V-Flyer

After a wonderfully relaxing 5 days in Dubai where I did absolutely nothing but swim, sunbathe, drink and eat [y] it was time to return home. Car picked me and my girlfriend up at the hotel at the quite hideous time of 0525! Think this was slightly excessive for an 0925 flight but never mind!

Arrived at the airport at around 0600 and found eventually found the Virgin bit (Zone E) after starting at the opposite end of the airport! Had to have all our cases scanned which was to be the first time of many that morning. After negotiating the first security check we went to check in. Upper class desk was empty so dealt with quickly and efficiently and still had my requested seats (3/4A) and was handed my invite to the Gulf Air Lounge and given directions. After this followed a massive walk to the departure gates which required a further 2 security checks. Can't remember the last time I had my belt on and off so many times in a morning!

We eventually arrived in a really busy and cramped terminal. There were people asleep on the floor everywhere in all sorts of states. Was very glad of my lounge access as had ages to wait and would not have fancied trying to find somewhere to sit. The duty free shop was vast and very crowded. Decided not to bother shopping and sought out the lounge. I was actually pleasantly surprised. The seating was comfortable and got great views of two of the stands and the departing aircraft. There was no-one in there at all when we arrived but it slowly filled up and was busy although by no means full when we left. Plenty of drinks available in the fridges and a coffee machine as well which produced something that I suppose vaguely resembled a Cappuccino! Snacks weren't bad either with sandwiches, pastries, bread, a toaster and also several hot breakfast items. All in all I spent a pleasant hour and half there before heading off to my gate.

On arriving at the gate we were security scanned yet again. They really are very thorough over here and many people were having hand luggage searched and being 'randomly' frisked by security. It is very nice to know that you are going to be safe on the flight as doubt anyone would manage to get anything dubious through, although it does take an awfully long time. Flight had commenced boarding when we arrived so boarded our bus to take us to the aircraft. This was well organised with Upper, PE and Economy all directed to separate waiting buses. I know that remote stands is something that irritates some people, but I actually quite enjoy it! Like having a good look round the airfield and get some great views of the aircraft taking off and landing. Soon arrived at G-VGOA Indian Princess and dropped off at the front end steps. Couldn't believe it my first Upper Class trip and they STILL made me turn right!!

Welcomed on board (by name for the first time) by the cabin crew and settled into our suites. Again they were in pretty good condition with only a couple of nicks. Offered a drink and was very boring and had orange juice and no champagne. [:0] Captain advised that the flight time would be a rather lengthy 7 hours and 10 minutes due to flying into the wind all the way back. Pushed back exactly on time at 0925 and were in the air soon after. Much shorter taxi as close the start of the runway. Very smooth take off and got a fantastic view of the Burj Al Arab and The Palm Jumeirah where I had been staying at Atlantis! Seat belt signs off quickly and FSM came round and introduced herself and gave out the goodies. Cabin Crew then came round taking orders for drinks and I had a coffee and a very nice danish pastry. V-Port was fired up and I watched In Bruges which I wasn't keen on. Kept thinking something good was about to happen and it never did! Reverted to Blackadder after that as the cabin crew came through with the lunch orders. Menu was as follows:

Starters

Seasonal leaf salad
with chicken tikka and mint yoghurt dressing

Thyme roasted pumpkin soup
with a choice of warm breads

Mezze platter
stuffed cabbage leaf, baba ghanouj in artichoke cup, grilled halloumi fatayer spinach pie and Kalamata olives.

