AabFlyer From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2007, 27 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 27632 times:
My first post... Hope these photos of Silverjet wil be of interest.
Silverjet Terminal
Had never flown from Luton before and had visions of package holidaymakers off to Benidorm, but Silverjet have their own private terminal so you bypass everybody else. This has to be a plus because even if you're flying business or first at Heathrow you still have to go through so-called 'fast track' security – which as everyone knows isn't fast-track these days. A free Silverjet taxi meets the trains at Luton Parkway station and takes you to the terminal in about 5 minutes.
Silverjet Lounge
You don't have to check in as such, you go straight into the lounge, someone takes your bag and someone else takes your passport. You just sit there with a glass of champagne, of which there seemed to be a good supply.
Silverjet Lounge
Thought the silver touches were quite cool.
Silverjet Lounge
They've got the retro chairs, which seem to be obligatory these days. They don't have a proper bar and restaurant like they do at the Virgin Clubhouse. I asked someone about that and they don't think anyone would really use them because most people come at the last minute, up to half an hour before taking off.
Silverjet Plane
Boarding was quick. The gate's just outside the lounge and the flight wasn't full. Even if it was, it shouldn't be much of a problem with only 100 seats. Apparently they need to sell 66 seats to break even, the logic being that they can still afford to sell tickets at £999 because the whole aircraft is paying that, you don't have economy class passengers in the back effectively being subsidised by the big spenders up front. One thing that can be annoying if you're in the rear sectiion of business and you're all set to go and then the next 20 minutes you've got all these people tramping past you to the back because they couldn't be bothered to get to the gate on time, lost in duty-free or Wetherspoon's. So none of that.
Silverjet Plane
Silverjet Plane
Silverjet Cabin
The aisles are not very wide, but there's no trolley service, everything's brought to you individually, so at least they don't get blocked.
Silverjet Cabin
The seats aren't quite flat beds, but there's 6' 3" room.
Silverjet Seat
Silverjet Drink
Chin chin. There's a power connection for your laptop and a massage function in the seat.
Silverjet Meal
You can eat when you want. The meal I had didn't taste like airline food, which is a compliment I suppose. Actually it was pretty good.
Silverjet Loo
Don't go into the ladies' look by mistake, guys. Watch for the sign.
3 EGBJ: Nice report...the Silverjet lounge looks very nice. Looking forward to some more pics!
4 9V: Looks like Silverjet are doing a pretty amazing job. Maybe you could answer some questions. 1/ As it's all business, how full was the flight? 2/ Why a
5 LHUSA: Wow - much nicer that I had expected. Will be interesting to see how they do. The livery looks amazing up close.
6 767747: Wow, good photos. The Silverjet livery on the 767-200 looks very nice. 767747
7 EXAAUADL: The LON-NYC market is getting a bit crowded with these All Premium airlines..I thinka 757 is smarter than a 767, but that is just MO.
8 Dimoko: i love the pictures! its nice to get a glimpse into these luxury carriers. great pictures.
9 TK787: About the first picture inside the cabin, why are those people on their knees? Looks like the seats came from Ikea, and they are putting them together
10 MattCan: Great intro to this new service. Looking forward to more. Ladies and Gents lavs are segregated? How odd.
11 Debonair: Thats what happens, if the loo is seperated to only ONE gender... OUCH!
12 AabFlyer: They're looking for the pilot's contact lenses.
13 AabFlyer: About 2/3 full. I was on one of the first flights so I expect it will get busier. See above for loos (!) Actually I expect ladies prefer their own. F
14 Fbgdavidson: Intersting stuff! Thanks for posting these pictures ...the onboard aspect of it looks pretty good. Is this the first time there has been a separate la
15 DALelite: Very impressive!! I am looking forward to more stuff! cheers: DALelite
16 Nimish: Is this on a 767 and is this a 2-2-2 seating configuration? Great report - and the exclusive check-in area/lounge sounds like an excellent feature.
17 Corey07850: Looks pretty impressive! How do they handle security since you don't have to go through the normal queue in the terminal?
18 BigMac: Wow, very impressive. The aircraft and service look very impressive. I like the idea of the lounge check-in, no lines. They seem to be using the same
19 SASDC8: Wow. Looks like Silverjet might be on to something here. Do they have lounge facility's at EWR as well? The lounge check-in/private terminal is a grea
20 Door5Right: Nice report and pictures. I gather some passengers have been disappointed as Silverjet advertise lie flat seats but they are angled and not horizontal
21 Gte439u: Interesting photos. I like the concept of only having to see 100 people in the terminal. Korean Air and Gol both have women only lavs on board. Being
22 BA319-131: Thanks for the pictures, most interesting. The lounge looks pretty neat, I like the whole check-in idea, a break with tradition, nice. The plane looks
23 Indio66: Nice report - does anyone know how long it takes to get from Luton to Canary Warf (and is there a train that you can take)?
