VS019 LHR-SFO 26 Jun 09 (Upper)
Posted: 18 Sep 2009, 13:41This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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My first UC flight, was booked 6 months prior to flying so to be finally going almost seemed unreal. at time of making the reservation, it was more cost efficient to fly via SFO to LAS on UC than direct in PE, well around 200 more and that's easily justifiable in that LHR is closer for me, the aircraft have V:port and then there's the CH.
The day started at 6am, my normal morning taxi waiting me and a painless 30minutes later am greeted with a smiling face at check-in, no queue, once again I was unable to use OLCI due to the extra security check I get pulled for when flying to the US. no matter I'm used to it, in fact check in was surprised when I even said I'm expecting it. The lady made the call and never required the addition interview so cleared immediately and was done in no time. One final visit outside for some London air, however polluted at LHR, and my own pollution from a final stick of Vitamin N! I see the headlines that Michael Jackson is dead. I felt numb having only bought my tickets to see him earlier that week, its a great loss to everyone, his music will live on. At the time I did have have thought this was a publicity stunt and he would 'resurrect' within a week, but now posting this TR clearly my cynical view was far from the mark. I digress.....
security was a breeze, no queue, no shoe carnival as recently mentioned on the site. Was a jovial atmosphere in the security channel, the topic of discussion, should schools be allowed to cane or slipper children? the general consensus there was yes, well never did me any harm in the long run! arrival at the CH was met by a small queue but then it had just opened so can't complain. once in, there is a warm, inviting and relaxed feeling, but not sure if a wow maybe I was still numb over the MJ news. settled into breakfast, disappointed no baked beans, surely that's a part of a full English? no matter, at 7:30 in the morning the portion size was just right for me, was well attended with offers of refills of tea and orange juice on a regular basis. the lounge was beginning to fill and was glad to be in early in case the levels of service dropped, but appeared to be plenty of staff in attendance.
a 9 o'clock appointment had been pre-booked online for a facial so a quick shop to kill bit of time, something about duty free mini kit-kats that taste completely different to the norm, have to bag a bag for the room. facial was well performed and relaxing. so hour and a bit left till boarding, so the first stage of this TR is composed. the CH was now a bit busier and no longer being pounced upon to be offered to anything to drink, as was earlier.
called to gate 1, 40 minutes before scheduled departure, clear priority boarding and straight through A, turn left up the stairs to seat 5K. All seemed clean and neatly arranged, a few signs of wear and tear but nothing that shouldn't be look over. Push back was slightly delayed as last moment hold items were arranged then a slow taxi. Seem to queue forever for take off, which may well have been an hour after the original schedule of 11:30. The planned route for today is up through the north of England, across South Iceland, Greenland, NW America then flying south into SFO, flight time to be 10hours.
Once airborne, offered first round of drinks. then the food service promptly followed. neither of the starters appealed so went with the roasted vegetable wrap which was passable followed by the steak pie then the strawberry roulade. all was efficiently served and enjoyable. Settled back to watch a few films, firstly Madagascar 2, I love these kind of films, especially in flight, so easy to watch. Then started to watch Body of Lies, not a film to watch in fight, too involved and dozed off so completely lost what was going on. So headed to the bar for a few drinks, initially well attended but the CC member covering the bar was called away and one of my fellow passengers took up the post of host to us all. didn't go down too well with the FSM, but was laughed off, especially as our impromptu barman wasn't much over 18 and was filling himself with alcohol before his return to the states and a 21 age limit. Before anyone condones his actions, his older brother was also there plus his father was on the upper deck and made regular visits downstairs to make sure he wasn't being a nuisance to anyone. Far from it, was all very entertaining, and at one point was standing room only at the bar.
Returned to seat and watched some TV. Was asked if wanted anything to eat from the light bite menu, opted for the cottage pie, wasn't much more than a mouthful, so I was brought 2. Not long after was the afternoon tea service. How can I refuse a scone and jam or Victoria sponge? I knew I was about to have a 3 hour wait at SFO for my connection, so justified another feeding in that needed to keep my energy up. The flight landed on time so we'd made up for the slightly delayed departure and long taxi en route. Overall a pretty much faultless journey. I enjoy flying and all the trappings that go with it, if anything this all went too quickly, my first UC trip over in a flash, but guess that's what your paying for to relax you into a journey so it flies by, pun intended!
Had to wait for my connecting flight into LAS with US. This was a painful, landing at equivalent to 10:30pm London time, with the flight not till 2:30am London time, so sat at the gate for 3 hours, I was too tired to do much, it was too hot outside to wander about. In hindsight I should never have booked that flight and waited till I arrived in SFO then took whatever I could get for the 1 hour hop to LAS, in the time I was waiting 3 Southwest Airline flights had departed for LAS. Was a novice's error and one I will never make again. Luckily once arrived at LAS I have a driver waiting for me, so quickly out of the airport to my hotel, in the room by 9pm. Was a long day travelling.
One final thing to add. Unfortunately I felt very ill 24h after arriving in LAS, unable to leave my room and close to getting a doctor. I couldn't decide if something I ate or a bug picked up somewhere, seemed like food poisoning and initially put the blame on breakfast at the hotel. Spoke to my host who checked if any other reported illness, but nothing. Near the end of my Vegas trip I did a helicopter trip and chatting with an Irish couple on honeymoon, they were on the same flight to SFO and also one of them had been taken ill. don't know if should've contacted VA