This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
So the end of my friends stag do in Vegas. What happens in Vegas must stay there, especially my money as usually is case.
During the 2 days I managed with the lads to learn craps. We've been going some years and it always confused despite lessons.... so we decided to play a bit with cash to see if we got it this year. A bit turned into hours... and we won on every single game of craps we played - usually 100% or more up from start. However same could not be said of blackjack where the Asian dragon dealers (which is what we call the cooler dealers at the casinos) took all our money back again!.
As this was end of a combined work/personal trip, work had picked up the return leg - and due to a stange twist in circumstances UC was cheaper than PE.
So arrived at airport, to a massive queue at checkin, but no-one in UC line, so sauntered over, was seen immiediately by a very helpful lady - then got my invite into lounge, boarding pass.
The lounge was okay, it's certainally better than Delta/American/United lounges - even some of their premium ones. Small, but the sandwiches were okay, and the drinks selection quite adequate. The whisky choice however did not include Gentleman jack, but did have some American higher quality choices. I saw that the Tanqueray export was available, it's no T10, but it was fine for me along with the Japanese beer available.
Boarding was announced, and the staff done a good job of getting UC in amongst the first people on. Due to the layout of the Gatwick 747's I do see why.
Now, the plane, in my years of flying Virgin, I've only been UC twice before this - and both in the newer UCDS. I now see what everyone means - the older cabin is wider, and FAR more comfortable to sleep in - it's the width for me that makes the biggest different - you feel less caged in. That said, who sleeps as soon as on plane.
Myself and 3 other travellers availed ourselves to bar once take off occurred until Dinner was delivered. There were too many of us to eat at bar, so we ate, then came back to bar for a while. I'd say about 4-5 hours into the 10 hour flight, after quite a few Gentleman jack, and samples of drinks suggested by other passengers (the bottle had half left at start and we had almost finished by time retired). I forget the white wine served - may have been the booze, but it was excellent.
At this point sleep was required, so retired and was woken for breakfast as requested.
Overall the cabin crew on this flight made it one of the best I've ever been on - only really eclipsed by a Virgin PE crew on an outbound Mumbai leg. Friendly, chatty, and glad of the company on the return leg. It's easy on an overnight return to crank up heat have people sleep and not give excellent service, but the team on this flight really delivered. The sleeping temperature for me was also spot on, not too hot.
Now, all I've got to hope for is an upgrade from E to UC on my trip to Orlando in 20 days so my wife can experience it too, or on my next work trip in a month.
