VS034 ANU-LGW 18 May 07 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

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Reading this forum inspired me to join and write a review of my own. This is my first. No lounge at Antigua but had a snack at the Sticky Wicket (a couple of minutes walk across from the terminal) with the ten pound voucher given at check-in. This was my first Upper Class Suite experience so boarded eagerly - first to be seated (8K). Having read some negative comments I was prepared to be disappointed, but I really wasn't. Yes, the bed is unnecessarily hard, and you do keep releasing the table by accident (whoever designed the positioning of the button has probably lost their job!) but apart from that I was comfortable and had 4 hours uninterrupted sleep. The food was not bad at all and the flight attendant who looked after me did all she could to be professional. If I wanted to complain, it would be that some of the other female crew were too boisterous for a premium cabin - one screwing up a tablecloth and chucking it over my shoulder into a corner whilst I waited for a washroom to be free. The general lack of finesse seemed to degrade the atmosphere and I wished it all felt a little less 'Eastenders' - if you know what I mean! A little more grace would make a big difference and at no extra cost to Virgin. (And the boys and girls announcements tend to sound patronizing rather than amusing) No offer of a massage, but breakfast was excellent much more on offer than I could accept. Once on the ground, my bag arrived as I did and I was chauffeured away within minutes. For me it was well worth the extra cost.

[honey lamb]

Welcome to V-flyer and many thanks for your excellent trip reports

If I wanted to complain, it would be that some of the other female crew were too boisterous for a premium cabin - one screwing up a tablecloth and chucking it over my shoulder into a corner whilst I waited for a washroom to be free. The general lack of finesse seemed to degrade the atmosphere and I wished it all felt a little less 'Eastenders' - if you know what I mean!

Yes, I know what you mean. Chucking the tablecloth in the corner past you certainly doesn't smack of customer awareness.

And the Òboys and girlsÓ announcements tend to sound patronizing rather than amusing

I rather like them. I think it is very inclusive of all the passengers

No offer of a massage

There wouldn't be. It's not a service available on LGW/MAN flights [n]

Thanks for your reply, Honeylamb - I was unaware that treatments were only offered out of Heathrow.

Originally posted by beaurive
If I wanted to complain, it would be that some of the other female crew were too boisterous for a premium cabin - one screwing up a tablecloth and chucking it over my shoulder into a corner whilst I waited for a washroom to be free. The general lack of finesse seemed to degrade the atmosphere and I wished it all felt a little less 'Eastenders' - if you know what I mean! A little more grace would make a big difference and at no extra cost to Virgin.

Totally agree with these sentiments...

I've knocked an otherwise excellent crew down by several notches on the ratings on here because I've witnessed unprofessional horseplay among the crew.

Announcements such as 'In charge of Upper Class we have Sultry Sarah, and in Premium and Economy cabins is the Raunchy Ramona' really do make VS look cheap and nasty at worst, and a poor Carry-On film at best.

As for 'Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls', last time I looked, I was on an aeroplane, not watching a Punch and Judy show.

VS need to remember that while a significant proportion of their passenger load is British, they also carry people from all over the world who just might not get the joke.

I'm not suggesting becoming dull and bland, just that a little less chav-like behaviour would raise the bar significantly.

I've flown with some fantastic FSMs who were so good at their job that they didn't feel the need make wisecracks on the PA all the time, and had some of the best laughs and best service I've ever had on a VS flight.

Mike

Originally posted by mike-smashing


Announcements such as 'In charge of Upper Class we have Sultry Sarah, and in Premium and Economy cabins is the Raunchy Ramona' really do make VS look cheap and nasty at worst, and a poor Carry-On film at best.

'keep your seat belt fastened tight and low like we at Virgin wear our jeans'....that one made me chuckle (UVF-LGW), but otherwise my feelings are keep it professional - one thing BA get right.

Originally posted by NS
'keep your seat belt fastened tight and low like we at Virgin wear our jeans'....that one made me chuckle (UVF-LGW), but otherwise my feelings are keep it professional - one thing BA get right.

That crack is actually quite dangerous, because it's part of a safety critical message - I'm assuming this was done during a manual safety demonstration, or was the reminder to keep buckled up when seated once the seatbelt light was switched off?

The scripts the cabin crews are required to use for things like the safety messages are written to be clear and unambiguous, even to those with a relatively poor grasp of English. They usually have to be signed off by a relevant body.

Injecting wisecracks into safety related messages reduces the clarity of the message, should be frowned upon, and could get the airline into big trouble if there was an incident that got wholly or partly attributed to deviation from the script in order to be funny.

Mike

Thanks for the TR!

I wished it all felt a little less 'Eastenders'

Oi, there, fellas and girls, welcome aboard Virgin Atlantic Airlines flight #20 ter London 'eaffrow Airport. In just a mument, a safety video will begin, showin' yer evryfink yer need ter know ter make today's flight a safe one...An' jest a few minutes af'er take-off, Peggy Mitchell will be at th' bar fo' our Upper Class passengers, while Dot Cotton will brin' aroun' a fry-up fo' th' ress of yo' lot.

I would be on that airplane in one second!! FUN!!! [y]

To the point about the demeanor, and not to start this thread too far down the parth to no return, but I agree that whilst frisky and a wee bit irreverent can be fun, acting a complete slap*per (male or female) or chav is beyond the pale...

GJ

That really made me laugh...and I would join you on that flight too!

It's not that I'm looking for a 'snooty' or 'precious' atmosphere on board (dare I mention BA..?) but the older I get the more I appreciate good manners and gracious behaviour, especially in Upper Class. That doesn't mean you can't have a sense of humour but I think the style should be predominently calm and professional - not last orders at the Old Vic...!

I couldn't agree more - a fun crew is always good to have, however the announcement that one of the crew got engaged on a trip doesn't need to be announced to the entire flight, especially when the passengers have seen her spend most of the flight hanging out in PE kissing her boyfriend and bringing both him and her mum drinks and snacks from UC.

Originally posted by beaurive
That really made me laugh...and I would join you on that flight too!

Glad I could make your day that one little bit happier -- welcome to V-Flyer!

GJ

Welcome Beaurive. We are on this flight on Friday so it was good to read a recent report.

I agree with GJ - too many people do not pay any attention to the safety message and those little things that make you chuckle or smile do, in my opinion, make you remember what was said.

And as for Ladies and Gents, boys and girls - whats wrong with this. On the b&s routes thats the passengers who are on board. I agree though that this would not be appropriate on a business route

Originally posted by mike-smashing

Originally posted by NS
'keep your seat belt fastened tight and low like we at Virgin wear our jeans'....that one made me chuckle (UVF-LGW), but otherwise my feelings are keep it professional - one thing BA get right.

Injecting wisecracks into safety related messages reduces the clarity of the message, should be frowned upon, and could get the airline into big trouble if there was an incident that got wholly or partly attributed to deviation from the script in order to be funny.

Mike

I wish I could be certain, and don't hold me to this, but it may have indeed been during the safety briefing (a manual one).... I hope I'm mistaken and it's the pre-take off champagne clouding my memory!

Originally posted by NS
I wish I could be certain, and don't hold me to this, but it may have indeed been during the safety briefing (a manual one).... I hope I'm mistaken and it's the pre-take off champagne clouding my memory!

...and just in case everyone thinks I'm a grumpy sod, I do have a sense of humour. It just doesn't extend to aviation safety.

Mike (having a bacon sandwich in Revivals... yum)