This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Anyway I arrived into London Terminal 3 at about 7:15am on the Monday. Was surprised to find the airport so quiet - absolutely nobody around, so went straight to the upper class check-in & was checked-in instantly. The staff were bright & cheerful & told me about fast track & the lounge etc. Headed upstairs & straight through security (only about 4 people in the line) and duly headed to the lounge.
Was greeted at the concierge style stands outside & asked if I needed a tour or more information - explained I knew the lounge fairly well & headed in. I had a treatment booked at 9:30 - so had a good couple of hours to spend. I went straight to the restaurant & ordered an English breakfast (how I miss those in the US). Again the service was excellent & the breakfast really great. Picked up some newspapers & spent some time in the library on the computers, before heading to the bar & partaking in a bucks fizz or two. The lounge started to fill up (it was empty for the first 45 minutes or so) & so I decided to check-out the hot-tub & sauna (never done this before). Registered at reception & was assigned a shower etc & showed how to use the tub. Had a really great 45 mins chilling out - I can't believe more people don't use this. Anyway was soon time for my shave treatment so headed back to reception. Had a wonderful treatment - they really are great at the Cowshed & felt totally relaxed. Popped to the deli for a final pre-flight meal & ordered a red-head (in my opinion one of the best cocktails I have ever had)[:D] & sat on those swinging chairs watching Heathrow go by.
My flight was called & I packed up (stocking up on the sweets on the way out) and headed to the gate. A fairly long walk & arrived at the gate. No priority boarding - but didn't matter as most people were on the plane anyway. Headed on-board & again was taken to my seat (2 out of 2 not bad - BA take note). Jacket taken & everything was already on my seat (menu, shoebag etc). Immediately offered a glass of champagne & a newspaper & asked if I would like a seat demo etc. Soon afterwards the IFBT came round & this time I was ready - giving her my priority card - she promised I would be one of the first to get a treatment[y]. I felt a little guilty after all I had, had a treatment in the lounge - but then I didn't get one on my previous flight so I didn't feel too guilty.
Anyway glasses were cleared & we pushed back on time. Quick taxi & before you know it we were high in the sky. The CSM came round & introduced herself & that was quickly followed by the 'extra's' for the amenity pack (I actually quite like the 'pick & mix' approach as I can steal at least two packets of polo's - bonus!). Next was hot towels (which were actually hot for a change & even had some moisture in them) and then drinks orders. I opted for a bellini & some snacks. However before I could enjoy these the IFBT came round & whisked me off for my 'back in the clouds'. and a very enjoyable event it was - if a bit bumpy...I joked that it was like a free massage chair! Anyway, got back to my seat & my drink was waiting & then they came round & took the food order.
I opted for the carrot & apple soup & Roast Lamb (I think that was it - that is the problem with writing a report a week later - your brain gets muddled - well mine does at least). The soup (if that is what I had) was excellent & VS bread is by far the best in the air - so good I must have eaten about 3 loafs worth! The Lamb roast was also absolutely delicious - although it didn't really feel that 'premium' & I thought it looked a little funny on the menu vs other offerings (it was also a Monday vs a Sunday - ahh the traditionalist in me). Anyway it was delicious as was the bakewell tart & cheese & biscuits and the various liquids I consumed. The in-flight entertainment had started & I managed to catch-up on several pretty good films (Ghost rider among them - Ok well they seemed good at the time - blame the chardonnay).
The flight proceeded nicely & about half way through I got a bit peckish. Now I still have an issue with the whole freedom menu thing & the lack of freedom - where have the light bites gone?? Virgin basically forced me to have a second main course (travesty) and so I opted for the higgledy piggledy pie (or whatever it was called) which was also absolutely delicious. Popped to the bar & had a drink or two & then back to another film. I decided not to put my bed down & just drifted in and out of sleep. Finally it was afternoon tea time & the sandwiches & cake were great (Again BA take note - it appears Virgin crew are able to open plastic bags & actually take sandwiches out and put them on a plate - it can be done - go for it!). [:D] Next thing I know they were clearing the cabin & we are landing in Chicago.
All in all a superb flight yet again from Virgin. The crew were brilliant (more mature than the other flight) - but still great & a credit to the airline. I know other people have had issues with various elements of upper class - but even if they only had 50% of the service I received it would still be world class. Looking forward to my flight from Orlando tomorrow (June 27th) although it will be hard dropping down to Premium Economy (although not too hard).
