This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Decided to check in early to make the most of the Clubhouse, so after spending a night at the Hilton (upgraded to an executive room, thanks to my newly aquired Gold Honors card [:D])walked straight through to the terminal.
Got to check in and there was a queue, several large groups were checking in at the same time. It took about 10-15 minutes to get to the check in desk, but once there were checked in quickly, issued our purple boarding cards (which had fast track written on them as they'd run out of stickers)for 6A & K, which I had prebooked last December as well. Armed with our Clubhouse invite, we were on our way.
Got through security quickly and straight to the Clubhouse, with treatment times confirmed we found a seat (it was quite busy in there at this time) We were soon approached and champagne and breakfasts, signature for me and full monty for James, were served shortly. Eventually all the other flights were called and it was just the VS15 passengers left in the Clubhouse. Just as the staff thought they would be going home soon, they found out that the Havanna flight that had left 1 1/2 hours ago was being turned back with a technical problem and I saw it land back just as we were taxi-ing to the runway[:#]
Our flight was called and we took the long walk to the gate, pleased to see VTOP and the Odyssey entertainment system waiting for us.[y]Luckily we arrived just as they had started pre-boarding and we just walked straight past the crowds, onto the plane and turned left,what a fantastic feeling [:D]
We took our seats right at the front and were immediately offered champagne, well it's rude not to[;)] Then a voice said 'you must be Elaine' and it was great to meet fellow V-Flyer Bill (Mid-Class)and his wife who were sat right behind us.
We were given instructions from the cabin crew on how the suites work and were off.
The cabin crew could not have been more attentive, they kept us topped up with drinks all flight and even remembered that i have my coffee black. The FSM came round and introduced himself to us all individually as well.
The food was good, not brilliant, but better than you expect on a plane. For lunch I had the following-
Cream of Asparagus, gruyere and tarragon soup served with a choice of warm breads. I had garlic! The soup just needed a little salt (from the salt & pepper planes that just jumped into my bag[:0])and I enjoyed it.
Grilled steak with dauphinoise potatoes, fresh seasonal vegetables ( very al dente) and horseradish sauce. This was better than I expected after reading some of the other trip reports[;)]
As I ordered late they had run out of the Mango & Lime ice cream so I had some chocolate Ben & Jerry's instead. Later when the ice creams were brought round I had strawberry so that I could compare the two!!
For afternoon tea I had a mixtue of sandwiches, the poached salmon one was delicious, followed by a ginger scone, clotted cream and jam, no room left for any cakes, served with (black!)coffee.
James asked the crew if we could have a sleepsuit each, which they happily gave us. This meant that we could leave them at our villa and use them for slobbing around the house in - result!
Just before we came into land they came round to collect the freedom menu. It was a shame but that had jumped into my bag as well!!
Said goodbye to Bill, who had a 3 week holiday to look forward to, lucky man. There was a slight delay waiting for the walkway to be attached, but once it was we were on our way, quickly through immigration. No baggage to collect as we leave a 2nd set of clothes locked away at the villa, and through customs. We were picking the rental car up the next day as neither of us wanted to restrict our intake of alcohol, so we were soon sitting in a stretch limo (our treat, well we were flying Upper[:D])for the 1/2 hour journey to the villa.
It seems like an epic, but as it was the first time, I had so much to write. There is only one problem I can see now.......how can we ever fly Premium again[:?]