This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
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So we did the usual and travelled down the day before by train, all nice and smooth, and stayed at the Radisson at T3. We had a good night in a lovely comfy room, and I had a good steak dinner in the restaurant. I'd like to say OH did too, but the fish and chips he ordered were dreadful and had to be sent back as although the fish was cooked it had been fried at too low a temperature and the batter was raw inside. It was very well handled by the waitress, who then sent the restaurant manager who was very apologetic and he was offered an alternative but it had put him off so he declined but accepted a cup of tea instead.
Anyway, OLCI was slow because of the poor wifi connection in the hotel and the VS website freezing part way through so had to start again. Only scored SEQ 17 & 18. A couple of weeks before the trip our scheduled plane changed from an A330 to an A346 so I'd switched seats when I had the chance so we didn't have to sit opposite anyone. OH is anti-social.
We had booked DTCI with a CDC via VS / Tristar, a little extravagant given we were only round the corner but worth it. I think I've already said on another thread that the VS agent accidentally booked us a pick up at 11am, and I wasn't complaining! The CDC was a few minutes early although the driver was snoozing when we poled up to the car! Very pleasant and chatty chap and we were at DTCI in no time, all nice and smooth with really friendly ground crew, and boarding cards and landing cards issued we were off through the private security lane with no hold ups, and in the haven of the Clubhouse before 11:15.
We looked around for somewhere to sit, it wasn't too busy, I just wanted to sit somewhere else instead of those awful chairs by the pool. So we settled on the lodge and got ourselves comfy. Drinks ordered but no food as we'd had a good breakfast and let's face it, we were gonna be there until around 4:30 so we had plenty of time. I quickly popped off to book a shave and a head massage for 1pm and got myself settled again with a Virgin Redhead or three. Although the clubhouse wasn't too busy I think it had been and then it got a bit busier later. Lots of American types all drinking Bloody Mary's and a bit agog at what was on offer so I figured we had a lot of Delta elites in. One guy was a bit noisy and we actually moved away from him. He was on the phone with one of those bluetooth thingies in his ear, and wasn't quiet, obviously discussing business. I'm no prude, and I can swear like a trooper when I want, but I got tired of hearing the F's being yelled down the line. He could've been more discreet.
Anyway, I was pacing my drinking as didn't want to get completely inebriated so was averaging 1 drink an hour to start, but might have speeded up towards the end. I had maybe 3 redheads, a Champoo and a Margarita (or was it 2?), and the guy at the bar offered me a taste of the Haig Blue which I loved. Service was tiptop throughout, and I had a nice shave and facial followed by a head massage and felt very chilled. We had a bite to eat and I noted the menu had changed since my last visit in May. OH filled his pockets with sweeties, the little fiend.
About an hour and a half or so before boarding, being a people watcher as I am, I quietly laughed to myself at 3 ladies who came in and sat not far from us. One was dressed head to toe in Chanel, another dragging a large Liouis Vuitton carry on with a vacant expression and a Made in Chelsea look about her, and it was like watching Edina and Patsy from that notorious show of yesteryear... One of them was like "we'll have to find somewhere with better waitress service, darling" as she marched around looking for a spot, and the one with the bag dragged it clumsily up the steps, and the third one just followed with her phone attached to her ear. You had to be there I guess, but I chuckled to myself. I later observed them lolling on the sofas near the stairs up to the loft, phones attached to ears, every few words uttered "daarrrling" and "yah"
Boarding was called around 4:30 and OH wanted to go straight away, but I'd ordered a drink so made him wait, only he made me knock it back and I felt like a right chav but did as instructed and off we went to gate 22 and Lady Luck. Boarded through the first door by a very nice bit of stuff, ahem, I mean a very smartly dressed CC, welcomed by name and welcomed back. We got settled into our seats and champoo was offered and accepted, OH had tea! Our lovely CC introduced herself and said she'd be looking after us, and we got ready for push back as the Captain told us we'd be having a 6hr 55min flight and would be off early. However, there was then a delay so we pushed back at 17:17, plus a further delay making takeoff 17:47. Before push back one of the crew announced that Birthday Girl was sitting at the gate next to us. I couldn't resist having a look and asked if I could take some pictures through the window on the door. The CC I asked took me to get a better view by leaning over someone's seat in UC! Anyway, I posted a pic on the 787 thread.
