This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
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Cabin Crew
Anyway the 2 hours of body torture over, I deplaned at EWR at Terminal C and quickly boarded the people mover; within 2-3 minutes I was in Terminal B where VS has its check-in desk. A rather stone-faced (synonym for outsourced) person efficiently checked me in, issued the CH invite and directed me to the gates.
For those who havent been in this CH it is located in a retail concourse area before security. The CH is smallish but this doesnt detract from its offerings. Tonight it was quiet when I entered near 7pm. The ladies at the desk gave me a Revivals pass but noted on it Advised NHW, which meant, disappointingly no hot water at the LHR Revivals?? Repairs had apparently been scheduled for the bank holiday weekend. Can imagine though that many pax like me would be disappointed with this timing.
The fine odors of well-prepared food were a welcome change from the fast food Id been consuming earlier in the week. After a chardonnay and several excellent tray-passed appetizers (lamb kabob, mushroom tart, assorted sushi) I felt well enough to have a look at the bar area. There a chef was preparing fresh chicken ravioli with grilled peppers and marinara sauce, a plate of which was delivered to me at my seat. There was an excellent selection of cheeses and crackers, and various antipasti offerings as well. One of the concierges reminded me that a buffer dinner would be served shortly. Really? I thought just the anitipasti and the ravioli were an outstanding offering. Sure enough, in about ten minutes a full buffet appeared just the other side of the bar and I felt compelled to at least taste everything. Pork tenderloin, oven roasted potatoes, assorted squash, rare roast beef, grilled tuna, chilled salad with haricot vert and an excellent mustard dressing, risotto with roasted tomatoes and cheese. Though there are tables near the buffet I chose to enjoy my repast in the comparatively al fresco environment at my comfortable lounge seat where I had already fired up the wireless internet offering. While eating I got on V-Flyer for a few minutes to check in with several other of our directors who I was planning to meet up with in London. The food was frankly more interesting than the internet (no offense to my mates, of course) and I was quite tired, so for the next few minutes I relaxed with my wine. Then another of the concierges came by with an offering of dessert: bread pudding, ice creams and sherbet, or apple cheesecake. I couldnt resist the latter and was well rewarded; it was superb.
Bidding goodbye to the staff I made the short transit through security (shoes off, laptops out, etc.) and then straight to the gate where preliminary boarding was being offered though no premium boarding card was in evidence. I had checked earlier and knew wed be traveling on Tubular Belle tonight (yippee V-Port). My mission on this flight was sleep, however, and thus Id selected seat 2K which on the 744 is upstairs on the starboard side. For those who havent done a snooze zone flight on the 744, this is definitely a fine alternative. The occupants of the SZ apparently know the drill: after takeoff the seatbelt sign was off quite quickly and everyone in the SZ jumped up as if on cue, put their own beds together and Id say within five minutes or less, were in bed. I slept about five hours, awakening to the smell of coffee. Rubbing my eyes I stumbled downstairs, sat at the bar with one of the pleasant FAs who offered me coffee and a bacon roll. Nice eye opener they were. After chatting with the FA for a bit I just had time to change out of my sleep suit and to brush my teeth before the seatbelt sign came on. Alas the often typical morning approach/landing scrum at LHR was in full force today and our captain, lamenting same, held us in suspended animation for about 45 minutes before landing, rollout and a fairly long taxi out to the hinterlands of gate 42. If nothing else the walk from this gate area to the immigration and arrivals hall does provide one with a morning constitution; for that reason alone, I cant really criticize it.
Morning constitution complete I took advantage of the Fasttrack voucher and was out of customs/immigration within 10 minutes. My bag was waiting for me at baggage claim and I quickly made my way to the Heathrow Express for the short fifteen minute ride to Londons Paddington station.
All in all, though I slept through most of the journey, the beginning and the ending (clubhouse and cabin crew in particular) received top marks for courtesy, friendliness and professionalism.[y] For me, the people are Virgin's number one asset.
Chuck-
