Virgin America VX 969 SAN-SFO (San Diego to San Francisco)
DEP SAN 19:50 01 MAY 2014
ARR SFO 21:10 01 MAY 2014
Aircraft: A320-200
Flight Duration: 1:20
Virgin America VX 34 SFO-JFK (San Francisco to New York/JFK)
DEP SFO 23:10 01 MAY 2014
ARR JFK 07:50 02 MAY 2014
Aircraft: A320-200
Flight Duration: 5:40
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| Courtesy of www.flightaware.com |
It's been almost 7 months since I've visited New York and I needed to pick up items that I had left back in my old house, so I booked myself a trip back to the east coast for the beginning of May. I booked the return trip from east coast back to San Diego on a JetBlue flight via HawaiianMiles. For the outbound flight, I decided to fly with Virgin America for the first time.
I've heard mostly good things about Virgin America. I've read through trip reports by other folks in airliners.net or personal blogs, and it's been always on my bucket list to try new airlines as much as possible. And I'm glad I got to experience the airline this time around.
Overall, the experience was great. Virgin America definitely sets itself apart from other US airlines from the first time anyone steps foot into the aircraft. I enjoyed the nice, relaxing mood lighting of the cabin throughout the flight, the personal TVs that were attached (on which satellite dish network was provided), and the nice comfy black leather seats.
The flight itinerary for 01 MAY would be to fly VX 969 from San Diego to SFO (Virgin America's hub), and change planes to VX 34 from SFO to JFK (red-eye flight).
I took the MTS bus from San Diego downtown to SAN Terminal 2. Virgin America's check-in counters and gates are located in the west side of the Terminal 2.
Passageway from departures ramp to the terminal.
DL/B6/NK/VX check-in counters.
There weren't lot of people in the terminal at this time.
I used the self check-in booth across from the counters.
Within seconds, I picked up my boarding passes!
The other side of the terminal was dedicated for TSA.
Post-security
SAN Terminal 2 looks very nice from the inside.
The plane that would take me to SFO tonight.
I arrived just as they were beginning to start the boarding process.
Very nice mood lighting. It's a bit dark, however.
The seat pitch was plenty of space for me, who's almost 6'.
The entertainment system provided TV, music, games, and etc. Food could only be ordered after take-off.
On demand items were available for charge (average of $8).
Food items were available for purchase. Complimentary drinks were still available for order free of charge.
Push-back occurred at 7:50PM.
The flight safety information video was a nice touch. It definitely grabs people's attention with the music and the choreography. I was definitely entertained by it.
The plane took about 10 minutes to taxi to the end of the Runway 27.
Take-off toward the Pacific Ocean
Mission Bay to the right.
I placed an order for Diet Coke as soon as the plane reached the safe altitude.
I browsed through some channels to see if there were any NBA games.
My Diet Coke on VX cup
Flight route map. I definitely noticed that the updates were lagging about 20 minutes.
Approach into SFO Runway 28L
Delta 737-900 was also approaching next to us into Runway 28R.
The plane passed by quickly. I guess B737's approach speed is faster than that of A320.
First time in San Francisco Terminal 2.
Walking to USO Lounge in Terminal 1.
USO Lounge in Terminal 1. This USO Lounge is open 24/7 so it's perfect for any military personnel needing overnight accommodation. I made use of this lounge a couple of times already.
I grabbed couple snacks and earplugs and headed back toward my next flight to New York.
The Virgin America check-in counters.
This newly renovated terminal was opened not too long ago.
Post-security walkway to the gates.
The flight to New York/JFK would be leaving from gate 51A.
Earphone box
Not my seats, but I just wanted to grab a snapshot of the seats of the plane.
Thanks to the earplugs I was able to fall asleep for most of the flight.
I woke up somewhere above New Jersey.
Passing over Jersey City. Newark and Newark Airport is visible.
Manhattan down below. Empire State Building is on the bottom of this picture.
Nice view of the JFK Airport from above.
The plane made further descent in order to land into Runway 13L.
Taxiing toward Terminal 4.
It was my first time in Terminal 4 since the Emirates EK 222 took me from Dubai to here in 2013.
I took the NYC Airporter shuttle to get to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Thanks for reading my trip report!
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