This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
[:w]
Having driven down from Devon a few days earlier,with a London destination, we had checked some bags at T3 (excess baggage) which is now conveniently located directly in the arrivals hall rather than out at the carpark. HEX to Paddington and return journey three days later (using VS ug vouchers), where we retrieved our bags (an efficient process) and trundled them through the hordes to departures, fetching up at UC check-in. We were enthusiatically greeted by a VS agent in a very snappy blue and red striped suit, who escorted us to the check-in agent. We had a dilemma re having too many fragile items for one bag carry on and had to resort to checking a computer bag through but felt the combination of it being a very sturdy Crumpler bag and the assurance by the VS agent that if we took it to the fragile cart, it would be treated as fragile, seemed (and was) a sensible choice.
The VS area was much easier to navigate as Y was queued at the far end and PE and UC have now got their own scrum-free zone. UC ticket purchase are also included, which I imagine means one can now do upgrades directly without having to abandon the queue to head across the hall.
We were handed a combo purple boarding pass/fast track and clubhouse invite and headed for security thinking it would be tedious but this too proved no stress as fast track is now substantially separate and it was a quick pass through (two machines). Up to CH, a warm welcome, and we plonked down in the cafe, looking forward to a full English--but noted that it is not served after 11:15. I asked the very pleasant wait person if it might be at all possible to get a reprieve, she said she'd check with the chef, and chef said yes, so hot plates of egg, beans and mushroom were soon set before us and gratefully eaten. I had a glass of prosecco to accompany it (why not?) and then a good pot of tea, in anticipation of a quick run of some well chosen shops (airside is now carry on anything you want).
Mission accomplished, Tom made his haircut appointment at Bumble and Bumble whilst I went up to the sky deck--no jag and I was pretty sure that if I closed the door, I wouldn't be getting back in again, and imagined being stuck out there trying to get the attention of people working on the waiting planes--so back downstairs for a glass of fizz, a swing in the chair and a look through the papers before my own Cowshed appointment.
I felt pretty dubious about the assurance of the otherwise competent woman who gave me a pedicure when she said that 'many' people went down to the gate in white post-nail polish flipflops in order to let their toenails dry. I decided to wait it out until the flight was actually called (despite the flashing 'flight is closing' beacon on the departures board) which was a good call-- as apparently that was only a ruse to get pax down to gate 35 in short order. We were passed by many huffing and puffing pax who were running, sure they were about to be closed out of their flight, only to find they were in good time. I asked about this practice at the gate and was told only that it seemed to work quite well!
We were boarded with families with young children, PE, UC and Gold, there being very few UC/PE pax. The crew could not have been more attentive, and I think they numbered about evenly with UC pax as they were due to return with a full flight.
We were welcomed by each UC staff member and FSA (I was greeted by name and a good to see you again). One tiny glitch for me was when one crew member went around closing window shades all round the cabin on this day flight and all lights were dimmed as two 'business' pax needed to sleep. i don;t object to the light dimming but I do rather love looking out the window on a day flight--and this one had a remarkable hours-long sunset to appreciate.
I have been on flights like this before--a full crew/light load where crew simply melted away except for a few stalwarts but this was not the case on this flight. Every single crew member was attentive to our needs, friendly and professional, from the first glass of fizz to ensuring that our coats were returned to us in good time for landing. Drinks were served, dinner orders taken and served (I had the Devon crabcakes and stilton soup--soup was excellent--crab cakes were heavy on the cake and light on the crab) and the cheese selection along with an excellent chenin blanc (the chardonnay was not excellent). Tom had the turkey dinner which he seemed quite pleased with. Crumble was off the menu and Christmas pudding on, but I didnt see any takers.'I must say that I far preferred the great British to the Med menu we had when we came over last summer and found nearly uneatable.
Entertainment choices were rich-and it was hard to choose but I got in an hour of comedy before a last drink at the bar and bed. When I awoke I was called for a massage. An excellent tea was served (tea, sandwiches and scones-I don't remember seeing a cake platter though) and we were bumpily in to a chilly Logan, albeit a bit late due to a late start.
Bags came off quickly, immigration (a first) allowed me through without any cross examination and customs just waved us through to arrivals where we were efficiently met by the Boston coach rep and driven quietly and quickly through snow squalls to home.
Even though I always look forward to my VS UC flights, this one topped them all in every respect (save the crab cakes and the snooze pack), a lovely precursor to our Great Escapade which starts just three weeks from now....
Happy holidays to the entire crew from LHR check-in CH to VS 11 staff to Boston Coach and many thanks for starting our holiday out so magnificently.[y]
RR[oo]
Roadrunner
