This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
It was eagerly anticipated, and when the CDC arrived (on time) we were both very excited. I'd booked the car as to allow approximately 4 hours at the Clubhouse, mostly as I knew the serene atmosphere would aid the calming of a nervous flier - Mrs NS! The traffic on the M25 was flowing well and we arrived at T3 at approximately 4.30pm.
This was to be my (and our) first time for drive through check-in and the whole process was extremely smooth and controlled. Our CDC at the other end was checked and confirmed, and we were efficiently escorted by the check in agent to the departures hall. T3 was busy but security was quick - around 5 minutes, and we were soon browsing the World Duty Free shopping area. After several bottles of perfume were purchased (!) we proceeded up to the Clubhouse at around 5pm - and were greeted by the smiling Virgin staff who gave us a brief run through of the services and facilities available. I'd booked some treatments - a blow dry for Mrs NS and a wet shave for myself. We decided we'd check the bookings before settling on stools at the bar. It was the extra time in the FA cup final and the staff whilst interactive and attentive were slightly pre-occupied by the TV's above. Nevertheless, excellent service so far.
Around 6pm we headed to the brasserie for an early bite to eat before treatments, and to maximise our rest time on board. The service here was like a good restaurant - prompt arrival of food which was hot and tasty - what more is needed? And anyway, if Virgin keep the Clubhouse burger on the menu then they've won me for life!!
After eating, and at around 6.45pm we lounged in the hanging sphere seats (what are these actually called?) to kill the 15 minutes until the first appointment (Bumble and Bumble). Photos were duly taken and we had a laugh. I had an extra 15 min to wait until my appointment (Cowshed) so popped out to Paul Smith so I could get some trunks - the hot tub should not be missed...but nor should trunks be missing!
I came back and gave Mrs NS a little surprise to help with her nervous flying - an iPod loaded with her favourite tunes. This went down well and I was a brownie point up! I then had my wet shave which was superb - no cuts or nicks which I was nervous about!
My treatment finished first so I jumped into the hot tub for 10 minutes, and then dried off in the sauna. By this time Mrs was also done. We decided to have a glass of champagne and then stroll down to the gate (34?) before it was called so to stretch our legs.
This was a bit of a mistake as the flight was delayed for boarding for 20min or so due to a 'problem beyond our control' - this seems to be VS's get out clause, or has been on EVERY one of my 2007 flights. Anyway, it didn't really matter in the big scheme of things a later departure would help us fall asleep.
Priority boarding worked. Simple as.
Once on board we were directed but not shown to our seats (6A, and 6D) and quickly asked if we'd like a drink. At this point the UCS cabin started to fill, and only then did it become apparent that these seats are not opposite each other on the A340-600. We didn't realise this as we'd gauged our seats from the window side labelling. Also, 6D was already taken, by someone who had also fallen to our mistake. So I moved forward to my correct seat, as did the previous occupant of my seat!
Virgin, take the hint here and actually show your valued high-ticket customers to their seat - this will avoid passengers having to move seat and belongings, along with the associated embarrassment. Its also note made clear the seats dont match up on the seat maps. Hmph.
Sleep suits were handed out, and the IFBT did the rounds asking the wake you/leave you question and offering toiletries. We both passed on the treatment offer deciding to take advantage on our return day flight.
Departure from the gate delayed the flight further by the other Virgin classic - 'Final paperwork checks', but a second drinks run anticipated customer needs rather than reacting to customer needs - well done VS. The queue for the runway was fortunately short and I think we took off from 270R (?)
The takeoff roll was around 35 seconds - shorter than I expected from an A340 having read TRs here on V-Flyer! We swept round to the East and could see the new Wembley stadium and the city soon after. Darkness and clouds then covered the earth below.
V-port started very early on this flight - as did the first drinks service, during which dinner orders were taken. As we'd both eaten in the CH Mrs NS passed on food, I opted for a main course only (beef fillet) - the CH drinks had given me an appetite. This was served before the rest of the cabin making me feel very important, and was accompanied by a glass of Cab Sav. It's generally perceived that altitude impairs the taste buds, but the wine tasted better than on the ground, and certainly took the honours away from the average food served.
After dinner I wandered back to the bar, and asked for my bed to be turned down. I must have confused the bar for the galley as I simply found a meal prep area. I therefore just hung around for a couple of moments wanting to stay out of the way of my seat area whilst being converted.
Note #2 VS - the galley is for food, the bar is for customers to drink at (or am I missing something here?). The bar is an incredible selling point make the most of it!
Mrs NS was reclined under a duvet watching TV so I said goodnight, again avoiding the subject of her being a nervous flyer since shed done well so far. Within minutes of lying down, and whilst listening to my iPod I drifted off.
With the LHR-DXB flight being short wed decided to skip breakfast on board and wait until arriving at the hotel. This was a good call since I woke after most passengers had already been served breakfast, and I felt quite rested. Mrs NS was enjoying a cuppa so I thought this would be a good opportunity to freshen up before the rest of the cabin.
At this point the flight deck advised the time of landing around 45 minutes time the cabin crew proceeded to announce. The cabin was hastily prepared tables cleared and beds converted.
Moments later, the FSM re-announced the landing as being in 1hr and 45 minutes somewhere and somehow a mistake had been made I was quite sleepy still, but got the impression it was due to the flight deck using Zulu time (GMT) when we in fact using BST. Very frustrating, rather confusing, and actually disappointing since another hour in bed would have been far better than the subsequent hour I managed to doze whilst in seat mode.
I woke second time round to the bump of landing, in a bright and sunny, yet hazy Dubai.
The taxi was long, and as expected was to a remote stand. Having looked across to the terminal I could not see a free gate so Im not a believer of the theory that VS park remotely due to the scantily clad lady painted on the nose. It seems that Emirates just get priority over everyone else (except maybe Qatar who had their aircraft all on airbridges).
UC passengers disembarked from 1L whilst other cabins from 2L, and there were 2 dedicated buses for UC a good result in a less desirable scenario.
Interestingly the immigration is very simple on arrival in Dubai no questioning, just a stamp in your passport not even a comment. (Even on our return to the UK we were asked where wed been was it a holiday.).
Baggage was starting to appear when we got to the clearly posted carousel resulting in a plane to CDC time of no more than 20 minutes.
Sooff we went to the hotel for our week in the sun. I hope you havent found this too boring and if anyone has any questions please ask!
