VS004 JFK-LHR 14 Dec 07 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

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A short post after a three day trip to New York and Minneapolis that had to much complication, delay and poor travel experiences courtesy of Northwest to want to repeat soon. But at least am home before the forecast next snow storm hits the New York area and all the delays start again.

I had a much delayed return from Minneapolis that left me at JFK at 1130 on a Friday morning. Having cancelled my meetings in New York for the day, and originally heading back on the VS010 I changed back to the VS004 having no need to spend a day loitering in the city. This left me with the better part of 6 1/2 hrs to decide what to do with, should I take a cab somewhere for lunch, or stay in the airport ... I decided to stay and filled the time before the Clubhouse opens at 230 pm with a) two tours around JFK on the Sky Train and b) an little while in 'The Lounge' courtesy of Priority Pass. Soon 230 came and I was sitting with a burger and all the trimmings, the day's Times newspaper and a glass of champagne - all very nice and the staff lovely as ever.

Having been up since 4 am and travelling overnight back to the UK I thought a shower was in order, or perhaps necessary [:w]. Here's where the JFK club house really is showing signs of a need for refurbishment, cracked tiles, towel rails hanging off walls, grouting behind sinks coming off is not top notch!

But freshly showered, smelling of Eau D'Orange Vert, I go to check in - and here is where those stories of VS variability starts ... including:

- possibly the most disinterested young woman I've ever had a JFK, one who was more interested in her hair and nails than any engagement with the customer - these things leave a bad impression with me and I've read the legion of TRs here with the same but rarely experienced it
- similarly, I rarely experience VPort problems (lots of rebooting, very slow on the flight)
- luggage delays (priority luggage plainly not working and mine came out nearly 1 1/2 hours after landing - and I wasn't the only other UC passenger still waiting
- poor food (don't bother with the ravioli on GNFs
- and the one upside which I have not seen on too many recent flights, a FSM who appeared in the cabin, and several times, and she was friendly and efficient (no use of customer names though unlike on the outbound)

The crew were, generally, as I almost invariably find, excellent and an on time flight (arriving at gate at 0610 this morning after a fast flight and little in the way of delay at JFK either).

So a bit hit and miss. Coincidentally, after a very long gap I am trying NNCW on BA to Bangalore next week. I have no desire to shift allegiance and it was simply the best option for the trip I need to take. I'll be very interested to compare in person, like others here do.

I went NNCW to New York in August, and noticed BA do try and call customers by name more than VA, I am off to Singapore in early Jan with BA in WT+. so will be able to make a direct comparison with PE.

Interesting TR. Nice read. Thanks