This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
I had been staying at the Country Inn and Suites hotel near to Queensboro Plaza as it was less than half the price of staying in Manhatan and only 10 minutes from Times Square etc.
Easy enough to get to the subway station although there are 4 sets of stairs to climb in order to reach the platform for the N, Q or 7 train. My bags and case were only around 23kg combined so easy enough to carry up the short flights of stairs/
Caught the 7 to Times Square and then changed to the 1 train to Penn station - it's quite amazing how many sets of stairs there are to get from A to B when you have luggage!
Had already purchased a $12.50 ticket for the NJ Transit train in the morning whilst checking things out, I arrived about 30 minutes before my train was due to depart at 17:07 (South Amboy bound with EWR next to it to indicate it stops at the airport) - supposed to be 3 an hour but I only saw one train mentioning EWR.
The train left on time and was probably 3/4 full, mostly commuters and a few people also going to the airport. Comfortable enough with brown, cracked leather type seats and it took around 25-30 minutes or so, the only problem being that the doors wouldn't always shut and the conductor had to manually close some of them.
Arrived at the airport and took the lift upstairs and then had to walk along another corridor before taking an escalator down to the air train which naturally left 10 secs before I got there. Had to wait another 3 minutes or so until the next one arrived - prefer the ones at Orlando as they are more open rather than separate compartments. 3 stops later arrived at Terminal B. Usual stop at the car park, Terminal C and then Terminal B.
Got off the train and made my way past the Hudson news shop on the corner and glanced at the 3 screens at the bottom of the escalators that told me Gate 55 for VS002 for a couple of seconds until the international one went blank and never really came back on. A nearby sign pointed downwards for BA check-in so went up the escalator and the VA check-in was a few metres to the left. No queue at the UC check-in so went right up and handed over my passport. Very friendly person checked me in and asked me about the marathon (I was wearing a NYC marathon jacket) and asked if I knew about the lounge etc. Was given an invite card for the lounge which was downstairs a few metres along a corridor to the side of the news shop.
Popped into the lounge and warmly welcomed. Was asked if I was using arrivals at LHR and said yes, so was given another invite card for that. Was asked if I wanted a tour of the lounge but I preferred to look around myself - more fun discovering it yourself.
A slightly less than enthusiastic foreign girl then asked me if I wanted to put my coat and bag in the cupboard and asked me what I wanted to drink. Asked for a red wine and was given a choice of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon etc. Sat down and the wine arrived a minute later with a tray with bowls of crisps, pretzels and nuts on from which I chose the crisps.
Found a power socket near a pc and proceeded to charge my phone up whilst reading one of the papers that were on racks near the cupboards / entrance area.
Only about 6 people in at that time and no more than 20 in total before the flight.
Had been told the buffet would start at 6:45pm so had a good 35-45 mins to wait for that although there were crisps and some bowls on the side near the bar / food area and a tray of various taco type things was brought around (like a samosa but can't remember the exact name). Very tasty.
Went to the buffet after it opened and there was a choice of chicken, salmon, pasta, bread, some salad stuff etc. Had the chicken, pasta and a bit of chilled salmon (cooked fillet rather than a slice of smoked). Coffee and chocolate machines were there too along with a bread basket.
The meal wasn't too bad. Hot and tasty and with the well stocked bar a few metres away, no problems for a dinner drink.
Had a hot chocolate that required 2 sachets to flll a cup.
Went back to where I had been originally sitting and a dessert trolley was wheled over with a choice of raspberry cheesecake or a fruit plate by the look of things. Had the cheesecake, although a lot smaller than the generous slices you get at say Grand Central station for around $3.95.
The lounge itself it fairly comfortable. THe lack of windows didn't bother me and there's plenty of space. Saw two pcs and two tvs in there but never used them. Wi-fi was fine once you logged in (was given the login details at the desk but they were also written on a card on my table).
About 8:40pm or so, after an annoucement, some people started to get up so I left and headed to security which was conveniently also a few metres from the Hudson news shop. Usual off with belts, shoes, money out of pockets etc and through that fairly quickly. A walk down a corridor or two to the waiting area with it's little duty free shop.
There was a queue of 30 people and a few VA staff standing around. Looked around and saw a sign that said "First Class and Upper Class" so went up to someone near that and a quick boarding pass / passport check later was on my way to the plane. Naturally I put my boarding card back in my bag and then had to get it out again before being pointed to my seat of 10a.
By now, most of the UC seats were occupied and a few PE/Y passengers were making their way down the back. Took my seat and noticed how much smaller, or at least claustrophic looking it was compared to the BA CW seat I had had on the way out - it's probably due to the higher sides so that you are more isolated in your space rather than BA's small A4 sized piece of screen between you.
Must admit that it feels good to be sitting there watching people heading down to the back of the plane and seeing their faces. Done the same thing many times myself so it's nice to see how it works in reverse!
THe FSA? came over and asked if I wanted a drink and if I knew how to use the suite etc. Very welcoming and made you feel more special than with my BA flight where you just seemed to be another person.
Usual pre-flight safety video and demonstration, baggage stowed, glass removed from the foldable tray near my head and we were off.
