This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
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Cabin Crew
Simon had already been 5 years ago but he went with friends and was on a tight budget so for both us it was like our first time.
I loved Vegas, there's so much to do. Laze around the pool in your private cabana all day (yes we did) and then just see the sights and sounds during the night, that's when it truly came alive.
When we didn't laze around the pool we went shopping. We visited both the outlet malls, north and south. We both preferred north as it's outdoors. I bought a nice pair of Bose QC25's (their newest noise cancelling headphones). Simon wanted Tom Ford as his big purchase.
We had our teeth bleached one morning...given the option of 3 strengths and being told we had white teeth already we should opt for the 2nd or 3rd strongest. Naturally simon wanted the strongest and most expensive, so I agree and we sit down to what would be 30m of torture and the annihilation of our taste buds for 7 days. Seeing the distress and pain in Simons eyes made me laugh tho so it was worth it!
We saw Britney in "concert" and were so close we could smell her. She didn't sing live and didn't put on a show to warrant her not singing live, her moves were all very low impact...like, let's get another show over with.
We drove to the west rim of the canyon passing through the Hoover dam, it was an easy pleasant drive.
The desert was weird, it was green! It had rained on the Monday and Tuesday (in fact there were flash floods) so there was green grass and flowers everywhere!
Food wise, there's such a variety of restaurants it makes it hard to decide where to go. One particular place stood out and was amazing!!!
Sterling Brunch at Ballys. $90 a head which sounds expensive but you get what you pay for...bottomless champagne (Perrier-Jouët), mimosas, bloody Mary's, OJ. Caviar, oysters, Alaskan king crab, lobster tails, huge prawns, steak, lamb. The list goes on. Apart from the buffet there's also an a la carte menu. You can order as much as you like and they come in small portions so you can try them all. The lobster bisque and tuna tartare were exceptional. The creamed truffle mash was heavenly. I'm not a fan of the popovers but I know lots of ppl love them.
They only do the brunch on a Saturday and Sunday but I can highly recommend.
I could be wrong but gay bars are very thin on the ground in Vegas but we managed to find a "garage" themed one on our last night, very different to see a themed bar but also entertaining apart from a very muscular Latino trying to pinch my leftovers from Wolfgang Puck...
So Overall We really enjoyed it and I'm looking to go back next year sometime.
Anyway...TR.
As simon normally does, the day before our flight he asks what the lounge is like in LAS. This time I'm pleased to tell him it's not that bad (according to the good folks on vflyer). I tell him they have a soup that is very nice by all accounts.
The following morning we mooch around the room, pack our bags and make our way downstairs to leave for the airport.
We get in a taxi and tell him to take tropicana av...not wanting to pay $30 like on our arrival!
He asked us why that route and if were we picking someone up. We weren't picking anyone up but knew this to be the quicker route and therefore the cheapest.
He then said you want that route because it's the cheapest?
Yes, thank you!
So we took tropicana av and it only cost $12 without a tip.
There were no queues at check in and we were processed very quickly by a very efficient and polite agent. He gave us our invites, told us we would be called when the gate was ready and directed us to the lounge.
Security was empty, so we were straight thro and into duty free.
Nothing took our fancy so we went to the lounge...I was tempted to have a fluter on the wheel of fortune slot machine as we'd had some luck on this in the wynn. Winning $270. But I resisted and opted for my other vice...a glass of Chardonnay.
The lounge was lovely, snacks and nibbles were on offer, 2 hot soups (bell pepper and broccoli) both very nice and a selection of sandwiches. There were servers everywhere clearing up used glasses and plates and offering a table service for drinks.
At one point a lady I recognised from our last flight came in and sat down by us, straight away she asked if we would be partying like last week!?!
This was the sour faced one from 12A and now she was in 12K.
Why? Do you want to join in, I asked?
She grimaced and We left it at that.
From this point Simon started egging me on to drink more...but I resisted and the funny thing was this very lady refused table service but opted to go to the bar for her double vodkas making out she wasn't drinking in front of us. I obviously caught her out on my way to the bathroom and she looked pretty sheepish!
Me and simon started playing who's in UC, and being only 12 in upper (if you went by flight stats) this game was easy...or was it?
There were quite a few pax in the lounge but simon had his guesses and I had mine. We both hoped an older couple sat behind us weren't going to be in UC as they were belching and farting and breathing far to loudly, not to mention the fact the wife had knocked back 5 brandys and 4 pints of beer!!!! YES PINTS!
I knew better, they couldn't be in UC they must have paid for access due to the fact they were really going for it. I was right!
In fact I was right about everyone bar 1, simon thought a young couple would be with us but I noticed she was carrying one of those U pillow things. Why would you need that in UC? Another point for me!
At 15:30 I started to twitch and wanted to get onboard and soon after the check in agent came and got us for boarding. Nice touch to come and get us I thought.
There were no queues it was all very well managed by the very funny gate team and their hilarious announcements.
