VS003 LHR-JFK 12 Mar 07 (Upper)
Posted: 21 Mar 2007, 00:04This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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I arrived at T3 at 5.55am and was the first person to check in at UC once the desks opened, just after 6am. I figured that by the time I had checked in and got through security, the CH would be opening at 7am. After a bit of a grilling from the security agent which included showing her my Bermudian work permit[?]I proceeded to an empty check-in desk where I was given my pre-booked seat of 2k.
Straight up to Fast Track and through with no problems in around 5 minutes, avoiding the shoe screening in the process.
I spent the next 30 mins wandering around the shops in the terminal, until it was time to go to the CH at 7am where there were a couple of people waiting already. I headed straight to the restaurant and ordered breakfast, scramble egg with crispy bacon and smoked salmon, yum! This was washed down with a couple of Cranberry juices and a peppermint tea. I was looked after by the lovely 'P' who I knew from previous visits and we had a chat about our love of COACH handbags[y]
After breakfast I walked up to the skylounge and sprawled out on the leather bed, reading the papers and snoozing. Quickly popped up to the garden to get some air to find the Jaguar had gone!
I left the CH around 8.40am and walked to Gate 34. On arrival prority boarding was working and I made my way through just as boarding for Economy was being called. Today's aicraft was to be Cover Girl. Once aboard and in seat 2K I was offered a pre flight drink. Ok, even though it was early morning, I went for the champagne, well, this was UC after all[:p]I also requested a sleep suit which I changed into before take off. Menu's had already been placed in the side pocket and a snooze pack was already on my seat.
First impressions of this cabin were good. The suites were some of the best I have seen, they looked quite new and were devoid of the usual pen marks and scratches that I have seen before. In front of 2K there was a useful ledge which I later used to put my books and various things on.
Take off was around 9.40am and the captain reported that the flight time would be a 'disappointing' 7 hrs 36mins. Hmmm.....disappointing I guess if you're flying the aircraft, even if your sitting in Y, but if you're lucky enough to be in UC, it's anything but!!
Once airborne, hot towels were offered and drink orders were taken. I was told that they hadn't loaded any cranberry juice on this flight so settled for an orange juice instead.It was around 2 hrs after take off that lunch was being offered. I had decided that I would have a light snack during the flight so opted for the cheese and biscuits. The cheese was nice but the the servings seemed small and the chutney served with it was a bit sweet and sickly. I had a glass of a South African Sauvingon Blanc to go with this.
For the rest of the flight I read and listened to some music. I took a stroll around the cabin where every suite appeared to be taken. I didn't convert my suite into a bed and I never seem to be able to sleep very well, but managed to doze a little. There were no problems with my seat and the IFE was working perfectly [y] Before landing I had a selection of sandwiches and to be honest, they were dry around the edges and tasteless[n]
We landed sometime after 1pm local time and UC were the first to depart the aircraft. As my connecting flight wasn't until 4.30pm I wasn't in a rush. On arrival at immigration there were no queues and I was through in around 10 minutes.
Overall a good UC experience. Early on in the flight, the FSM had made introductions and shook the hand of every UC pax (nice touch) and made sure that we all had the correct landing documents. The CC member responsible for the right side of the cabin was friendly and efficient, always had a smile and time for a quick word. I enjoyed sitting in 2k. It allows a lot of privacy and you're not too aware of what is going on in the rest of the cabin.
I was disappointed not to have received my requested treatment. I wasn't even sure the IFBT treated that many pax, she seemed to do a lot of walking up and down the cabin though! And, finally, everyone's favourite!! Improvement? I'm not sure. The shoe bag could become useful I suppose. Still, I managed to get a pen and a tube of facial moisturiser from the basket offered [:D]
All in all, this trip was miles well spent[y]