Meal and breakfast orders had been taken and I opted for the express tray. This arrived a little while after take-off. Well presented and tasty although left the salad as I don't eat that. Also left the blue cheese from my cheese plate as not keen on eating mouldy food!
Must admit do like the place the tray goes - quick push of the button on the side of the seat and the table pops up a little bit from the left hand side of your legs and you then pull it out and slide if to where you want it.
Liked the aircraft shaped salt and pepper things that say "Pinched from Virgin Atlantic" on the bottom. Cheap feeling but sitting happily in my cupboard right now
Had a play with the seat although much preferred the BA one due to it's range of movement. THe Virgin one seems to go upright or slightly inclined where the BA one could go from flat to upright and every step in between.
Had a look at the V-Port systems and a nice sized screen to be honest. Not the best quality as the viewing angle needs to be played with. That said far better than the screens in economy on my last ex-LGW flight.
Plenty of movies to choose from so watched "The Sorceror's Apprentice" and "Despicable Me" - both relatively short as the flight was only going to be 6 hours or so due to a 145mph tail wind helping up along.
Easy enough to use although the control needs improving - never really liked the phone / Nintendo gamepad style controller.
Must admit, UC was full and looking around, I was the only person who didn't sleep! EVeryone except 9a had made up their bed. 9a was asleep but looked as though the chair hadn't been flipped over.
Did stretch my legs in the night and went to use the toilet - strange place having one on either side of the bar (only saw 1 person use the bar until maybe midnight). THe cabin crew were in their galley area, not really having anything to do. Was asked if I wanted a drink etc but was fine.
Between 6-6:30am I think, and since I was awake, I was asked if I wanted breakfast now. Fine by me as I could smell bacon and shortly after, a tray of orange juice, a bacon roll and and a dish of sauce was brought to me. Tasty bacon roll and a bit bigger than I thought.
By now a few people had woken up and were also getting breakfast whereas others just slept in. Hot towels were also brought around at some point.
Arrived at LHR at 8:38 so around 25 mins ahead of schedule. Few minute wait for the airbridge and then the usual few mile jaunt to immigration. Nice to see out the window that were had walked for ages yet were on the opposite side of the quad where the aircraft had parked. Also good that the cabin crew made sure UC passengers disembarked first.
Very quick passport scan at immigration and then to carousel 9 for my bags. The belt started up just after I got there and a minute or so later, picked off my first bag and then my case.
Did noticed damage to one case and at least 2 others had clothing hanging out of them.
Also good to know priority bags worked. Did see a bag with PE tags so no idea why that was there - gold card holder or what?
Straight through the green channel which had no-one there and out into arrrivals. Saw the Virgin limo desk and a sign nearby saying "follow the signs to revivals" although what signs? Did eventually find a sign next to the elevators about 50m away that mentioned the lounge.
Popped into one and went one floor up. Stepped out and and saw the door for the lounge to my right. Went in and up to desk where I was greeted and asked for my surname. Didn't need to show the invite card I got a EWR. Put my bags in the racks around the corner from the desk and went into the lounge and sat down at a table and checked out the menu. Chose the farmhouse breakfast and an orange smoothie which took 5 mins tops to arrive - only about half a dozen people in at the time and saw a couple go off for Cowshed treatments.
Nice having free wi-fi and a view of a roof and car park out of the window
Was offered a bottle of water on leaving and also given the option of the Innocent smoothies they had. Very polite staff.
Didn't use the showers although was offered the usage when I arrived. Also asked about my travel plans with regards to a limo etc.
Is there only one treament room? Did have a look down the corridor and saw a couple of men / womens' toilets, some shower rooms and the one Cowshed room first on your right.
Back down in the lift and down the ramp and along loads of corridors to the lifts for the HEX (signalling problems so some were delayed).
Caught the express to Paddington which took maybe 15 mins. About 2 people in First from what I saw.
Arrived at Paddington and decided to get the Circle/District line to Kings Cross. Naturally due to signal problems, loads of delays and the train terminated one stop up the line at Edgeware Road.
A load more stairs to go up and down with my luggage to change platforms and to join the hundred of people also waiting for east bound trains. THe train eventually arrived and was pretty much packed but managed to dqueeze in further down the platform. THen another load of stairs at Kings Cross - does any train station ever consider the fact that people travelling may have luggage? Saw one lift and that was it for all the stations I visited.
Got to my train with 15 mins to spare - 100% booked up - does no-one in this country work as where exactly is everyone going at 1pm on a Wednesday afternoon??
To sum things up:
Pros:
VA staff were great - very friendly, helpful and cheery.
Comfortable seat.
Baggage quickly out.
Getting out of the seat into the aisle without clambering over someone who is asleep for example.
Liked the elastic water bottle holder just behind the seat.
Screen and it's range of movement.
Let off plane before anyone else.
Cons
Slightly more storage needed at the seat - could just about squeeze my phone and pocket camera into the little box near my left shoulder.
Could do with arm rests - kept feeling my arms show be leaning on something.
More range of movement in the seat.
Maybe an extra purple sign for Revivals.
V-Port controller - really needs touch screen technology in UC rather than this device - does anyone ever use the phone part?
Few random photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56475134@N04/
Last edited by honey lamb on 29 Nov 2010, 13:30, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Edited to remove crew name as per forum rules
