V-Flyer

Finally got round to doing this trip report with some photos.

After travelling around Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco with my DW, it was time to come home from SFO and experience our first Upper Class flight .

Early on departure morning I have received a text message advising me that VS20 is delayed by an hour. There were also 2 unknown phone calls to my mobile (cell) phone presumably from VS advising me on the delay, I didn't pick up either calls due to the excessive roaming charges.

Delay or not we got kicked out of the hotel at Union Square at midday. We took the Bart from Powell Street straight to SFO. After 30 minutes of travelling on the Bart and shortly before 1pm we arrived into SFO International Terminal.

I found the display screens in the terminal to be confusing as it was showing the departure gates of the flights rather than the location of the check-in desks for the airlines . After all we were not in the departure lounge but at check-in area. Finally found VS check-in desks and went to the UC line. There was only 1 passenger checking-in at the UC desk and we were seen to straight away. The agent issued us with Clubhouse passes and we were directed to the SFO Clubhouse. We only managed to have 3 pieces of baggage weighed a total of 50kg and were quite disappointed of not even close of hitting our combined 192kg UC baggage allowance.

Upon entry to the Clubhouse I was greeted at reception and was shown around the place. I sat down and ordered a drink and a Clubhouse burger. The burger was quite simple and nothing special and it accompanied with crisps (potato chips) instead of fries, how disappointing . After that it was time for a dessert and I ordered a Pain Perdu. At this time the Clubhouse was still very empty and the service received from the server was excellent .













After 2hrs in the Clubhouse we decided to leave and explore the airport terminal for the rest of our time, at this stage we still had 2hrs to burn. We then decided to go through security to the departure lounge and were directed to the fast track line with nobody in it. Security wasn’t even busy so it was a bit pointless of fast track at that time but it did make me feel important. We walked around the shops and then decided to hang at the gate with everybody else.

G-VFAB (Lady Penelope) finally pulled up to the gate late and boarding was delayed again and again until almost 5pm. There were 2 jetbridges operating at the gate and my first turning left experience took me to the nose of the plane in A zone and I parked myself in seat 12K. Excellent pair of seats for couples but of course no overhead bins. I took a look at the bin above 15K and the man gave me the most evil look . The CSS then told me I can put my hand luggage in the closet which I did.



Once sat down I was offered a welcome drink. That little tray for the drinks was a bit small and tight, I can imagine people knocking their drinks over during the flight. The snooze pack including the shoe bag was already placed on the ottoman. The cabin crew then came round and offered sleep suit. The condition of the suite was generally good but the overall design of the suite made it feel abit dated now. The design of the pop up arm rest I thought was a bit strange.....perfect position and very useful but just strange to me in relations to the whole suite.



Finally we took off over an hour late and saw Golden Gate Bridge and downtown SF from my windows. Menu was dished out and orders were taken with further drinks and snacks offered. The cabin crew made my table for dinner and I ordered the salmon starter, beef main course and cheesecake dessert. The amuse bouche was laughably small but the overall dinner presentation was good. The quality of food I considered to be OK but could be better. Other passengers did have the cheese plate but there was no sign of the cheese trolley.













After 2 movies I decided to turn my seat into bed which at this time most passengers were already sleeping . I pressed the bed button and then an error message ‘Stow Monitor’ popped up. The message didn’t quite click with me and I had to seek help from the cabin crew . Straight away he pushed my monitor in fully and the seat changed into bed and he set up the mattress topper and duvet. Now that the error message finally clicked with me and literally told me to stow my monitor away properly .

Now the bed, it was the most comfortable position I have ever been on a plane. There was plenty of space at the shoulders. The only gripe I have was that the mattress topper moves when you turn and it was also quite difficult when you are buckled in.

Got up 4 hours later and the cabin crew offered to change my bed back into seat again and also very quickly offered me breakfast. DW decided to have breakfast at my seat and we both ordered the full English. The table was large enough for the 2 plates however legroom was the issue. There doesn’t appear to have enough room for 2 pairs of legs under the table.



Landed into LHR and I was the last to leave the plane from A zone as I needed my hand luggage stowed in the closet. I can see the cabin crew holding back the downstairs PE passengers until we all got off the plane. There were no signs of the long immigration queue at LHR. Pretty much walked straight through and the e-passport gates actually took a lot longer as DW decided to give that a try. I couldn’t as I still got the old non-bio passport.

We collected our bags and to complete our UC experience headed to Revivals. The lady at reception nicely greeted us and asked for our name and also asked whether we will be taking a shower. We declined the shower offer and sat down in the deserted lounge and ordered our second full English breakfast of the day with juice. The first impression of the lounge was that it looked very basic and simple. There wasn’t the wow factor like the Clubhouse, the tables and chairs felt like I am in a normal high street café.







The whole experience made me not wanting to turn right again on the plane. First time after a long haul flight that my back side and spine didn’t hurt. For a first timer it was all very enjoyable starting from the departing airport till upon leaving LHR. Nice set of crew on the plane, well drilled and worked hard. Well done VS .

Cheers for the TR - loving the photos of the whole affair - nice one.

The revivals lounge is simple and tbh just what is needed for the night flight pax to grab a shower (or a second breakfast) and then head on home (or to work )

Once you turn left for the first time, you never want to turn right again!! I have seen many a sad look on people's faces as they come through the doors, stare longingly at the bar, then sigh as they wander to the back of the plane

Thanks for the TR, great pics! Love the Local Artisan Cheese Plate in the SF clubhouse showing Gorgonzola and Brie, stretching the definition of "local" somewhat

Thanks for a TR that has clearly come from the heart - your enjoyment of your first UC Flight certainly shines through

Your photos have reignited my yearning for that UC Seat - you are absolutely right about being bitten by that UC Bug and not wanting to turn right again

Did you have a wander up to the Bar during the flight? Irrespective of your tipple, it is a great place to experience how unique UC really is

Thanks once again

buns

A fine TR with superb photos My wife and I were also disappointed with your measly effort on the baggage weight - I mean, really

Loved the TR and pics. Travel with me next time and you can take some of my excess luggage! It really is a life changing moment when you first turn left but sadly your bank manager won't be so delighted!

buns wrote:Did you have a wander up to the Bar during the flight? Irrespective of your tipple, it is a great place to experience how unique UC really is

I have seen the bar before on my way to the back of the plane on my previous trips. Even once had to deplane at door L1 on the A346.

On this trip I did take a peek and only took a photo when the bar was closed. It is definitely very unique and add that class to the product.

Nice TR! Great pic of the GGB upon departure! Glad you enjoyed yourself.

Great Trip Report, you have got me chomping at the bit, we still have 9 weeks to go for our 1st UC experience seems like forever.

Glad you really enjoyed it all, I know all good things come to those that wait as the saying goes after waiting till over 60 for this exciting event.( sad really aren't I )Anyway its the new 40

Great report, thanks for sharing your first experience.

Turning right is almost impossible after turning left, and I only say almost, because I have just booked a PE reward flight back from MIA in January, following a one way cruise, because there were no UC seats available. Needless to say, I am hoping and indeed praying, that a couple of rewards pop up in UC.

Keep your fingers crossed for us.