VS004 JFK-LHR 1 OCT 12 (Upper Class)
Posted: 06 Oct 2012, 14:54This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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As the title suggests today’s hop will be on the VS004 – sorry I was bumped by the powers that be from the 46…. It is my preferred route home. That nose cone Upper Class cabin is amazingly quiet and ideal to get some sleep. However from the looks of it I shall be posting a report from the A333 as a night flight.
Booked into PE from the offset, checked in at T24 and managed SEQ 1 - I do still love playing this game. Will be trying to snag an illustrious upgrade at the airport, could do with the rest after the past few days activities. Time to leave the city.. Taxi ride across the Queensborough bridge and the sun across the city made for an awesome photo or two. Deposited at terminal 4 and wandered through to the check-in desks, appears there is availability to upgrade
So miles exchanged and the grand total of $86 paid 
Short hop through security and it still astounds me how much metal people have hidden on them… only a small delay though so won’t go on about it. Building site that is terminal 4 is looking better actually, they have put up proper screens now to shield their work, and aside from the occasional hammering noises there is not much of a disruption to people.
Arrived at the lounge and given a warm welcome. Took a seat next to the windows to the right to watch the air-train zipping past, I find it oddly satisfying… god knows why. Kitchen table dessert ordered with a nice glass of white wine on the way. The dessert was good fun and the wine wasn’t bad either. Unfortunately had some work to do, so laptop out and yes I posted on v-flyer a greeting from the lounge… sorry for rubbing it in people.
Decided to move on to the dining area for the clubhouse burger and a mojito. Food finished I decided to go sit at the bar and enjoy one final glass of wine before boarding. Missed the first boarding call, however the second and final came over the speaker so I gathered my things together and made for the doors, apparently the gate were worried about me and had put a call through to the CH – whilst I was not the last to board, apologies crew and pax of the VS4. I was through the doors and greeted and seated in 1D on the newest A333 -no crack in the bar
. Not a bad seat actually considering I really just needed something to eat, a cup of tea and then sleep.Takeoff was smooth and there was very little delay. Hot towel offered ahh it's cold, unlucky I guess.
Had a nice chat with the fellow next to me and he could not stop singing the praise of BA First, will def have to try it one day. I cannot fault the cabin crew covering our section she was always there and ready to take an order for drinks or help out with the bed... Yeh it is tricky thing to flip over. The FSM on the other hand disappeared towards the back of the plane. Only thing I figured at the time was that he was helping out with economy – good on him.
I did comment to the CC that I was a bit disappointed they have not fixed that cleaning issue yet, yep new plane although people still make mess and somehow manage to draw on the walls of the suite
She said she was sorry to hear that from a frequent flyer 
interesting, they appear to have fixed that hash mark error that obscured pax FF numbers of people who had upgraded with miles – only way she could have known I was AU is by the 009 start to my membership number (The hotel unfortunately managed to break my luggage tags 
)and I don’t recall any drunken DYKWIA speeches.. besides there was a UNIQ on board, sitting there quietly taking notes, on the downfall of society it looked like, hope he enjoyed the flight Dinner service began and the FSM appeared with a couple of bottles of water. Had a brief chat with him on his views on the cabin and he states it is too narrow for purposes; perhaps a 1-1-1 configuration would be better on these airbuses. I also asked if the crew rest areas or space in the galley is a problem. Different story sir is all I got. Ok then, shame but appears to be a consensus among the crews.
I went for the Salmon rillette to start. It is amazing and would highly recommend it as a starter. Opted for the chicken this time around with the mushroom sauce... Well people in a word awesome, the sides on the other hand do require a bit of work – soggy broccoli is not my cup of tea.
Sat at the bar for dessert – cheesecake quickly disappeared although it is no chocolate and salted caramel pudding. Spent a good few minutes there, met some interesting people, but I was conscious that I could be keeping the pax up in the seats next to the bar. Figured on going for a wander though the cabins to finish off my mug of green tea
It was not a full flight and people were making full use of the space to stretch out in. Got to the back of the plane and found our FSM chatting with pax and the crew, good to see he is getting involved. I paused at the back and joined in conversations with the crew, we hit some turbulence and then with the seat belt signs coming on I made my way back to my seat, time for some sleep. Bed converted with the help of the cabin crew and off to the land of nod zzzzzz.
Awoke to the cabin being prepped for landing, unfortunately I lack a conical head and so woke myself up a few times by rolling into the seat divide. Not a good night’s sleep I’m afraid, however shall try to make up for it through the course of the day. With head ringing, I reconverted the bed and reclined the seat to wait for landing and revivals … def needed. As we had arrived early, we were placed into a holding pattern around LHR and I understand from certain sources that airlines are fined for early landings pre 6am
News to me..Landed at about 610am and then made the wander through the corridors of Heathrow to border control. Luckily it was not busy at all, quick chats with the border guard who was cheery and personable – nice change from the grumpy and humourless US ones. Case retrieved and off to the revivals lounge to have a nice breakfast and get myself ready for the day ahead. With CDC waiting for me I bid farewell to the lounge staff, and look forward to the next time guys, thanks.
I have given the A330-300 a lot of stick over the past few months, however I have come to realise that VS did not have a choice with the delays in getting the Dreamliners… yep blame Boeing
The cabin is cramped and would be so much better in my view with the 1-1-1 config that the A340-600s have. VS will not do this though as it will remove 8 seats from revenue at a time they need it, so for the moment I am just going to have to accept it - or avoid the VS4. The new UCS has potential and I cannot wait to see it on the Dreamliners in a few years time. My preferred routes into NYC from LHR is def the VS3 on the outbound.. as long as I don’t have to sleep in the new UCS they make a very good day seat… and the VS46 on the inbound, as previously mentioned.. I like sleeping in the nose cone. Thanks for reading
