This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
I have been reading all your trip reports for the last six months in anticipation of my first upper class flight on Virgin. So decided to let you know my experience.
We checked in at 8am and were issued fast track security passes and passes to the clubhouse. Security only took 5 minutes so we were soon settled in the fabulous clubhouse - words can't describe how amazing it is, there were only a few people there when we arrived so we had plenty of chance to wander around trying out all the different seating areas. We had breakfast (scrambled eggs and toast for me, salmon and scrambled eggs for my husband)and coffee. My husband then went to watch a football match from the previous night that was being shown on the large screen. I went on the internet and helped myself to some sweets from the pick and mix!
We both had treatments booked for 9.30, a manicure for me and a rhinestone cowboy for him. Both were ok but the beaticians could have been a bit friendlier, mine did not say one word which I thought strange. We both found the other staff in the clubhouse to be friendly, polite and efficient.
We boarded the plane (V-WOW I think from memory)and no sooner had we found our seats (10A for me, 9A for him)the FSM came straight over and offered champagne (which we glady accepted), as it was our first time she went through the chair how it worked, the menu, where to put our drink etc. The IFBT came straight after and offered us the choice of four treatments.
Our section of upper was about 3/4 full, with about 3 seats empty in the main section of upper. The flight took off about 30 minutes late but we weren't bothered as we were getting used to our comfy chairs and sipping the champagne (a second glass was offered before takeoff).
About twenty five minutes after take off when the seat belt signs went off we were offered another drink from the bar and a nuts/poppodoms or pretzels.
The gift bags were handed out but we both recieved cuff links (same as on return journey), I think it would be nice to offer a feminine option alongside the cuff links.
Hot towels were handed out - another nice touch but would have liked one at the end of the flight as well to freshen up (this did happen in the return journey though).
We were then asked what we would like from the freedom menu, it was the traditional English one that others have talked about on here. As a vegetarian I wasn't that impressed as the main meal option was vegetable cottage pie - I think something a bit better could be offered in UC. I decided to go for the goats cheese and cranberry ciabbata that was on the light bites menu, followed by the rhubarb crumble. My husband went for the leek and potato soup, sausage and mash and then the crumble, all of which he enjoyed.
A choice of three different warm breads were offered and were silver served which I thought was a nice touch.
We were offered a choice of 3 red and 3 white wines with the meal, we only tried the French but it was very good.
After the meal we settled down to V-Port for a few hours, before heading to the bar for a drink. The male steward who served us was very friendly as were all of the staff throughout the flight.
Later on we asked for coffee and they set it up on my seat so my husband could join me, nothing seemed to be too much trouble.
We then decided we wanted to try out the bed, again the stewerdess was immediatly there to make up the bed and explain how it worked, making sure we were comfy and we had everything we needed.
About one and a half hours before landing we had afternoon tea, which was a selection of sandwiches (or just cheese for me as I don't eat meat)and a good selection of cakes.
The IFBT came and apologised as she had not got round to me but I was given a priority voucher to be used on my return journey.
We landed about 30 minutes early in San Fransisco and were soon off the plane and into imigration - which was not too bad by USA standards. Our cases were about the third off so we were soon in the taxi and on our way.
Overall we really enjoyed our first upper class flight, we thought the clubhouse is fantastic and a great stress free start to your journey, the service on board is attentive and friendly, the chair/bed extremely comfy and the food is good (though could be better). We definetly plan on going UC with Virgin in the future.
I will try and post the return journey when I get chance - hope I haven't bored you all too much!
