This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
This is my first trip report, so please be gentle with me .. lol
Got to the airport a litle early as the traffic from Birmingham to Heathrow seemed to be very light despite the heavy rain and wind.
At check in at Heathrow there were a few people in the queue for UC, but it still only took me 15 minutes to get checked in and have explained the process of fast track and where the lounge was located.
Saw that there was no queue outside for the 'by invitation only' security gate, only to find that there was a rather large queue the other side of the screen [:(!], which took me around 30 minutes to get through.
Once through though a little duty free shopping and then off to the lounge for some food and a pre-booked treatment that I had booked.
Greeted by the wonderful staircase to the lounge I was not disappointed once inside, with lots of space and things to do. I have only just sat down and some one came and asked what I wanted to drink and if I wanted anything to eat. I had the famous club lounge burger, which was as good as everyone said it is on the forum. Thanks for your advice on that one.
7pm came around quickly, especially after a few more G&T's and it was time for my treatment. I had booked a Rhinestone Cowboy, which was wonderful, nice and relaxing, although the shave could have been closure, but it was certainly a relaxing way to spend 20 minutes.
I have to say that the lounge is a fantastic place and gets you away from the hassle of Heathrow. The staff are very friendly and helpful ,so thanks to you all.
Left the lounge a little earlier than needed as I wanted to stretch my legs before the flight to HKG. We departed from gate 36 and when I arrived there were lots of people, but when boarding began they did start with priority boarding for passengers in UC/PE and with special needs, which was good to see.
Once on board I was shown to my seat, 5a and was just settling in when I was asked if I would like a drink and I dont like to refure things like that .. lol [:D]
I noticed that there were a lot of young children in the UC cabin and was hoping that I was not going to get a disturbed night flight, especially with a young child sat in 6a who kept banging the pod wall. Thankfully his relative in 6D asked me if I would swap so he could be besides him, so I moved off to 6d.
The IFBT came around and asked everyone of they would like a treatment and explained that as the UC cabin was fairly full that not everyone would get a treatment.
Also the FS and the FM came around and said hello, which was nice and showed me how the seat worked and the IFE system [:D]. They also provided flight suits and the envelope containing the amenity pack .. ummm what a joke that is [:#]
We left the the stand around 30 minutes late, which resulted in take off happening around 10.30. Once in the air VPORT was switched on within 30 minutes and dinner service commenced. As I had already eaten on the ground I decided not to eat but to watch a couple of films and see if I could get some sleep.
Managed to watch a film (although vport rebooted on me once) and then whilst they were still serving dinner asked one of the cabin crewe if they could make my bed, whcih they did quickly whilst I got changed.
It was novel to fly in my first bed in the sky, but I have to say that the bed seems rather short. I am around 6'3' and would have thought that I would have been able to stretch out with a long bed, but found that the ottoman had a curved lip, which prevented me from doing this [:(!].
I managed to get a few hours sleep, before I awoke and then found that the IFBT came aroudn and asked me if I would still like my treatment, hot hands treatment I think, which she did. It was a nice way to wake up.
Also found during the night that 2 of the WC's were out of action and that they only managed to get them back in service 1.5 hours before landing. It would not have been good all those people trying to get ready with only one WC working !
Was served breakfast and then landed at HKG about 20 minutes late due to the late takeoff at Heathrow.
Overall a pleasant flight, the on board staff really do make the difference and make the fligh pleasant. Wish the bed was slightly longer, Oh well!
Well I am now in HKG lounge waiting for my continuation flight to SYD, so will post a flight report as soon as I can.
Thanks for everyones help and advice which has made flying a lot easier with virgin [:D].
