VS075 MAN-MCO 27 Jul 08 (Upper)
Posted: 30 Jul 2008, 17:28This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
My first UCS experience was one that I was both looking forward to for obvious reasons, yet also dreading at the same time due to the inconsistency of services found on the MAN-MCO routes however I can report that I thoroughly enjoyed my first UCS experience and am very much looking forward to my return trip in 4 weeks. Everything seemed to run like clockwork for this flight and all the family were astounded at how smoothly and quickly the experience went.
We had already completed OLCI the day before and secured our requested seats, so at 8am on Sunday morning we set off to the airport and arrived at 8.20am to a very busy MAN airport. The economy check in line was huge and PE and UC empty. We headed directly to the UC desk and the agent asked whether we were travelling PE or UC, it was lovely to be able to say UC [:D].
After the usual security questions we were released to join the queue and had to wait a few minutes as a family from the economy line had been called over to the UC desk whilst we were being asked our security questions. It wasnt a problem though we only had to wait a few minutes before being called over. I explained to the check in agent that we had already completed OLCI but hadnt been able to print off our boarding cards no problem, Ill get that sorted for you now Mrs. Brown Within a couple of minutes I was in receipt of my first ever purple boarding card with fast track sticker attached, these were handed over in a silver folder which also contained our lounge invites and immigration cards and with a smile we were told boarding would commence at 9.30am from gate 300 a remote gate,and then she released us and wished us a pleasant flight [y]
Next to contend with was security, now this presented us with a few initial queries as security as we knew it had disappeared yep thats right no longer existed and with dread beginning to set in we set off up the escalators which were signposted departures wondering what on earth would meet us at the top. What met us were more signs directing us to departures which we duly followed all the time looking at each other and wondering where we were being taken to. Finally it all became clear there is a brand new security facility at Man airport which looked extremely organized considering the amount of people we had left at check in. Fast track security was well signposted and we walked straight to the front where we met with a lady who asked us for our boarding passes, she passed each one through a machine a bit like those on the underground and the 5 of us were through in less than 2 minutes and heading towards screening. Again here there was no waiting and we were first in line, laptops and liquids out shoes on was the greeting we were met with and once more we were finished within a matter of minutes. Once we had collected all our bags me and Scott looked at each and both commented on how much better this system was [y]
We then set off to find WH Smith, here we had to queue and the lines were huge they snaked around the entire shop, now we had the sense here to put H & L in the queue whilst myself, Scott and Jess picked up what we needed and joined them which meant that we didnt have to queue for too long, we were still in there about 20 minutes which was ridiculous, next time we will pick up books and magazines the day before!!!!
Now off to the haven of the Escape Lounge which was fairly busy. The lady at reception gave us a warm welcoming smile and took our invite. She then suggested that we might be more comfortable going into the lounge to the right as the one on the left was very busy and we would struggle to find seats for the 5 of us. We thanked her and went to find a seat so we could enjoy a quick breakfast before boarding. The lounge to the right was fairly empty and we found seats right in the back corner away from the majority of people so the girls wouldnt upset anyone. Now I really enjoy the escape lounge its quiet and has everything that we need before boarding, we all had drinks and pastries for breakfast before heading off for a bathroom visit with the 3 girls, at this point I checked the time and realised in was 9.50am and that we really should be heading off to the gate so we could board.
We hot footed it down to gate 300 to be met by the most horrendous mess I have ever seen [:0] there were 3 flights trying to board at once and ours was right at the back. After pushing through 2 lines of passengers for different flights we finally arrived at our gate just as the call was made for passengers travelling in UC and PE, seat row numbers were also announced, to make their way to the desk and for all others to please wait and step back to give passengers room. This was repeated 3 times and seemed to work really well. We were stopped for secondary screening again which meant we didnt make it onto the first bus, all other UC passengers must have done though as we were last to arrive in the UC cabin. The drive to the aircraft was thankfully very quick, I dont think they could have forced anymore people onto the bus if they tried and we were very soon heading up the stairs to Virginia Plane, our home for the next 8 hours or so.