According to the FSM there were 13 gorgeous crew and 3 handsome pilots on board, but I forgot how many PAX. Three of those PAX were the Chelsea types I mentioned earlier, who seemed to be in their own world where none of us others existed darling. Miss Louis Vuitton couldn't handle her case, bless, so had to have help, and I'm pretty sure they asked a PAX if he'd move so they sit next to each other. Anyway, once airborne the FSM came around and introduced herself to everyone in the UC cabin and had a brief chat with each of us, welcomed back if we were part of FC. She was really lovely and a great team player, and as others have said before, this is a really nice touch and sooo welcoming. I've noted on previous flights that the FSM has been present in the background and the CSM has been the key player, but this FSM was really involved, and was involved in meal and drinks service and then briefly disappeared but was later back in the UC cabin. Service was great throughout, I can't fault it, CC were great, especially the hot one. An email is going off to Crawley Towers.
When the CC came round for more drinks orders and food orders we had a little laugh, I asked not to be called sir, and introduced OH as the Dowager Duchess, which the girls giggled at. He was not amused.
Hello you... Let's eat.
It was the usual soup (spicy lentil, organic apparently) or something fishy (ballotine of salmon), or a pear and blue cheese salad to start. I had the fish and it was lush. Duchess had nowt. Mains were fillet steak with celeriac mash & veggies, lemon thyme chicken, paneer curry or a tiger prawn caesar salad. I had the beef washed down with a nice juicy claret, he had the salad, both were good. I had sticky toffee pud for desert and he had profiteroles. No cheese for either of us but I did have a brandy, as a digestif of course; well the CC poured me a rather large one which really got me sozzled! He said it was because he was from Newcastle and they don't serve small measures; I like to think he was flirting.
Cheese for those interested: West Country Brie, Bleu d'Auvergne, Cheshire (this isn't just food, this is airline food for the indulgent).I said to the OH I wanted to nick the salt and pepper pots, so we asked the FSM who said something along the lines of "of course, it does say nicked from Virgin on the bottom, just make sure you empty them first so you don't get salt and pepper in your bag". So we pinched 2 sets! They've gone with the 4 napkins from the Clubhouse
After reading and watching a film (Bad Neighbours, which I found hilarious), I decided to go to the bar where I spent a good hour with some other PAX from Boston. They were a bit noisy, but very friendly, and offered me restaurant recommendations for BOS and SFO. A couple of others joined us, and we chatted away, chatted with the CC and got some gossip on Debbie Harry which I won't repeat here.
Anyway, suddenly the seatbelt signs were on and we were urged back to our seats as we were entering turbulence. Except I didn't really feel any turbulence and I reckon it was the CC trick of clearing the bar! Back to our Sloane Rangers, who I'd watched periodically during the flight as Miss Louis Vuitton decided that she hadn't heard the announcement about the seat belts and staying in seats, she just got up and went for a walk, don't know where, she was in her own little bubble, vacant, with an Alice band on her head and rather Romanesque features (an onk like a ski slope). I'm not being cruel, honest, this is well observed human behaviour!
Shortly before landing I ordered the sushi from the graze menu; it was meh, but filled a gap. We landed on time, security / border clearance wasn't too bad. Long lines but moving quickly, all staff friendly, including the one with all the weapons. Went to the electronic gates as directed, all nice and smooth although OH took his finger off as it was scanned. Then went to a desk and he had to have both hands scanned as the machine scan had failed, but all very quick and off we went to get our bags and through to our waiting CDC. Nice friendly driver who told us of his lineage going back to the Sherwood Forest area after we mentioned we lived near Robin Hood country! We arrived at our lovely hotel, the Revere Boston Common, just a few minutes later, where I was offered champagne on arrival but declined 'cos I was slightly sloshed from the flight and the day's drinking in the Clubhouse
. We had a great suite, and first thing we did was order room service then crash out until morning, we were exhausted.Another super flight and pre-flight experience from VS, thanks VS.
Disclaimer: No offence is meant towards any Made in Chelsea types or Sloane Rangers who may or may not periodically, often, or regularly read or have read to them by a butler or a nanny posts on v-flyer
At the end of the jetway TURN LEFT and... champagne, champagne for everyone 
