This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
it was about three hours before the flight, no queue at UC check-in, short queue at security, then onto the train
travelling with a colleague in EC, so guested into the lounge, both had the burger and several bubblies
burger was ok, not up to the LHR CH standard, but pleasant enough, fries instead of crisps would have lifted it a bit
we went into the lounge about 1900, it was quite crowded, the big table was the only one free so we took it, the upstairs section was closed, but at some point the staff opened it up until the lounge cleared a bit
the qatar flight was called and about 50% of the people left, so we moved to the comfy chairs to continue the bubbly
the CH staff were good, keeping everyone topped up
our flight was called and we went straight on, he headed to the back where there were loads of free seats so he could bag a row to stretch out, i turned left
number of pax was not announced, UC had 4 empty seats i think, much more crowded than the flight out, was told EC was quite empty though
i was in 3K again, one free seat in K, the rest in G nearest the bar
CC offered me a 787 bubbly as i sat down, tasted better than on the way out so maybe my taste buds were at fault
this time the UC amenity kit was in a little zip-up bag, seemed quite nice, it could be handy for packing things so i'm keeping this one
took the sleep suit and changed, plenty of room to do it the big toilets without the usual contortions, the material changed since last time i used one, no more static cling and crackle
filled in the breakfast order card
we took off on schedule, i was offered a second bubbly and orders taken for dinner/breakfast, i opted to skip dinner and converted to bed as soon as the seat belt sign was off, the seat converted without jamming or needing encouragement
donned eyeshades and earplugs, managed to sleep until about 0630, didn't notice any disturbance from the nearby galley, when i did wake up and head down to freshen up i thanked providence for 3K, the serious snorers were at the end near the bar, as were a couple of people who looked like they'd spent the flight there
tried to nod off again, but couldn't get comfy, the foot rest area was a little too narrow/pointy, shame as there really is room on the forward side to make it a few cm wider, tried with one foot outside, but tends to get scraped/knocked as people pass in the dark, i think the pre-UCDS was a bit better in this respect, but haven't flown it for ages so maybe i'm wrong
breakfast arrived around 0800, then i went to change out of the sleep suit before the rush
captain announced eta before 0900, well ahead of schedule, but later we got held for about 15-20 mins before going for landing, still nicely early though
landed and left the runway close to t3, with just a short taxi to the gate
no AU greeting during the flight, but the CC were efficient and friendly, all pretty busy for the times i was awake, but even with the near-full UC cabin i didn't notice anyone having to wait for anything
fast track cards weren't offered but there was no queue, went through the e-gate to baggage claim, had to wait about 10 minutes before the first bags appeared, then headed for revivals lounge
had a shower (grumpy cow shower gel), brekkie, and now am sitting there typing this TR
all that's missing now is two glasses of bubbly and my sweetheart, but we finally got the date/time for her op next week confirmed, so fingers crossed that after that we'll be able to find some Gs and take a break somewhere warm, sunny and tranquil
