This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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Anyway, I was travelling in UC, I'd upgraded to a 'G' with miles, my other half was, I'm ashamed to say, in economy, travelling on a reward fare courtesy of my MC/Amex spend. So whilst she would have to endure Y, she was doing so very cheaply!
We paid my friend to drive us to T3 from Southampton, leaving at a rather unsociable 4.20am. Torrential rain on the way which was nice!
Arriving just before 6am, we headed straight to ticketing as I had to get my ticket reissued. I was a little shocked to see they opened on time. Paid the extra tax (on Amex, naturally), got the new ticket then headed to UC checkin. I had already checked in online into 1A but wanted to make sure, as I haven't used online checkin before.
Something that really annoyed me - I'd rung FC a few days prior, to supply API. Yet when I went to checkin online, I had to enter all the information again. Really shoddy systems they have!
I really liked the service at checkin - she made a point of putting both our cases in my name, so they would get priority handling, which I thought was a nice touch.
My OH opted for 38C, paying the 75 - bit of a risk as we knew it would be a fairly empty flight but better to pay it than not get an exit row seat at all!
A bit of shopping, and over to the CH. I love the place! Had some breakfast, played some pool (they really need to get a new pool cue!) and then had a shower. Can't believe I haven't used the showers there before - used the steam facility as well - definetely the nicest shower I've ever had! Really woke me up and refreshed me. Very nice.
Took a stroll over to the gate. Usual scene of a couple of hundred people standing there like a sprinter off the blocks, waiting for boarding.
I took advantage of pre-boarding. Offered a drink on boarding, friendly and professional FSM. Gave the IFBT a priority card and asked for a shoulder massage.
Upper deck was half-full.
Scrooge kit given and helped myself to lipbalm, etc.
Dinner was the usual fare - I say 'usual' as I'm vegan and trust me, the vegan meals are dire. Luckily I always take some food on with me to supplement the warm cardboard with..
After the meal I took a walk downstairs - the flight really was half empty - UC in the lower deck must've only had four people in it. Walked back to Y to see the OH - again half full, in fact she had the whole exit row to herself! Very nice, although sods law she'd paid the 75 when it would have been given away at the gate. Ah well.
I asked at the bar if the OH could join me for a drink. They said that would be ok for 'one drink'. So we had a sit down at the bar and had a nice chat with a couple of the FAs.
We chatted about special meals, one of the FA was of the opinion that the kosher meal in Y is nicer than the UC food!
Really friendly crew today, I guess it was nice for them to have such an empty flight.
Well the 'one drink' for the OH turned into most of a bottle of champagne (I don't drink) which was cool.
I then got called for my massage which was mediocre, I don't think I'll bother getting a treatment onboard again, it's a novelty at best.
I then went back upstairs whilst the OH (now less than sober) retreated to the realms of the Y cabin to sleep it off.
Back upstairs, had a couple of hours sleep and then settled down to watch a film or two. And the curse of v:port strikes! Whole system goes down, gets reset, goes down, etc. You get the picture.
Nice views of my favourite city in the world just prior to landing.
Really nice flight - this is how Virgin should be all the time - friendly, down to earth, professional, having fun. Letting the OH join me at the bar for so long was a nice touch.
The best flight I've done for a long time.
Spoke to the FSM on the way out to say thankyou and that I'd write a letter of praise to Crawley when I got back (need to get around to that actually!)