Main Courses

Chicken Kiev
with basil tomato sauce, spicy potato wedges, mange tout, turnips, carrots and parsnips

Hamour Fish picatta
with linguini, red pepper sauce and mixed vegetables

Cream of mushroom pie
with shallot and vegetable sauce, sauteed spinach, carrots and pattypan squash

Cheese

Emmental, Camenbert and Stilton

Dessert

Molten chocolate cake with clotted cream
Honey ice cream with chocolate sauce

I had the soup and the chicken kiev and my partner had the soup and the mushroom pie. Both were very tasty, the mushroom pie in particular looked very nice. I had a couple of beers and my girlfriend had a Chardonnay. FSM was making sure no-one ran out of wine and did two or three refills [y]

Routing was the same as the way out, via Turkey, Budapest, Vienna, and Brussels. Nice to fly over land as so used to just seeing the Atlantic for miles on end! Decided to have an hours sleep and as I woke up I was asked if I would like a snack from the menu.

Smaller Bites

Roast beef sandwich
with potato chips

Coronation chicken puff

Tofu and vegetable skewers
with tomato and mango sauce

Lemon Cake

I had the coronation chicken puff which was nice, pastry quite light and the filling ok and piping hot. My girlfriend had the lemon cake which she seemed to enjoy. Again the drinks were kept flowing by a very good and attentive cabin crew. Captain came on around 40 minutes out from LHR saying that we had made up a bit of time and should be landing on time if there were no traffic delays. Always optimistic when landing at LHR! Started our descent soon after and the only time after take-off that the seat belt signs were on for the whole journey. Very smooth flight with only very mild turbulence in places. Inevitably we were put in a holding pattern so circled for around 15 minutes. Got great views of Wembley and Twickenham and finally landed about 10 minutes late at 1355. Off quickly as PE and Y held to allow us to alight first. Very brief queue at passport control and bags were just coming out as we arrived. Ours were amongst the first batch off and we were soon on Heathrow Express back to Paddington.

As with the outward flight I was impressed with the J class product. So much better than PE which I have used up until now. Service is far superior and the food is slightly better. Also nice having the lounge access (although I will be gold after my next flight so not an issue) as saves being cramped in the terminals. Looking forward to my next trip to Boston (via JFK) in December so that I have something to compare these flights to. Don't think I'll be going back to PE in a hurry so hope there are a few UCS sales soon otherwise I may have to take out a second mortgage!!!

Great TR Dan, and thanks for the menu i'm travelling to Jamacia next month UC and its nice to see what i can expect or similar, how was Atlantis?

Jurgen and Sue

Thank you - great trip report (again).

Sounds like you had good flights and have been spoilt for life... [}:)]

I am afraid that I ALWAYS overeat in Dubai - far too much amazing food: have never been somewhere where everything seems to be of such high quality... [:I]

5.25am DOES sound early to be picked up. We left the Madinat complex at 7am - for the same flight - this past August. Our butler was very adamant that this was far too late, but we ignored him. The previous year we stayed at the Ritz Carlton (which is a similar distance from the airport to the Atlantis) and we left there at 6.45am. I think that, flying UC, you can afford to leave later than 5.25am [;)]

Boo

Originally posted by jfenney
Great TR Dan, and thanks for the menu i'm travelling to Jamacia next month UC and its nice to see what i can expect or similar, how was Atlantis?

Jurgen and Sue

That is the menu when flying from Dubai so it won't be the one you will have on your flight to Jamaica and it probably won't be the one you will have on your return as these will have been provided locally

Thanks for the TR, and good luck getting a second mortgage these days! [;)]

Thank you for the report.Going next tuesday after connecting from Miami and have a whole day between the arrivals lounge a couple of meetings then the clubhouse....Would love to hear your thoughts on the Atlantis.

Really interesting TR - thanks for sharing.

I am going to Dubai in a couple of weeks, flying with Virgin to DXB for the first time on this route so now looking forward to it - esp the return menu as it looks pretty good.

Thanks for the comprehensive TR[y][y]

It always amazes me how so many criticise the facilities within Heathrow, yet your account of the terminal in Dubai evoked so many memories the last time Mrs Buns & I went through.

Clearly you had excellent crew for the journey, demonstrated by the attention and leadership of the FSM[y][y]

buns