VS018 EWR-LHR 25 JUN 11 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

After one of my most amazing holidays to date, a week in Santa Monica, a week Vegas at the
MO and a final week at Muze in New York, it was time to go home. To be honest after a week of the muggy heat and madness of the big apple I was ready for it. Though I will be back after discovering the Hells Kitchen area.

We arranged a Sedan pick up long before our trip, so it was a little irksome to find they got the time wrong and "they hade decided" to come later because we really didn't need to be there so early, turned out there was roadworks and the driver didn't seem over confident of the alternative route, nor was she aware that i speak spanish and could well understand the satnav's frantic requests for her to turn around lol. We got there 70 mins before close. As a foot note don't get me started on Dial 7 for our pick up on arrival in NYC..what a shower, moral of the story don't economise on executive travel lol.

Check in was a bit frantic, its the first time I have seen so many people desperate for an upgrade at the last minute and totally painful in their repeat efforts to get one and in doing so holding up everyone else. Also the first time I ever saw so many people ferried about on electric cars and demanding to be taken on first only later to be seen skipping about departures at the gate and shoving their way forward. One man was pushing Steve so hard the posts by the rope were falling over, Steve said excuse me are you in Upper Class, NO he bellowed I have a stick! which he brandished, Steve just said Oh isn't it lovely. Just as an observation and nothing else it seemed all the people demanding electric cars etc and well able to be scrum halves at the gate itself were of eastern decent, never noticed before.
My seat was fine, picked the usual just slightly to one side of the wardrobe so i could habg our coats up and put roll ons inside. One person best described as some kind of English oik came in with a child and his American partner/wife, very vocal about the fact he could not see his son because of the wardrobe, the mother didn't want to swap with him because it would have strained her neck to see him. He kicked up a fuss about this and blocked the entrance for other people coming on trying to sort it, with a very Ian Duncan Smith accent he said well whoever comes in can swap and if they don't swap they are XXXX put your own expletive. Turned out the flight was made interesting by them in the end, questioning the quality of the champers demanding to see the bottle to "proove" it was not sparkling wine, then demanding to see another, and this went on throughout the flight.
The food was pretty much pants again for me but this time I was slightly to blame because if I had picked the beef instead of the chicken i would have enjoyed it much more.

The cabin crew were just a delight, and the FSM was a joy to listen to with his lovely italian accent...swoon lol. It might just be me but it seemed like the crew were paying more attention to me than most, laughing joking and chatting, it was just lovely.

My suite on Bubbles was all in order, i loved the table that popped out all by itself, i was tempted to push it back in and just keep pressing the button again .

Being my first ever morning flight it was the first time I ever had my breakfast first and I have to say the Bacon Buttie is much nicer at the beginning of the flight than the end, Steve was offered a second, i declined out of some silly politeness but wished I had had another really lol.

Flight was pretty much perfect, IFE went pearshaped but a 20 min reboot corrected it, baggage came off pretty quick and we were crowded by the crew chattin and giggling with us at the conveyor belt.

Apart from the chaotic check-in and below par food the flight was a joy.

And as for the oik, the cabin crew deserved a medal for keeping that smile going after everything they did being nit-picked and questioned.

Hmmmn the other pax sound an absolute treat! Glad you had a good flight thanks for the TR

[honey lamb]

Your fellow traveller smacks of having a bad case of DYKWIA

I must say, though I do like the VS18 for a flight from NYC

My guess on why the CC chatted and joked with you is that I observe the crew can often quickly work out who's going to be lovely, and they do pay special attention to, over those who are either dull or difficult. Kudos to you. I can't always claim to be in the same bracket, especially when working a lot, but my #1 definitely is.

Glad the flight was good, good that you got a 346 since the VS18 is often a 343 ...

Thanks for the wonderful TR

Nice choice of hotels too.

The CC can really make an OK flight into a great flight.

Thank you for the great TR.

Thanks for the TR, glad to hear it was a good flight.

How was your stay at the MO in Vegas?

I hate people like that, such a shame other passengers had to listen to them but pleased the FSM paid extra attention to you.

Thanks for the TR, glad to hear it was a good flight.

How was your stay at the MO in Vegas?

I hate people like that, such a shame other passengers had to listen to them but pleased the FSM paid extra attention to you.

The Mandarin Oriental was pure bliss, it was a second visit to an Mo first time in Miami, but this one n Vegas was wonderful, everyone greeted me by name, even staff just passing whome I had not actually seen before. Had two fantastic pool cabana days, expensive but so so lovely, it was hard to get my head around the number of times people came to ask if I needed anything.

On our last day the pool manager came and complimented us on our dress sense and gentle manner, I really was quite knocked for six that anyone would have noticed or wanted to compliment us this way. Yes the MO in LV is a gem. Afternoon tea is pretty good too and I am a bit of an afternoon tea geek.

