This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Arrived at Downtown Check-in for opening at 8.30 am - only one other couple in the priority queue in front of us but a large group (12+) in the economy line with around 2 cases each - that would cause a bit of a delay for anyone else arriving in that line.
Unfortunately a member of staff advised us the VS028 was cancelled (our VS027 had been cancelled the previous week), at first we thought 'no way' but regrettably it was true.
All cases are now weighed at Downtown Disney; apparently too many people had oversized luggage and were using Downtown Disney to avoid checking in at the airport and paying excess baggage charges. Unbelievably my case was less than 32 kg at 25 kg (I thought it was heavy but obviously not!).
I was checked in a by a lovely gentleman, very friendly and efficient, apologising profusely for the cancelled flight. Due to my 'special assistance' notes and the fact I was the first UC passenger to check in he confirmed I was still on the flight in UC (seat 12A - I had prebooked 9A). My friend also kept a PE seat - again, due to the fact we checked in so early.
I think a number of the staff at Gatwick (not wishing to tar everyone with the same brush as there are 'good' staff at Gatwick) could learn a thing or 2 how to handle such incidents.
The plus side was we had yet more shopping time.
We arrived at the airport around 4.00 pm and made our way through the very long security lines (haven't normally had a problem at MCO but today was very busy), and to the Delta Crown Lounge. The lounge was a nice respite from the busy terminal and we settled down to have a drink followed by a snooze. Around 6.00 pm I went to check the flight time and the departure screen was still showing the flight on time with boarding at 6.45 pm, however, the arrivals board was showing the VS015 as arriving at 6.30 pm? On checking with the lounge staff, the VS016 was in fact delayed - they were hoping for an 8.40 pm departure.
At approximately 8.20 pm we were called for boarding (so an 8.40 pm departure was now not going to happen). The priority boarding line was heaving but a very efficient staff member called for UC passengers and took us all to the side (double checking our boarding passes and sending away anyone not in UC) and we were all soon boarding the plane.
As I settled into my suite the gentleman who had checked me in at Downtown Disney appeared - he wanted to make sure I was 'OK' in my 12A suite. This was a really nice touch and totally unexpected.
As it was now a late departure I had already eaten a quick meal (a burger from Burger King but minus the bun as I'm gluten free) so was looking forward to getting to sleep more or less straightaway. The crew were lovely - my previous experiences of return flights from MCO have not been good, but these crew were great, they didn't try and get everyone fed and watered and off to bed so they could 'disappear'.
We eventually took off around 9.30 pm and the pilot advised the flight would take 71/2 hours, in fact it only took just over 6 hours.
The FSM made an announcement apologising for the merging of the 2 flights and also for the delay and asking everyone to please not take any frustrations out on the crew, she also offered customer relations contact details to anybody who wanted them. A very nice FSM who thought a lot of her crew, she regularly made announcements thanking them for all their hard work.
Once in the air, I got my duvet and pillow and bedded down. I slept solidly until 7.30 am when I was woken for breakfast, as requested. There apparently was a medical emergency on board and a doctor was called for (a lady in the upstairs PE) but as I slept through I'm not sure what happened, I hope the lady was OK.
On landing the FSM made an announcement apologising to the passengers (again) for the merging of the flight and delayed departure, and also thanking everyone for their patience and understanding towards the crew; she also thanked her crew and finished by wishing everyone a merry Christmas. I thought this was a nice thing to do.
On landing got through immigration very quickly and my luggage was already on the carrousel waiting for me - excellent result - so out of Gatwick less than 45 minutes after landing.
Although both my flights were cancelled I'm pleased to say that these 2 flights were actually the best I've ever had, the crew on both were efficient and very friendly, and genuinely enjoyed talking to and looking after the passengers.
