VS027 LGW-MCO 3 MAR 11 (Upper Class)
Posted: 04 Mar 2011, 01:26This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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I’d booked this fare in a VS Upper Class fare sale a few months ago. Even with a BA domestic flight and 1 night at a hotel, it still worked out cheaper departing from LGW than flying to MCO direct from MAN. Towards the end of last year I’d decided to try and maintain my VS AU status this year. The original plan was to book 2 return PE flights before my AU status ran out in April. However, the price I paid for this return Z fare to MCO worked out about the same as 2 return K PE fares anyway. Having not flown J since 2007 (Tokyo), I was also now really looking forward to this flight
After booking this flight and selecting my seat, I was even more impressed to find that the out-bound flight was going to be a config 4 LHR 747. This was more by good luck though than anything as I had the choice of either the VS27 or the VS15 at the time of booking. 2007 was also the last time I’d actually flown on a VS 744 in any config as well.
I left the Courtyard by Marriot at approx. 07:20. Whilst this is a nice hotel, be warned, it is a mobile phone network black hole. None of the networks work very well once you are inside the building. Even my 2G signal was regularly dropping to ‘No Service’ in my hotel room. I did complain about this when I checked out and apparently the problem is been worked on. The Marriott is within walking distance from the South terminal and having walked from the terminal to the hotel the previous day, my original plan was the walk back to the terminal but as it was cold and frosty this morning, I caved in and paid the £3.00 for the short bus ride
LGW south terminal is still as chaotic as it ever was. Again it's been several years since i last flew VS from LGW. I wandered down to the VS check-in area in zone A, people everywhere. Upper check-in was not too bad and I only had a couple of minutes wait before I was checked in by a friendly and polite agent. The main security looked very busy. Even though my BC had a fast-track sticker on it, I could not find it, but remembered other people mentioning security upstairs so headed up there. The queues much shorter here and I was actually though security in 5-10 minutes. Apparently there is a whole new bigger security area opening later this year for the south terminal. Not sure if the upstairs security will remain open though?
Being upstairs meant I didn’t have very far to walk to the Clubhouse. The is also my first time in here since the remodelling had been completed. I was given a brief tour on my arrival which was nice.
First stop was the Cowshed spa where I originally wanted a hair cut but these are no longer available so I opted for a complimentary shave treatment. This was booked for 09:15 so I grabbed a seat and ordered breakfast. Service was spot on and I didn't even get to sit down before a server was greeting me and asking if I would like anything
I ordered the scrambled egg and salmon on toast which soon arrived and was very tasty. I was called back to the Cowshed spa and I had a fantastic shave, much better than in the LHR Clubhouse.
The VS027 was called at 10:30 and I made my way down to the departure gate, gate 21 I think. Having not been through LGW for some time, I made my way down after the first call. The flight was still boarding by the time I arrived, but didn't have long to wait. I was greeted by name as I boarded the aircraft which is always nice. The UC cabin soon filled up (been a LHR 744, all 44 seats in J where occupied). Apparently W was also full with several spare seats in Y.
As soon as I arrived at my seat 15K in the nose section, a member of the cabin crew came and took my coat and offered me a drink. Boarding was complete in no time and the door was closed and we where pushing back by 11:20. My V:Port screen was not working during the safety demo (apparently several others weren't working either, more on this later). It makes a change not having to sit in a queue to reach the runway. We were airborne by 11:30.
Dinner orders where soon taken. I noticed on the meal list that there were 2 AU's in J (including me) and an AU Unique. Today was the first day for the latest menu rotation. I can't remember all of it though sorry!!
Starters
Soup (something with potato)
Smoked Salmon
Mains
Roast Pork
Cod fillet served with carrots, potatoes and asparagus
Veggie option (sorry can't remember what though)
The usual warm breads
Desert
Chocolate cheesecake with cherry sauce
Steamed fruit sponge pudding
I opted for the salmon, cod and sponge pudding. The cod was very nice indeed, the salmon starter was nice if a bit dry. The sponge pudding went down well as well.
Drinks orders where taken and V:Port was started. It was obvious that there where problems with V:Port as my IFE was completely dead. Many pax where also asking for resets. Mine did start working after a second maintenance reset. About 20 mins into watching a film, every IFE in the nose section crashed. A full system wide reboot was performed. The K side of the cabin came back after about 60 minutes but there was still nothing working on the A side in the nose section which lasted the entire flight. Even several IFE's on the K side where up and down for a large part of the flight. The FSM came round and apologised personally to everyone sat in the nose section and took Flying Club numbers offering miles to everyone sat in this section. After the full reset my IFE did work for the rest of the flight so wasn't really expecting anything but the FSM was adamant we should all be compensated
After dinner I headed to the bar
Before I knew it I'd been sat there for over an hour. Flights defiantly go quicker when flying in J. There's just so much more interaction between crew and pax and other pax. The seat belt sign came on so we all headed back to our seats. I was amazed to find out that 5 hours of the flight had already passed and I'd only watched the initial 20 mins of my IFE Once back in my seat, I settled down and finished watching the rest of Harry Potter.Afternoon tea was served about 2 hours before landing. Sandwiches, cake and scones where offered. It would be rude not to accepted cake and afternoon tea. No cake stand though?
Before long the cabin was been secured and we where approaching MCO. We landed at about 15:25, 25 minutes early and arrived on stand next to another VS 744 (which I presume was the VS75).
Immigration was an absolute breeze. No waiting and not even any questions other than how long I was staying for. 30 seconds later my passport had been stamped and I was though. Total time in immigration <5minutes
Bags where soon coming off the Upper/Premium dedicated carousel. Once though customs most pax now seem to take the 'carry your bags yourself' option to get to the main terminal and before long I was calling the Holiday Inn to arrange pick-up.All in all a fantastic VS flight
. I think its only failed or been unwatchable a couple of times out of the rest of the flights.