This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
After this bad start, I was really pleased to check in at the upper desk with a very smiley helpful lady who asked if I was guesting anyone into the lounge. I enquired if gold card holders would be accepted today and she said yes, so I didn't need to take a guest in as Hazban is gold and would be coming in anyway. In the old days, the lounge didn't always let golds in as it was too small so I thought I could at least guest him in if this was the case to reciprocate for his kindness at LGW.
It was my first time in T3 and it was better being larger with a bigger duty free shop and more shopping/eating available too. The lounge is larger but not necessarily more comfortable as there are lots of cafe style tables but not that many comfy chairs. The bar was large and the same drinks available too. Half baguettes were available and a soup option, as well as the usual crisps/biscuits. I did enquire if we were limited to 1 sandwich each which was the case in the old lounge and was told no, you could have as many as you liked. I only had 1 but I know when my husband comes with me in Feb, he will certainly want more than 1
The flight on Hotlips left slightly late but priority boarding went well. Had my case and coat taken off me quickly and settled into my seat with my Lanson in the coupe glass. I think I still prefer the tall champagne glasses as they are less likely to spill and easier to store on the small shelf. Sleep suits were distributed quickly, which I changed into before take off and we were soon ready to depart.
There were two guys of the same name beginning with P working the upper deck, one of them being the FSM. Both of these worked seamlessly together throughout the flight, along with another wonderful male FA who told me later he used to work for BA. This was one of the best upper flights I have had with all 3 of them working hard throughout to get the drinks and meal service done quickly to enable everyone to get some sleep.
After the meal service and finishing my film, I asked for my bed to be made up and that was done quickly and efficiently too. I really don't have enough praise for these guys, they were fantastic.
I was told the flight was very full with only a handful of seats spare in economy so I was grateful to be travelling in upper on this leg.
After a good sleep, I heard stirrings in the cabin, looked up and realised that the breakfast service had begun. As I popped my head up, I was asked if I would like breakfast. I requested a full English, went to get changed and upon my return, my seat was changed from bed to seat mode and my breakfast served immediately I sat down. Two lady FAs had appeared to assist with the breakfast service and there were now about 5 FAs between 14 passengers - not bad at all.
The breakfast was great and very much needed and I also had a hot blueberry muffin which was very tasty.
Even though the flight left late, we arrived 10 minutes early which was a feat in itself. We got off through the doors behind PE so it was a bit of a battle getting through the narrow aisles. I definitely prefer the upstairs PE seats due the wide aisles giving an impression of more space.
Overall, this is definitely one of the better upper class flights I have had and again this is due to the FAs who worked their socks off at the beginning and end of the flight when it's their busiest time. I've returned from Vegas in the past in Upper and it's been truly awful but this was definitely not one of those times.
Well done, Virgin - really pleased with everyone, although I feel really disloyal now as my next Vegas flight in Feb is with BA in Club
