VS045 LHR-JFK 30 MAR 11 (Upper Class)
Posted: 06 Apr 2011, 15:02This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Check In
I received the email 2 days before from VS inviting me to 'try-out' the DTCI. Of course, I'm not one to give up something free and really wanted to try this out so called VS to arrange.
I completed OLCI 24 hours before and managed to secure my SEQ 1 & 2!!
We arrived at the DTCI for around 10:45. Greeted by 3 very attentive staff, 2 gents to take our bags from the car and a lovely lady to complete check in. We were greeted by name, bags taken and offered a seat in the waiting area. We were very casually checked in, given our purple boarding passes and directed to the CH.
Proceeded through the private security channel, I really liked this and it made for a great and very relaxing start to the holiday.
A quick stop in duty free before heading to the CH.
Clubhouse
Finally, I get to visit the highly regarded LHR VS Clubhouse! My expectations were certainly met and in many ways exceeded. Checked our bags in, then headed over to the galley area behind the bar to relax and get sorted! Offered a drink very quickly and had a look at the menu. I decided I wasn't hungry enough for the Clubhouse Burger, I had been feeling a little under the weather so opted for the cheese on toast - my partner opted for the Salmon bagel - both came very quickly and very happy. I have to say, it was the best cheese on toast i've ever had.
After lunch we popped into the study to print a few important documents for our trip (i loved the speed of the computers!!) then went to explore.
I had decided that I didn't feel like a treatment today (as not feeling 100%, although in hindsight a massage probably would have helped). Had a go on the arcade games, took a few sweets, popped upstairs and spent some time in the upstairs bit, then decided to have a look out in the garden. Despite the rain, we managed to have a quick explore!
Ended up back in the seating area near the bar and tried out a virgin redhead and a champagne mojito – both went down well.
Overall, excellent experience!
Boarding
Decided to go on 1st call. Left the CH and proceeded to Gate 21 - it was VERY busy. Split lines for UC/PE and Y for accessing the gate, once in the gate area it was like a cattle market. No specific lines for priority boarding, despite the signage. Eventually, 15 minutes later the staff announced boarding and split the 2 lines for UC and PE/Y.
Upgrades to PE were being offered over the tannoy for £239pp, it seemed every 2 minutes the announcement was made.
Flight
Welcomed on board (not by name) and directed to assigned seats 5K and 6K. UC was pretty empty, probably 75% full, lots of empty gaps around. There were 2 FSM’s plus 2 cabin supervisors running this flight. One of the FSM’s in the UC cabin had a serious attitude and really let down what was an excellent crew, she would stomp up and down – no eye contact, very straight faced – perhaps having a bad day? Who knows, I was just glad I didn’t see much more of her.
Pre-flight champagne offered (and duly taken) then all settled and confirmed 283 passengers for flight. Flight time was 7 hrs 23 mins.
Once up, I tried to get my IFE to work – I couldn’t get the headphones to plug into the socket - thought it was just me but no, the CC tried too! It had seemed that the jack had slipped out of place. Luciky, 4K was free so I just moved 1 in front of my partner.
The CC came over and explained how the bed worked and told me to let her know when I was ready/if I wanted to switch over.
About an hour into the flight, the CC came over to ask for food orders. I had the soup to start with – watercress and potato – soooo nice!! I really liked this. I didn’t really feel like a main course so I asked for some cheese and biscuits. The CC bought over a lovely selection place of various cheeses and crackers for me – very nice!!
I then decided to try out the bed – a male CC passing through acknowledged and quickly helped me. It felt odd at first, but very comfortable. I then settled down to a nice movie and a snooze!
Shortly before we started our descent, my partner became quite unwell and it wasn’t the most pleasant landing experience. The CC were great and we were the last to leave the aircraft.
Immigration in JFK was a nightmare!! Not only were the queues huge, you had to deal with a few ‘idiots’ off another flight who felt the exit door was ok to use (it was directly out to the runway!) – the immigration police were not impressed and treated it as an attempt to illegally enter the country – this held things up when getting to the lines.
The queues must have been atleast an hour long – as my partner was unwell and we had a connecting flight (just over 3 hours away), the crew gave us a priority pass so we could get through immigration using the crew lane – much quicker and a very friendly immigration officer – the nicest I have experienced.
Out to baggage claim, priority tags worked a treat....now on to the AA connection to LAS!
Overall, a fantastic experience. I would definitely recommend DTCI, a great start to the holiday with excellent customer service. The crew really made this flight, apart from the grumpy FSM! The CH and UC are excellent and I wouly happily say the premium price is justified!
Luke
. Oh dear... 
