VS009 LHR-JFK 19 JUN 12 (Upper Class)
Posted: 10 Jul 2012, 14:25This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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I usually stay the night before a flight at the airport so actually travelling on the day caused many palpatations. However, the gods smiled and the M25 was really quiet. How LHR has grown. I was still marvelling at that when a sharp turn off the main roadway brought us to some bollards. It was all James Bond like as the front ones descended to allow us forward as the back ones rose up again. A slight sweep up hill and there we were outside the Upper Class Wing. What an arrival! A member of staff opened my door. She was holding not only my boarding card but the luggage labels too.I tried not to be open mouthed as our cases disappeared through one door and we were ushered through another. A cool corridor took us to security . No one in front. No one hassling us from behind.I felt like royalty.
A stroll through Duty Free and there was the Clubhouse I had heard so much about. What an entrance !
It was all I had been led to believe it would be. I tried out seating in various areas before an early lunch of pie and mash. Then a delicious baked dark chocolate mousse. My companion reckoned that the Panna Cotta was one of the best she's had.
We ordered coffee but the waiter begged to bring us something special. "Nothing too alcoholicy please, " I requested. He brought it. I sipped. It was fantastic. Apparently there was martini, kahlua, baileys just for starters and even a hint of espresso. The waiter declared it would give us a lift - as if I needed one. Within half an hour my companion and I were sound asleep !!! Fortunately I woke in time to order an afternoon pot of tea and to enjoy still being in the Clubhouse.
We strolled down to Gate 16 and there was my next surprise. Two boarding gates. So we stepped onboard by the cockpit and turned right.... Champagne arrived as we marvelled at the large overhead lockers. Not sure about the new glasses. They certainly don't fit very well on the small tray.
We pulled back at 5.15pm with 301 passengers on board and 11 cabin crew. Then came the next delight. Video on demand. I was beginning to realise what I had been missing all these years on LGW planes and how shabby they are by comparison.
Once airborne my vodka and orange and crisps arrived very promptly. Then I was tempted by the wine. Was being on "Scarlet Lady" having an effect on me !!!
I enjoyed smoked salmon followed by fillet of beef. I was soooo
relishing this flight. The seats seemed more comfortable and it felt like I had more room. My only regret was that I had to strain my neck to look out the window.
Being a late afternoon flight I knew I had to pace myself as "bedtime" would be very late for me. So, it was with great joy that I heard the Captain tell us that we would be arriving nearly an hour early into JFK. I ordered some cheese and biscuits with about an hour and a quarter to go. I was ready to brace myself for the horrors of immigration.
Disembarkation was orderly for once. I took in a deep breath as we had allowed 2 hours to get through immigration. We turned into the hall.... it was empty. I walked straight up to a desk and within a very few minutes was heading for my luggage. Somehow we had gained three hours overall on what we were expecting...
Thanks to all the advice from fellow V-Flyers I knew how to find the Airtrain and reach the area where the hotel Courtesy buses pick you up. I really was walking on air.
So - I was relaxing in a bath in my hotel when I should have still been airborne. And enjoying the free warmed cookies.
Some days are tinged with magic - and this was one of them.
Thank You Virgin Atlantic
(It is going to be very hard to go back to flying ex LGW ).
Hurrah VS 