A340600 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2003, 4087 posts, RR: 56 Reply 24, posted (5 years 3 months 2 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 24892 times:
Quoting Fbgdavidson (Reply 14): Almost as daft as the sign for the ladies! Looking at it I thought it was some left over graffitti from the aircraft's previous life!
Agreed, this is exactly what I thought it was!
The cabin actually looks quite nice, much better than I thought. The terminal looks a bit like a glorified portacabin stuck onto the side of the main terminal with horrid interiors but the check-in idea is nice,
Sam
Despite the name I am a Boeing man through and through!
Carfield From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1501 posts, RR: 10 Reply 28, posted (5 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 22924 times:
Thanks for a fascinating report! MAXjet seems to have another strong competitor...
I am curious if you have the menu handy and do you mind taking pictures of them or transcibing them...
I wonder what kind of meal services do they offer?
787KQ From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 543 posts, RR: 0 Reply 29, posted (5 years 2 months 3 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 22688 times:
So the seats are flat after all? They look like the LAN 767 seats. How far do they actually recline?
Gilesdavies From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 2713 posts, RR: 1 Reply 30, posted (5 years 2 months 3 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 21944 times:
Great review, they seem to be offering a great service and have everything taken care of down to the smallest detail.
People on here seem to be very critical of some of the smallest details. I have one criticism, but I think this detail is more major and that is the lack of an airbridge to board the aircraft...
I know LTN has none of these, but premium passengers probably don't want to have to walk outside in the rain and board via stairs.
Noelg From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 31, posted (5 years 2 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 21921 times:
Looks like they let the livestock into the cabin - horse or walrus anybody?
What were the people like on the flight - I've always been put off these sort of airlines as the clientele seems to be a little posh/yuppy for my liking.
Interesting report nonetheless - they're obviously making money!
PanAm330 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 2510 posts, RR: 13 Reply 34, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 21316 times:
Very good report. Silverjet looks great! Shame I won't get to take them soon, as I'm both a poor college student and SkyMiles junkie. Too bad.
Ansett767 From Australia, joined May 1999, 1021 posts, RR: 2 Reply 35, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 20946 times:
Indio 66,
Getting from Luton to Canary Wharf by public Transport is a bitch! (then again so is Heathrow and Gatwick, and Stansted)
But if you take the First Capital Connect train service into central London from Luton, you will arrive at London Bridge maybe 1h20m after leaving Luton, and Canary Wharf is a further 10 mins on the tube from London Bridge! Probably allow over 2 hours including connections!
Jetset7E7 From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2004, 1072 posts, RR: 20 Reply 36, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 20512 times:
Wow! I'm impressed with the SilverJet Terminal at LTN, shame it doesn't have an airbridge, I've seen the 767 at MAN a few when its been having maintanence with MyTravel its very smart except the tail is plain! The in flight system looks good too!
Mark
Retrofitted Blended Winglets - The Future Is On The Wing
AabFlyer From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2007, 27 posts, RR: 0 Reply 38, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 20040 times:
I'll try and answer some of the questions because there's obviously quite a lot of interest. Thanks for all the replies! Much appreciated.
Lounges and check-in:
The check-in and security procedures are in some ways the best things about the whole experience. At Luton the private terminal is right beside the main terminal. Ordinary mortals heading off to Spain or wherever have to do battle in the usual way in the main terminal, but you bypass that completely. You go in and it's more like arriving at a hotel than checking yourself on to a flight. The Newark end is great too. For one thing it's Newark and not JFK. It's way faster to get in and out of Manhattan, especially if you're staying downtown. It only took me 20 - 25 minutes to get to the airport from the Financial District. They've got themselves a spot on the arrivals deck instead of departures, which is clever, or lucky, too: it means you miss the crowds when your cab drops you off. It's right at the end, and again you just go straight to the lounge. Plenty of drinks, including champagne - probably Krug but I was more into making myself Bloody Marys with the Grey Goose vodka!
Security:
Again, excellent for the same reasons: you're only going through with your fellow-passengers. Even at Newark it was fine. Normally it's a nightmare, they can be very aggressive. This was a breeze. I expect it's pleasanter for the security staff too not to be dealing with huge hordes.
