This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
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Well our trip started on 6th December with a domestic flight from Jersey to LGW in B/A Club Europe. All was well and after a taxi down the runway in jersey due to resurfacing of taxiways and some stands we were finally airborne about 15 minutes late.
The one thing I noticed on the flight was the high load of club seat on the 737/500 there were 45 club seats all occupied and on a short 40minute flight the crew were very pushed to get the meal and wine service completed before landing. Luckily I had pre booked seats 1D+F for me and the wife and 1A+B for the outlaws. Meals service was very hurried but managed to get 2 bottles of chardonnay before seatbelt signs were on and the cabin crew hurried to clear away before we hit the runway. Landed in Gatwick and was swiftly through baggage claim an in to arrivals where we were met by our meet and greet taxi driver. (If anyone wants a quality taxi between L.G.W and L.H.R for 80 give me a P/M and I will pass on the number[}:)]) We arrived at the Heathrow renaissance at approximately 4pm I had pre requested 2 business executive rooms with runway views at time of booking but surprise surprise I got allocated two rooms with views of the inner courtyard of the hotel. Not a good start so after 10 minutes of polite persuasion[V][:?] they managed 1 runway view room on the business executive floor and one runway view room on a lower floor with access to the business lounge but at the reduced rate. I accepted this and within 15 minutes was settled in front of the window Champaign in hand watching the early evening departures.
All to soon it was time to go to the Hilton in T4 for our pre booked meal at ZEN it sort of our last supper ritual just in case.[:0][B)] Anyway the meal was perfect as ever and taken with a couple of bottles of Cloudy Bay. Arrived back at the renaissance abut 11:30pm and then tucked up for the night.
Day 2
The morning began with a bit of a headache [|)][n]which was not helped by the thought of breakfast so I opted out whilst the family went and gorged themselves downstairs. The wife arrived back about an hour later ask for my credit card and went shopping with the Mother-In-law. I stayed in bed until lunchtime then got myself to the lounge and had a few glasses of water and a few snacks and finally got my stomach to understand it was part of my body and that it did not have to try and rip itself away from me [:$].
The clan arrived back at about 3 pm and we all made our way back to the rooms to collect luggage and then on the way to T3 for the jolly hols[:o)].
Arrived at U/C checking and was greeted by the warm smiles of the security agent and check in staff everything felt good and before we could blink we were on our way to fast track 'or should I say Not So Fast Track[n]' The queue seemed to be longer and taking more time than the regular slow track security gates. Finally got through the security screening and was Hip Hopping all the way to the Club House. Arrival was great and we were soon perched behind the glass backing on to the cocktail bar. Wife and mother in law having the obligatory pic's taken in the swinging bird cage chair. After over indulging on the wine the day and night before I felt I ought to be good and avoid wine before and throughout the duration of the flight. So as good as I am I opted for the Champaign accompanied by some sushi and smoked salmon with crackers from the deli. A few glasses of fizz later and it was time to eat at the brassiere. Cant remember what we had but I do remember it was good. We all skipped desert in desperation of making our appointment times at the cowshed and Bumble and Bumble.
We all had 7pm appointments for different treatments/ haircuts, which I had booked via e-mail 5 week before. I had received a reply e-mail confirming all bookings at times as requested. Ho Hum disappointment number 1 coming up[:#][:0]. The Wife and Mother-in-Law were whisked away for their treatments and then the fun started when my father-in-law was told he had no treatment booked. So I step in and sweetly request that the computer be checked again as I had personally booked treatments for all four of us and had received a conformation e-mail of the bookings 5 weeks ago. On checking the computer my father in law's name was found but he was on a waiting list and was informed that due to the busyness of the salon he would not be able to have his rhinestone cowboy treatment as anticipated.
To top it all I was then informed that due to the delay caused at reception with my father in law I would be unable to have my wash/cut and style as booked and in its place I was offered a neck trim which I accepted. Knowing that none of this was the fault of the reception staff at the salon I thanked them for their assistance and assured them that I would be taking my complaint to customer services on my return to the U.K.
After my short neck trim me and the father in law sent some time in the attic and out on the terrace taking a few pics and getting blasted by the bitter winds. It was such good fun[:o)].
The girls were soon back with us and we spent our last 20mins in the clubhouse drinking a few glasses of bubbly to see us on our way. I recall that there appeared to be quite a few delays on the v/s schedule for the evening and I recall an announcement for one flight being delayed due to the and I quote this with hand on my heart we apologise for the late departure of VS??? To ?????? This a result of the aircrafts late arrival on stand due to the paint still being wet well in all my years of flying I had never heard this one before[?].
Well with a bit of a chuckle we were on our way to G-VOGE which coincidently was 30minutes delayed due to congestion at Heathrow as a result of the earlier tornado in London and its affect on air traffic movements. We boarded via the newly refurbished gates at T-3 (Very Smart) onboard the flight crew were immediate with their deliverance of bubbly and O/J, I at this point opted for H20 not wanting to over do things. Soon we were off stand and joining the queue for takeoff on runway 27R. After a short while we were thundering down the runway and soon in to our left hand turn in the traffic patern and out over the fair city heading toward the Kent coast. I was soon in the throws of showing the family how to operate the seat controls and was then in to my P/Js and off to bed. Not before taking some pics which I will get around to posting soon.
Before I knew it I was awoke with my Jam and toast and looking out over the rising Arabian sun. I had slept like a baby for approximately 4 _ hours. Landing came all to soon and we were soon at the remote stand ready for disembarkation. We were last off the aircraft due to wheelchair assistance for my mother in law, which arrived in the form of a truck lift up to the number 2 door of the aircraft. All 4 of us were out on the lift and then speedily and efficiently delivered to the arrivals hall were we were greeted by our hotel concierge who collected our luggage off the baggage belt and transported the trolley to our waiting Mercedes, In no time we were all comfortable and being cooled by chilled O/J and some nicely chilled towels. Within 20 minutes we were insight of the burj and soon offloaded by our driver in the magnificent entranceway to the hotel. Unfortunately not the burj but the Madinat Jumeira Al Qasr directly opposite the burj. We were whisked up to the club executive floor and check-in was done from our room.
After twenty minutes I fell asleep again and I am sure most of you may do the same after reading such a long T/R so I will end it now and do a separate return T/R in the coming days.
Cheers for reading and hope you enjoyed[^][y].
Wayne
