This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
When we booked this flight the 23 was due to depart at 12.45 so we decided to book an overnighter at LHR in the Premier Inn to save any traffic carnage and last minute panic. A couple of months after booking VS text/email to say departure time has changed to 15.45 - not major but still less time in Santa Monica.
We sailed down from Gloucestershire to Heathrow last night, checked in, had a snack and a few beers at the bar in the Premier Inn (always a good nights sleep and friendly staff). Off to bed with no rush to get up with the new 15.45 departure time. I was woken by my phone buzzing with a text from VS stating our flight had now been delayed until 17.45....ummmm not ideal and certainly not what Mrs P ordered with her acute anxiety to flying! Tweeted VS to see if we could get on the earlier VS7 or Delta flight to LAX at 1pm but no availability...ok at least I tried.
So, we now had additional hours to burn in the Clubhouse. We left our hotel and were a little early for our DTCI slot but that didn't matter as we drove up and were greeted by friendly ground staff who looked after us brilliantly. Through check in in seconds, into security and the obligatory look through my wires bag. Greeted enthusiastically by the CH host, who sympathised with our delay but encouraged us to use as many of the facilities as possible. So it was straight to book a haircut for me and some treatments for Mrs P, then onto find a table. We arrived in the lounge around 11.30 and it was really busy, went upstairs to the old Grey Goose loft where we found peace and tranquility. Service a little slow to start but as 4 flights were called the calm and excellent service returned. Had a CH burger and Mrs P dined from the deli, copious amounts of champagne and water/juice in equal measurements to balance hydration.
We were very politely asked to move from the loft as there were a group of 14 arriving that had requested some 'space'. Earlier we had heard that Nancy Sinatra was due in the CH but apparently it was a fleeting visit and we missed her so the mystery remained. We wandered down for our treatments, which were excellently conducted with very friendly staff, then found some different seats in a quieter CH. It transpired that the guests that required some space were executives from a firm that were looking how to transform the old Grey Goose Loft. Not really star quality but info for the development of the CH. 17.00 now and awaiting call to gate.
We were finally called to gate 19 to board Emmeline Heaney, our ride to LAX.
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Priority boarding superbly in place as always at LHR, so we were welcomed on board (not by name) and shown to our seat selection of 8 & 9A, which we really liked. Seat and surroundings in pretty good condition. Offered a glass of champagne by our CC and welcomed on board by the captain who apologised for the delay, explaining that it was due to an earlier plane going tech and we bore the brunt of the issue (exactly how Neil had answered my query on V-Flyer earlier on - clever boy!). Only 1 drink offered but that wasn't a problem as we had stacks in the CH. Ready to depart we caught our first glimpse of the new safety video and wasn't sure if I liked it or not - retro but it was like the old one but on steroids! Pilot confirmed flight time of 10 hours and 39 minutes but did promise to put his foot down to make up for lost time. 323 CC and Pax onboard today's flight.
When we were up in the air the FSM came and introduced herself to everyone in the UC cabin and as we know they can make or break a flight.ours was polite,, professional but strictly business and we found that with most of the CC on the flight except one who was serving the K side, she was engaging with each pax in a more relaxed but professional way. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the service but it lacked that little personal touch that we have experienced in UC before.
Menu for the flight was as follows:
Starters
Organic tomato & basil soup
Pillow of smoked salmon
Warm chicken satay
Selection of warm breads
Main
Grilled fillet of beef
Chicken tikka masala
Tomato and mozzarella gnocchi
Seared tuna steak
Dessert
Salted caramel pudding
Clotted cream panna cotta
Selection of cheese and port
I had the chicken satay (excellent) and the beef (ok, not the most flavoursome I've had on a flight) along with a few glasses of the NZ Sauvignon blanc. Had no room for for dessert or cheeses. FSM was out and about throughout the service assisting and making sure all was ticking over. Table cleared, beds started to be made and I went off for a two hour sleep to try and ensure I had enough energy to at least grab a beer in Santa Monica, our final destination.
Actually slept on and off until there was 45 minutes left of the flight so had missed afternoon tea. 3 or 4 CC went passed and didn't ask me if I wanted anything...I know they are busy locking cabins down but on previous flights this has happened. Grabbed some water, sorted bags out and strapped in for the descent into LAX. Smooth landing, quick exit off the plane, into an empty immigration hall, bags down in 15 minutes and out to our awaiting driver within 25 mins of exiting aircraft. Perfect.
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So overall I would put this down as an ok flight; no one did anything wrong (which is why I have marked them as good) but I certainly didn't get the wow factor. Love the UC cabin and flatbed, food was ok, CH was amazing as always.
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Thanks for reading. Time to explore Santa Monica today before our onward flight to Hawaii tomorrow.
Last edited by Petmadness on 17 Sep 2015, 08:01, edited 1 time in total.
The only way is left....since I found V-Flyer
. My last trip to LA involved a night in Santa Monica and loved it , enjoy Hawaii
