This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
A couple of days before the flight I received an invitation to use drive-thru check in. As we had already booked Purple Parking Meet & Greet we didn't take up the offer but it was nice to be given the choice. The day for departure finally arrived and with Mum & Dad safely installed to look after the children with pages of instructions and emergency phone nos. we had a quick journey up the M4. That is quick until we reached the exit for Terminal 3. Apparently there had been an accident earlier and the traffic from the motorway to the terminal was terrible. We finally dropped the car off and made our way into the terminal which was absolutely heaving. There were about 6 couples in front of us in the Upper check in queue but fairly shortly we were called to an empty PE desk. Check in was efficient and our bag checked all the way through to Vegas.
It was lovely to go up in the lift and leave the chaos of the terminal behind to go through the Upper security check. Virgin have a real advantage over BA here. When we reached the lounge it was very busy and we had to wait for a table in the dining area. Once seated however we enjoyed a relaxing breakfast with a very attentive server. Shortly before we left there was much excitement amongst the staff as Kylie and her entourage entered the lounge!
The time soon came to board and priority boarding was working well. We were seated in 15A & K and were given a very warm welcome. I wondered how the service from the crew would be affected by the fact that Upper was completely full. We were immediately offered a drink and I refused but just mentioned that if possible once we were airborne I would like a coffee. I was told that it was no trouble to get me a coffee straight away and that I shouldn't have to wait. I knew then that we were in for a great flight. The CSD then came round to introduce himself and shook everybody's hand which was a nice touch. Everybody was also asked whether they knew how the seats worked and given instructions if they were unsure. The cabin was clean and seats showed no sign of the wear and tear mentioned in other TRs. I just wish that the seats would recline all the way into bed mode as with BA.
After take-off the basket of goodies to supplement the amenity kits was brought round. I took some moisturiser but the crew member insisted that I also took a pen and some lip salve and I noticed that he did this for all passengers. I thought this was a nice touch as for some reason you feel a bit greedy taking more that 1 or 2 items. Drinks and dinner orders were then taken. I really can't remember much about dinner other than it was well presented and quite nice. The flight then passed reasonably quickly with the crew seemingly working non-stop. They were really attentive with lots of offers of drinks and help in making up the beds. There was none of the crew disappearing to the galley for a chat that we had experienced on previous VS flights. One crew member was very excited that apparently Kylie was on our flight in the cabin upstairs!
The flight time was a long 10 and a half hours and then I realised that I had forgotten all about the 8 hour time difference which I find is a real killer on a relatively short break. Nevertheless we had a smooth landing and transfer to United for our onward flight to Vegas.
All in all this was a fabulous flight and reminded me that when VS are good they are very good and the enjoyment of a flight in the end only boils down to how good the crew are. The flight was as good as any we have had with BA. We decided that each airline has some advantages over the other and that in future we would try to fly VS more often. I will post another TR but unfortunately the return leg was not quite so positive.