The Mandarin Oriental was pure bliss, it was a second visit to an Mo first time in Miami, but this one n Vegas was wonderful, everyone greeted me by name, even staff just passing whome I had not actually seen before. Had two fantastic pool cabana days, expensive but so so lovely, it was hard to get my head around the number of times people came to ask if I needed anything.

On our last day the pool manager came and complimented us on our dress sense and gentle manner, I really was quite knocked for six that anyone would have noticed or wanted to compliment us this way. Yes the MO in LV is a gem. Afternoon tea is pretty good too and I am a bit of an afternoon tea geek.

This is why I love MO! Everyone greeting you by name, even if they haven't met you before. Also welcoming you back when you return another time. Amazing service.

Thanks for the TR EGG, I'm pleased to hear the flight was good - even with the opinionated t*sser on board.

I have often wondered about taking the daytime (VS18) flight back to the UK, but since I'm usually working in NYC, I generally finish my day then head to the airport for a night flight like most of the others.

...so many people desperate for an upgrade at the last minute and totally painful in their repeat efforts to get one and in doing so holding up everyone else.

It doesn't seem right that the "desperately seeking upgades" pax were clogging up the UC check in desks. The staff should have sent them to the ticketing desk to see what could be done (nothing). Or they should have been directed to their original class check in by the "handlers".

BTW, does anyone know what those staff who loiter in front of check in desks generally referred to?

I feel that one of the strangely masochistic joys of flying Upper is discovering what complete and utter ar$eholes one's fellow passengers can really be.

Nice TR, EGG - glad you enjoyed your trip.

BTW, does anyone know what those staff who loiter in front of check in desks generally referred to?

Check in dragons I believe

The staff should have sent them to the ticketing desk to see what could be done (nothing). Or they should have been directed to their original class check in by the "handlers".

Could have been AU card holders? But agree, the ticketing desk is where it's at and perhaps the staff should say:

"I see, don't see availability, please enquire at the ticket desk or in the clubhouse".

BTW, EWR does not compare to IAD, especially now HMG has (supposedly) canned J travel!!!!

BTW, does anyone know what those staff who loiter in front of check in desks generally referred to?

Check in dragons I believe

Thanks clarkey - I had always wondered about the scaly tail and huge clawed feet

Could have been AU card holders?

I thought that after I posted, but then thought not - AU holders generally know the form and understand immediately if they are told no availability or wrong bucket.

HMG???? Her Majesty's Government?? Is there a new law against turning left?

BTW, does anyone know what those staff who loiter in front of check in desks generally referred to?

Check in dragons I believe

Thanks clarkey - I had always wondered about the scaly tail and huge clawed feet

Could have been AU card holders?

I thought that after I posted, but then thought not - AU holders generally know the form and understand immediately if they are told no availability or wrong bucket.

HMG???? Her Majesty's Government?? Is there a new law against turning left?

Not at all. Mrs HH works as an SEO in Software Support for a large government concern and travels in business class. 1st class travel for rail had been stopped but for all flights over x hours she flies business. She says that pressure to fly BA is increasing so I expect Virgin contracts may have been reviewed ?

[honey lamb]

HMG???? Her Majesty's Government?? Is there a new law against turning left?

Not at all. Mrs HH works as an SEO in Software Support for a large government concern and travels in business class. 1st class travel for rail had been stopped but for all flights over x hours she flies business. She says that pressure to fly BA is increasing so I expect Virgin contracts may have been reviewed ?

That would be my take on it too. I was waiting for the contract to be reviewed once there was a change of government

[buns]

EGG

Thanks for a captivating TR - I was entralled by the asssessments of your flying companions Clearly, the daytime flight attracts those who feel they have a better chance of an upgrade, what a pity this was not managed better.

I have just booked a pick up through Dial 7, so might need to find out more about your experience

Thanks once again

buns

EGG

Thanks for a captivating TR - I was entralled by the asssessments of your flying companions Clearly, the daytime flight attracts those who feel they have a better chance of an upgrade, what a pity this was not managed better.

I have just booked a pick up through Dial 7, so might need to find out more about your experience

Thanks once again

buns

Some people say they are perfectly fine, in our case we were asked to ring on arrival which we did, told a car number and expect a 15 minute wait, no probs. One hour and 50 mins later and five phone calls going through an automated system we were given another car number to look out for. a Sedan arrived but he had my name wrong and the car was dirty outside and in. we entered Manhattan via a pretty rough looking Bronx area. Then we were dropped off in the middle of a heaving Times SQ at 1am and pointed in the direction where our hotel was accross the other side and down the street, two 23kg cases and handluggage had to be hauled their because the driver didn't know how to get to the Muse hotel lobby. The phone calls alone were £52.