V-Flyer

I was due another visit to my team in India so booked my flights to Delhi with Virgin.
I had the chance to experience the Upper Class delights in 2012 on the same route.
Having enjoyed it so much the first time, I decided to leave home early and enjoy the Clubhouse to the maximum.
Got to Terminal 3 well early, around 3.45.
No queues at all for check-in so was done in minutes. Up the lift and through to Security, where I was again on my own. A quick browse through Duty Free and a quick stop for some magazines and I was on my way to the Clubhouse.
Welcomed by a nice smiling lady who showed me quickly around.
I then went straight to the spa to book a head massage.
By then it was literally 4 o'clock meaning 15 minutes door to door with 2 stops ! I wish it was always the same !
Got an appointment at 6.30. In the meantime I decided to relax and enjoy myself.
Got a fantastic seat by the window, close to the outdoors action.
Started with a glass of Lanson (the first of many)and a quick run to the Deli where I was served delights beyond words ... Peppered smoked salmon will haunt my dreams for long, absolutely beautiful !!!
Glass was kept full by a nice and chatty young lady.
At some point, I decided to change atmosphere and moved upstairs to the Grey Goose Loft ...
The mixologist was a really nice guy from Germany and we had a long chat about all sorts for over an hour ... He served me a Black Truffle Martini, which I totally loved. Give it a go next time you're there ! Second one was Aged Barrel Negroski ... Different but really nice all the same.
Soon enough, it was time for the massage so I headed back to the spa where a lovely lady welcomed me.
It only last 15 minutes but that head massage was absolutely unbelievable. I felt so good and so refreshed afterwards.
After the massage, I had another good 2 hours in the lounge, which started to get busy with the late flights passengers.
Found myself a nice seat and Lanson kept on flowing.
Having had a great service all along but even more specifically from the 3 people I've mentioned before, I went to the Concierge Desk to share my satisfaction with the Duty Manager. She was very happy and grateful I took the time to do it, it made it all the more worth it.
She took the names so I really hope they'll get some sort of recognition for it.
Well, enough with the lounge now ...
Flight was called and I left the lounge and went to Gate 19.
The gate was already very empty and I was through and in the plane in seconds ... I was welcomed by the FSM and addressed to by name. I had selected 1A and was happy with my choice.
No more than 5 minutes later, boarding complete was announced and 136 adults and 1 child accounted for. I was very surprised as all flights to India tend to be really busy. In UC, only 13 seats were occupied. No need to say that the CC were pretty pleased with it Champagne offered and accepted.
We pushed back 15 minutes early and took off at 10pm as per schedule.
Service started promptly and was done quickly and efficiently by 4 different CC, which was another surprise. 2 Indian male CCs with the help of one of the CSD and the FSM.
A pretty pleasant affair and a decent meal.
Crab timbale for starters, Chicken Curry for mains...
However, I need to give a special mention to the dessert ... Croissant bread and butter pudding ... One of the best desserts I've ever had.
After all the booze and food, I was quite ready for a nap ... I passed out only to be awaken 5 hours later for breakfast ...
I was not particularly hungry but that breakfast was absolutely awful ... I still have to find a decent breakfast serving on a long haul flight ...
I didn't even manage to watch a film, even if there was over 12 films I wanted to ...
It was soon time to land and we did 20 minutes early ...
For once we were parked on one of the very first gates, meaning that the walk to immigration was reduced to a minimum ... No queue at immigration, luggage already there when arrived at the carrousel and 5th piece of luggage was mine ... I was out of the terminal and with my chauffeur in about 15 minutes ... All in all, a great experience once again, couldn't fault the Clubhouse, great cabin crew, triumphs and horrors in terms of food.
This was my second flight on the new Suite but the first night flight and I can actually say that I slept better this time than on the A346 ...
Return flight in 2 weeks and another TR will be in order ...

Glad to hear your Clubhouse and UC experience was everything you hoped for!

Know what you mean about breakfast - I guess the problem is a proper full English involves frying or at the very least grilling, neither of which are possible on a plane. As Heston Blumenthal once said, aircraft ovens only have two settings - hot and hotter.

Good old Heston ! That's very true though ... Knowing that, they should move away from the full English ... I once had a really good eggs benedict on a Swiss flight from Zurich to London ... I'm sure anyone can survive one day without a full English ...

Sounds like you thoroughly enjoyed yourself ,thanks for posting a great TR ,
Makes me want to be on board or in the CH every time I read one

Great TR, shame about the breakfast...on my last flight with ethiad we had a "cooked" breakfast and I thought it was lovely. Omelette, beans and a very tasty beef sausage, it might have even had mushrooms.
I still think about that sausage.

Sounds like a great experience julmops, thanks for sharing. Pity about the breakfast though. That said, on my last (and first) UC flight with VS I had some of the best scrambled eggs I've ever had, perfectly cooked the way I like them (runny and slightly undercooked, I think the French term is baveuse).

Look forward to your next TR.