This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
The Holiday Inn Shanghai Downtown was excellent - more like a Crowne Plaza. I received an executive level upgrade with lounge access and full breakfast despite being on a reward stay. The hotel is split into two wings the GW - Great Wall wing and the PL - Plaza wing. There are two receptions which caused us some confusion initially.
GW wing
PL wing
It was time to go home so we booked a mini van from the Hotel to Pu Dong Int'l for 0700 on the morning of Sunday 28th.
Compared to the 90 min Maglev/taxi combination when we arrived the return took only 40 mins and had us at PVG for around 0745. We went straight to check in with 3 travelling Upper and one in Economy. I was asked to pay a 25 change fee for some reason but did so without fuss as I'd changed this ticket around so much I wasn't in a position to argue! Boarding cards and lounge passes were issued and I asked if mine could be endorsed for 1 guest. I was told that 'G class is not allowed a guest' by the check in agent so asked to speak to her supervisor and had the problem solved immediately.
The lounge looked quite nice but the selection of refreshments on offer was pretty pants. You could have a beef sandwich, a beef sandwich or yes, you've guessed it a beef sandwich. This actually forced me into trying some Chinese congee which was pretty painless!
We were called to board for the 1055 departure at 1015 and made the short walk to gate 20. I had spotted G-VSSH 'Sweet Dreamer' come onto stand earler.
Once on board the 3 of us in Upper settled in quickly and my two mates were given the run down on the seats etc (by me!). Martin & John were suitably impressed by the Upper Class Suite and all that went with it!
Pushback was delayed until 1130 due to traffic flow problems and we were in the air at 1145 as predicted by the Captain earlier. Again the stretched 340 performed it's climbout effortlessly but this time the 4 Rollers were emitting their classic 'whirr' as we didn't mess around getting to cruise altitude!
We had a couple of drinks then took the lunch offering with myself opting for the Dim Sum starter (nice) then Salmon with noodles & mashed potato for main (very nice) followed by the cheese (not bad). I tried the English Bacchus white as I thought 'if it's good enough for Howard Long it'll be good enough for me!'. It was indeed very enjoyable but I stopped after the second top up!
Dim Sum starter
Salmon main
Cheese
We flew directly over Beijing during lunch but I was on the wrong side and trapped by the table to get any pics but did get a snap while over Mongolia.
The very friendly crew came round and closed most of the blinds after lunch and a few pax decided to get some kip.
In a surprise move (NOT) we then decided it was time to sample the bar! The FSM very kindly allowed our mate in Economy to join us for a drink or ten and we had a great time chatting to various members of the crew. It transpired that Paula (who was looking after us at the bar) was on her very last trip and was leaving after 8 years to spend more quality time with her young daughter (something that Mrs JAT has done recently too) [y]. A quick word in the FSM's ear priduced a suitable gift from the duty free mag from the 4 of us as a thank you for looking after us so well.
The three Johns, Martin & Paula.
Between us we'd managed to demolish the Tanqueray No 10 and were beginning to make inroads into the Bombay when I decided to go for a kip!
After I woke up I had some afternoon tea to bring me round and after what felt nothing like being on an aircraft for 13 hours we were approaching Heathrow
I had a fantastic flight with VS with good food, excellent staff and good company.
I hope you git a chance to look the site up and can read this so good luck to you Paula and thanks to you and your colleagues for a wonderful experience.
[y][y][y]
Regards
John
