VS036 ANU-LGW 22 JUN 11 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

We checked in about 3 hours ahead due to having to fly from another island. Economy class passengers were being seen to but there was nobody at the U/C desk. We waited patiently for several minutes and then someone appeared. No apology or greeting and even though we'd checked-in online the process of giving us boarding passes took at least 5 minutes with her moving to 2 other computers and behaving in such a bewildered fashion as if this was her very first time checking-in anyone.
We had a long time in the lounge which was dark, cosy and quiet. Good service there and once on board after an hour's delay, we headed off for Barbados and Gatwick. Food was extremely good but crew were really not. Items in the galley were not secured correctly and as we lifted off there were almighty crashes sounding as if half a dozen metal trays had cascaded on to each other. I love an informal atmosphere but there is a thin line between being relaxed or friendly and being in-your-face over-familiar. I'm also tired of being asked if I had a nice holiday every time I fly on Virgin. Not everyone is a tourist - some of us work and live abroad. The announcements were annoyingly rambling and we were told no less than 5 times before landing in Barbados that we must remain seated whilst on the ground - 3 times in one announcement. They would be better off having a script. The crew also talked so loudly to each other that one wondered if they wanted the passengers to hear their carry-on which at times resembled the kind of fish market banter overheard on an 'East Enders' set. I'm probably sounding like a horrible snob but honestly, I'm not. I just think there should be an air of calm and professionalism in Upper Class. There can still be jokes and informality but this was something else and it made the whole experience seem somewhat tacky.

Thanks for posting - bit of a shame that the service was not quite up to scratch.

I really dislike ANU airport, the country really needs to put some investment into it.

Tks for the TR sorry you didn't have a good flight. I guess you do just expect people to have been on holiday in the caribbean, so an easy mistake to make.

Thank you for the TR.