This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Outbound TR here: http://baflyer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=251
Having had a wonderful time at Turtle Beach, we opted for a private transfer (US$20) to the airport. We left at 2.30pm, the transfer bus time being 2.15pm for a full-ish flight home.
We had completed Check-In-Chill-Out in the hotel during the morning, which wasn't without it's glitches. They only had one boarding card for our party of 3 and no lounge access tickets. So once at the airport we did queue behind 2 parties for UC check-in to get our lounge access, I had printed boarding cards at the hotel before we left.
Lounge was busy with a BA flight leaving 5 minutes after us and AA some half an hour later. Still, we found a nice comfy sofa and chairs, had a drink and my DS (13) ate his way through the snack offerings.
We took the first flight call and boarded via priority boarding lane with a check-in agent standing guard. Took our positions in 3a, 4a and 5a on the left side.
As we stowed away our hand baggage and DS checked all the buttons and dials, various seating positions and bits and bobs, the adults were offered champagne. I can't say I like the glass, or having that tiny cocktail shelf (which leans) to try and store it while you settle.
Still, we acquainted ourselves with the seat/cabin and FSM made the introductions over the air. A different approach from BA Purser who came and shook our hands in person at our seats.
I wasn't paying attention but think we had what seemed to be endless staff in our cabin, with perhaps 4-6 vacant seats, so a very good ratio.
I'm not a great flyer, so forgive me not paying attention to timings, can't say if we were on-time or not as my watch is the last thing I want to glance at as my life seems to slip away!
Menus were handed out and the choice looked good enough. I opted for the corn chowder, beef fillet and cheese to finish. We were asked if we would want to be woken for breakfast, we all opted for this.
Table was dressed with a tablecloth et al. The chowder was warm, good if a little lacking in flavour.
The fillet of beef was deliciously tender but that and the rest of the plate of food was not far off cold.
The staff were attentive, very pleasant and professional. I wasn't too fussed about a cold meal so squeezed it down. It was matched with sharp Voignier, which I enjoyed immensely.
I liked the fact that the crew were not rushing anyone, in fact at times, it looked like a rather busy restaurant with efficient and swift service and very happy customers.
DS and OH had already plugged themselves into the IFE. So my table was cleared and as cheese arrived (which was DELICIOUS) I donned the headphones.
These were almost identical to the noise reducing set from BA. When my cheese plate was cleared I was part way through a very dire film so explored the system to find something better. The IFE was a hands down winner when pitched against BA on our flight out. Better viewing, crisper picture, faster response to touch, just a whole lot more superior.
I checked out the amenity kit, which was poor by any standards but very poor when compared to the lovely Elemis products BA had given me.
The PJ's were handed out and I took a Medium. The top was HUGE and bottoms TINY. At 5'10 and slim I looked like a refugee!
I attempted to operate the bed but failed and so quick were the staff I didn't have to turn to ask. Woosh, it was done. Some sort of sheet/mattress unfolded with a pillow (I asked for a second) and a duvet. I jumped in and nearly gave myself a shock with the static! At school in physics I recall the Van De Graaf generator experiment - my hair was the same now.
There were 3 people at the bar and there was no noise as I was a good way down the cabin to tune it out. But it may be an issue further up.
Now, BA sell their 'bed' as 6ft. On VS they give bed measurements on the 'window' beds as 7ft 7. This would really have only been possible if you measured from top left corner to bottom right. As the bed isn't a 'rectangle' it is a little bit of a white lie. I found the bed less comfy than the BA and it just felt smaller. But maybe that's just me and the whole feeling of being in a tube.
My only criticism would be the temperature within the cabin, it was roasting. Hotter than my two weeks at Turtle Beach. I had both air vents blasting at me but they couldn't make a dent on the mercury. It was uncomfortable and I wasn't the only one to note it.
I did sleep until 4.30am when I could see staff bringing out food. I opted for the Full English and nipped into the loo to change. When I came back, my seat was upright, duvet folded away down the back and the table set up. Bravo!
Breakfast was revolting. Two sausages, bacon, scrambled egg, hashbrowns and mushrooms. Cold, crumbly (hashbrowns especially) I really couldn't taste much, so had a quick nibble and left it. Coffee was drinkable.
DS opted for the bacon buttie and I have to say it looked scrummy. He said it was great, soft white roll with smokey bacon. Mental note made for my next journey.
Cabin cleared, most pax awake, we managed a peak out of the window by straining the neck slightly, to see the coast of Cornwall. Home.
Descent was smooth and landing just had a bump or two. But all in all the flight was without turbulence or incident.
We had arrived 20 minutes early and didn't we know it. LGW decided to park us twice just off stand whilst they manoeuvred various jets, steps and vans past. Eventually we trundled onto stand. Steps engaged and off we popped, third or fourth.
Straight through a deserted immigration to luggage and out, all within 25 minutes of clearing the plane. Impressive. What remained was a 3 1/2 hour blat back to Cornwall via the clear Sunday morning roads. Oh yes, and the glorious weather on our return topped it all off perfectly!
It's hard to rate a day BACW flight against a night VSUC, but the service from both was fantastic. Food on BA just nudged it although the IFE was miles better coming home. The bed for me would be the decider and I guess I could handle either but would opt for BA just. The downside of BA being the leg crawl you have to endure if seated near a window or in the central line of seats.
Apart from the hiccups going out, VS did a great job and if you are teetering on a upgrade, then I say DO IT.
Last edited by marshy11 on 19 Jul 2013, 06:29, edited 4 times in total.
