This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
I completed OLCI 24 hours before - confirmed I was in my pre booked seat.
As is usual I rocked up at Disney Springs first thing the next morning to get rid of my cases. Even more of a miracle was that we managed to find our way to the surface parking area on the first attempt as the road layout has changed drastically since last year!
There was a bit of a queue on both sides as people had arrived before the 0830 starting time. I waited a few minutes before making it to the front of the Premium line. The person then looked at my ticket, saw I was in Upper and then wheeled my case over the scales for me. She then waved my ticket at the other person pointing out the Upper Class part for her to see. This second person then took me straight over to another desk, no waiting at all. Clearly the Disney Springs Check-In area have been told to really push the boat out for UC passengers, as this was a much improved experience on last time! I soon had my boarding pass in hand along with the Delta Sky Club invitation and was on my way.
I arrived at the airport later in the afternoon - as always, allowing plenty of time for security. This aspect never gets any better and can be rather inconsistent I find. Sometimes they want you to leave everything in your bags and shoes on...othertimes everything must come off...today it was the latter, so it took around 30mins all told. The "priority" line makes no difference at all to the wait time as you simply merge back into the queue. As Buns said...they are missing a money making opportunity here
I sat for a bit in the terminal but wanted to head up the the lounge so I could be escorted to the gate at boarding. I tried to make to my own way on board last time.......I nearly ended up like Mufasa in the Lion King!!
The lounge was a pleasant surprise - not only I did I get a seat within 20mins for the first time ever but there was a choice of lots of seats!! It was lovely and quiet and relaxing and everything a lounge should be. I am guessing the moving of BA with the new lounge has made quite the difference. I enjoyed a couple of drinks before boarding was called at 1900. We all gathered together before being escorted to the gate - safety in numbers and all that!! There was a last minute moment of confusion as the Manchester flight was boarding at pretty much the same gate so I think all of us double checked with the CC on boarding that this was indeed the 16 back to Gatwick!
I quickly settled into my seat area and was offered Champagne by our CSS, refills were also offered. The CSS also managed to get most of the drinks and dinner orders done before takeoff so we were served pretty quickly once airborne.
Dinner Menu was:
Starter:
Creamy spring onion soup
Mesclun Salad
Smoked salmon rillette
Main:
Beef Fillet
Chicken Breast
Vegetable Korma
Togarashi Salmon Salad
Pudding:
Bread and Butter Pudding
Duo of Mousses
The FSM also paid us a visit and introduced herself to us all individually soon after takeoff. She said if we had any issues to ask for her and she would come and talk to us. I thought this was a nice touch as with the new service the FSM is now required to work further back for most part.
The CSS looking after us was fantastic though. The other CC stayed mostly in the galley preparing everything but between them the cabin was very efficiently looked after. The CSS seemed to be everywhere doing everything at once and really was the best example of what VS crew should be. I have sent a note of thanks to Crawley Towers about her.
I had the salad and korma for dinner. The korma was excellent. I had already asked my lovely CSS if I could hold off ordering dessert until after my main, she said this was no problem at all and informed me that the bread and butter puddings were in the oven as I finished my main if I would like one. I said yes! It was lovely but I was stuffed after dinner so no room for cheese and biccies alas. I order some tea and a brandy which also appeared just moments later.
I then went about assembling my bed. I noticed the CSS was still busy clearing up from dinner as well as helping other people with their beds but no sooner as I had pulled the toggle on the bedding pack and she was there helping me do mine!
I rested very comfortably for a few hours - the temperature was just about perfect in the cabin. I noticed that cabin beginning to come to life again so decided to sit up and have a look, the ever present CSS once again magically appeared as if from nowhere with my orange juice!
The breakfast run had started so I thought I would make the seat back up. It was being a bit stubborn but despite having her hands full of breakfast trays just a second before, the ever helpful CSS appeared to fix the seat for me. I had the french toast and some fruit, along with a lovely cuppa this went down a treat! I must admit I was still quite full from dinner....
We landed bang on time to a sunny Gatwick. The E Gates were in a bit of grump this morning and seemed to keep shutting down so that gave a me a 15min wait to get through immigration. No matter though as the bags were also a little bit tardy in appearing! Luckily mine was one of the first off and I made my bus with about 5 mins to spare.
There were feedback forms on this flight as VS are trying the new service with reduced Cabin Crew. Whilst I have my doubs about this new "improvement" I couldn't rate the service as anything other than excellent. I do feel this was more down to our exceptional CSS who never stopped though.
An excellent flight all round - thanks for reading!