V-Flyer

So after a blissful week of R&R it was time to think about heading home and we were sat in the Gold Club lounge at the One & Only having a light breakfast at 0630...

Highly recommend this hotel - our third visit and wonderful attentive service all week long and the benefits and perks of enjoying a Gold Club room really are worth it. The private transfer arranged collected us on time, from the private entrance to the Gold Club at 0715 and we were arriving at Terminal 1 in hardly anytime at all.

Check in was busy caused by the cancellation of the BA flight but the VS Manager came and introduced herself as we waited and remembered us from our last visit. She really was friendly along with the check in agent who handled the five of us, our luggage and bags and processed us through to MAN without fuss.

The "long" walk to the gate area seems to get longer but we made it and headed to the business class lounge. This is a rather a dull affair though wasn't too busy, the wifi was free and had a good range of food and drink options. Though facing curry at this time in the morning was a non-starter for me...

We never spend too long there and indeed we went out and picked up some things from duty-free before heading down to the gate. A secondary security check is carried out as regular DXB travellers will know and we waited around 10mins before priority boarding commenced and we headed down to "Miss Sunshine" who was waiting patiently for us..



Once at L1 boarding through the dedicated airbridge for UC we were welcomed by the FSM. Taking our seats we got quickly organised as a welcome glass of champagne was offered followed by newspapers and bottles of water.

The amenity kit was already on the ottoman. This was a completely full flight with several people joining us in UC from the cancelled BA flight including a couple of VIPs...

The cabin crew member came along and introduced herself and she was superb from the word go. Nothing was too much trouble, she used names throughout all flight long and what a great team we had looking after us today.

Push back started at 0958 only to go back on stand for a few minutes as the safety video was playing. We pushed off again and headed to the active runway, waiting our turn. We lifted into the sky at 1025 with a flight time of 7hrs 25mins promised.

The first 30mins of the flight were rather rocky and the seat-belt signs were put back on as hot towels were offered before menus distributed and drink and lunch orders were taken.

Drinks arrived quickly with crisps and refills were offered more than once.

A generous G&T was today's tipple...



The lunch service started around 1145 with tables laid, today's menu was...

Starters

Roasted pumpkin soup
Mixed salad with mozzarella and balsamic dressing
Tandoori prawns

Mains

Panfried beef steak
Iranian chicken kofta kebab
Seafood platter
Mushroom and ricotta ravioli

Pudding

Warm pear and plum crumble
Chocolate truffle cake

Cheese and crackers

I chose the salad, the chicken and finished with the pear and plum crumble followed by the cheese....all delicious (the chicken was amazing) and with regular wine, water and bread top-ups excellent service from start to finish.





After the meal I visited the bar and enjoyed a hot chocolate and had another drink or two. It became quite busy but a great atmosphere. The cabin crew were chatty and nothing was too much trouble. I even commented I do like the new treat selection at the bar, so ended up with a few to take away with me....

About 2hrs ahead of touch-down it was time for afternoon tea. This included Roast beef, Smoked salmon and cucumber and Cheese sandwiches.

Warm scones with tea/coffee were offered served with clotted cream and strawberry jam with a selection of mini cakes - pineapple tart, opera gateau and strawberry cheesecake. Everything was delicious and refills of tea/coffee were offered and accepted.





With everyone strapped and the cabin secured we approached the London area where we visited the hold for about 15mins as fast-track vouchers were handed out to non-EU passport holders, we then made a long approach out to Windsor and turned onto 09L touching down at just before 1400.

With grateful thanks passed to the crew looking after us we said cheerio and headed to flight connections to head across to T2 where we spent a couple of hours in the Aer Lingus Gold circle lounge and then joined our Little Red flight to Manchester which was fantastic and such a superb crew there too.

Overall, a wonderful trip home with such an attentive friendly crew. This was certainly one of those flights with bells and whistles and despite having two VIPs across from me everyone was treated the same and received the same high level of service. A truly exceptional crew.

A letter of thanks has been sent to Crawley Towers. Can't wait to be back on board very soon....


Jon

Jon

Thanks for a super TR (amply assisted by the great pics )

I have to agree the Lounge offered at DXB is not somewhere to spend a considerable time and I am glad that the on board Crew made your flight a good one

Thanks once again

buns

That sounds like a great trip, with a great crew! And it's always nice when the crew isn't shaken up by VIP's, and treats all pax the same as the next

Also, I don't usually have a (alcoholic) drink on board, but I think I will be this time - do you know what alcoholic drinks they have on board? As in which spirits?

Thanks!

jr17 wrote:That sounds like a great trip, with a great crew! And it's always nice when the crew isn't shaken up by VIP's, and treats all pax the same as the next

Also, I don't usually have a (alcoholic) drink on board, but I think I will be this time - do you know what alcoholic drinks they have on board? As in which spirits?

Thanks!

Indeed...Spirits are:

Bombay sapphire gin
Gentleman Jack whiskey
Single malt whiskey Glen Devron or Aberfeldy
Grey goose vodka
Bacardi superior rum
Cognac
Port
Amarula cream liqueur

Enjoy....Jon

buns wrote:Jon

Thanks for a super TR (amply assisted by the great pics )

I have to agree the Lounge offered at DXB is not somewhere to spend a considerable time and I am glad that the on board Crew made your flight a good one

Thanks once again

buns

Thanks Buns - writing the TR today has got me thinking about my next "holiday" trip...I can feel a booking coming on!!

Jon

Top TR as always jon ,same old story ,a great crew make or break a flight .

Splendid TR Jon, an interesting read and the CC were definitely at the top of their game. Let's hope your feedback reaches them.

Thanks for a great TR Jon, pics are good and food looks really appetising. Glad you had a good trip.

Sounds like the kind of flight that keeps us coming back.

If the chicken's the same on my soon come VS10 I'll be giving it a go....

Thanks for the TR and photos. We normally fly to DXB a couple of times a year usually out in economy and back in PE, so it was nice to hear what the service is like in Upper. We always get great service from the crew on this route, they seem to look forward to spending some time in Dubai and return happy. Next visit is in September trying out the Waldorf Astoria on the Palm.

Daffodil wrote:Thanks for the TR and photos. We normally fly to DXB a couple of times a year usually out in economy and back in PE, so it was nice to hear what the service is like in Upper. We always get great service from the crew on this route, they seem to look forward to spending some time in Dubai and return happy. Next visit is in September trying out the Waldorf Astoria on the Palm.

It certainly was one of those flights up there with the best. I have received a lovely email back from the Executive team confirming the cabin crew I mentioned have personally seen my feedback which is great news. They were superb.

Jon