This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Being regular visitors to NYC, we travel to and from the airport via the Air Train and Subway, so we made our way to 42nd street metro stop to pick up the E train to Sutphin Boulevard to connect to the Air Train. The journey took us approximately 40 minutes and we were soon heading up to purchase our tickets to join the Air Train to Terminal 4 and the clubhouse.
There was reduced frequency on the Air Train due to work being carried out so we had about a 15 minute wait before the train arrived. We climbed aboard and we were off.
Arrived at JFK and made our way to the far end of Terminal 4 where the Virgin check in desks are now located. I'd already checked in online and secured our seats 12 A & K and 14 A & K and within minutes, our boarding passes were in hand. No invite to the clubhouse though, but we were asked if we'd been before so, we knew where we had to head.
Whilst we were traveling with hand luggage, I did notice that the check in desks all now have belts to deal with checked in luggage, rather than having to drop it off at the previous central point. There's been some big changes at JFK T4 due to the Delta development going one and Security is now upstairs, which is a big improvement too.
We followed the signs to security and had our boarding passes checked before being told which security desk to go to. Approached the desk and were abruptly told to stand back behind the line and proceed one at a time, I looked, but nope defiantly no line on the floor.
Boarding pass checked again along with the passport and waived through to have our bags scanned. Cases duly deposited onto the belt and shoes removed as requested. Noticed for the first time, we were going through a full body scanner, which was an experience having to strike a pose as I was being scanned, got a chuckle from my traveling companions who hadn't realised at first why I was striking such a pose, until they had to do it too.
Everyone through and we were on our way to the Clubhouse. Formalities at the door complete and we made our way inside and found seats overlooking the gate so we could see our plane land and arrive on stand.
Champagne ordered along with clubhouse burgers. Wasn't that busy at all to be honest, we arrived around 3pm for our 7:25pm flight so a good amount of time to relax and enjoy the facilities. One of my party decided to try the Kitchen Table dessert, which was different and nicely presented.
We watch the VS45 land and pull onto stand and our lady flying us back over the pond this evening would be Tinker Bell, who we flew out to JFK on a week early.
We left the clubhouse on the 2nd boarding call ( I think) and made our way onboard. Greeted at the door with a smile and a welcome back, stored our cases in the wardrobes and found our seats. Was offered champagne, which was gratefully received and managed a 2nd glass before glassware was take away for departure.
Advised that the flight time this evening would be 6 hours and 10 minutes with 228 passengers and 15 crew onboard, which included 2 cabin service supervisors. Due to an issue with the Vera system the safety demonstration was carried out manually.
We pushed back at 7:20pm, so slightly ahead of schedule and were airborne at 7:45pm so a nice short taxi and wait, pretty good for JFK.
Cabin crew came round and welcomed back my traveling companion, something that I didn't get I must add, but this was nicely rescued a little later, when I was asked if I was a regular flyer as the crew member seemed to recognise me. ( I wonder if that was due to drinking the flight to Cuba dry of champagne a few years back or if I just have an unforgettable face.)
Once airborne and safe for crew to move around, they sprung into action and started taking drink orders and menu choices. I requested another glass of champagne and advised that I had requested a special meal, which again was the veggie option from the menu.
The crew member asked if I wanted the soup to start with, which she promptly followed with “oh no there's no starter this evening”.
The menu listed a starter, but we were not going to have this so just the main it is then, the options we had were:Mains
Flank Steak, braised on the bone with swede rosti, carrot puree and jus
Pan Roasted Chicken Breast with sautéed spring Veg and creamed potatoes
Ricotta and Spinach Cannelloni with mushroom and shaved Italian hard cheese
Dessert
Apple Crumble Cheesecake
Warm Caramel Lava Cake
I had the Cannelloni followed by the cheesecake, both of which were very nice. My fellow traveling companions also commented that their food was very nice too.
I couldn't decide if I wanted to watch any movie, given that it was a short flight and I wanted to get some sleep, so at around 2am UK time, I decided to try and sleep. I managed about 3 hours sleep and awoke shortly before 5am to the sound of breakfast being arranged. Converted bed back to seat mode and breakfast was to be served about 5:20am. Due to my special meal request, I ended up with a veggie cooked breakfast of omelette, hash brown, tomato and spinach, all washed down with a cup of tea.
We made good time flying back and landed at 7:18am so ahead of our scheduled arrival time. Collected our cases and thanked the crew for a great flight as we disembarked and headed for immigration.
The flight back across the pond was very smooth and one of the best I have had in ages. The crew onboard were excellent and delivered a great service.
Overall another clear example of the crew getting it right, which left us with a positive experience and reinforcing the reasons we fly Virgin.
A Purple Boarding Pass and a glass of Champagne thank you very much :-)
