This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
The 15 minute senic helicopter tour never loses its appeal - so it was off to the UC check in desk where the staff couldn't fathom why we would use Check In and Chill Out but still come to their desk. After some explanation they gave us boarding passes and we headed through security.
Quick stop at Duty Free then off to the Iyanola Executive Lounge which is very basic when you've been to the Clubhouse - however it's quiet and had a good view of Barberella. We'd been told that boarding annoucements would be made but we were slightly alarmed to see passengers getting on board so a quick enquiry at the desk and we were told that UC passengers could board now. So we all headed to the gate and fought through the crowd to priority boarding - only to be told that there was a "problem on board" and to wait in line.
We did - all 13 of us waited and watched the premium economy passengers boarding - then all of the economy passengers... no info about what was happening, no apology, no option to go back to the lounge for a drink whilst the problem was resolved. Eventually after half an hour of standing like criminals, a phone call was made and we were told that we could have boarded a while back... great.
Onto the plane and welcomed by the male FSS who was much more business-like than the outbound crew - but still attentive. Champagne in hand, menus handed out and off the ground. Drinks orders taken, arrived with crisps. Female FSM came around to introduce herself - we saw a lot less of her than out outbound crew but she seemed friendly enough.
Dinner was OK - salmon, followed by Filet Mingnion (very dry and inexplicably wrapped in crispy smoked bacon) and a HUGE slice of raspberry cheesecake. Cheese trolley came around - I asked for a bit of everything and got a PILE of cheese... yum.
Beds turned down, changed into sleep suit and off to sleep. Woke up a few times as it was so bloody hot in the cabin - air con must have been faulty because it was hot and cold throughout the flight.
Woke up and immediately offered a drink - orange juice which was topped up twice before a change of clothes, then coffee and full breakfast which was excellent. One annoyance was that PE passengers were using the toilets at the front of the plane which meant they were occupied a lot throughout - so you had to pick the right moment to change from sleep suit to 'UK weather clothes' (jeans and sweater!!!).
Back on the ground and through customs - bags came off after PE which was annoying - then back to get the car from Valet parking and on our way within an hour of landing...
Overall a much more business-like end to the holiday - but enjoyable and I'm still an UC convert