Once at the top our boarding cards were closely inspected and we were welcomed on board, told to turn left and head straight towards the front, such a nice feeling [:D]
As I mentioned earlier we were the last to arrive in the UC cabin and all the other passengers were settled in and being served drinks. We were given a few minutes to settle in and then our 2 CC came and offered us drinks. We all opted for orange or water and although we didnt have any refills they were offered twice before the doors closed and we headed off to the runway.
First impressions of the UC cabin were of how small and intimate it was and how I could very easily get used to travelling right at the front. There were a few scuffs and pen marks on the suite, but not that noticeable that it spoilt any of our experience at all. Take off was smooth and uneventful, although it was strange to be pushed sideways into my seat for takeoff.
The seat belt signs were off within 10 minutes and the CC swung straight into action setting up the bar and taking more drinks orders. The IFE started quickly as well with a good choice of films showing. I enjoyed Horton hears a who; 27 dresses and the water horse Im just a big kid at heart really!!
Drinks and snack orders were quick to be taken and delivered, I asked for a glass of white wine and the male CC was not sure of the wines on offer, he was very apologetic and explained that he usually worked in economy this was his first UC flight, I feel I should mention here that he was a credit to Virgin, he was fabulous with all the passengers especially Jess, who fell in love with him during the ice cream run when he offered her both ice creams so that polar bear could have some as well. For the uninitiated Polar bear travels everywhere with us and the crew on this flight were wonderful, making sure he was secured on the ottoman for takeoff, not for landing though as he gets a bit scared so needs a snuggle; and that he didnt need anything at all, a small touch perhaps but one that made Jesss day and showed us that that Virgins CC cannot be beaten on the small things that really do make or break a passengers flight. Jess couldnt care less if the IFE works or not or if she is offered drinks constantly but she does like it when people talk to her and loves it when they ask about her Polar Bear [^]
Top ups were offered quickly and regularly and dinner orders were taken . Again the CC excellent with the girls going through everything with H and L and making sure that they knew exactly what was on offer. The freedom menu is definitely in operation as I asked if I could delay my meal until after the girls had eaten, absolutely was the reply a few hours later or straight after the girls straight after was fine I said and apologized for being awkward not awkward at all it was no trouble to serve me dinner at anytime.
As this being done the FSM came around to us and introduced herself and handed out amenity kits, she chatted to Scott and Jess for ages and she was was lovely with all 4 children in the cabin there was one other little boy as well as our 3 girls. She told us to ask for anything we wanted and that nothing was too much trouble and it never was. We didnt however see much of her after that the flight was full though so maybe she busy elsewhere I didnt see any empty seats when I took Jess for a stroll down the back and as others have mentioned it was lovely getting back to the tranquility of the UC cabin after visiting a packed economy cabin.
The bar was set up and kept well stocked throughout the flight although the extras for the amenity pack were nowhere to be seen, Lauren found them half way through the flight in a cardboard box by the crew seats which is the only complaint I have really, it would have been nice if they made more readily available for the passengers.
All the girls decided it was time try out the beds and all had their suites converted which they thought was amazing, what they thought was even more fantastic was when they were asked if they would like their dinner served to them in bed. Jess took it all in her stride and said yes please, H and L on the other looked shocked to say the least and looked over to me for confirmation that they were actually allowed to eat in bed, their faces were a picture and once they had the ok from me were eager to eat in bed whilst watching TV.
Dinner choices were:
Starters
Baby gem salad all of us with the exception of Jess had this and really enjoyed it.
Salmon Ceviche
Main Course
Braised tender cut of beef in red wine sauce with buttered runner beans, carrots and leak and potato dauphinoise all 5 of us chose this and not one of us could find anything to complain about at all it was delicious one of the nicest beef dishes I have ever had, very tender and lots of it.
