This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Normally we use Twilight but this time decided to use check in desks in the morning. We did wonder over at Twilight and a small queue had formed at 4.30 (opens at 5pm). It was good to see two 6 foot signs out for UC and PE pax respectively. It seems at long last a more formal arrangement for premium pax queueing has been arranged.
Up at 5.30am on the Tuesday for the short journey across the terminal to UC check in at 6am. 1 desk open, no other UC pax. The agent was functional but not particularly welcoming or chatty. I know it's early, but it would have been nice for him to at least smile!
We had checked in online at T-22 (it was down at T-24 for maintenance). I did tweet VS who were very quick to tell me it would reopen soon. When I finally managed to get some 3G access around Bristol M5, my trusty iPhone let me check us both in. Seq 007 (for him - apt with only having recently watched Spectre) and 008 for me.
Back to LGW, we were quickly through Premium Security and into the haven of the CH at 6.15am. First through the doors. We took our seats looking across the tarmac and 3 VS aircraft. We did wave to you all from the lounge with pics of our breakfasts.
Boarding (and I can't recall the timings) was 10 minutes overdue so with no call we walked down to the gate. A splattering of people hunting out their boarding passes ahead but nothing in the premium line to board, which meant a walk straight through to our seats.
The cabin was looking airy and in fact we were the first onboard - I took a couple of shots (I do feel awkward taking photos on the plane ). I like the cabin on this configuration and with only 14 seats it feels very personal. I know the majority love 6A and 6K but we like to be a bit further back and 8A and 9A suited us fine. A party of 4 took the front four seats and they were mildly entertaining with one of them (the alpha female) being a DYKWIA pain the in rear.
Champagne offered, accepted but not refilled. Cabin filled, seat belts on and up (can't recall the numbers or times - too many bubbles by then). But I do know the FSM took time to introduce herself to each and everyone of us. She was a gem, 20 years in post and later at the bar we had a good chat with her about the cuts et al. The crew in our cabin were superb. Nothing was too much trouble and everything was served swiftly and with a very friendly yet professional manner. A letter to Crawley is next on my list.
Meals were so so. Not as nice as some I've had and not as bad as others.
Entertainment was ok, nothing I wanted to watch particularly but I did manage to see an indie film I wouldn't have otherwise seen - Me, Earl and the Dying Girl - which wasn't as depressing as it sounds, actually quite a lovely story.
I snatched an hour or so in sleep, had a trip to the bar and as previously detailed a chat with the FSM. You do feel for them and the demotions/pay cuts. Despite this, there wasn't any moaning, it was a positive attitude and one which sounded like she embraces change with no issue at all.
Eventually time for seat belts and landing into BGI on time.
Overall it was a great flight, with due thanks to the fantastic crew and exclusive feel to the cabin on the 747.
Photos to follow.
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