Headed to the gate around 40 minutes pre-departure as was meeting someone on the same flight travelling world traveller (I am only silver, so they couldnt come into the lounge). Unfortunately the flight was about an hour late, due to a small technical problem. Once it started boarding, there was a scrum for getting through the gate, with no priority at all for those in a premium cabin or a Gold/Silver Executive Club member (see it isn't VS that cant get that to work at times!). We were on a C satellite stand, so it was a bus ride to the plane.
Once on board, it was interested to see what the Club World seat was like. I am not sure that I like sitting opposite a stranger great if you are with someone I suppose. The plane was a 777, so it wasnt NNCW so no on demand entertainment. Seating area seemed pretty good actually, and I liked the little laptop area that you could store things in easily. The table was very flimsy, which proved difficult to work on during the flight, as it didnt really support enough. Drinks were offered after a short while champagne was ok, but a little flat maybe it had been out waiting since the correct departure time! Sitting backwards is different, especially when you are shortly after take-off and climbing, where it is odd looking back down the cabin at an angle! The 777 felt very spacious compared to other planes, with large windows and lots of luggage space, that went up into the roof, so the cabin overall felt very open. The cleaners obviously dont clean down between the seats and the plane wall, as there was all sorts of stuff down there (and not just at my seat!).
After take-off, amenity kits were distributed along with hot towels (mine was dripping water everywhere). Drinks were served from the trolley I felt very awkward for the person in 13C, as everything was passed through his space to me.....not very professional! This continued for everything throughout the flight. Drinks were served in small glasses, similar to Club Europe, and not large enough for gin and mixer really (although wine and champagne seemed to be served in better glasses). Nuts were a pre-package packet of cashews (quite nice, but would have been better on a plate rather than in a packet).
Lunch orders were taken shortly after. The menu was:
Starter:
Prawn cocktail or Parmesan Panacotta and roasted vegetables, both served with seasonal Salad
Main:
Fillet of beef, truffle mash and mushroom fricassee
Roast chicken, bread sauce and roast vegetables
Line caught sea-bass, lemon butter sauce, minted peas and roast new potatoes
Oatcake crepe with tomatoes and cream, cheese and pesto couscous
Chicken salad, sauted apple and sage vinaigrette
Dessert
Apple cinnamon pie with custard
Vanilla ice cream
Cheese and biscuits
I went for the panacotta, sea bass, apple pie and cheese. The tray was delivered with the started and salad on it, and then bread from the basket. Everything was served from a trolley, with the plastic lids taken off as they got to each seat row. The salt and pepper were in little plastic packets on the tray, rather than in little pots. Overall the service for lunch felt more towards premium economy, than a Club World product and definitely a much cheaper feel to it than the service than in Upper Class. However, portion sizes were generous, and despite the methods of service, the actual food was pretty tasty! The wine list gave four reds and four whites, although only two were on board today I tried one white and one red, both of which were very good indeed. Cheese came with a glass of port they were serving the First class port today, which was very nice indeed (although the crackers were in a little plastic packet, rather than out on the plate)!
Entertainment was non-on demand, so like being on a VS A340-300 really. Similarly, the tapes were worn and the quality was poor for some of the films (I am hoping that my flight later this year to Beijing will have the NNCW product on it with on demand). The seat was pretty comfy, and with a window seat and the privacy divider up, it was like a little cabin on your own. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the famous Z position is like, as my foot rest would not go down. The crew and purser tried, but apparently it had been forced before and therefore wouldnt work.....like most of the rest that they tried!!. The managed to find a spare one somewhere else in the cabin, but as everything was around my seat, I wasnt that fussed about moving. Having said that, it was nice being able to recline into a position of your choice rather than the slightly limited positions of the UC suite.
During the flight, I thought I would try the Club Kitchen. I wasnot sure exactly what to expect, but there was a wide range of drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic), along with snacks. There were some very nice GU chocolate biscuit things, which were great. The sandwiches looked very small indeed, although I wasnt in the mood for them after lunch. I really liked being able to get some nibbles during the flight, without having to ask (and actually most of the time, I would just like some nice chocolate based snacks that are often available on the flight).
Afternoon tea was selection of sandwiches or artichoke and asparagus salas followed by plain/fruit scones with cream and jam or strawberry and pastry cream tartlett. The sandwiches were served still in the packet and were ok - the tartlett and scones were good though.
Overall, Club World is not a bad product, especially if you are travelling with someone so that you get to see and talk to each other easily, but I still prefer the UC suite and service. The food and drink service was different in the way that it was done, but the actual quantity and quality of the food was pretty good. The main let down was the entertainment and the fact that the seat didnt work properly. Hopefully I will have a fully functioning seat on the return journey!!
