This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
So my journey to Heathrow actually began the day before with a trip down from Liverpool (where I had been at a work event) to London Euston courtesy of Virgin trains in First Class. I really like Virgin trains, the staff are always friendly and relaxed and the offer of food and drinks is welcome. On this afternoon service, a sandwich or salad with crisps and a sweet treat was very good -tea/coffee and a couple of drinks from the bar trolley later it was time to leave after a 2hrs12mins journey.
So staying in London that night and a little work the next day at my office in Covent Garden it was time to head across to Heathrow - arriving around 4pm. I was welcomed warmly at the door (second time in recent weeks) and I was escorted to the UC check in desks - the check in chap was friendly, confirmed my seat choice and I was on my way having been wished a great flight
Into the lift and through the private security channel in a few minutes. On the way to the CH I picked up some currency and then climed those famous steps to the CH....I was welcomed warmly and welcomed back and then asked to make myself at home once again
Across to the recently renamed Clubhouse Spa (though cowshed products still available but along with others now) and booked in for a haircut - the spa is now my regular salon.
It was time for something to eat so grabbed a table and a couple of CH staff members who recognised me from previous visits came across for a chat. I enjoyed Chicken Katsu to start with and once again this was delicious. The Roast chicken main was lovely all washed down with a redhead, and a couple of little cocktails from the grey goose lounge (a promotion was running) - though the actual bar upstairs didn't look open and it turned out it was closed for a private party. A plate of cheese and biscuits and a coffee later, I went across for my hair-cut and chatted with the stylist who had ocnce worked for BA as cabin crew so we chatted about how great VS are
Back to sit at the bar afterwards and another couple of redheads it was time to leave. A fantastic visit as always - food and drinks great, service exceptional. Left the CH on the first call and headed to the gate - straight through with no delays and into UC through L1. I was welcomed by name (hurrah!!) at the door by the CSS and she remarked that she didn't think I would need any help finding my seat!!!
Once seated - I was offered a glass of champagne which came in the new glass and I like it.....makes a statement for sure and this was topped up without asking. The seat was clean and tidy and bottle of water and amenity kit in their usual places. I was offered a sleep suit followed by a selection of newspapers/magazines - from the off the service was much more personalised but more of that shortly....
Doors closed and pushed back at 2011 with a take off at 2039. A total count of 271 passengers with 15 crew. It turned out that UC and PE were solid (as my last flight in Feb) but Y was rather less so. A flight time of 7hrs51mins was confirmed also.
Seat belt signs off and hot towels were soon offered. The first change is that one side of the aircraft the FSM introduces themselves and hands you the menu and the other side the CSS does the same - the CSS was faster at doing this than the FSM on this flight so I could hear her acros the other side referring to people by name, introducing herself and making sure everyone one knew about the seat. When the FSM reached my seat I was simply handed the menu (he did say good evening) but didn't refer to by name or ask if I knew about the seat - he also didn't introduce himself so I somewhat disappointed that this is the first area where we might all struggle with consistency.
Anyway that aside the CC member looking after my section more than made up for this - she introduced herself, referred to me by name and recognised my AU status so we were off and running...
Drink orders were taken (drinks were not offered on flights after 7pm previously) but was told that had changed. A large and strong G&T arrived with crisps - a refill was offered and accepted. Dinner orders were taken and at 2145 the tables were laid for dinner. The service at this point was more personal and the tray has gone so everything was laid by hand - I love the new glasses and with a simple table runner, the presentation looks much better. This flight is classed as a Dine & Graze service -A small palate pleaser is served before the starter - on this flight this was sun-dried tomato, olive and mozzarella with a mayo type dip and the starters were Cream of Pea soup or Prawn Cocktail - I had the soup very delicious
The main courses were Fillet of beef, Thai red chicken curry or Cheese and Walnut tortellini - I had the curry which was delicious though it was the same as the one I was served in November last year and in January and February this year - so not a completly new menu this cycle.... Wine and water were regularly topped up and bread was offered twice.Dessert was next and I enjoyed a sticky toffee pudding with cream (again on the menu since November) the other choice was Lemon tart. The cheese trolley was then brought through the cabin and though I was one of the last to be served it really was not long - it might be cut into pieces already (and who really cares) but I really liked this element of the new service. The crew confirmed that feedback was good and they really liked it too. The three cheeses were served with a glass of port (if you wished) and crackers and stilton and walnut biscuits with a red onion chutney - all wonderful
Tables cleared I had another glass of port and coffee was offered but I turned my seat into the bed and I was away for around 3hrs.
Waking I went to the bathroom and then stopped by the bar to pick up some fruit and a chocolate bar- the graze basket was full of crisps, crackers, chocolate and seemed to be going down well - I was asked if I wanted a drink and accepted some water.
About an 1hr15mins from EWR and the cabin still in darkness I was offered a selection from the graze menu and on this flight it was mini beef burger, Chicken caesar salad or the vegetarian sushi selection - I declined as still full from dinner so a cup of tea (or two) with a bar of chocolate was enjoyed. I know freedom dining has gone but mix and match was well and truly in operation as people swapped the soup for the mini beef burger to start with and the hot options were swapped with the Chicken Caesar salad.
Descent into JFK/EWR is usually an around an hour before landing and this was no different so everyone got organsied and the cabin was secured. Hot towels were offered once more followed by lovehearts and we landed at 2330 local which was (0430 GMT) - the captain took a wrong turn on the taxi-way so this added another 10mins to the taxi time so we were leaving by L1 at 2350. A friendly goodbye at the door too.
Immigration was quick and for the first time at EWR I beat my case so it was just gone midnight when I was walking across the carpark to the Marriott hotel.
My first flight with the new cabin service and what a success - shame the FSM didn't introduce himself or welcome me by name so no change there - but every other aspect was much more personalised and the CC seem to really enjoy it. A great flight and once again has reaffirmed my loyalty to VS.
Last edited by horburyflyer on 18 Mar 2012, 14:27, edited 3 times in total.
