V-Flyer

Our first trip in UC!

We'd stayed the night in the Sheraton Skyline which had free parking for 15 nights and had no problems with it although we didn't eat there.

Arrived at Terminal 3 soon after 7. Quite a walk to check-in from the Heathrow Hopper drop-off point. I'd tried unsuccessfully to do OLCI but been told to check-in at the airport so that's what I did. Only one person in front of us. First thing we were told was that the flight would be delayed an hour due to the plane arriving late from New York. Not at all worried by this! After a few taps on his computer the agent said he'd have to resynchronise our booking as we'd upgraded from economy with miles. At least I think that's what he said, anyway I nodded knowledgeably whilst not understanding what he was talking about. He disappeared to ticketing for about 10 minutes and then reappeared with our boarding cards. All sorted except he explained that we would have to pay the increased passenger tax as we'd booked before it had gone up. I duly handed over my paypal receipt, and off he went to ticketing again. Another wait and he turned up with our money off vouchers for next time. As we finally left check-in I saw there were now about a dozen people waiting to check in.

Through security check in about 10 minutes. We were about to join the queue for the shoe check but were waved away from it. Some people still seemed to be intent on joining the queue. Perhaps they wanted to have their shoes checked, so they could then get on with the rest of their lives safe in the knowledge that their feet wouldn't suddenly explode.

Mrs T is like a moth to a candle when it comes to retail opportunities, of which as you know, there are many at Heathrow. I got myself a book and finally nudged her in the direction of the fabled Clubhouse. Was it my imagination, or did I hear a massed angelic choir as we ascended the staircase? No, I think it was actually just the muzac.

Well, we felt at home straight away. Instantly hooked on the Clubhouse experience. We both had a full English and then waddled over to have our pre-booked hair appointments. After a read of the papers and a good look around it was already gone 10 o'clock and time for a champagne. As Mrs T came out of the loos, she found Renee Zellwegger waiting to go in. You just can't go anywhere without seeing someone you know, can you?

Although the flight hadn't been called we eventually decided to walk along to the gate (20). As we arrived they called for Upper passengers to board, which we did, dodging and squeezing past the milling throng of passengers in the holding lounge.

And so upstairs to our seats, 4 and 5K. Again we felt as though we had been born to this kind of travelling. The FA asked if we had travelled UC before, and then showed us how everything worked. We soon had another champagne to keep us happy. The plane was Lady Penelope, VFAB.

Eventually we were ready to take off (a bit over an hour late). It was announced that there were 347 passengers and 19 crew on board, so pretty full I guess. The flight time would be 10 hours. The v:port was turned on about 5 minutes after take off and worked perfectly (for us anwyway) for the whole flight.

At one point the pilot pointed out the VS flight to LAS was just below us and on the same course, and I managed to get this picture of it:




After a pre-lunch G&T, I had prawn salad followed by salmon with champ and broccoli. The salmon was inevitably overcooked but otherwise OK, and then Bakewell tart and custard. I thought the standard was fine and neither I nor Mrs T had any complaints. I didn't have room for cheese.

Following a large brandy with an espresso I found I was strangely sleepy, so my seat was transformed and I was soon tucked up under a warm duvet for 40 winks. Mrs T is a film fan and managed to fit in four films in the course of the flight. She didn't get the manicure she asked for, but wasn't bothered.

I missed the ice cream run, but got the feeling that I could have had one later if I'd asked. I must say I thought the Cabin Crew were fantastic. They were friendly, but not over familiar, and nothing seemed to be a problem for them. Even though we were tucked away on the upper deck, there always seemed to be someone around when you needed them.

About an hour and a half or so before landing I had some slightly stale sandwiches and a nice cup of tea. Watched a couple of Simpsons episodes before v:port was turned off, and we were soon on the ground. Got out of the plane a 3 o'clock local time, and through immigration within about 10 minutes. As we got to the luggage carousel our cases arrived (although there was no evidence of priority tagging) so we were straight out of the airport, into a taxi, checked into our hotel (Vitale) and in our room by 4 o'clock. We couldn't have been happier!

So all in all a great introduction to UC. It really does spoil you for anything else. Looking forward to our return on VS24 from LAX in a couple of weeks.

Finally a big thank you to you all on v-flyer. The invaluable information and tips I've picked up have been worth far more than the very modest subscription!


Mike

Excellent TR and now my appetite is really whetted for the same flight on Tuesday [y]

As we finally left check-in I saw there were now about a dozen people waiting to check in.

I bet they all loved you [:w]

After a read of the papers and a good look around it was already gone 10 o'clock and time for a champagne.

Time for a champagne? My dear good man, it was well past time for a champagne. You should have had at least a couple under your belt at that stage.

I had some slightly stale sandwiches

OK, so VS seem to have got the main menu more or less on course on this cycle but stale sandwiches seems to be a recurring theme at the moment, doesn't it?

Terrific pic of VS43 [y]

Originally posted by honey lamb
OK, so VS seem to have got the main menu more or less on course on this cycle but stale sandwiches seems to be a recurring theme at the moment, doesn't it?

Probably to do with them being made the previous day, then refrigerated at the flight kitchen, then loaded into a cart which is cooled with dry ice packs, loaded on a plane with a dry atmosphere, and not eaten for a further 12-18 hours, while not being sufficiently well wrapped.

By the time you're tucking in to your afternoon tea somewhere over the Pacific Northwest, those sandwiches are going to be the best part of 2 days old.

I guess the packaging needs to be improved, but of course, that could end up creating extra waste.

Let me know what you think of the Vitale. I've looked at it a couple of times, and been tempted, but the rates have often seemed high, so I'll often fall back on my trusty Kimptons (either the Harbour Court or the Palomar).

Nice air-to-air shot, btw!

Mike

great tr and a superb photo of VS043 shame about the sandwiches enjoy your trip :-)

That's an awesome photo! [y]

Thanks for the TR[:D]

Great pic of the 43 and I hope you enjoy your stay in CA as well as your second UC flight - you won't be able to turn right now[;)]

45.

Great TR Mike, and what a photo to match, cheers [y]

Fab photo[^][^]
Anyone get a photo of your flight to put on VF?

Great TR and what a fantastic photo of the VS043!!!

Regards

Mike

Thanks for the entertaining TR[y][y]

Looks like you (and Mrs T perhaps[:w]) have well and truly got the UC bug[}:)] Perhaps Mrs T will see the benefit of making the Clubhouse the first port of call rather than the significant retail opportunities available.

Thank you for your comments about finding useful info on the site.

Your TR adds to the information available to others -thanks you[y]


buns