This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Check in at Heathrow was quick and easy. The lounge was fantastic and we enjoyed a light breakfast in anticipation of lunch. We didn't have treatments but the spa at 9.30 am was quiet so we could have easily taken advantage of what was on offer.
Our flight was on time boarding was simple and straightforward, flight time was nearly 10.5 hours due to bad weather en route.
After reading the reviews about the a330 we were sort of prepared however we were still disappointed. We first flew upper class when the spa treatments were available on board! We have then travelled upper to New York with the large ottomans and a few times in the smaller cabin from Manchester. Mostly we felt we were having a real treat, something special. Not so this time. We love the upper class experience, the check in the lounge the enhanced menu but the seats and the cabin on this flight we felt were not worth the additional expense.
It was a long flight to sit without a companion. We tried me sitting on the small stool but it was uncomfortable and I felt in the way as people passed. I spent a lot of the flight trying to avoid eye contact with the passenger opposite me.
Our lunch was excellent as was the wine. Afternoon tea was awful dry sandwiches with an odd taste and a range of sickly cakes that weren't as described. Drinks were given if asked for during the flight.
The crew were busy. There was no personal interaction. We are fairly low maintenance passengers and it seems the louder you are the more you are heard. Lots of crew time was spent at the bar. I asked for a coffee which was forgotten twice. I then asked for a landing card and this request was ignored three times.
Immigration at Miami was very long. A number of announcements were made for Virgin ground staff due to luggage problems but ours was fine. We are travelling back premium economy so it will be interesting to compare.
We won't be travelling on the a330 again. In fact after twenty years of being regular virgin flyers this experience has made us re think our travel arrangements. From being very innovative I feel they are behind the game now.
