This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Checked in on mobile and grabbed SEQ 2 - downloaded boarding pass to Passbook which worked well until I reached the airport.
Drove down to Gatwick on Thursday evening and checked into the Hilton. Room was poor to say the least and had been stripped bare of any of the basic amenities that you really expect from a Hilton. Used Valet parking which worked well and was very close to the terminal (I did get confused about which multi-storey to go into though and ended up doing a three-point turn in the first one). Off to Twilight check-in and received somewhat surly service from two very bored attendants. Paper boarding passes issued as our iPhones wouldn't scan. Bags tagged UC and Premium Gatwick label attached to paper boarding pass.
Morning of the flight and we headed through Premium Gatwick security - there was a small queue but it was quick and pretty efficient. Straight to the Clubhouse, booked a couple of treatments and then the food/drink conveyer belt began. I tweeted that I was in the clubhouse and VS tweeted me letting me know to ask for a specific cocktail (not on the menu) which they recommended - great fun. Safety shave (well, clipper to maintain the beard!) done just in time for the boarding announcement.
Headed off to the gate at the first announcement and arrived to find a queue of people on the bridge - eventually got on board and more waiting as PE passengers settled in before eventually getting to the UC cabin and settling into 7A. No sooner had my bum hit the seat, a glass of champagne had arrived with a greeting by name from the female CSS. She came back around and explained the menu, laughing and joking about having a bad back and how she'd be struggling with the cheese trolley later.
First impressions of seat were good - very comfortable and being able to recline for takeoff/landing was good. The suite looked a little battered and the screen was a bit loose, but the issues were purely cosmetic and didn't spoil my enjoyment of the flight.
FSM came around to introduce himself - I'm not a regular flyer but I'd be surprised if they have a more attentive and friendly FSM than this particular chap. I genuinely felt like the most important passenger on board - a chat about heading off to St Lucia and where we were staying before a quick champers top up and laughing and joking from all the crew.
I expected the name-checks to stop after take off but they kept coming. FSS did drinks orders (G&T, topped up twice without asking and accompanied by popcorn). FSM took our meal orders, then came around with wine. Table set for dinner (complete with Wilbur and Orville who are back by popular demand, apparently!) and FSM took wine orders, advising on wine, encouraging tasting and giving advice on the best wine for your meal. He didn't use a carrier - he just fetched the bottle of wine from the bar after you'd made your selection, before replacing it then going on to the next passenger.
Meal was delicious (Ham Hock, Beef then Chocolate / Salted Caramel pudding) followed by FSM with the cheese trolley and a glass of port.
Settled in to watch a movie or two (Pilot - great movie to watch on board!!!) - little tub of Hagen Dazs came around mid-way through with some time at the bar chatting to fellow passengers and the FSM. One slight annoyance was that the crew seemed to use the galley as their meeting point and were audible throughout - it wasn't a major disturbance but expected them not to be chatting in earshot.
Afternoon tea time - nice little selection of cakes/sandwiches - the cake stand was a nice touch but I can understand how it would lose its appeal to regular users.
Landed at St Lucia a little late but first off the plane, our bags were second off so we were on the first helicopter up to the Bodyholiday for a week of being spoiled.
Altogether an exceptional experience and a great start to the holiday - nice one VS
