This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Getting to NBO
Early start from the Jacaranda in Nairobi- had taken us a fair while to cross town to get there the day before after flying in from Zanazibar. Pretty average/decent hotel- but no aircon. Opposite a mall with Tamambo restaurant in it- definitely recommend, the tuna was fantastic.
As we were about to pull away noticed there was a substantial flat tyre. The drivers quickly started attacking it and I managed to assist with bolting and unbolting- always good to feel useful. Went into town to pick up another couple from the Stanley- looked a nice hotel but they said it was awful for service. Took us 20 minute to do a journey that the day before had taken 90 mins.
Check in
Security scanning happens at the front entrance for passengers through NBO. Subjected to a random bag search before- my wife was singled out but luckily didn't have to explain all the underpants as they guessed she was pulling my case. Thorough and professional search- impressed.
Rocked up to the UC counter where a woman and her 3 children were causing a big kerfuffle over something. No idea over what but I think they needed to go to the ticket office- didn't see them on the flight though.... Directed to economy who checked us in- but we didn't notice that the bags didn't have UC tags on them.... Gold v-flyer tags prominent though! Lounge invite given and then through immmigration- slowly. A couple in front were stopped- young woman in a headscarf. From what I heard the picture didn't match her- they were being quite scrupulous in their checking of passports.
Lounge
Picked up a couple of ebony rhinos and a Tusker T shirt in duty free (Tusker- amazing beer. Luckily available in my local Waitrose. Wow that sounds middle class). Then went to the 'First Class Lounge'. Clubhouse it ain't. But then I guess we didn't expect it to be- luckily there were self service beverages and some pastry things and some comfy chairs to while the time away. We were called very late to the gate and just breezed through security (two scan of my hand luggage, and thorough scrutiny of my passport (even had to take my glasses off)) and then straight on to the plane.
The flight
Greeted at the door and shown to our seats. Cabin was pretty empty- couldn't have been more than 12-15 in UC. My wife and I were introduced to our steward ("hello I'll be your steward today as there's no one else on your side of the plane") who was fantastic- chirpy, funny, kept bringing me pop as I needed it ("Yes madam, your husband did just ask for another water... wink wink") and I've emailed VS to tell them that.
The A346 really does look the part. UC looks great, the bar looks professional and further down the plane (from what I could see) it looked comfortable too. It's quieter than the 343 (wife hadn't noticed we had taken off) and it has V-port! Which as usual was on form with some great stuff (and some rubbish too) (Family Guy being GREAT dear wife) and just so much better than Odyssey. Essential for a day flight.
Again sat in a row facing a divider which makes you feel you have your own little space. The empty A side also helped with that.
After take off we were prepared for lunch where I was invited to dine at my wife's table. The ottoman was quite comfortable to sit on. I had the salmon starter (good-average) and then the grilled tilapia which was surprisingly pleasant. My wife had the saffron rice vegetable thing which was quite good too when I had to finish the second half. Couldn't fit desert in- they gave me a glass of champagne instead. Poor pregnant wife was quite annoyed with not being able to drink.
Then settled down for some TV viewing. Converted the bed myself (and was immensely proud) and then watched the entertainment for a few hours. Didn't sleep- but then that's not the point of the bed is it? However my wife insisted on a sleep suit to wear- like a ninja.
Up and down a few times (not my prostate, but to the bar) and chatted with another very pleasant crew member. Wife came and found me when I had been MIA for 35 minutes- caught me reading Hello! "Looking for yourself again?" I've only managed it once and I'm not proud.
Afternoon tea- sandwiches were nice as was the scone (very good scone actually, my West Country wife was quite pleased)and then prepped for landing. Landed on 09L and then a very long taxi back as our stand was not clear. First off the plane and then a long walk over to immigration. Looks like the construction has almost finished and looks pretty good (they are still installing the biometric gates). We whizzed through the IRIS scanners and then first at the belt to wait for our cases. And wait. And wait some more. Ours were the last cases which we were not happy to have to wait half an hour for. But then my wife was grumpy and I was sobering up.
Then onto the HEX (again only value becuase we have railcards) and then a cab home.
THE VERDICT
Upper Class is fabulous. It is now going to cost a lot of money to fly anywhere as we were so well looked after. Realistically, PE is great for a day flight as long as the entertainment works (and is V-port) but for a night flight it really is worth it. We manged it with points and it cost us £200 more each from the K to the S fare- definitely worth it. But with baby JB on the way I have plenty of time to earn more miles before the next flight....!!
