VS200 LHR-SYD 28 Dec 07 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

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VS200 LHR-HKG-SYD 28 December 2008

All in, this was a good flight. 20+ hours in the same aircraft is always going to be tough, regardless of class or airline; but I had a good time. And of course, my mood is bound to be positive, considering I am typing this in the Club Lounge of the Sydney Intercontinental, with a postcard view of the harbour! :-)

Check-In

OLCI at T-24 hours confirmed previously selected seats of 3K and 4K for the missus (always my favourites on the 346, with the wall in front of you. Feels very secluded and private, and little traffic.)

EF seatmap at T-12 showing Upper fairly full.. about 7 seats unaccounted for. PE chocka. E filling up quickly...

Arrived in Zone A, to be greeted by a smiling young lady - just like the Flash demo on the the VS website!
Speedy bag drop at the Upper check-ion desks, and then the simply wondrous dedicated security channel. It really does work like they say.. no queue, no stress, no noise.. it just works. And I didn't have to remove my shoes!

Clubhouse

No need to elaborate here.. Clubhouse was perfect as usual.

Anything I would add to the Clubhouse?? A couple of things perhaps.. perhaps some game consoles for some PS3 action; and a few 'utensils' in the bathrooms.. toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.

Boarding

I knew something must be up when 9pm passed and we were still reclining in the CH the 9.30pm departure seemed unlikely. Eventually called at 9.20pm, and the long stroll down to gate 42.. by which time all PE/E pax had already boarded.
We boarded and nabbed sleep suits en route to 3K and 4K. Champagne served, and the announcement I had been anticipating... there has been a minor technical problem with the aircraft. No details were given, but we were assured that all that was required was a small replacement part that was on its way and we would be on our way in 30 minutes.

We pushed back at 11.10pm! We did get 20 minutes of V:Port before departing though!

Flight

A fairly uneventful flight really. Perhaps it was my tiredness, leading inevitably to ambivalence, or perhaps my mood was undemanding, but I didnt mind the fact that I never really saw any CC; helping myself to wine at the bar, etc. Never saw the FSM.

Perhaps the main reason of the CC's lack of attention was the heart-sink of 'a very famous celebrity couple' in Upper.. sitting in 8-9K. To be fair, they were quiet and unassuming, but of course the crew fawned over them constantly. Meaning no attention for anyone else in Upper. Ho hum.

They were very polite and smiley however when I did bing-bong them for food/drink.

Seat 3K (VMEG - Mystic Maiden) a few scrapes on the plastic faacia, but the leather and seat cover in good nic.

Scrooge pack as usual but tray selection of Polos, toothbrush/paste, lip balm, razor and shaving cream. Oh and a nice pen.

Transfer at HKG

Notes for future pax: On leaving the aircraft, via the upper class jetway at 1L, you are directed by sign and by staff to veer right. You get stickered, and pointed towards the security area, where they x-ray your hand luggage. (Why?????) After that, youre on your own for an hour or so. We could see the VS Clubhouse, but not how to get up there! Eventually we found that just by walking towards the shops, you find a small escalator up to the balcony level and Clubhouse.

Wontons, white wine and free wireless wi-fi.

Back on board

Pushed back at 8.20pm local.

Take-off on runway 07L.

Service from the second sector screw was fine, I guess. Again much fawning over celebrity couple, including 'relaxation' of the turbulence-seat-belt-sign-on-but-its-okay-you're-a-celebrity-so-you-can-sit-at-the-bar-and-chat-to-us...!

I decided to eat on board on this sector, and must say, it was rather nice! Obvisouly, they load different food and menus in HKG. A gently spicey soup, followed by a perfectly cooked fillet of salmon, went down very well. Top marks for food. (And you don't hear that often on VS these days..)

Landed at SYD behind schedule, at 09:28 local. But they now give you an Express immigration pass. (I think it's a trial with VS Upper to see how it works). It means you go through the crew channel at passport control.. pick up your bags, and then go through the crew channel at the back of the hall.. completely avoiding the quarantine/x-ray area! We were on a train into SYD by 10:20am... less than 50 minutes from landing. I think that's utterly superb.

