This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Well the end of a flying visit to the US, and an early pick up from the hotel, I've learnt the hard way about how long it can take to get to either JFK or EWR, took 40 minutes to get through the Lincoln tunnel and a further 30 to get to the drop off point, my overly talkative driver retried my bag from the 'trunk' and it was a short walk to the red carpet for UC Checkin, one person on duty dealing with two people checking in, and then me, so a short wait and then it was my turn. My checkin was handled in a brief and professional manner, invite to the CH issued and then it was a quick shop for a DVD for Jon Morgan, a bit of duty free shopping for myself (Hendricks for the bloke and a bottle of Champagne for the lady) and then on to...
The Clubhouse, now the EWR CH isn't as grand as the JFK one, but the staff are friendlier and I think the service better (well within 2 minutes of arrival I had a G&T to nurse, beating all previous JFK records)
The second G&T rolls up while the first is barely dead, the signs are good, if only the TV in the corner had no volume.... (and the idiot laughing to the Simpsons didn't so loudly)
Dinner is served and it's a race to the bar to get the best bits from the buffet, I'm slow and get to be fourth in the queue, the person in front complains that they don't seem to change the menu very often, I'm just glad to have something to eat, it's been one of those days. The food is ok, although I would've preferred something more meal like prior to the flight but with the size of the CH that really isn't possible....
And now I'm stuck here a little longer due to the late arrival of the inbound flight.
Flight is called at 2130 and we trudge through to security to be harangued by an overweight bloke in a TSA uniform listing all of things we need to remove / do / not do / unpack / take off / put in trays / put in bag / not have. I managed to get it right and get through security first try, there really is no glamour in travel anymore.
Pick up my duty free, and stroll to the gate, cutting to the red carpeted queue in a bid to get on the plane. I do love the way people try and get ahead of those in the priority queue, standing as close as possible to the person in front to block you out, of course if the whole thing was run properly it wouldn't be an issue but there you go.
Settle in 17A my home from home for the next 5 hours and 59 minutes (so the captain tells us) immediately made to feel welcome, with a warm hello and an offer of champagne (yes please) ask for and get a ninja suit and go and change into it, starting a rush, and ensuring that as soon as the seat belt light is off I can settle down and sleeeeeeeeeep. I opt to forego the evening meal but would like to be woken for breakfast (no time to go to the arrivals lounge as I have to meet up with the family as soon as I land.)
IFBT comes around to introduce herself (I've flown with this IFBT before) I opt for the massage, tell her I have a priority card and ask not to be woken, she promises to either massage me first or at the end of the flight depending on if I'm asleep or not.
Seat belt lights are out, set the chair to bed mode and prepare to 'enjoy' the real advantage of UC, and that's it until I'm woken for breakfast.
I get some fruit with yogurt and a croissant washed down with a cup of tea, just after the IFBT comes around and offers me my message, which I duly have and enjoy, the seat belt light comes on, change out of ninja suit and head back to my seat for the end of the flight, we park at T3 but at the far end, a long walk to immigration, through iris and I'm at the baggage where the UC luggage is already going around, grab my back and head out of the building site that is T3....
Job done, a perfect flight with no faults in terms of service or sleep, the only issue being the lateness of the flight (50 minutes in the end).
