Okay, so the day started off pretty good. Taxi came on time, no traffic, got to the airport and there were zero queues at the Virgin desk. There was a huge queue for the European flights so I was definitely lucky. The lady at check-in explained that there'd been a power outage so cases couldn't go on the conveyor and we had to put them over in an area to the side, no drama. I had tried to book the airport lounge yesterday but it said there were no places available. When I checked in she told me it was included in my ticket because I was flying 'Upper Class'. Also had Fastrack included through security so no queuing there either. Well, that was a result!
Security, was really quick as nobody was I the Fastrack queue but me lol, Spoke to a guy while waiting for my bag to be checked he said he had been there 4 hours. I arrived and was in the airport lounge in about 30 mins.
The 1903 lounger is a shared lounge that Virgin passengers can use as they don't have a clubhouse at Manchester. There were plenty of choices with everything from fresh fruit, cooked breakfast, pastries, cakes. Everything was self-service, including the bar, which I didn't even mind not being able to take advantage of (I made up for it with the food). I wanted to enjoy every minute of my flight as this has been something on my 'Life List" for a long time. So not experiencing it through fuzzy blur means I get to be completely present for the whole thing.
ADD GALLERY FOR FOOD
Spent a couple of hours in the lounge and then it was time to head to the gate It was at this point they delivered the bad news. Apparently due to the power outage out lugge would not be joining us on the flight and will follow on at the earliest available time. We get £75 allowance per day that it's not with us, so I see that as the universe telling me to update my wardrobe :-)
Got onboard and for the first time, I have turned left. Something I have always wanted to do but could never justify the amount of money. Fortunately, my Virgin Atlantic Credit Card made it possible (separate post to follow).
As soon as we were in our seat with bed the works, we were given our first drink of champagne (orange juice for me). There was USB and power supply at each seat. I could use Wifi (on it now). and nothing was too much trouble. I won't bore you with every meal instead I'll do a reel or tiktok showing all the food.
Once landed it was quite quick as I had no case to collect and then we went through to baggage services where they were very helpful and helped us complete our claim form. They had even had the foresight to fill in everybody's forms with the basic info for the flight etc so we just had to put our contact details on.
I then jumped on a shuttle bus to the hotel district and then onto the Marrit hotel bus to take me straight there.
I hoped as soon as I got to my room I would be straight to sleep. No such luck. See Day 2.
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