This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
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Cabin Crew
Seat - 10A
Left our Santa Clara office at 11:30am, to atempt an early checkin and upgrade myself to UC and a colleague to PE. He had earlier moved his flight from the 28th to the 27th.
Arrived at Avis @ 12:15 to find no one was processing rental returns, so we just left the cars. Need to follow that up on Monday for an email receipt.
The checkin area was busy for Y, but no one else for UC or PE.
I initially checked to see if my favourite seat in PE was free, which it was, and then I checked to see if there was space in UC via a miles upgrade. Usually I find there is not.
The agent checked, and I was offerred 18A, which was a little too close to the bar, so I was moved to 10A. My colleague also got my seat in PE, the total time to process this was around 25 minutes, during which no other UC passenger was served, sorry !
The Clubhouse had only a few other guests, and by the time we left was not that busy. The food options have changed since I was last there, and I opted for the Pizza, which was good, but I did miss the Club Sandwich. Plenty of beer, and I was accompanied by my colleague, so the time passed quickly.
He had trouble connecting to T-Mobile, I was surprised to find the Wifi was not free unlike the other lounges I have been to in the past.
The service was good, and we were called for boarding on time. Which was pretty good considering the plane was 40 minutes late in coming in.
Priority Boarding worked, there was a passenger faffing for her ticket in her bag, so the security agent turned to me and processed me while she was still looking for it.
They had the dual jet ways in operation, and I had the chance to board at the foreward door. I thought I would have to turn right, however, 10A is nearer the front than I expected. I was given this seat, which also had to be cleared by someone on the phone as a thankyou for checking in early (agents words).
We pushed back on time, and had a very long taxi to the runway, on the way I saw a Virgin plane parked on the edge of the airfield, it looked like a VA plane, but appeared to have a lot more writing down the fuselage. I could not make out any more details.
We took off at 4:55pm , and were told it would be a 9hr 13 min flight.
As soon as the seatbelt signs were off I went upstairs to grab my friend and have a couple of drinks at the bar. The FSM came round with the basket of goodies and introduced himself. and to thank me for flying with Virgin. While at the bar we learned there were only 3 Gold members on board.
We had 2 drinks at the bar, and in that 90 minute period, no one else pitched up, so I headed back to my seat. Our bartender told us her father had taught her only two things, and 1 of them was how to make a perfect G&T, my colleague agreed it was damn fine. My dinner order was taken at the bar and I opted for the meat skewers and ice cream.
The dinner choice was tasty, and after I finished, it was time to turn in for the night. I did get some funny looks from others inn the front as I had changed into the sleep suit before dinner, but I know how clumsy I can be, and wanted to ensure my trousers did n't end up with any food on them (See the outbound TR). Also I think the odd looks I got, were from Virgin UC Virgins.
The temperature was way too high, and I woke many times, even contemplating the reversed sleep method, i.e head at the ottoman.
The cabin however was very quiet, so I was not disturbed by anyone else, surprising not by the IFBT, as her area was right by my bed.
I was woken when the lights went on, and it was suggested I change for breakfast. I opted for the toast and a Bacon roll.
We circled for 10 mins, and landed at 10:10am, and were on stand pretty quickly, in fact I was out with my bags only 30 minutes after landing, as my bag came off very quickly. I did notice that one of my fellow UC passengers left the plane still wearing the sleep suit [:?]
Overall, a very good flight, I did n't get woken for a treatment, but I did get a business card with a stamp on it, I am guessing this is a Priority Treatment card for next time ?
This was my first UC flight back from SFO, and my first at the front of the plane, and there are clearly different noises, vibration and feel when sitting in the seats at the front.
