This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
I booked this trip 6 weeks before departure on the VS site at 18.30 mid week. By 18.37 the same evening, my booking confirmation AND e-ticket was received by my in-box. I booked a treatment for the Cowshed, receiving confirmation within moments of sending my request. I could not belive the promt responses.
Called the premire team to book my cars and was impressed with the speed of service and the constant double checking of detail.
The big day soon arrived. 16.15, my driver called me to say he found my office and was waiting outside - 15 mins ahead of schedule. It was a cold, dark and wet afternoon in Birmingham, but the driver got out of the comfort of the car and loaded my bags or me. This was the last time I would see my luggage utill I reach Sydney. Birmingham traffic was hell, but as soon as we got onto the M42, we zoomed all the way to Heathrow. I think my driver must have been a Grand Prix champion in a previous life. The journey took 2hr 20 min to the airport. [y]
Drive through check in was an oasis of calm, being the only passenger in the facility. The agent was polite, adressing me by name many times and offered to process my ETA (Electronic Travel Authority - visa to enter Australia) for me FREE OF CHARGE! (note - it is advisable by airlines and the Australian government to apply or your ETA beore you book your flights) The agent gave me directions to the Clubhouse and off I went.
LHR this evening was CHAOS!!! all VS check in lines for all classes were overflowing with PAX. There was a line waiting to get into the security area which blocked access to the Fast-track lane. I politley excused myself through the crowds, receiving some thunderous looks and tuts, into the calm and efficency of Fast Track. 2 mins later, I was in the wonder of the Clubhouse.
(note, the standard security line laped several times inside the security area. All security stations were opene and well staffed)
What an amazing experience the clubhouse was. My first stop was the Cowshed to confirm my treatment and to look at the jacuzzi, sauna and stream rooms. Then had some dinner (salad from the deli, stuffed chicken breast with risotto, toffee sponge, wine and coffee) which was tasty, well cooked and beautifully presented. Went back to the cowshed to use the facilities. I was given my own private changing room which had a steam shower, toilet, wash basin, towels, slippers and robe. I changed into my swimmers and hopped into the Jacuzzi... heavan. I was consious of being overlooked by other pax using other parts of the lounge. I was impressed with the level of privacy. After a quick shower, I had my rhinestone cowboy.
All to soon, my flight was called which came with a warning that the gate was a 15 min walk from the lounge. The gate had two long feeder lines both headed by 2 security personell checking passports and boarding cards before letting pax near the VS agents. There was no signage for Upper Class priority boarding, so I asked the gards if there was any such arrangement and I was waved through by the guard after he studied my documents. There was no priority boarding singnage at the gate but there was a group of 6 VS agents conversing with each other and one of them dealing with pax. I asked the conversing VS agents if there was any priority boarding? to which a agent opened up a new lane.
The aircraft was Miss Behavin which has been in service for 1 year and I sat in 5K. The aircraft was immaculate inside and out. I was greeted by my flight attendant who introduced herself, offered me a drink and a sleep suit, and asked if I was farmiluar with the seat and it's functions, giving me a demo and asked me to call on her to make my bed. The IFBT then explained the treatments to me and took my preferances - 'Above the clouds' and 'wake me up for the treatment'. I noticed the 'snooze pack' sat on the ottoman - this pack is so tatty and was not to the same high VS quality set so far on this trip.
Push back from the gate was 10 mins late, rotating at 22.00 instead of the scheduled 21.30 (no explenation, but I was not bothered by this, probably due to the chaos saw earlier)
All classes of the flight were full. My FA got my dinner and breakfast orders. The choices were not as vast or tempting in the clubhouse, all I wanted was a light bite, so i opted for the mezze plate.
45 mins into the flight - V:Port was switched on. The selection and variety could not be faulted, something for everyone. The fact that the system took so long to come on, was switched off 30 mins before landing and that the I:map was out of order were slight dissapointments.
As I was engrossed by V;Port - drinks were served followed by dinner. The lights were turned down and everyone settled into sleep - apart from me as I wanted to limit my sleep on the LHR-HKG leg, reserving the HKG-SYD leg for sleep aiming to shift my body clock onto Sydney time asap.
The IFBT called me for my 'above the clouds' which was sublime and perfect in every way.
I sat at the bar for a hour, sipping on the most delicious hot chocolate ever and had a chat to the crew. I returned to my seat and made up my bed, remembering the FA's offer to do this for me. Oh well, too late! But I could not find a duvet! I went back to the bar advising my FA of this. She tip toed around the cabin quietly checking the overheads for my duvet. The search was fruitless but she said she would go to the crew rest to find one. 5 Mins later, I had a duvet.
3 hours later, I woke to continue matching V;Port in bed then was served breakfast before landing in HKG 30 mins ahead of schedule.
The ground crew filter the transit passengers directing you to a security screening before re-entering departures and the HKG Clubhouse. The lounge does not have the same lavish facilites as the LHR Clubhouse, but there was a hot shower, bar and offering of food by the hospitable and polite staff.
Boarding was announced, the gate was a short walk from the lounge. Priority boarding signage was evident and observed. Once back on board Miss Behavin, the new crew followed the same formalites as leaving LHR, they skipped the offer of seat demonstration which seemed to be common sence as 60% of UC pax were continuing onto SYD. Pushback was on time and we rotated shortly after. V:Port was switched on 30 mins later.
I had a Thai Beef salad for dinner and settled into bed for a 8 hour sleep. I have never slept so well or peacfully on a aircraft.
I woke 1 hour before landing to the smell of breakfast. During the night, One of my earplugs (from the snooze pack) worked it's way so far into my ear I could not retrive it. Before panic set in I went to the bar which was a hive of activity of FA's delivering breakfast service. I advised the busy FA's of my dilemma who had a bit of a giggle about it and began to jointly solve my problem. One FA suggested that someone find the tongs that are used to pass out the hot towels. There was a flurry of activity, opening and closing of latches until some tonges were found. They had a pointed tweaser like end which sucsessfully retrived the lost earplug. After disposing of the earplug and tongs, the crew returned to their duties.
Shortly after, we began our descent into SYD, landing 20 mins early (07.10) By 07.40, I had completed immigration and, collected my bag, met my driver and was on my way to Darlinghurst. 07.55 I arrived at my home for the next 10 days.
Overall, I'm impressed with the service I have received and would highly recommend VS and UCS to anyone.
Many thanks for reading,
Matt.
