This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Approaching the VS/DL area I was warmly welcomed back by the team who use to check in/look after me for my Little Red flights. We had a good catch up and it was lovely to see them again. Thinking it was time I better get checked in one of the team escorted me down to the UC desk, introduced me to the check in agent and I was quickly processed and on my way. I did notice though I had the dreaded SSSS on my boarding pass....
Priority lane security was a breeze and I've never understood the difference at MAN between priority lane and fast-track but I do now as I was handled first and told to skip ahead of the queue which I did with assistance and was quickly through.
Picking up some currency and a couple of items from the shops (where I wasn't asked for my boarding pass..) I went upstairs to the Escape lounge. The VS109 uses the Escape 2 lounge with the DL JFK flight and VS73/75/77/85 use the main Escape lounge.
Received a really warm welcome back and then settled in though clearly things were not going to plan as the chap looking after the desk was clearly on his own. It took my order for a sausage sandwich over 30mins to arrive whilst we awaited the dedicated server to return....she had gone walkabout by all accounts.
The lounge is rather bland as those that use it will know. So having had two cups of coffee and my sandwich I decided to head to gate area at 0915. Did a little plane-spotting, checked in on twitter and Facebook and waited for the boarding call. Managed a peek at G-VBIG who had flown in from LHR to operate the VS75.
Everyone was crowded around Gate 204 to board 'Beauty Queen' who was going to transport me for the fifth time but the first time to Atlanta. Boarding began at 0955 and priority boarding was strictly in operation. A quick cheerio to my Swissport friends I was pulled to one side for the pat-down, check of my bag and then was free to go. To be fair, it took about 2mins and the guy was friendly and reassuring.
Boarding through L2 with magazines and newspapers by the door for pick-up I was welcomed warmly and directed left.
I quickly found my seat, got settled on and was quickly offered a glass of champagne. This was closely followed by the amenity kit, bottle of water and then by the headsets.
The Cathay Pacific engineering team were on board working on the seat opposite and quickly finished off what they were doing. A light load in J today with only 11 seats taken. Judging by the number of US citizens onboard the Delta alliance is working well. In total 204 passengers were on board with 13 cabin crew and 2 flight deck crew. It was clear Y was full as only 12 were in W.
A top-up of champagne was offered and then we pushed back. Airborne at 1045 with a flight time of 8hrs26mins promised.
Hot towels were quickly offered and then drink orders were taken though no menus had been distributed as yet. The FSM then came around the cabin introducing herself, providing the menu and having a few words with everyone. She was excellent from the word go, tailoring her welcome message to the audience so with the US passengers asking if they were familiar with the service and explained in detail if they were not.
We chatted about how things were going, she is LHR based and helping in MAN for a couple of months, she lives locally so was happy to do so.
Drink orders arrived with crisps and were refreshed often......the crew member looking after my side of the aircraft had already come along and introduced herself too, she was excellent but the whole team in UC were simply exceptional. A crew member who use to work on LR but left before the closure came to say hello and we had a chat, agreeing to meet up later in the flight for a longer catch up as she was working in W.
Tables were set for lunch around 1215. The menu had been mentioned quite a few times and the current one is coming to an end shortly so won't go into detail, though I really enjoyed the Chicken Satay as a starter with a lovely cashew nut dipping sauce. The Chicken Tikka Masala for the main was delicious - the dhal in particular I thought was lovely.
Throughout the meal wine, water and bread were frequently offered though I didn't really like any of the white wines, by all accounts they have received a mixed reaction this month, but I settled on the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Dessert was a divine Salted Caramel pudding with cream - delicious covers it. The cheese trolley then came around (first time I have seen it on the A333) as they are now using a slightly modified trolley.
I slept for a little while, had a chat with my former LR crew member, watched a little bit of the IFE offer though felt it was very US based...
Drinks were regularly offered and I chatted for a little while at the bar. Ice-cream was offered a little while later in the flight and then a message flashed up on the screen advising a selection of hot and cold snacks were at the bar - these were from the Extra bites selection and included Thai fish cakes, baked potato skins, vegetable pakoras and samosas and some Cold charcuterie.
About one hour from Atlanta the scene was set for the 'Mad Hatter's Tea Party' with sandwiches, warm scones (with blackcurrant jam...) and a selection of mini cakes. Our US friends were in their element and made me realise once again that English tea shop's offering afternoon tea was a good business move in the US!!
Tea/coffee was regularly topped up and great to the modified trolley being put to good use again. It's theatre I know but it works well and the offer on BA and other carriers doesn't come close...I will say the Cheesecake macaroon toadstool was delicious...
With everyone strapped in we made a long approach to Atlanta dodging a few thunder showers along the way and touched down at 1406. The long taxi to the gate took about 15mins.
With a really friendly goodbye from the FSM and the UC cabin crew I left into a very steamy Atlanta afternoon. Using APC I was quickly through with the bag waiting on the belt to begin the next stage of my travel day!
A truly enjoyable flight with a crew at the 'top of the game' who were attentive, friendly and engaging throughout.
Thanks for reading.
Jon
