VS086 LAS-MAN 26 MAY 13 (Upper Class)
Posted: 28 May 2013, 17:22This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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So you join me in Las Vegas, greeted warmly at the check in area and waited only a couple of minutes to reach the UC desk. When I go there the chap seemed nervous but was sort of friendly and I was provided with a lounge invite, bags tagged and I was on my way
Security was a breeze and after a quick stop in duty free I was greeted warmly at the lounge. Many times said before by others that this is not a CH but a ok to spend a couple of hours as I did.
A manned bar with snacks and treats - sandwiches, cheese and two soups were also available- the Baked potato with cheese and bacon soup was delicious!!
Boarding was announced by the same guy who had checked me in at 1645 in the lounge, just as the LGW flight was leaving the gate.
Boarding first for UC & AU holders....PE were told to wait for a further announcement which sort of broke the normal boarding process but worked well. I collected my duty free items at the door and then down the dedicated airbridge for J & W.
A short nameless greeting at the door which really made me think this was not going to be a great flight.... first impressions and all that but thankfully on this flight totally wrong!!
The UC passengers did all arrive at once which made the cabin busy and the CSS was busy with drinks (only two bottles of champagne left by the inbound crew for the entire return flight....thanks a lot!!
) handing out sleep suits, amenity kits and newspapers.The welcome was warming up which was good to see....sadly, no refills of champagne but sparkling wine was offered to those who wanted as the champagne had run out.....
We were still on the gate at 1720 and the captain came over the PA, a very jolly man who apologised but some "passenger service units" needed to be fixed into place....none the wiser until an engineer appeared with some black and yellow tap playing about with the air-con units above our heads....it took over an hour for whatever needed doing to be done and the paperwork to be signed off.
Throughout the captain kept us informed and drink and meal orders were taken on the ground during the wait. I was the only AU in UC but I only make the point as it was good to see I was asked for my meal choices before anyone else....little things and all that.
We finally departed the gate at 1827 and were airborne at 1845 with a total load of 320 with 18 crew.
Soonish hot towels were provided by the FSM who introduced herself to every passenger, addressed me by name and welcomed me back - she really was superb. She played a lead role in the service delivery through drinks, dinner and breakfast and checked on passengers through the night a fantastic experience from a first rate FSM and what a difference it makes.
In fact I have flown with the CSS and galley crew member too and realised this was going to be a flight that would be right up there. Along with the FSM, this small team worked so well together and it showed and a seamless service was provided all 9hrs long - email already sent to Crawley Towers.
Drinks arrived with crisps and refills proactively offered and accepted with tables laid for dinner at 1945.
The Roasted tomato and bell pepper soup was thick, piping hot and so tasty....delicious.
The flank steak was next - a huge tender piece of steak with Swede rosti, carrot puree and jus....amazing and presented so well on the hot plate.
Warm bread was offered a couple of times along with regular wine and water runs - the crew never forgetting what you had in the first place and only checking if you would like to try something else
Dessert of warm salted caramel lava cake with whipped cream was divine and the cheese trolley was brought around and was popular. How amazing it can be brought around on a 14 seat cabin on a night flight but it can struggle to make it out on a 45 seat cabin on a dayflight which happened recently......great to see and the crew really seem to like it still too (well on this flight)
Coffee and liquers were also proactively offered though after a hefty glass of port...the bed was calling
I slept on and off for about 5hrs....it was a bumpy flight but when awake the crew were there checking if I needed anything. The bar was loaded with fruit, extra bottles of water and the snack basket.
Breakfast was served about 1.5hrs out from Manchester and a bacon butty was enjoyed with fruit and yoghurt and two mugs of coffee....though the Full English was going down well in the cabin.
With everyone strapped in we touched down at 1132 and reached the gate at 1141. The bags were off quickly and I was back home in Yorkshire by 2pm which wasnt too bad.
A first rate flight with an excellent UC crew lead by a wonderful FSM and CSS who just demonstrated all flight long how much they enjoy their jobs - a real pleasure and a perfect end to an amazing holiday.
Jon