Poached flounder, steamed prawns and mussel en papillotes with creamy citrus sorrel sauce, buttered new potatoes and broccoli florets.
Summer vegetable lasagna with rocket and olive oil.
Cheese
Blacksticks blue; Joseph Heller coloured Cheshire; Somerset rustic with a 2 types of cracker and apple chutney. All very nice.
Dessert
Dessert of the day as Eaton mess which H and L both loved and polished off in no time at all.
Orange ice cream with dark chocolate sauce.
The CC were good to their word and as soon as the last of the girls plates had been removed I was asked if I was ready for my dinner or would I prefer to wait a little longer, well by this time I was hungry and everything looked so delicious so I opted to have it now please. All through the meal service drinks were topped up regularly including mine when I wasnt eating this could be a dangerous past time to indulge in as I was getting slightly tipsy by the time my meal was served and indeed by the end of the meal needed a sleep, much to Scotts amusement, so I converted my seat and slept for about an hour and a half. The bed was fabulous and plenty comfy enough for me; its also nice that its angled so you get some privacy as well.
After the dinner service the CC left us alone but regularly came around and asked if we needed anything. They were also happy to be interrupted by Jess asking if she could please have some more nice crisps as she was starving!!!!
After my nap I settled down to watch 27 dresses on the recommendation of Hannah who said it was awesome and it was a really good film.
All too soon its amazing just how quickly the flight passed to be honest [:(] we were being asked if we would like afternoon tea which consisted of the following sandwiches:
Coronation chicken and cucumber; ham and Dijon mustard and egg mayonnaise and chive.
With a choice of Apple and cinnamon scone with strawberry jam and clotted cream; chocolate and hazelnut cake or cranberry and almond slice.
The sandwiches were only small and served with 3 crisps but too be honest it was more than enough as I was still fairly full from lunch. We all opted for the scone which was served warm and was gorgeous, we were also informed that there were plenty of extra cakes to go around if anyone would like more.
All too soon we were getting ready for landing and so all beds were converted back and assorted books and crayons packed away. The views from the front were amazing as we came into land at MCO. It was the usual long taxi to the gate but we werent held up at all and were the first flight in so we knew customs wouldnt be too busy. Within a few minutes the doors were opened and although there was no announcement made to say which cabins were disembarking first we were off very quickly and found that the downstairs PE and economy cabins all had a majority of their passengers still sat down.
Now even though we knew we were the first plane from the UK into MCO we were still expecting some form of queue at customs but it was empty, we walked straight to an empty desk and were through within 5 minutes. It was that quick we had to wait for our case to come through and when it did it was the first one off the plane and before we knew it we were on the monorail heading towards the main terminal. It was at this point that I asked what time it was and it 2.35pm local time, are you sure!!! We only landed at 2.06pm. That has to be the quickest I have ever travelled through MCO airport.
So to sum up, from check in; to security; priority boarding; welcome onboard; service; disembarking to immigration at MCO everything ran very smoothly and I was more than happy with every part of the experience.
Our CC were amazing and never made us feel as if we any trouble at all, so if you are reading this THANK-YOU for an amazing first UC experience, especially the male CC who was experiencing his first UC experience as well you were FAB!! [^]
Now I realize that some reading this TR will still think that the MAN passengers suffer with remote stands and no-clubhouse, but the escape lounge is clean and serves its purpose and when handled correctly the bussing of passengers to the aircraft works well. I havent flown from LHR yet and experienced the full clubhouse and UC treatment but I will be able to compare it in Feb once I have completed my LHR-BOS flight. I will say however that I am not convinced that the UCS on the airbus will have to same intimate feeling and wonderful service that the smaller MAN UCS experiences. I am totally looking forward to my return flight in 4 weeks and still feel that Virgin offers an excellent service in all of its cabins.