VS003 LHR-JFK 23 Jun 06 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Sorry this is late, I have only just discovered this website.

Booked an UC trip to NYC, this is my first trip to NYC, so was very excited about going, even more so that we were flying UC. Well in no time our departure date arrived, and we headed to Heathrow, we did have the limo as we were on a Z class ticket, no real problem for us, as we just caught a taxi to the airport.

We checked and there was the usual security person there, wanting to check our luggage, no drama's there was one person in front of us at the UC check-in, we were called over to the PE Check-in, as there wasn't anyone there, we were greeted and asked where we were flying, I put my case on the scale and it came in just under 30kgs, so was rather pleased, as I do not pack light. The check-in girl stated that 'actually our policy is no more than 23kgs per bag' I looked at her with a rather confused look, and said that we were flying UC, she just grunted, carried on. This wasn't a good start! [:(!][n] She didn't put any priority tags on our bags, so I asked her to make sure that she was going to do it, and she shouted that she is doing it! At that point I should of asked her full name, but didn't! We left there rather annoyed at her bad attitude, and headed to the CH.

I haven't been in the clubhouse for a while, and what a lounge, this is my favourite lounge ever, we got in checked our hand luggage in, and explored the lounge. We had already pre booked a hair cut, and went to reconfirm the appointment times. We went and had a seat, and ordered some breakfast, we both has eggs benedict! VERY yummy![y]of course with a bucks fizz! It was time for my hair cut, and was chatting with the girl, she was a fellow Aussie, she was great, and did a FAB job on my hair. All the staff in the lounge were great, very attentive, by the time our flight was called, I'd had 5 bucks fizz!! I was thirsty!!! [:D]

Our flight was called and we headed towards our gate, by the time we got there, most of the passengers had already boarded, we walked along the airbridge, and was greeted by a very friendly FA, he directed me to my seat 2D, and my boyfriends 3D. We were quickly offered OJ or Champers, of course I opted for Champers! Our flight attendant introduced himself and said that if there is anything we need not to hesitate to contact him, I had finished my Champers, and was offered a top up, which I gladly excepted. Our FA asked if we had flown UC before, (which we hadn't) and he went through the working of the suite, then the IFBT came and asked if we had a treatment in the lounge, which we had, she said that as it is a full flight we may not get a treatment, which I wasn't too bothered about, and we didn't.

The seat belt sign soon went off, the CSM came around and introduced herself, and was referred to my name. We were asked if we wanting lunch, I was yes, and they laid my table for me. I had a salad to start, and then a spinach and ricotta cheese pie, it was very nice, one of the nicest meals on a flight I've ever had. I was offered wine, and had a 2 glasses one of each white! I couldn't deicide so the FA said why not have a glass of each?? Didn't need to ask me twice!! I had the ice cream with warm toffee sauce, that was enjoyed while watching a movie. On our A340 300 we didn't have VOD, I managed to watch one movie, then headed to the bar!!! Where I enjoyed a few G&T's chatting to the crew, our crew on this flight were great, there were 3 guys that where FAB, and really hope I get to see them on another VS flights, as they really made the flight. I had my afternoon tea at the bar, as my boyfriend was sleeping, and I was having far too much fun at the bar! Afternoon tea was sandwiches, with a selection of scones and cakes, all very tasty!

It wasn't long after tea, that we were on our descent in to JFK, we disembarked first, and got to immigration and there wasn't any lines! Cleared customs very quickly and our bags were out in no time.

Overall a great flight, and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to lots more.

Hope you liked my TR, this is my first one, so any feed back good or bad I'd be pleased to hear.

Thanx Dominic

[HighFlyer]

Thank-you Dominic, great first trip report! Do you remember which flight number you were on?

Glad you had a good flight after the surly check-in. And you had the yummy scones too!! Mmm ... [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah

Hi Dominic,

Thanks for the trip report, it was a good read. Bit of a sorry experience about check in, and hope that was a one off.

I had my afternoon tea at the bar, as my boyfriend was sleeping, and I was having far too much fun at the bar!

Hope you get to enjoy the bed on the return! And hope you still got plenty of R&R on the journey to set you up for the evening in New York [y]

Look forward to the return TR.

Thanks,

David.

[Neil]

Thanks for an excellent first TR[y][y] - glad you enjoyed your flight overall and didn't let your Check In issues riun your UCS experience.

Neil[:)]

Originally posted by DMetters-Bone
She didn't put any priority tags on our bags, so I asked her to make sure that she was going to do it, and she shouted that she is doing it!

Were the priority tags on your bags? Hopefully you can give us a flight number/date. Check-in should start the whole VS experience, not ruin it before it starts (unless you have a CDC). Glad ther rest of the trip was good for you.

Also: the map is wrong... somehow I don't think JFK is in Alaska [:)]

Originally posted by vs_itsallgood
Were the priority tags on your bags?

I've been told that the priority tag doesn't make any difference at some stations, it depends on the barcode/bag tag number being 'flagged' as priority, as the bag is automatically sorted to the appropriate bin location by the luggage system.

Also: the map is wrong... somehow I don't think JFK is in Alaska [:)]

That's the format of the subject line. The parser which sends the parameters to the map applet sees it as 'ORT - LHR'.

Cheers,
Mike

Originally posted by mike-smashing

Originally posted by vs_itsallgood
Were the priority tags on your bags?

I've been told that the priority tag doesn't make any difference at some stations, it depends on the barcode/bag tag number being 'flagged' as priority, as the bag is automatically sorted to the appropriate bin location by the luggage system.

Correct.

At LHR they do not use manual handling - it's all automated with the info on your bar code dertiming where your bag ends up.

At some outstations that do not have as advanced system as that at LHR they do employ someone to spot the tags and put the luggage in the correct bin - which of course leaves for human error.

As rubbish as LHR is sometimes, they at least get this right.

Good first TR, Thank you. [y]

Thanks, glad you liked the TR! We were on the VS3, on 23rd June 06. I will get my return TR done today!

Dominic [:D]

Originally posted by HighFlyer
Thank-you Dominic, great first trip report! Do you remember which flight number you were on?

Glad you had a good flight after the surly check-in. And you had the yummy scones too!! Mmm ... [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah

Thanks for the TR[y] - surprised you had a -300 on the 3; I thought it was only the 17 which suffered.[:?]

VS