We were onboard very quickly at L1 and directed to turn left.
This time when we got into the cabin there was no hello sir there was a loud
"oh hello boys, welcome back" "did you have a fun time?"
It was the one great CC who was on our flight the week before, all the cabin turn around to see the fuss, I go bright pink, promise to behave and scarper to my seat.
I see him whispering to the CSM who in turn looks at me and giggles!
Great start I suppose, then our CC comes around with drinks and we get "champagne for you, isn't it boys?"
Instantly this crew felt different to the last flight. Yes we knew the one from our previous flight but when the FSM did his speech it sounded different.
We were addressed by name throughout the flight by all the crew including the FSM.
With 415 pax onboard jersey girl we were ready to leave Vegas!
Once airborne the crew stepped into action.
I decide to see what I fancied watching so pop my TV out only to find a creamy cakey muck all over the chrome and the in TV alcove. Luckily they were just handing out the hot towels so I ask for a few more to clean up the mess. The CC see this and start cleaning it for me, I mention to the one CC that this happened last week and he said how could he forget!!!
Small sticky matter cleaned up drinks orders were taken, crisps and menus handed out.
I went and changed into my leggings and top, aka the "ninja" sleepsuit (no onesies this time). I wish I had brought my onesie to wear. I had a medium, the top was fine but the bottoms were like a second skin and left nothing to the imagination!!!
So walking back to my seat like John Wayne and trying to hide my modesty I sat down, thinking I'll not be going to the bathroom till everyone's asleep.
What if I get morning glory!!??
Another drink run (to us) before our food options were taken. They were getting this done very quickly, which I liked.
Meal options tonight were
(I've lost the menu so only know what we had)
Starter:
Scallops with a lemon mouse
Nice enough but the mouse overpowered it.
Main:
Fillet of beef, risotto, mushrooms and a orange veg purée
I have to say this was amazing, tender beef and the risotto with mushrooms was packed with flavour.
Dessert:
Chocolate lava pudding
Very rich and naughty.
Cheese and port followed and I could smell the Stilton...it stank the cabin out!!!
In fact I sit up and say to simon "what the hell is that smell?" only to be greeted by the CSM saying "oh, it does stink doesn't it. I love it"
The cheese came with apricots figs and a chutney. Very impressed with that.
After dinner was cleared up everyone wanted their seats converting. The FSM and the rest of the crew were getting stuck in making sure no one made their own beds.
I started to convert mine and the FSM came over to help me. I told him I should be fine but could I have an extra pillow. They didn't have any but he made one out of a mattress cover and the duvet sack!
I padded the wall and settled in to watch game of thrones in bed.
There's a great feeling having all that space and having flown my share in EC I really appreciate it.
I don't know if any of you are fans of GoT (game of thrones) but it's quite raunchy in some parts.
I felt like a naughty child watching porn without my parents knowing, of course I'm not a child and I was on a plane but it felt wrong, especially with my very tight revealing leggings...I continued to watch and asked for a hot chocolate for good measure.
I watched 3 episodes and decided to sleep.
Sleep just wouldn't come to me, I tried but gave up in the end. I watched the remaining 3 episodes of GoT and then it was breakfast time so I converted my bed back to a seat and stayed wrapped in my duvet.
Just a quick mention about my QC25's, amazing! I can't believe I've travelled without these for so long. Even if I wasn't watching filth I kept them on to cancel the background noise!
Breakfast wasn't good, the bacon and sausage were ok but the eggs! Erghhh!
The croissant was stale.
I wished I had had the bacon butty. I know if I wanted I could have, but I was full after my sausage and bacon. Coffee and honey and some OJ to wash it down, we were almost home.
I changed back into my normal clothes and freshened up.
We had a smooth landing and arrived on time into LGW.
They used L2 to disembark but EC was held back for us. Misery from 12k wasn't to happy about this.
Once off the plane we arrived into an empty immigration hall and were through straight away.
Our bags were already waiting for us on the carousel so we grabbed them and made our way to the train station.
We board our train to Newport (via reading) and guess what happens!
I FALL ASLEEP!
Those QC 25's are amazing, even on the train they work.
Sat upright in a tiny train seat.
So I've decided I'm only flying EC from now on!
In summary.
Great check in.
Fantastic lounge, with good staff.
Well controlled boarding
My seat was dirty.
Fantastic cabin crew led by a great attentive FSM.
Very nice food offered.
IFE, lovely bit of soft porn...omg!!!! The creamy mess at the beginning of the flight could it be??? Hahaha!
Well the screen was responsive and didn't crash on me!!!
Can't wait till our next trip in February! I'm downgrading us right now!!!
Thanks for reading
Darren
Oh just one last thing....
When we get home I notice we have received two golden envelopes from virgin one for me and one for simon...
Only our gold cards have arrived!
Upper class is back on peeps!
We have gold to renew!!!!
Champagne! Champagne for everyone,
I can but try 
- glad you have seen sense. 