The seats:
They fold flat, but not completely horizintal, if you know what I mean. I didn't have a problem with that. You're only at a very slight angle. Slept well anyway (or was that the Bloody Marys?) There are three rows of 2 seats each. I'm a window man, myself, always like to see what's going on out there, so we took those. It's hard to explain exactly but since there were only 100 seats on board you had a feeling of a lot more space. When you fly business class on other airlines, you always know that in the back there are hundreds and hundreds of people. On Silverjet it feels more like a large private jet.
The food:
You eat when you want. I had dinner, went to sleep and then got hungry again and they rustled up a smoothie and some fruit and a cheese plate which kept me going. Then I fell asleep again and missed breakfast. But I believe there's an express breakfast which you can order. They also offered breakfast in the Luton lounge on arrival. I had a decent breakfast there on the way out.
Inflight entertainment:
I was able to figure it out and that for me was a big plus. I get lost trying to navigate the systems you get on some airlines, they're so blooming complicated. The headphones were better than the usual ones: noise-cancelling. I used to have a pair from Sony and they're great for flights, getting rid of that ambient jet interior sound. Much more peaceful.
The fare:
I think I posted before that it's £999. Actually I only paid £799, but I don't know how long that will last. It's still available now though.
Here are one or two more pictures I didn't post before.
Silverjet Seat
Is it just me or does the seat back look like a weird insect or butterfly?
Silverjet Lounge
Another shot of the private terminal at Luton. It was designed by Dunhill. There are loads of Dunhill accessories around.
Silverjet Lounge
Another shot of the Newark lounge with the James Bond villain chairs. Shagtastic!
Silverjet Lounge
I didn't quite get the point of this light display, though it looked pretty cool. If anyone knows the answer please say...
Pawsleykat From UK - England, joined Jul 2005, 1964 posts, RR: 16 Reply 42, posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 16199 times:
Thanks for a great report, was good to read... Silverjet look really nice...
JG
First Class passengers are my favourites. They can't get any further forward without an ATPL.
EZYAirbus From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 2431 posts, RR: 56 Reply 43, posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 16152 times:
Great report, im flying Silverjet in September to EWR and back from LTN got a special fare of £549 rtn inc taxes through Touchdown.co.uk...cant wait!!
AY104 From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 487 posts, RR: 8 Reply 45, posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 15787 times:
What a wonderful and civilized way of traveling! Cheaper than what I thought, unfortunately I still can't afford it.
Thanks for the report and photos. Screaming kids and I don't mix very well, though, so on second thought maybe one
day I will splurge and pay the extra bucks. The thought of unsupervised, screaming children running up and down the aisles of the aircraft absolutely terrorizes me, and turns me off flying longhaul almost completely. As my flights are fewer and further between now, maybe this is the solution.
Cheers,
AY104
The only thing a customer should expect for his/her loyalty is good service
FlyTUITravel From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, RR: 0 Reply 46, posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 15441 times:
Quoting SASDC8 (Reply 19): Do they have lounge facility's at EWR as well?
Yes, they have there own! How they got hold of a vacant lounge I don't know, especially at such a busy airport like EWR!
Bimmerkid19 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 47, posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 15106 times:
Quoting AabFlyer (Reply 38): I didn't quite get the point of this light display, though it looked pretty cool. If anyone knows the answer please say...
If you have a look at the display.. it lists airport id for airports all over the world... maybe its a hint... future routes?
Analog From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 1900 posts, RR: 1 Reply 48, posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 14771 times:
Quoting Gte439u (Reply 21):
Korean Air and Gol both have women only lavs on board. Being nosy, I peaked inside the KE women's lav, and the only notable differences were a larger lotion selection and more tampons.
Quoting AabFlyer (Thread starter): Don't go into the ladies' look by mistake, guys. Watch for the sign.
Looks like you're supposed to push the woman.
Last time I (not female) was on KE waiting for the lav, the women's lav became free, while the others were occupied. I maximized resource utilization; I used the women's lav. While I think I understand the motivation for a women's lav (bad aim, right?), what sense is it standing around and waiting for someone to cut in front of me? Just keep it clean.
What would make more sense is a urinal-lav, with the sink above the urinal. Put two in the space of one lav. Smaller and faster; better for everyone.
Quoting AabFlyer (Thread starter):
The aisles are not very wide, but there's no trolley service, everything's brought to you individually, so at least they don't get blocked.
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Silverjet look really nice... 
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