empty! Two open seats in First and only about 20-30 pax in the back. Pushed back early so arrived in SEA about 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
All around the VX staff and crew were exceptional. Always friendly, welcoming and helpful - makes it a real pleasure to fly with them!
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