V-Flyer

After two weeks of revelling in the 50p dollar whilst travelling around California in a convertible Mustang, our holiday finally came to an end, and after a day at the Getty Center, we arrived at LAX Terminal 2 at 6pm. The check-in queue snaked round the terminal, out the door and along the forecourt. We weaved our way around and found the Upper check-in agent. There were only three check-in desks open for the whole flight 1 each for Upper, PE and Economy. No wonder there was a long queue.

Quickly through check-in. Our cases didnt seem to be weighed separately, which I was pleased about one was very heavy (we had accumulated several bottles of wine), and had priority tags attached. Also got our invites for the Air New Zealand Lounge.

Security only took a few minutes, and after spending a few dollars more in Duty Free, we went up to the Lounge.

The lounge isnt terribly large, I guess it holds about 80 100 people, and was well over half full when we arrived. It seemed very bland all beige tones, and just slightly tired looking. Food and drink are self service. The wines were all NZ, no surprise. The champagne substitute was Lindauer, and a couple of glasses went down with no problems. Noticed the sauv blanc was Oyster Bay (had been hoping it might be Cloudy Bay).

Had a welcome shower, and then looked at what was on offer at the food counter. Pizza slices and soup were the only hot offerings, otherwise cold meats, dips, bread and fruit. Later someone came round, rather bizarrely I thought, trying to persuade folks to have a lamb chop from a large plateful, but I didnt try them. Free wireless networking meant I was able to use my laptop.

All this time the lounge was getting fuller by the time our flight was called there was hardly a spare seat in the place. There may have been a problem with the NZ flight, as announcements like The flight crew have now arrived at the airport, and The flight crew are now on board the plane kept being made to the NZ passengers. A Virgin rep called the VS flight, and then lead us all to the gate, where she checked our boarding cards and let us through to the aircraft. I think most other passengers had already boarded. We were on Sweet Dreamer.

We were welcomed on board by name, and were soon in 5 & 6K. Champagne rapidly followed. Take-off was a little delayed, but before long we were airborne- very little taxiing as the gate is near the runway. Sleep suits were handed out, and orders taken for dinner and breakfast. The FSM came round to everyone and introduced himself with a handshake and a little chat seemed very professional, but also friendly.

Had a goats cheese tartlet, chicken with white beans and spinach (no potato!), and ice cream with chocolate sauce. All good simple food, executed perfectly adequately. Gone 11 pm by the time wed finished eating. Quite a few people didnt bother with food.Watched a film (the number 23) on and off during this, but didnt really take it in. Cabin crew all seemed attentive and on the ball.

Following 5 or 6 hours of intermittent sleep, I was up and changed out of sleepsuit. Had a cuppa, and breakfast shortly after. Had the fruit selection which seemed very fresh. During this the seatbelt sign came on and stayed on for the final hour or so. People still seemed to be moving about changing out of sleepsuits and so on. The pilot apologised several times but said pilots ahead were reporting severe turbulence. Of course we never experienced any of it, but I guess better safe than sorry. I overheard one of the cabin crew telling a passenger that they werent allowed to physically prevent someone moving about when the seatbelt sign is on.

Our flight path took us over a reasonably cloud free Central London. I always enjoy picking out the places I recognise. We landed about 4.00pm. Mrs T was very pleased at this point. She had lost one of her pairs of glasses during the flight and had thought she would have to look under and around the seat after landing, but as we touched down with a bit of a jolt, said pair of glasses fell into her lap. No idea where from! Other passengers were held back whilst Upper disembarked. Hardly any queue at Immigration (but a long queue for non-EU passengers) and Upper bags were first onto the carousel. So then it was the Heathrow Hoppa back to the Sheraton Skyline to pick up our car.

So that will be my last Virgin flight for some time[n], but my first two flights in Upper certainly wont be my last! (I hope)

Mike

Thanks for TR, I love it when you get a clear blue sky around London[y]

Danno

Mike

Thanks for the TR[y][y]

Good reports on the on-board food and crew are always welcome and confirm that VS can produce the goods when leadership in the form of an on-the-ball FSM is present.

but my first two flights in Upper certainly won't be my last! (I hope)

Got the bug then [:w]

Thanks once again

buns

Thanks for the TR Taurus, always good to hear that the onboard service and food was good, especially after the last few reports.

Once you turn left there is no going back! [y][y]

Dominic

Originally posted by taurus
It seemed very bland Ð all beige tones, and just slightly tired looking.

All I can say is 'Welcome to LA!' [n] The whole town seems to look like that at times.

But you can forget all of that with a few glasses of Cloudy Oyster Bay sauv blanc. [:p]

I suspect the lamb presentation was a 'Best of NZ' scheme, but yeah, it does seem weird to just go about forking off lamb cutlets to pax. Odd...but probably yummy!

Thanks for the great TR.

Cheers!

GJ

Mike,
Very fine report indeed. Glad to hear that you were able to see the Getty Museum which is one of LA's better tourist attractions.

Chuck-