1st time on a A330-900neo. Finally! I was thinking miss out yet again with a swap since G-VTOM went tech.
I was recently invited into Flying Clubs Wings, so was curious to see if that got a mention anywhere.
Stayed at the Premier Inn Bath Road the night before. It's always a bit of a rush getting down to LHR after work, so spending anymore money on a hotel is pointless. The Premier Inn is more than fine for 1 night. I also like to park the car the night before so we can head straight to the wing.
Booked parker airport cars for the trip to the wing. The driver was like Austin Powers trying to make the turn up the ramp. During online check-in, I noticed the retreat suites were still vacant. I enquired about them at the wing check-in, but they still wanted £200 each for them, I declined. The agent then rang "someone" and was granted permission to give them to us. It was only 2.5 hours until departure, so the chances of selling them were very small. No mention of status at check-in, but great service nonetheless.
Quickly through the wing security and onto the clubhouse. Very warmly welcomed back as a Wings member, definitely noticed a difference here. I was even asked if there was somewhere in particular in the lounge that I'd like to sit. I declined. What would they do, remove someone from my favourite place? I wouldn't be comfortable with that. Got seated in a table round the corner in the dining area and it was virtually empty in that section, just as we like. Was promptly served and ordered breakfast. Shortly after, the agent that greeted us at the clubhouse entrance showed another person where we were sitting. Whoever that was came over and chatted away for a few minutes and made sure to find her if we needed anything whilst I'm the clubhouse. Certainly never had that before.
Boarding was called about an hour before departure at gate 20. We took our time and were likely 1 of the last few to board. The retreat suites make a much bigger difference than I was expecting. The size and space reminded me of 1st on Emirates (which I managed just once years and years ago on an A380, almost certainly never will be able to again). And the TV is huge, great to watch a few movies on. Warmly greeted, but nothing out the ordinary and we pushed pack and took off roughly on time.
Service was on the slower side after departure, deliberately I think. The drinks arrived as usual, but the meal service was later than usual, which was good actually as I didn't want the curry I'd chosen early anyway. All the food was great to be honest, much better this year and the last few. The sticky toffee is very calorific I'm sure, but also very nice. Great crew as is almost always the case.
Slept really well in the suite for a couple of hours and before long we were heading into BGI. The ground experience is weird. Change of crew (cabin and flight) and it takes about an hour and a half. New crew was arguably the worst I've ever experienced. Nobody said hello or even seemed to make eye contact. Very unusual. Service for the 1hr hop to ANU consisted of a plastic cup of water and a pack of biscuits. No real grumbles, except for the cold and very non-VS like delivery.
Arrived into ANU roughly on time and onto our resort. All in all a great flight. The ground service in particular was amazing, perhaps even slightly over the top for my liking. And the retreat suites are definitely worth getting if you're willing to fork out for them or lucky enough to bag them on the day.
Last edited by mitchja on 16 Jun 2026, 12:21, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Edited to correct flight details
