This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Approaching the UC Check-in a gentleman ahead of me had a large protective case as part of his luggage. The security person asking the prerequisite screening questions asked something pertinent and the gentleman replied that, yes, the contents of the case could be seen as weapons as they included swords... the screener scurried off to consult higher powers and whilst he was gone I was called over to check in. The person checking me in (permission not sought to use names so won't repeat it, but if you use EWR it was the lady whose name brings to mind V:Port) warned me that I was in the snooze zone and asked if I wanted to change. Like a shot I asked for 8G - sorry no, that's the bassinet position. Well yes - that's why I asked for it. 7K then? Gone. What IS available? 16A? Fine, bit close to the bar but EWR flights aren't normally rowdy so...
She was most amused at my ponderings... well we use L2 at LHR so closer to the bar is better...
Down to the lounge and welcomed back like an old friend. Despite the lack of windows, showers and adequate toilets the lounge IS starting to grow on me, and as others have observed, it's the staff. So when we get the new lounge ('real soon now' according to my check in person - yeah yeah yeah) we could have a new contender for V-Flyer awards. I ate some of the food on offer, drank a couple of Sam Adams then played on the computer for a while.
The flight was called at about 20:20 and as I left the friendly manager called after me 'Have a nice flight Mr Decker - see you again soon'. Wow - don't get that in the London Clubhouse!
Security was as tedious as ever, belts shoes and laptops off, off and out. Still it was quick as there was no line to speak of. Round to gate 54 where the lack of security sticker on my passport gave a minor start to the person checking passports. 'Are you in transit?' - 'no'. Please go and stand over there.... 10 seconds later I was cleared to fly. We were boarding via L1 (well yes, as we disembark via L1 at EWR that does make sense...) so the A and B zones were a hive of activity as our FAs tried to hand out drinks and sleep suits with people moving past them.
The FA looking after our section was friendly and welcoming but her taking of solitary drink and sleep suit orders and fulfilling them one at a time seemed strange. To the bar for the drink, to the A zone for the suit, return the suit, ask the next person what they wanted. Repeat.
The FSM was a character who I've flown with before quite some time ago. She was in party spirits as she was flying home to her birthday and a week of fun. Her announcements were peppered with one-liners of the kind that you either love or hate. As her humour was infectious it didn't grate with me but her influence could be seen in the CSS's announcement later that one of the seniors was known to burn salad but she was forgiven for that as she was so nice looking. That was a step too far for my personal tastes but YMMV.
The seatbelt signs were off within a minute of takeoff and I rapidly changed into my sleep suit and awaited my cold plate. This is described as having 'crispy wontons' and I'm sure they were once. Still the dish was perfectly edible and the cheese (blander than on the way out) was none the less welcome.
After service I sat at the bar with the FSM and we chatted. It seemed that we had a mutual crew friend so that provided common ground to chat around.
After a few drinks I returned to my seat and slept upright for a few hours before changing for landing. Being first off the plane I was able to get through immigration quickly and once again Iris worked first time. I think they must have upgraded the algorithms. Priority luggage worked well and I was soon in a very busy Revivals. I didn't hang around long and so was home around an hour after landing.
Compared to the outbound the use of names and recognition was not as pronounced on board though it was still present. In contrast the Club House DID provide this personalised touch so a little swings and roundabouts. By its very nature the night flight is quieter and there is less opportunity for crew interactions but still once again the crew exceeded my expectations - again lead by a very competent FSM.