--

And so here we are, all excited about the harbour fireworks tomorrow night. Do you want any photos, or would that be considered 'rubbing it in, in a bad way'...?!??! *grin*

[buns]

McCoy

A very interesting TR[y][y]

The new VS wing at Heathrow is certainly living up to expectations and I for one cannot wait to sample it personally[;)]

A fairly uneventful flight really. Perhaps it was my tiredness, leading inevitably to ambivalence, or perhaps my mood was undemanding, but I didn't mind the fact that I never really saw any CC; helping myself to wine at the bar, etc. Never saw the FSM.
Perhaps the main reason of the CC's lack of attention was the heart-sink of 'a very famous celebrity couple' in Upper.. sitting in 8-9K. To be fair, they were quiet and unassuming, but of course the crew fawned over them constantly. Meaning no attention for anyone else in Upper. Ho hum.

Whilst it must have been very nice for the crew to have the opportunity to meet the celeb couple, it is just poor that the other UC pax received a lower service[V][V] Thank you for clarifying that the couple themselves were not making unreasonable demands on the crew thereby giving an excuse for ignoring the premium passengers on board.

I cannot think what you are suggesting about posting some photos[:w] Jealous Moi - never[:D][:D]

Enjoy New Year

buns

Yeah. But I don't want to criticise the crew as such.. it's not that they didn't provide a satisfactory service to UC. it's just that it wasn't 'special'. If this was your one and only trip-of-a-lifetime in Upper, you might be slightly underwhelmed. I don't know. I feel guilty thinking like this. I'm so lucky and so fortunate. We're all human.

But there again, Communism is great in theory, but terrible in practice. I'll pause on that thought....

Originally posted by McCoy
Yeah. But I don't want to criticise the crew as such.. it's not that they didn't provide a satisfactory service to UC. it's just that it wasn't 'special'. If this was your one and only trip-of-a-lifetime in Upper, you might be slightly underwhelmed. I don't know. I feel guilty thinking like this. I'm so lucky and so fortunate. We're all human.

But there again, Communism is great in theory, but terrible in practice. I'll pause on that thought....

Thanks for the TR and have a great New Year in Sydney where I see the weather forecast for NYE is 26C and sunny [y].

I think you are very laid back about the onboard service however, it is terrible when CC get star struck and forget other passengers ... I've seen it before and frankly it's unacceptable, as well as this you'd think that they'd be used to it by now!

Ah, you mean this view... http://pics.smashing.net/p27184527.html

(Though I think you're about 4-5 floors higher in the club lounge and above roof-level of the condo building.)

Thanks for the review of the new LHR facilities. I think VS have made a very positive move here, and it should be easy for them to maintain a consistent experience.

I'm looking forward to trying out the new Upper facilities for my SFO flight in Feb, I'm even contemplating blowing the miles for the CDC on this one!

Shame that the crew on board seemed pre-occupied with the celebs. I think the comment about 'you would think they would be used to it' is spot on, but are you entirely surprised considering the celeb-driven 'Hello-magazine-society' we seem to have developed here in the UK?

If the service had been below par due to celebs onboard, I'd be the first to have a friendly chat with the FSM.

Mike

This fawning nonsense drives me mad- it happens in the CHs too .Upstairs (or the bottom of the LGW CH) being cordoned off for the sole use of a (Z list) cleb, staff falling over themselves to serve them whilst other passengers are virtually ignored etc etc.I've also been 'hijacked' at UC check in (whilst actually being checked in!!!) so that a so called 'VIP' could be processed immediately.Charming.Not.
I was somewhat underwhelmed at some of the cc on our OZ trip too. The BT on both outward legs was awesome (same person due to the 2 night layover) and worked like hell for the entire time she wasn't on her break (including bringing water and juice around to passengers and encouraging them to drink), but the majority of the crew in UC provided a mediocre bare minimum on all 4 legs. There really shold be no need to 'bing bong' for anything.CC(including the FSM) should be highly visible in the cabin. Isn't that what passengers have paid £X,000 for??
The crew had checked that we knew where the HK CH was (and how to get up there) on our return leg so I'm surprised that this advice wasn't given before you disembarked.
Have a great New year in SYD and enjoy the rest of your trip.

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by DragonLady
This fawning nonsense drives me mad- it happens in the CHs too

Indeed. The bitches experienced it when we were in the Clubhouse, six FC Aus and one FC Ag, but across from us were Peter Andre and Katie Price, AKA Jordan. You can guess where the staffers attention went [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah

Thanks for the TR and a shame about the crew fawning over the celeb couple, who were they if you don't mind me asking??? Were they Z list?? [}:)]

The food on our SYD flight was great, love the Asian food they serve.

Enjoy NY in SYD, one of the best cities in the world to spend NY's in.

DMB

[fozzyo]

Crew getting a bit star struck by a 'celeb' is a little understandable, and acceptable for a few 'welcome aboard' minutes. But after that they are just like everyone else - a customer who paid a fare.

