This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
So, the context was work (as usual) although with a social side tacked on, hence me going on a Saturday morning rather than the usual Sunday afternoon. This brought the added bonus that I was able to avoid the dreaded UC on the 333 in both directions (hooray!
)It was also a first for me in that I'd never sampled the LHR clubhouse before in the morning. Happy to report that it was its usual excellent self, I don't generally bother with treatments, but the breakfast was good and big enough for me (with the addition of a couple of very nice pastries from the deli bar). In fact, it was a second first for me in that I had nothing alcoholic. At all. Yes, I probably should hang my head in shame, but I had a NY party to go to that night and I really needed to pace myself...
Also happy to report that the sweet jars were again full of properly wrapped sweets rather than those silly loose bits of candy rock. So I got a decent handful for the journey. Plus another handful for the week ahead. Oh yes, and one final handful for my children back home. My trousers were bulging. Even more than normal
Anyway, a successful hour spent in the CH followed by a leisurely stroll to the gate (after the "last and final call", naturally). Took my seat on board followed by 2 swift Bucks Fizzes (alright, I'd paced myself enough by that point
)Very friendly crew from the start, and you just know that is a barometer for the flight. And so it proved. Drinks offered copiously, food of good quality - I had the Methi kali mirch (paneer based veg curry) which was delicious, followed by a nice salted caramel sponge pud - I'd personally have preferred it with custard rather than cream, but just my own taste I guess. And as I was typing this bit several hours later, I was tucking into some cheese that was put aside for me, plus the obligatory port
Rest of the flight passed smoothly, a fairly brisk 7 hours and 3 minutes in total. Seat was in decent condition. I watched Maleficent and the latest X-Men film for a bit of light relief, and sat at the bar for 15 minutes or so, but conversation was limited as it was near the end of the flight and the crew were rushing around, the FSM keeping them busy...
Into JFK, I was 2nd of the plane (does that count as 'seq.2'?) and did the usual job of trying to walk fast but nonchalantly towards immigration, where a fairly vocal member of staff did a great job of directing me and many others to the wrong lane. Good job I spotted it as I would have been there for hours (this being the lane for ESTA 1st timers and Visa holders. The automated checking process for ESTA regulars worked really well - 1st time I'd used it - and I was through and out to the limo desk in about 10 minutes, which I consider a great result!
Couple of overall niggles to mention - the IFE wasn't playing ball to start with and took over an hour to get going. And - Virgin - if you are going to put your passenger manifests out in plain view, at least have the decency to get the information right. There were several golds, a couple of delta medallions, and even a UNIQ referenced, but nothing against my name. I guess I know my place.
Overall though a good flight. I'll be on BA in CW in a few weeks and we'll see how that compares.
At some point soon I'm going to have to make a choice over who I maintain status with, but really tough, choosing an airline these days! First world problems... answers on a postcard please!
RC
