This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
The SFO lounge is by far the most cozy and comfortable lounge I have come across in the US. Always a spectacular way to start a trip on a nice day. One great bonus now ... with Aer Lingus also using it, they open well early, so I had a morning in work, and a ride around 12:30 from the office, got to the airport, check in still well closed, but just walked up and ensconced myself in. [8D]
There were maybe 6 to 8 passengers there waiting for the Dublin flight to depart, so it was very quiet, had lunch, had a phone meeting, had a few drinks, did lots of work/email ... just perfect for four hours. I seem to do my best Inbox clearing in VS lounges these days.
Boarded Lady Penelope (I believe) leisurely, changed into the suit, grabbed a couple of Bellinis ... all very pleasant. Upstairs, the aircraft is brand new, of course, unlike the general state of the seats downstairs, which definitely need a bit of an overhaul. The flight was abt 2/3s full, and left a bit early.
FSM introduction, nicely done, crew upstairs were prompt, attentive, just what you need on a night flight.
Dinner served promptly, had Prawn Salad (and the tasty extra prawn skewers), Strogonoff, which was OK, Cheese & Ice Cream. Nice Chianti, nice Gruner Vertliner. The latter is undoubtedly the new Pinot Grigio, a solid if unspectacular performer, but it really goes well with so much food. Shame it has come off the Spring Menu, replaced by Rose and Bianco di Custoza of all things. I do have to say the wine choices are getting interesting on VS in the last six months or so.
After a quick attempt at watching a movie, went to sleep to wake up for breakfast, usual decent cooked b'fast, fruit'n'yoghurt, enhanced by two strong espresso coffees. As I woke up, IFBT came along to offer treatment, and very kindly waited for me to finish the breakfast before offering the treatment. A perfect way to end the flight. [y]
Arrival was early into Heathrow, followed by the usual hanging around waiting for a stand to open, then almost opening, then being blocked by an aircraft coming out ... still nothing compared to the BA flights I took for work around Europe, which clocked up a total of 5 hours of delay in the course of a week, plus all manner of luggage waits right around the time of the T4 luggage fiasco....
Spent a nice while in Revivals waiting for my connecting flight, again great opportunity for some work, shower, and a spot of lunch. Then off to the joys of T1.
Virgin were doing well here - a solid product, punctuated by spectacular lounge facilities. I'd have to agree that the food is less than it can be. Yet I managed a few hours' sleep, I got into Europe in great shape and was able to endure usual BA delays in fairly cheerful mood, and take meetings well into late night. Can't ask for a lot more than that.
