VS030 BGI-LGW 6 Dec 05 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
They say bad news comes in 3 - glad it didn't this flight..
On VH holiday (Escape at Prospect Bay - seperate story!) and we had limousine to airport (unexpected) rather than normal bus (was Z). Very nice!
Check in, Chill Out very good as normal - arrival at airport was 1.30 before take off so ignored Clipper Lounge and did a spot of shopping instead.
Boarding announcement was for kids, ill folk etc etc. Nothing for UCS or PE passengers until we sussed a line was for UCS/PE - but no announcement...
ETD was 18.25 and at 18.00 ish we left stand - great - with 7.30 journey!! Possibly 05.30 - 06.00 into LGW. Then first sign of trouble (Virginia Plain) prior to joining runway, Captain announced 'flickering' indicator light on RH engine. Engineer called and 30 mins later on our way to take off. Then... Captain on again ... bad news... light on again... Back to stand for engineer.....
Eventually 21.50 we took off (though tug pushing us out at 21.30 sheared a pin - hell of a bang... thinking bad news comes in 3's... but take off was OK...)
Arrival was 09.20 into LGW vs 06.25 planned. Three hours on plane prior to take off - excellent in UCS - Laurent Perrier champagne, nibbles etc etc. Order taken for meal so that within 1 hour of take off all wined and dined ready for sleep. Woken at 08.15 for brekkie, off plane - luggage there when we got to reclaim and 120 miles later, back home at 11.45!
Seriously considering VS for future Mumbai flights - if UCS fitted...