This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Up early (5.30ish) and showered, repacked the toiletries and across to the terminal. In the new temporary check-in zone we had UC, PE and stacks of Y desks, so much so the Y desk was where we ended up as the queue at UC was HUGE.
For the first time we actually had an engaging check-in agent. Bags safely left, boarding passes issued and we were up the escalator. Through Premium (no queues anywhere) and out the other side.
Quick stop at World of Duty Free thanks to the Amex offer and a Gatwick Rewards voucher, meaning my Jo Malone and his Kiehls was cheaper than cheap.
Arrived at the CH at about 7am and there were a few people in situ. The ladies on the desk were as welcoming as ever and it just feels wonderful when you finally arrive. The Spa was open so I booked my nails and a facial. Nothing for Him.
Checked into V Flyer to wave and post the CC offers being touted. Shoe shine man took His shoes away and they were returned with new laces and gleaming like never before! My treatments were superb. Same girl as on previous visits and we always pick up the story where we left off.
On to the flight. I needed a kick up the bottom to write a TR as the outward flight was "meh".
We took a pre flight drink of Gardet.
Suffice it to say, service was slow, very slow. If you wanted anything, you had to ask, usually twice. A good hour after seatbelt signs were off we still hadn't had crisps/drink. In 8A I glanced back and the crisps were in their bowls on the bar but 3 staff members were sat on the stools and they were eating them. They were randomly picking crisps from the bowls and scoffing them as they filled in their paperwork!
![Sad :-(](./images/smilies/icontexto-emoticons-12-032x032.png)
Eventually service started or did it? We waited and waited, staff seemed busy but on closer inspection didn't actually appear to be doing anything. Mr Marshy went to the bar to get our first (post take off) drink and asked for Prosecco rather than the Gardet. The response was "I will have to see if Premium can spare any". It did arrive, eventually. They then kept a few bottles at the bar as other UC followed my lead.
Entertainment was poor. I really couldn't find anything to watch. It took a little while for me to realise I could only watch anything which began with the letter B.
![Cool :cool:](./images/smilies/icontexto-emoticons-06-032x032.png)
There were a few people at the bar and on several occasions we were told we needed to vacate it (it wasn't noisy and it was a day flight). The reason was given as "no more than 6/7/8 people allowed at the bar". The number varied and actually when no one left (some were just milling at the side) we were eventually told that the "crew need their rest". The curtain to the K side of the bar was pulled and a crew member or two were sleeping (I've not seen - or perhaps noticed this - on a day flight before). What is a shame, is that the conversation was mostly about points/VS and how to increase your miles. Not one person at the bar (us aside) had FC membership.
![Shock :-O](./images/smilies/icontexto-emoticons-10-032x032.png)
I won't go over the menu but the Satay was DELICIOUS. My steak salad was great if a little spicy, a lot of chilli in and on. Yet again we both had cheese and although the selection is very good, 3 biscuits is NEVER going to be the right amount with 2lb of cheese. Literally a slab of cheese per biscuit.
Service was again very slow to clear.
If I had to identify any of our crew I would not be able to do it, even if they were the only 10 in a line-up of 10.
Arriving into ANU was smooth and I made a mental note that I was glad to have burned the last of our miles. My BA 2-4-1 is burning a hole with a second just about to trigger, this was a final goodbye. Thankfully the return (which we dreading as they are - for us - usually worse than the outward) was excellent.
Edit - food and drink should be 5* not sure what I did there.