This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Eventually at 1.15pm we boarded again, J class. Needed my G&T and packet of crisps (wow - some meal!!) for the 80 minute or so flight. It was a bit miserable in SFO and it was almost 4pm by time we checked in - we were told only 4 more UCS pax to check in for the nearly full flight. Never been to the new lounge and new we would have little time to spend in it because of our delay. Not much room left, we managed to find a small table at the back, but we were served quite quickly. Had a decent BLT and a refreshing Heineken, a quick scout around, and with the lounge being before security (unusual) and we wanted to look at duty free, we left 15 minutes before being called. Little time to enjoy, though it looked nice, although smaller than I imagined. The Welcome member of staff didn't look too pleased to see us, but the young chap serving us was very pleasant. Anyway 3/4 later we were in duty free, then down the escalator just as they started to board.
The UCS line was easy to find, and surprisingly found we had our own walkway to the UCS section - a nice touch and don't often see that. No name used on boarding, we found our seats 15&16 (formally 7&8 I think or similar) and settled down to champagne as others started to board. The beauty lady offered me a treatment but with the usual caveat that as per usual, I won't be seen. Hey-ho! I wasn't.
I was offered a welcome top up of champagne as the rain came down and the plane filled up. Sleep suits were handed out before take off, and I changed into mine finding it easier to relax/doze later on. Few people did, about 20%, but it was good for me. Browsed the menu which for once, I liked it all - Prawn Caesar or Tomato and Basil Soup (which I had, with funny little crunchy veg. like things floating, but not identified, and not croutons!); Beef Stoganoff or Roast Chicken which I had - not bad. A bit disappointed in the sticky toffee pudding, as a bit dry, not much sticky toffee and a bit bland with minimal custard. All in all though, quite enjoyable. Decent coffee, cabernet shiraz and brandy to follow.
The CSM was a jovial chap, reminding everyone not to smoke or they will be faced with a fire extinguisher and shown the nearest door to exit to finish their cigarette on the way down! He introduced himeslef, asking if we had a nice time in SFO. I informed him we didn't as we were in NY, Florida and Vegas. He enquired a bit about that politely and moved on. Nice fellow. In fact, again we had a great bunch of friendly people serving us. I wondered down the the new PE and found it very respectable (a lot more seats than used to - new config. I guess) and was invited to do a full tour by the CSM, which I did - sooo much nicer in J!!
There was a glitch in the IFE and din't fire up until half way through dinner. Watched Ratatouille which was OK, if a bit overrated. Settled down for some kip and managed 2 hours of intermittent dozing, before playing with my i-pod and Millionaire and the map. Felt a bit out of it as tourists, as it seemed all the pax were business people, in suits, with lap tops, swapping business deal stories etc. We were the only 2 holiday makers it seemed in the cabin, so we blended in inocuously.
Had handed in my breakfast choice earlier and was greeted with this around 9am. We had left 20 minutes early and with a good headwind we were on course to be 45 minutes early in total, so that was good, altough we were in 'holding' for 20 minutes before landing. Anyway, breakfast was OK, with scrambled eggs, bacon, (English) sausage (yum - I miss those and dislike the US sausage!), hash brown, Cornflakes, coffee and juice. Pleasant enough.
Soon we were on our approach as the plane awoke. Changed back to my usual clothing 50 miuntes before touch down, to a bright and cool UK. Very good flight, although shame about the 1 hour or so delay in IFE. Staff friendly and helpful with fine service on a fairly uneventful flight. Only one exit this time, but no queue in IRIS meant a speedy exit to luggage collection, but as usual had to wait 20 minutes before it turned up. One of the first off the carousel we headed off to our car. Great holiday, great flight. Roll on June for SanFran and Vegas, when weather permitting we will have more time in both club lounges both in LHR and SFO!
Cheers.
