VS023 LHR-LAX 10 AUG 12 (Upper Class)
Posted: 17 Aug 2012, 19:01This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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So down from Horbury to Heathrow - thanks to East Coast First class on the 0751 where a full fry-up with juice, lots of coffee and a custard danish was enjoyed. Now as I was pulling out of Wakefield Westgate station, a text popped in from Virgin confirming a 50min delay to my flight but nothing I could do about it now!!!
A trip on the Underground to Paddington and boarded a very busy Heathrow Express.
Just after 1100 I was coming up the escalator to turn left and into the "Virgin Terminal! - it was total madness. I have not seen it that busy for a very long time and waited as all the UC desks were busy. A minute or so in and I was approached by a member of staff who apologised for the wait and said it should not be too long. A minute later and she was back saying "you have waited too long, would you like to check in upstairs in the UC wing" - so up in the lift and a member of staff was waiting for me - she wasn't super friendly but case dropped off and boarding pass issued. The case was not tagged and I didn't think it would matter but it did when I got to LAX....
The private security channel was busy and I waited whilst people pulled bottles of liquid from their bags, why do they not learn
Through in about 10 mins and on my way to the CH. A guy ahead of me saying how he deserved to be in there but the "meet and greet" was having none of it, as she moved him to one side and welcomed me warmly - addressed by name and welcomed back and I was in.
Booked a haircut for a couple of hours later and then went off to find a quiet spot to do a little work, a few emails and a couple of end of week calls. It did take a while for the staff to find me and they did and a glass of champagne, nicely chilled was with me rather quickly
Around 1215 I was a bit peckish and moved into the main area and found a table. I was approached by a couple of the CH team who remembered me from previous visits and we had a quick chat, the service throughout was friendly, attentive and it made me realise why I enjoy flying VA so much.
Lunch enjoyed of cheese on toast which was a bit chewy (think it had been made a while) and a delicious minute steak with frites - delicious and a little pot of ice-cream to finish off.
Haircut time arrived and I spent around 30minsin the chair with a very friendly stylist - a few in the spa came over to chat as they also remembered me from previous visits - all lovely really.
Now the flight was running late and I could see from the CH that "Scarlet Lady" was all loaded up from the outside so by 1600 and still no boarding call I was getting concerned I had missed the call - I hadn't and after checking at the desk the first call came at 1605. It was only a few mins walk away and I was soon boarding through L1 to be greeted by the FSM and CSS for the flight - no names used but they were welcoming.
I was soon settled inot 15A - my new favourite seat on the A346s - just far enough away from the bar but good for getting off quickly where L2 is used. A glass of champagne quickly appeared followed by sleep suits, magazines and newspapers and a bottle of water. The amenity kit was on the ottoman as usual.
A refill of champagne was offered and accepted and the captain came on to announce a flight time of 10hrs53mins and apologised for the delay but it as purely operational as we had to wait for the aircraft to arrive from Dubai.
Pulled off stand at 1645 and airborne at 1710 - so 1hr25mins late. The crew quickly swung into action, offering menus for the Lagos flight until it was pointed out and they were qucikly changed - thankfully they had the correct ones on board. The CSS was friendly and he had the manifest as he handed out the menus but no names used and no status recognition - a missed opportunity
The flight was full with not a single seat free and three flight deck crew with 12 cabin crew. Drink orders taken and served quickly with crisps. Refills offered as and when needed.
The FSM caught my eye a couple of times and she stopped for a word or two each time.
Tables laid for dinner which was a lesiurely affair - the pea taster thingy is actually quite nice and went well with the warm bread. I enjoyed the tomato and basil soup with pesto, followed by the beef Fillet of beef with braised peas, pearl onions and crushed new potatoes - delicious but my piece of beef was half the size from a flight I had taken two weeks earlier!!
Dessert of warm chocolate and salted caramel pudding was really enjoyed. My wine and water glass were never empty but both was served a little warm for my liking though I could have asked for ice but didnt and actually each time they got a little colder.
The crew were friendly, not overly attentive but smiled in the right places and were polite.
The cheese trolley made its way and started by 17A - I really like this and I enjoyed a nice plate of cheese with a glass of port, many more did too so it seems to be very popular (well on this flight anyway)
It was then lights out and I settled down to Benidorm which had me in stitches within seconds. Drinks were regularly offered and the graze basket came around the cabin too. A couple of hours later ice-cream and the fruit basket were offered and then a few more hours - getting my water bottle refilled and enjoying a nice hot cup of tea at the bar which was quiet for most of the flight.
Just over an hour and now 2am UK time, a lovely afternoon tea was served and welcome it was too - sandwiches nice and fresh, a warm scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam and some mini cakes - most of the passengers in UC were US citizens and they really enjoyed this - the lady next to me saying it was ten times better than BA.....
Cabin secure and loverhearts offered (no hot towels at all on this flight!!) and we arrived at 1941. I was one of the first off and immigration was chaos - the Air New Zealand flight had arrived about 30mins before us and an Air France flight about 10mins before us - but it moved quickly and I made it through in about an hour - the case, remember the case - it was not tagged and was one of the last out....
Then it was outside into the warm LA evening to catch my lift. A good flight - a reasonable crew, not outstanding but not bad by any stretch (that was saved for the return flight!!) and solid service - it was good to hear the US passengers complimenting the service
Jon
), but you have hit the nail on the head when you say "missed opportunities" for the on board service 
