This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
After taking breakfast in the Hotel, the car was waiting to whisk us back to the Airport - on the way back, our driver told us that in the next couple of months the new Emirates Terminal would be open. If to be believed, this might herald the long awaited ability for VS to use an actual gate rather than a remote stand.
We were dropped outside Zone 5 and made our way through the first of Dubai Airport's security 'Jumps' which equal the Grand National. Check in was painless, other than realising our original seat assignments had been altered, and we were now to be sitting next to the bar - I asked what might otherwise be available and eventually opted for 8 & 9A which still afforded the privacy of the 'wall'. The DNTA Check In agent was efficient and the hovering VS member of staff was making sure all was going well[y]
Boarding passes and Lounge Invite in hand, we both continued our Grand National journey; however, I was pleasantly surprised that both Passport Control and Security were little hassle as was the journey up and down escalators to reach the Departure Terminal. Entering the main Terminal, I will never again criticise LGW South as the teaming masses to be found here were to be likened to a shopping centre the day before the big sale starts. There were literally hundreds of people sitting on floors, waiting to use phones or generally milling around. We quickly made our way to the Gulf Air Lounge by Gate 22 which was sign-posted by way of a VS pop up sign.
The Lounge having gone some re-modelling was still of the general layout as I had recalled some two years earlier - there was still the serve yourself area offering a range of sandwiches and hot food and a bar. Seating was now much improved as was the view across to a waiting Lufthansa aircraft and a huge Sony Plasma screen showing CNN. One interesting point was the sign on the toilet doors asking that paper be put in the adjacent bin rather than down the toilet - a bit Greek if you ask me[:w]
By the time Mrs Buns and I ventured out to get some Duty Free, we were called to Gate 43 and made our way through the teaming throng to a virtually empty gate (and yet another security screening) and thence to the buses waiting below. As on the inbound journey, Upper Class Passengers were directed to a separate bus. The journey to our aircraft was tortuously slow following a baggage buggy and waiting for a SAS aircraft to cross the tarmac. We eventually arrived at our Aircraft 'Silver Lady' and boarded by Door A.
Welcomed by name by the FSM as we boarded[y] we made our way to our seats to find much of the overhead locker space already taken - nevertheless, we found space and settled ourselves down for the flight. I have to say that the suites on this aircraft are looking a little tired. Quite apart from the inevitable pen marks, the wear on the leather surrounds is now such that it is possible to see through the leather itself.
The crew seemed a little disorganised ('walk up and down, touch trolley....') but eventfully we received some fizz and the discovery that amenity kits and headphones had been overlooked. No doubt the fact that the crew had been delayed by some four hours the previous day due to fog in Dubai (yes, fog) necessitating the aircraft to be diverted to Abu Dhabi was a contributory factor. The IFBT (who came from Nottingham) came round and orders placed for 'Hot Hand' treatments.
The Upper Cabin was about 75% full and we were told that there were 220 passengers on board and a 7 hour flight back to the UK could be expected. Whilst the doors were closed on time, we then spent another hour awaiting to depart due to 'congestion' so any hope of arriving back in the UK on time were dashed. One plus point of the opening announcements was a clear message about the location of toilets for each cabin and full marks to the crew for re-directing PE pax intent on using the UC loos afterwards.
Soon after take off the drinks service commenced, with orders taken for the main meal. Choices were:
Starters
Carrot and Coriander Soup
Mezze Platter
Mains
Lamb Cutlets with Hazelnut and Herb Crust
Pan Fried Red Snapper
Cheese Filled Risotto Piccata
Desserts
Apple Charlotte
Raspberry Ice Cream
Mrs Buns & I (being creatures of habit) both opted for the red snapper and apple charlotte, avoiding the soup[}:)]
Service was good and afterwards we took a drink at the bar, chatting with some fellow passengers before settling down to watch the V-Port offerings. 'Family Guy ' was the order of the day for me, whilst Mrs Buns watched 'Michael Clayton'. A fairly uneventful flight followed and I took the opportunity to stretch my legs and walk through the aircraft to find PE almost full and plenty of space back in Economy.
Mrs Buns received her 'Hot Hands' treatment and I the hallowed priority card[y][y] It was evident that the were some staffers on board and despite some attempts by them to monopolise the crew, there was no degradation of service to fare paying pax.
Landing 25 minutes later than scheduled, with an approach over Windsor and Eton, the aircraft trundled round the airport before coming on stand and what seemed to be an age before the air bridge was connected to Door B. The trek to the main terminal followed and on arrival in the Immigration Hall we found that the IRIS stations were cordoned off making it necessary to join the main queue which was simply not moving. Some chaos then ensued as additional podiums were opened and by the time we got through, bags were starting to come off the carousel, only to be brought to a sudden halt due to a blockage and the ensuing apathy of staff only added to the frustration. The blockage was rectified eventually and whilst it seemed that one of our bags had been involved, there was no cause to file a report, so we made our way through customs and our waiting Tristar Driver who turned out to be the same guy that had brought us to Heathrow back in January so once again treated to a Merc over a Volvo.
In summary, VS do a good job with the confusion that Dubai Airport throws at overseas airlines. On board, the offering, whilst not excellent, will still have me rooting for VS and combined priority baggage in evidence at Heathrow has me looking forward to my next VS journey.
buns
