VS077 MAN-BGI 22 DEC 14 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

This trip was the result of the reward seat sale and we decided at last minute to spend a week in Barbados. Unfortunately leading up to the date no Gs became available so we were destined for economy but we had paid for seat plus.

Stayed overnight at the Hilton Manchester and used 20,000 points so no expense there and still a nice standard room being Hilton Gold.

used the Hilton Curtesy bus to Terminal 2 at 9 am for a 13:20 flight to try and snaffle some upgrades. The young man at first suggested there were 4 seats in yup per available and since we have points we couldn't upgrade further ( so quickly put him right and a phone call to Crawley duly gave us our upgrades.

The transfer to give us boarding cards took a little longer as Gatwick had to issue the tickets first and took around 20 mins but tickets and lounge invites in hand we headed to the escape lounge.

As most have experienced a small amount of offerings of sandwiches and cakes but a good selection of drinks.
Boarding was very smooth to Ladybird and drinks were offered as I layed into 10 a. Mrs F was over in 10 k ,

Now here's when the fun starts a youngish couple with baby occupied seat 11/12 k and to start the mum was trying to calm the young one which she did but then it was like trooping the colour it looked like that she was with a party of 25 in premium who then took over the corner of the bar at 11/12k to the point of ordering teas and drinks for the first 1/3 of the flight .

My wife had to swop seats with me as she wanted to sleep which I thought they would actually take note , this is why the crew were marked down not once did they ask for the gaggle to be quiet or ask them kindly to remove themselves.
So I spoke up to the guys and asked them to politely quieten down.

The guy said to me he was only having a cup of tea and I said why has it taken 3 hours to drink along with the banana ,cake nibbles and beer ( maybe I have a loud mouth ) I too have had friends visit the cabin but not to the extent of the nanny, and 13 other friends and then to loudly converse even to the extent I heard them over my QCs.

About 3 hours from Barbados the couple decided they were tired and went to sleep
Not the best upper experience I have had but luckily it wasn't a night flight.

It's touching 29 degrees here so Happy Christmas everyone

Now here's when the fun starts a youngish couple with baby occupied seat 11/12 k and to start the mum was trying to calm the young one which she did but then it was like trooping the colour it looked like that she was with a party of 25 in premium who then took over the corner of the bar at 11/12k to the point of ordering teas and drinks for the first 1/3 of the flight .

My wife had to swop seats with me as she wanted to sleep which I thought they would actually take note , this is why the crew were marked down not once did they ask for the gaggle to be quiet or ask them kindly to remove themselves.
So I spoke up to the guys and asked them to politely quieten down.

The guy said to me he was only having a cup of tea and I said why has it taken 3 hours to drink along with the banana ,cake nibbles and beer ( maybe I have a loud mouth ) I too have had friends visit the cabin but not to the extent of the nanny, and 13 other friends and then to loudly converse even to the extent I heard them over my QCs.

This is completely unacceptable IMHO .
I don't think you have a loud mouth at all just a very poor FSM ( and the crew serving under them)on your flight. It shouldn't have been necessary for you to say anything. I think you need to contact Crawley Towers with details.
Enjoy Barbados .

DL

Well done on the upgrades, and I agree with DL - it shouldn't have been you that needed to have a word with the noisy party.

Have a lovely time in Barbados!

A really poor FSM and CSS here who should have provided leadership. It should never have been left to you to take hold of the situation - but good for you in doing so

I would never say names but as a regular out of MAN the poor leadership skills here stand out to me....my heart has sank more than once when boarding to see them on the flight. That is not at all how it should be. Do feedback when your trip is over.

Have a wonderful time in Barbados

Jon

...it looked like that she was with a party of 25 in premium who then took over the corner of the bar at 11/12k to the point of ordering teas and drinks for the first 1/3 of the flight.

That is really poor management by CSS/FSM. Definitely write a letter to VS.

Also, I think giving the CC three stars is too generous! But I guess it's Christmas...

...it looked like that she was with a party of 25 in premium who then took over the corner of the bar at 11/12k to the point of ordering teas and drinks for the first 1/3 of the flight.

That is really poor management by CSS/FSM. Definitely write a letter to VS.

Also, I think giving the CC three stars is too generous! But I guess it's Christmas...

The reason I gave 3 stars the FSM who took the food orders came to me and Mrs F first and I realised on her list we were the only flying club members identified which was a nice touch

Ah, Barbados at Christmas (whistful sigh...).

We've spent one Christmas there, and it was fantastic, hope to do it again next year (which would be 3rd trip to BGI inside 12 months!!!).

As others have said, I think you should definitely feed back to VS on your return.

Where are you staying by the way?

Ah, Barbados at Christmas (whistful sigh...).

We've spent one Christmas there, and it was fantastic, hope to do it again next year (which would be 3rd trip to BGI inside 12 months!!!).

As others have said, I think you should definitely feed back to VS on your return.

Where are you staying by the way?

We got a really cheap deal with travel bag £500 b&b at the Butterfly Beach Hotel near Oistens.

Having Christmas Day at the Hilton and booked in for Christmas buffet tonight

The reason I gave 3 stars the FSM who took the food orders came to me and Mrs F first and I realised on her list we were the only flying club members identified which was a nice touch

Ah, fair enough! Enjoy your Caribbean Christmas!

Thanks for the TR. Sorry the flight was a little disappointing, how inconsiderate some people are. I hope you are now having a relaxing time under the Barbados sun and making the most of the rum!

Quick update ,

Received a reply from VS apologising for my 4 page letter( my Mrs has a way with words ). They put 20,000 miles into each account as a goodwill gesture. I think that it's the standard amount what are your thoughts my fellow v-flyers ?

Quick update ,

Received a reply from VS apologising for my 4 page letter( my Mrs has a way with words ). They put 20,000 miles into each account as a goodwill gesture. I think that it's the standard amount what are your thoughts my fellow v-flyers ?

That's a lot more than maybe a standard 8-10k miles.
I'd call that a result.... but the issue should have been resolved by FSM properly in the first place.

Quick update ,

Received a reply from VS apologising for my 4 page letter( my Mrs has a way with words ). They put 20,000 miles into each account as a goodwill gesture. I think that it's the standard amount what are your thoughts my fellow v-flyers ?

That's a lot more than maybe a standard 8-10k miles.
I'd call that a result.... but the issue should have been resolved by FSM properly in the first place.

Sorry Paul went against advice and wrote a reply as I thought it was a standard reply they increased to 30,000 each and a nice surprise for Mrs F on our flight next November

[buns]

Congrats on getting the Upgrade

Poor show by the FSM

buns

Sorry Paul went against advice and wrote a reply as I thought it was a standard reply they increased to 30,000 each and a nice surprise for Mrs F on our flight next November

Fill yer boots Jurgen
Well fought

Massive end result...nice

Great result. Let's hope the FSM has received "feedback" too....

Jon