This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Flight was at 1245 Saturday so we decided to travel down after work on Friday afternoon to give us a lie-in. So after a meeting in Birmingham I took the train to Watford and then the Southern train from Watford to Clapham. This is not as easy as it used to be when the trains went direct to Gatwick but still much better than attempting to brave the tube at 1700 on a Friday evening with 3 cases!
We arrived at LGW at about 1800 and decided to make use of the Twilight Check In. There was no queue at all and we spent a pleasant 5 minutes having a chat and a giggle with the excellent and friendly check in agent. With the bags dumped and boarding cards and CH invite we took a cab to The Crowne Plaza. This was a pretty good hotel and the Club Room that we had was comfortable and spacious. Had dinner in the restaurant there and it was also very good.
Took the shuttle bus from the hotel in the morning and was glad we had made use of the Twilight Check In as the check-in area was now packed! [y] Was certainly glad of the Fast-track security as there were some long queues at security. We did however get stuck behind a very slow couple who were blissfully unaware of the procedures and had all sorts of liquids in the hand luggage. Their faces were a picture when it all got dumped rather unceremoniously into the bin! [:w]
Did a bit of last minute shopping and then set off for the CH. It was around half full so we took a table by the window and had our orders taken for breakfast. We both opted for the Full English and some champagne. This arrived promptly and was very tasty. The portions seem much bigger here than in the LHR CH. I then went for my facial which was nice and relaxing as ever and returned to our seats. In the time that I had been away no-one had been over to offer us anything else and this continued for the next 45 minutes that I was sat there. In the end I had to go and find someone and then they got the order completely wrong! [V] My girlfriend was also unable to have her facial as they had managed to double book. This is quite annoying as it is now the third time this has happened to her. [n] Overall it was a very poor experience in the LGW CH and it left me wishing I had gone to have a look at the V-Room instead.
Were called for boarding at 1145 at Gate 31. Once at the gate boarding was well under way and there was a clearly signed priority line that we went straight to the front of, ignoring the tuts and stares from the other passengers. This is something that used to make me feel quite self conscious but certainly gets easier! [:w] There was no queue on the Airbridge so straight into 6 A/K on Pretty Woman. Not welcomed by name at the door but no big deal. Suites were in fairly good condition and soon had a glass of bubbly whilst we watched them finish boarding and the heavens open. Always nice to leave the rain behind!
Captain announced a flight time of 9 hours 30 minutes and FSM told us that there were 460 passengers and 14 cabin crew so a very full flight. Pushed back spot on time and in the air after about 20 mins as we were sandwiched betweem about 8 Easyjet aircraft. They were everywhere! Seat belt signs were off quickly and the FSM came round with the extras basket, welcomed us both by name and acknoweldged our AU status by saying thanks for keeping him in a job! He also asked us to come and find him if we needed anything and introduced us to the CSS in charge of UCS. An excellent start and the crew proved to be impeccable from start to finish, especially as they were one crew member down due to sickness. Dinner was served after about an hour and was unfortunately the same menu as my recent trip to IAD. I decided to try the gloop (pea and mint) and was pleasantly surprised. It was actually not bad and was piping hot. I then had the pie (edible but average) and the strawberry roulade (very good)washed down with a few glasses of the French Chardonnay. There was nothing on Nova that I fancied so I left the Skymap on and just read my book. There were quite a few spots of turbulence and the seat belt signs were on a few times but to be fair it could have been a lot more and the flight deck seemed to only turn them on when they really had to. This did however scupper my one trip to the bar where I was chatting to the CSS and drinking the excellent Akvinta Vodka! [V] Afternoon tea was served around 90 minutes before landing. I opted for the cheese sandwich (pretty bland and uninspiring) and the victoria sponge (excellent) with a coffee. Landed bang on time at 1635 and were on stand quickly after a very short taxi.
Montego Bay is quite a nice airport and bigger than I expected. Through customs quickly as there was no queue and through to baggage reclaim. Bags were off pretty quickly although ours seemed to take ages to come off. At the exit of the airport there are lounges for the various hotels so we sat and had a Red Stripe whilst they sorted our transfer out. One of the bonuses of travelling UCS with VH is that you get a private car transfer to the resort rather than sharing a bus. This was particularly nice as our hotel was a 2 hour drive away. Our driver was really friendly and incredibly knowledgable, pointing out all of the sights along the way. Arrived at the excellent Couples San Souci and was greeted with hot towels and champagne that were most welcome after a long trip.
This was another pretty good flight made better as usual by the excellent cabin crew. Was very disappointed with the LGW CH as the service on previous visits has been very good. Food was average but that seems to be the norm these days. I really like Twilight Check In and wish that they would do it at LHR, although I appreciate it is probably more aimed at the B&S routes as opposed to the business travellers.
