This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
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Cabin Crew
T'was the morning after Christmas Day and all was quiet on the M3 and M25 as we made our way to the airport, short 30 minute drive and we parked in short term so quickly into the terminal.
It was very quiet in the terminal but all UC desks were occupied so the lady directed us upstairs straight away to the DTCI desks. Rather a novelty to see this as always drive ourselves to LHR. Our bags were processed efficiently, tagged UC and boarding cards presented.
Next stop a short stroll to security which was empty and all going well until my son's bag was held back for checking.........oh dear, he'd forgotten to take out a bottle of water, even after being asked before the bag went through.......so the bag and contents were scrutinised, swabbed and everything taken out but luckily he was allowed through........much to his relief at only being 8 years old!!!
Next stop the CH, so we made our way through the duty free (also rather empty) and decided on the winding staircase up to the desk. We were greeted by a very cheerful lady and in we went. It must have been around 9.30 am and it was busy in there with not a lot of seating available and there were the remains of the previous occupants food still on the tables - for somewhere so lovely not the best first impression. We found a table, ordered 3 full English breakfasts and settled down - very nice they were too.
Following breakfast and more people leaving the CH we then tried another area near to the big screens - great fun although it was so cold in that area people had their coats over them trying to keep warm - chilly!!!
My hubby went to check in with our car hire at the other end with the the lady on the Concierge who was very helpful with this so all sorted for when we arrived in MIA. Time for more wandering and upstairs onto the roof, must be lovely in summer watching the planes with a cocktail in hand.
Back downstairs just in time to be told that the flight was delayed, but that was okay, time for pastry now. The one thing I really like about the CH is that the feel hasn't really changed over the years, it is unique and funky - but needs the heating going up!!!!!
So finally to Gate 19 and we were probably one of the last to get on Tinker Belle although that wasn't planned, I usually like to be sorted in my seat so felt a bit rushed when we did get on. We were in 12A, 12K and 14A - brilliant seats, thank you V-Flyers for the tip of T-60 minus 1 hour at 8.00am when we changed the clocks in October.
We then settled in, I put my fluffy slippers on, were offered drinks and then it was time to take off. Point to note at this stage - the amenity pack, it isn't important in the grand scheme of things but......personally I think it devalues the UC product, both hubby and me remember what it used to be like 10 years ago, it felt special to have, now you would get this in economy on certain airlines, such a shame.
We were advised that there were reduced CC on the flight so be patient with the service but in all honesty we never had an issue, but this is probably because of the cabin we were in. Flight time 9 hours 40 mins I think and no traffic on the runway so no waiting to be up in the air. Straight over Windsor Castle and then into the clouds.
Cabin service started quite quickly, CC introduced themselves which was lovely, but one point to note FSM didn't at all during the flight and I can't remember seeing her in that part of the cabin for any part of the service - although again this may have been because of covering other parts of service for the reduced CC.
Very turbulent over the Atlantic - not a good flyer and seat belt signs were on quite a few times. In true 'typical' fashion this was the case when having dinner. Had my table set up with my son and I had the mushroom gnocchi, smoked salmon for my hubby and son - very nice, could have eaten a big bowl of the gnocchi - then we all chose the novelty turkey dinner - what a mistake.........unfortunately it was the worst lunch I've ever had on VA in UC, really not to their standards and I can understand that a Christmas dinner is difficult to pull off at 36,000 ft - the lump of dry turkey and it was literally a lump on the plate was so dry and mine had fat running all the way through it - we all had trouble cutting through it. But on a brighter note the brussels were good!!!!
The lunch was redeemed by the Christmas pudding and cream, hubby had Yule log (he enjoyed lots) and then it was time to settle down. Son had his bed made up for the rest of the flight and slept, hubby watched film and I read for most of it. Ice creams came round and were appreciated. VERA was good and well behaved although hubby's was a bit temperamental at times hence the score of only good.
1.5 hours to land and it was time for Afternoon Tea - I opted for cakes only (very nice and sweet) hubby had the whole lot (and the turkey reappeared as a turkey and cranberry sandwich!!!!).
Soon we were descending and the Love Hearts were handed out. We had a very smooth touchdown and were on the gate fairly rapidly. We wanted to get off and through immigration as we know what a nightmare it can be - so we got a good position waiting for the airbridge to be attached only for my dearest son to throw up all over the seats and the other fellow passengers waiting to disembark in the queue - oh dear - finally struggled through to get him back to the toilet which had to be unlocked and well you can imagine. I have to say this is where the CC really came into their own - they reassured us that it wasn't a disaster, they were so very kind, they gave us water, they helped with sorting him out and also gave ginger ale and sick bags for our long walk to immigration..... true compassion shown and we really appreciated that.
So with a delayed start to our walk to immigration, we finally reached a lady who sent us down the automatic ESTA route and we used the machines - have to say no problems and we were through within 20 minutes - fantastic.
Collected the bags and then through Customs and onto the MIA Mover to the car rental - in total this took us about 1 hour from landing until we were there at the garage.
Directed to the car aisle and unfortunately no cars were available, I guess it must be a busy time but were offered an upgrade of a pick up truck at no extra cost - I'll just say I'm not a pick up truck type of girl...........so it was lucky that a brand new SUV came available within 5 minutes - result.
So after packing all of the luggage into the car we started our long journey over to Anna Maria Island near Sarasota and looked forward to the next 11 days.
Thank you for reading, I am sorry if I have missed anything out, also apologies for the spelling mistakes and punctuation and will post the return flight in a few days
