This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Checked in after a rather uneventful cab ride from the city to JFK. There was a bit of commotion with staff wrestling with the economy barriers but aside from that, check in was also uneventful... Could be a pretty dull TR couldn't it..... Well not to fear, security was on form as usual. Was prodded into the wrong lane by yet another TSA jobs worth that failed to register that I was allowed to use the priority lane. Soon corrected and then onto the farcical nonsense that was the security channel. Scanned, swabbed, felt up and finally near on accused of theft I was thankful that the clubhouse was not far away.
Greeted at the JFK CH and with bags dumped in the ante room made my way to my usual first stop opposite the AirTrain watching the buzz of the airport. Glass of champagne finished nearly instantly and then a mojito appeared as if by magic, I have a feeling my reputation precedes me
As promised in my "Tapas in the JFK CH" thread I tried to make my way though the tapas selection much to the merriment of the staff. Only got through about 3/5ths of them unfortunately. The rest will have to wait for another day
- all good, though the hot dog tasted a bit weird but have had far worse from a street vendor in the past. Finished off with the Jaffa cake dessert which was quite nice, still doesn't hold a candle on the kitchen table dessert though. Sat at the bar for the remainder of my time in the lounge drinking whiskey, water, wine.. Whatever came my way
caught up with people, some of whom I have not seen for a while, perhaps because they keep getting into car accidents or perhaps schedules keep shifting.. Who knows 
The VS4 was called for boarding just before 6 and it was on leaving the lounge and on moving past a certain individual I realised a celeb was going to be aboard - not sure on the rules governing naming and shaming so will just say a comedian/actor that really does not like abiding by the British traffic laws.
- his presence did not effect service one bit, so good on the staff for not being star struck. Moving on...boarding was flawless with priority lane clearly in place, no one queuing and swiftly down the jetway to be greeted at the door by name
Upon turning left I received another welcome back by CC at the bar.. Uh oh, I have been recognised again. Yep another member of the CC I flew with a few months back. Good memories people, especially given the amount of people you must see. Sat in 9a and was offered a preflight drink, champagne accepted and I was even given a questionnaire this flight - ha ha ha .... I can be bribed with an adequate JD supply people
It was at this point we were informed that with 239 pax aboard and 2 infants we would be leaving the gate on time.... Well I wish that were the end of the announcement... Unfortunately not, only a delay of an hour 30mins on a remote stand to look forward to before takeoff!!!
Well joeyc trapped again.... Ugh, broken record right there iPad out and off we go 
Well delay was not as bad as stated, indeed we did not even need to be taken to the remote stand (have to confess I kind of foresaw the whole remote stand thing as an abandoned cabin in the woods and just waiting for that first murder to take place, yep I was watching Hansel and Grettel
) We were on the runway at 7pm local time (40min delay) and were soon in the air and swinging out over the shoreline. Usual welcome aboard spiel by the FSM and at least this one is not cracking jokes about everything like that awkward uncle every family appears to have, so hopefully a safe flight ahead.
A glass of JD ordered from the bar and aside from the delay in my liquor arriving was a content fellow firmly ensconced in my suite watching the world go by (literally) only thing missing was that personal welcome back from the FSM at this stage. Oh well can't win 'em all and she did disappear off toward the back, so perhaps some assistance was required in PE or ECO.
Thanks to the freezing cabin (a/c was playing up) and the fact the JD supply was closer to the bar than my seat I opted to sit at the bar for dinner. Passing on the starter I dug into the main course which wasn't a half bad chicken dish, despite being soaked in a mushroom sauce. With crew buzzing around yet not settling I finished off my main, and a dandy cheesecake dessert, as well as the JD supply before bothering them further.
Stories shared, pax compared it was more looking like the flight would pass without real event.... Queue a two hour nap back at my seat
... A busy day ahead and did need to recharge the old batteries. Will no doubt sneak another hour or two during the course of the day. I awoke to someone kicking my foot as they stumbled passed, with a half muttered apology to near on our entire row .. I get the impression that he had really enjoyed the flight
Good on the crew for jumping on my stirring, a green tea and bacon sandwich ordered and very well received. I woofed them both down and time for a second, brown sauce this time around as well as a nice glass of orange juice. There was still a little while to go so opted for a mug of coffee and then off for a wander.
With most of the plane still a slumber I tried to keep quiet as I marched back and forth - I was just trying to wake myself from my half asleep daze to be fair. Premium economy was nearly full but there were massive rows left in economy unfilled that the pax were stretched out in, regardless a good load I would say.
Paused at the rear galley and they were going to start service so I wandered back to the front before I got caught at the back by the inevitable rush for the lavs or run down by one of the trolleys.
A snagged another cup of tea as I meandered passed the bar and with a bing, that always gives me a bright idea, the lights came up and breakfast service truly started.
There was still an hour and a bit left in the air and so packed everything away, reconverted my seat and got settled into the IFE. There isn't much on here that I haven't seen but I did start to watch a few repeat TV shows, a bit of comedy really does make a cheery start to the morning.
We landed into LHR a little early and unusually the airport seemed awake and alert for once. Must be the good weather getting everyone to work on time and in good spirit.
Disembarked and after a few farewells and jokes that I will no doubt see the CC shortly
made my way though the halls of heathrow to passport control.... Ahhh well the line sorters were sitting down and vaguely giving instructions that sounded like they were being mumbled into a plastic bag!! I passed comment on my surprise that only two desks were open, which immediately set a man sitting on the chairs in front of the desks laughing before he looked down at his ID lanyard, realised he worked there too and lazily trudged to his desk. Luckily I was seen by one of the two more active members of staff - usual bit of banter and off to the baggage reclaim belt. Priority baggage was adhered to, although there were a few PE bags that popped out first... Perhaps from transfer flights in a diff bin, who knows. Customs were alert and working for a change despite the early hour (640ish) and pulling people aside trying to use the green channel - no doubt high value article smugglers from the states
Next up revivals. Well I was greeted by the usual friendly Tristar rep who confirmed the car could pick me up earlier than arranged. Still time for breakfast though and another cup of coffee - may very well be all that gets me through the day some times. All spruced up I made a swift departure and had to promise to spend more time there next time around. Don't worry guys, you will be seeing me very soon
Cheers for reading vflyers, hope all have had excellent flights recently and the crews continue to be like the one that welcomed me aboard this journey from JFK to LHR.
