This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Took the train from Huddersfield to Manchester airport, usual service in TP Express First class - a newspaper, a hot drink and a snack from the basket (biscuits etc)
Arrived at the airport around 1015am and walked across to T2. One of the UC check in desks was blocked by a trolley full of luggage of someone checking in at the PE desk. This was quickly moved and I was waved forward. The Swissport lady was not at all welcoming and lacked any real warmth, she handed me my silver envelope with the lounge invite, luggage tags, customs form etc.....it does it keep it altogether for sure.
I was told I could use the fast-lane and that was it. Not the best of starts
Used the fast-lane but security overall was very quiet so through in no-time at all and picked up some currency which I had pre-ordered and some bits and bobs and then it was up to the Escape lounge too. I was welcomed warmly and positioned myself by the window which looked out into the terminal.
This lounge did use to be the Air France lounge and little has changed really. I arrived just as the breakfast service was finishing so managed to order a sausage sandwich. The lounge did get a little busy, signs indicated this was the dedicated lounge for Delta/Virgin but passengers from other flights were visiting, so it seems to act as an overflow from the main escape lounge. From 11am, the food offer changed to sandwiches, cheese/crackers, soup, cakes and some salad items.
Boarding was going to be called at 1300 but I left around 1230 to make the first boarding call at the gate at around 1245. The gate staff were just as unfriendly as the check in agent but I was on my way rather quickly and down the airbridge.
Welcomed warmly at the door with (I bet you know where you are going....) and directed left. I quickly found my seat to be welcomed really well by the CSS who introduced himself and offered a glass of champagne.
The UC cabin started to fill up with 12 of the 14 seats taken on today's flight. Refills of champagne were offered and accepted along with newspapers, the amenity kit and a bottle of water.
Pushed away from the gate early with 432 passengers on board and 17 crew. Take off was at 1347 with a flight time of 8hrs25mins promised.
Once airborne- hot towels were offered and menus handed out by the FSM along with the Summer drinks list. The FSM was really hard working throughout the flight in UC, highly visible and worked well with the CSS to ensure everyone was well looked after.
Drink orders were taken by the FSM and dispatched with crisps- refills offered and accepted. A good atmosphere too in the cabin had this shaping up to be a really good flight.
Just before lunch we had company over the Atlantic until we finally left them behind....
Tables were set for a late lunch at around 1515 and I enjoyed the Pea and Mint Soup, Chicken Katsu and the Warm sticky toffee pudding, rounding everything off with the cheese.
Throughout the crew were simply fantastic offering bread and ensuring your wine and water glasses remained full. A great team on board.
Tea/coffee and liqueurs were offered after lunch and then later in the flight the usual offer of ice-cream
Throughout the flight the crew were always visible in the cabin offering drinks and refilling the snack basket at the bar with chocolates, crisps and sweets.
About 1.5hrs out from Orlando the afternoon tea trolley appeared and I enjoyed a good selection of sandwiches, though not the same ones as the menu, a couple of sweet treats and a delicious scone with clotted cream and jam
With everything cleared away just time for a final round of hot towels and a cheery goodbye personally from the FSM we touched down at 1715 just behind the delayed BA flight from LGW but ahead of the VS15
Fearing the worst I left the flight quickly thanking the crew for a really good flight and joined the APC queue which moved quickly and I was through in minutes, a record for me at MCO. The case was waiting for me on the luggage belt and I was through into the terminal by 1730
A superb flight with a fantastic crew!
