This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
It was cold and dark at 0530 and after a night of heavy rain the warm welcome I received at the check in desk more than made up for it. My seat choice was confirmed and I was offered other choices if I wished - I stuck with 10A (my fav)
The CH was really quiet at just before 6am and the breakfast buffet was now up and running. I enjoyed coffee, juice and a toasted muffin but eggs, bacon, sausage and porridge along with lots more was available.
The CH did get rather busy so decided to leave to get through security around 7am rather than wait for the boarding call. This was a good call really as security was a nightmare and it took me over 30mins to get through
Arriving at Gaste 53 I walked straight onto the aircraft as most of Y and PE had boarded already, I was welcomed at the door (L1) though not by name
My suite did have a few marks but otherwise Soul Sister was looking in good shape. The CC member looking after my section came along and introduced herself and offered champagne, OJ, Bucks Fizz or water....the bubbles tasted good at 0745
With everyone settled at 0755 a confirmed load of 295 and 15 crew was annnounced - Y and PE were solid with only handful of suites free in UC (or J class which is how the FSM referred to it throughout)
Airborne was at 0808 and a flight time of 6hrs37mins was confirmed - the FSM introduced herself and the team, just from the confidence of her announcements I knew this would be a good flight - she just oozed leadership. Hot towels were offered too shortly after take off.
For those regular VS18 travellers in UC will know - breakfast is offered after take off which included a bacon butty, fruit, yoghurt, crossiant and muffins along with hot drinks and juices - though the guy in 9A was drinking neat gin in large quanities from the off...not really my tipple at breakfast time!!
Tables laid for breakfast and I asked for my coffee in a mug which came piping hot and was refilled without asking - the bacon butty was tasty and the apple muffin top, served warm went down a treat!!
I settled down to watch a film but as it was a day flight and I wasn't really interested in sleep afterwards I went to the bar and enjoyed a G&T with some crisps - I chatted with the crew who were so friendly and relaxed, the FSM joining us for a while. The bar area remained quiet throughout the flight and I enjoyed over an hour chewing the fat on the new UCS and the A333s which the crew were looking forward to coming to LHR as none of them had flown on it yet.
The seat belts came on as it became a little bumpy and I returned to my seat without been asked - a few mins later the FSM brought along a refill of my drink without asking and chatted at my seat for a few mins about when she use to work for another airline and how great Virgin really are...very good to hear.
About three hours from Heathrow - lunch orders were taken and tables laid. I enjoyed the tomato and basil soup with goats cheese which was really tasty, followed by the rib of beef which came with mashed potato and vegetables. Wine, water and warm bread was offered and I commented on how nice the pretzel rolls are and the CC placed a second one down for me
Dessert of pumpkin cheesecake and coffee rounded things off nicely with some delicious caramel chocolates - I passed on cheese but this was offered more than once.
I spent the next hour or so before landing listening to some music before everyone started to get organised. Hot towels were offered before landing too.
A little holding and we touched down at 1947 arriving onto stand 21 at 1954. The FSM ending things by saying how she and her team had very much enjoyed our company and appreciated our business - a great end to a great flight.
Made it through border control quickly but then the bags got delayed and had to wait over 30mins for them to arrive due to a "staff shortage" though repeated apology's were made they mean little when you have a train to catch to Yorkshire and now less then an hour to get from Heathrow to Kings Cross - so finally departed Heathrow at 2053 and managed to get the 2135 train to Wakefield (somehow) but thanks to an ontime Heathrow Express and a rather crafty taxi driver....back in Yorkshire before midnight did mean the jetlag would not cripple me the next day....it didn't but a heavy cold did.....
Thanks again VS for another great flight.....