Sarah mentioned the Bitches trip to Tokyo with Jordon and Peter. It was quite shocking, we all checked in together - a LARGE group of top-tier flyers and weren't even acknowledged as such. yet your Z listers get escorted through to the lounge and then ahve about 4 staff looking after them. That I would maybe expect for a VS-TOP and I doubt they are.

But nice to see it didn't detract for your flight too much, enjoy SYD - we loved it and look forward to going back. But are completly screwed now ... we could never afford or justify FIRST.

I too was about to make a comment on being ignored in favour of Jordan and Peter at the clubhouse on our Bitches Tokyo trip.

This is one really annoying aspect of VS that seems to pop up on quite a few occasions. Still, glad you enjoued the flight and enjoy the fireworks off the bridge. I'm sure they'll be spectacular.

Cheers!

Dean

Thanks all.. yes, it's great to be here, and the anticipation for tonight is building. Everyone is talking about it!

Yup Mike, that's the room view.. the Club view is indeed several floors higher, and clears the building in front, so you get a true (and awesome) panoramic view of the harbour. Yesterday evening, we watched the TV guys setting up the cameras on the balcony outside, as it is from here that we see footage of the Sydney fireworks on TV back home, on the news!

Interesting observation about the IFBT helping out... that's so true. IME, they spend most of the flight working.. either treatments or getting people drinks, etc.

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by mike-smashing


If the service had been below par due to celebs onboard, I'd be the first to have a friendly chat with the FSM.

Mike

I've never been unfortunate to be on a flight with an so-called celebs but if I felt I or any other pax was being ignored in favour to them, I too would have a word with the FSM.

I have noticed that some of the CC seem to have aspirations to actors, singers or dancers of some sort. Perhaps they are doing a bit of networking..... Like the Qantas CC who had a little tryst with Ralph..... [}:)]

Either way it's not acceptable to ignore other pax in favor of one or 2. As for sat at the bar with the seatbelt sign on, someone needs their butt kicking for that. Makes you wish or a bit of turbulance.[B)]

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler

Originally posted by mike-smashing


If the service had been below par due to celebs onboard, I'd be the first to have a friendly chat with the FSM.

Mike

I have noticed that some of the CC seem to have aspirations to actors, singers or dancers of some sort. Perhaps they are doing a bit of networking..... Like the Quantas CC who had a little tryst with Ralph..... [}:)]
]

Hey Darren,

I don't want to be a total geek and twat, but QANTAS doesn't have a U it stands for Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service. It is a pet hate, and I didn't mean to be an Aussie A**e!

Happy New Year!

Dominic

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by DMetters-Bone

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler

Originally posted by mike-smashing


If the service had been below par due to celebs onboard, I'd be the first to have a friendly chat with the FSM.

Mike

I have noticed that some of the CC seem to have aspirations to actors, singers or dancers of some sort. Perhaps they are doing a bit of networking..... Like the Quantas CC who had a little tryst with Ralph..... [}:)]
]

Hey Darren,

I don't want to be a total geek and twat, but QANTAS doesn't have a U it stands for Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service. It is a pet hate, and I didn't mean to be an Aussie A**e!

Happy New Year!

Dominic

OK OK!! Changed it[:#]

Originally posted by DMetters-Bone

... QANTAS doesn't have a U it stands for Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service. It is a pet hate, and I didn't mean to be an Aussie A**e!

Happy New Year!

Or Queers And Nice Types (of) Stewards, in a better on a camel sense [:D]

Can't believe we were sat there only a few weeks ago... If you're still there, do try the Bimbadgen Shiraz (if you haven't already), available only on an evening.

Originally posted by mdvipond
Can't believe we were sat there only a few weeks ago... If you're still there, do try the Bimbadgen Shiraz (if you haven't already), available only on an evening.

Yup, lovely stuff. There was a bottle in the room as our Amb amenity.

Lucky buggers; we got a bottle of champers that we never drank. Spent far too much time drinking Bimbadgen in the lounge!

Originally posted by HighFlyer

Originally posted by DragonLady
This fawning nonsense drives me mad- it happens in the CHs too

Indeed. The bitches experienced it when we were in the Clubhouse, six FC Aus and one FC Ag, but across from us were Peter Andre and Katie Price, AKA Jordan. You can guess where the staffers attention went [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah

The trick is to sit next to the Celebrity on the flight [:D] as I did on the VS46 on Tuesday then you get the same level of service [:D]