This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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Arrived at JFK Terminal 4 at 7:45pm. There was a short line at UC check-in, which went quickly and the agent was very nice. My parents had taken me to the airport and as they have their first ever Virgin flight coming up in July (convinced them to splurge on UC) they were interested in seeing the check-in, noting where the lounge was, etc. As they were with me, I didn't stop in the lounge and instead we just walked around the terminal a bit, chatting, etc. At 8:45pm we said goodbye and I went through security. It was a breeze - took about 7 minutes at most. I walked to gate B30, at the end of the corridor, and had just arrived at the gate and was trying to determine if priority boarding had begun when it was announced that there was a technical problem with the aircraft and everyone should move to gate B28, where another VS aircraft was being prepared for us. After sitting at gate B28 for a bit they moved us all back to B30 and we boarded the originally scheduled craft, which was G-VMEG (Mystic Maiden).
I found the crew to be very pleasant and friendly. I have been reading many of the reviews lately and the discussion on inconsistent service so I tried to take note of the service, but as I am not a gold (ever striving, always a point or two short!), and generally fly PE (this was a miles upgrade) my observations might differ from someone who flies UC more frequently. My drink (only still water for me) was brought promptly, pjs were distributed, meals were discussed, hot towels came round, the IFBT came by - everything I expected to happen, happened. Many passengers changed into their pjs pre-takeoff. The snooze pack was already on my seat at boarding and included an eye mask, ear plugs, socks, change for children envelope, and toothbrush & paste. I was happy to note it was Colgate toothpaste and not the little generic tube you get in PE, which I don't really like. I opted for lip balm, moisturizer and a pen from the basket that the IFBT brought around. It also had polo mints, razors and shaving cream.
We left the gate at 10:25pm (40 mins late). I had a decent view out the window (seat 10A) and saw a huge line of planes waiting to depart. Sure enough, at 10:45pm the announcement was made that there were 15 planes ahead of us and it would be another 15 minutes before we would take off. We took off just past 11pm. IFE was turned on promptly at 11:15pm.
I skipped dinner (choice of hot or cold tray) as I wasn't that hungry and opted for the cheese plate instead. I have the menu somewhere and can dig it up if someone would like to know what the choices were.... It arrived promptly after cabin service began. I started to watch 'A Good Year' while I ate, but was getting tired so I turned it off part way through. As soon as I finished eating someone came by to take my tray and make my bed, without my having to request it. I put on my eyemask and did my best to fall asleep (I am not a great sleeper on planes). We did have some bumpy bits so I didn't sleep well, but overall managed to catch a few z's. I can't really comment on the cabin crew for the majority of the flight, as I was dozing. I had asked the IFBT not to wake me, and as I tried to sleep most of the flight, I didn't receive a treatment.
I woke up to smells of bacon cooking, but was trying to maximize snooze time so hadn't ordered any breakfast. Went to change out of my ninja suit and made it just before the big line-up, though did have to wait a bit and sort of cut in front of someone (I was there before her, but closer to the other toilet) who had crept up from the PE cabin. Don't mean to be snotty about it, but I fly PE frequently and I always use the toilets in my own cabin. Not to mention, UC was packed full but PE was not, and has fewer seats anyway, so she probably wouldn't even have waited as long if she used the PE toilets to begin with.
Got back to my seat to see it was already turned back into a seat and tidied up, which was nice. Buckled in for landing, then it was announced we would need to circle a bit as LHR was busy. Finally landed at a few minutes past 11am. We deplaned remotely and were bussed to T-3. The Fast Track immigration line wasn't super fast and UK passport holders did better on the non-fast track line (many switched after noting how slow the FT line was moving). Not an option for me so I waited my turn. By the time I got through my bag was already waiting for me, taken off the belt. Had planned to get some breakfast in the Revivals lounge, but as I couldn't really see where it was and we had landed so late (1 hour 35 minutes late) I decided to skip it and head right to the HEX. Managed to jump right on as the 11:50am HEX was leaving and despite a small queue at Paddington, was in a taxi by 12:15pm. A short ride home, nodding at the VS offices on Campden Hill Road as I passed, and now I've got some unpacking to do!
