V-Flyer

This was a short weekend break to New York using a combined miles oneway / cash oneway ticket, with the outbound in Upper on miles and returned booked in for cash in premium. Headed out to LHR on tube / Heathrow Express and arrived at a very quiet Terminal 3 – obviously the Olympics is good for those who want to leave the UK! Picked up boarding card at Upper desk – unusually so, there was no passengers at any of the Upper or Premium desks!

Through fast track security, but unfortunately there was a couple with a young baby in front, so it was very slow this time for me. Through the usual shopping mall to the lounge which was very empty. Had a seat in the area behind the bar – there was a glass of champagne and diet coke waiting for me (my partner had got out there before me). Overall, the lounge was quiet when I got there, and it remained so during our time here. A selection of salads from the deli counter, and then I headed off for a shower to freshen up after work before the flight. I had a little bit of shopping to do and some phone calls, before we headed up to the loft vodka cocktail bar. Never used this before – very cool and a nice selection of cocktails to choose from. Only enough time for one unfortunately! We had some of the cheese on toast that is on the menu – very tasty indeed! Far too soon, the flight was called, and we headed off to the gate to find it almost all boarded. Our time in the lounge was very relaxing and the staff were circulating around all the time and ensuring that drinks were replenished and food was offered (every time with my drinks they offered peanuts and crisps!).

Settled into my seat, and the flight crew were around and about offering drinks and checking everything was ok. Upper was around two-thirds full on this flight. After take-off, the FSM came around and said hello to everyone and handed out menus. We missed the hot towel run as we were needing the toilet, but luckily the cabin crew person came around when we returned with our towels! Despite having eaten bits and pieces in the lounge, I was starting to get hungry. The menu has been reviewed on here before, so I’ll just say what I had:

Starter – Coronation chicken salad with mango coconut sauce and toasted almonds (from the graze menu)

Main – Grilled fillet of beef with braised peas, pearl onions, tarragon and fresh cream with crushed new potatoes

Dessert – Apricot-raspberry almond tart with crème anglaise

I had recently had the salmon option and didn’t fancy the soup, so choose from the Graze menu – it was very tasty indeed and better than the actual menu options; beef was tasty and well presented. Unfortunately the tart didn’t come with the crème anglaise, and when I asked for it the stuff put on the plate was similar to lumpy custard! Cheese trolley came around, and I had this with a glass of wine instead of port. The crew were around and about throughout the dinner service, ensuring drinks topped up and service was provided at a good pace. I do wish that they told you what the ambuse bouche was – I know it changes every month but it would be nice to know what you are eating. Talking of things changing, I see that the “new” Upper Class cocktail is still not on the menu – it might as well be as it hasn’t changed since it was introduced!!

After dinner, we had a few drinks at the bar to pass the time, followed by a short nap in one of the spare beds prior to landing.

All in all, travelling out of LHR was a breeze and the lounge experience was much better than on previous occasions. Good crew on board with good level of service. Kept it up VS!

Thanks for the TR

The 17 does seem to be the chilled way to cross over to NYC Especially as the Grey Goose lounge is open in the afternoon

buns

One thing I forgot to mention was that the cheese trolley came out as desserts were being served, and they got to me just as I got my dessert. I felt a bit greedy asking for cheese at the same time as having dessert on my table!

Thanks for the TR

Good to hear the crew and lounge staff were on form. Keep meaning to try that vodka bar, but I always seem to forget and just make a beeline for the restaurant area.. got my priorities sorted.

Thanks for posting the TR, which seems to be yet mother thumbs up for the 17

Much better now that it is an A340-600 - when it was the A340-300 the entertainment was always a bit of a let down.

I always love arriving just before bedtime, means you can get a good amount of sleep and try and get on local time in the morning.