VS201 SYD-HKG 23 Aug 07 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

The observant amongst you will note this flight hasn't been taken yet[;)].

Well the holy grail of flying experiences is just over 24hrs away the excitement is building from 'flying UC tomorrow' to 'yeah flying UC tomorrow'. To date worked up from Y in '94 through first time PE in '05 to this first (and possibly the last - at the moment not that convenient to use VS living in Melbourne and as using FCmiles - all of them) - in UC.

Have checked EF and the cabin is not full. We have 2A & 3A preallocated, as the other half wants to sit at the front.

Have been trying to ignore the iffy TRs and am focussing on the best VS have to offer. However not first time flying business so comparisons are bound to be made.

I will append the TR as it progresses. Just thought I would share the anticipation of the trip with you so when the TR is added all is in context. I have left the ratings on average (mods - hope this doesn't muck up the stats) as I hope to allocate (if possible) these later.

an excitable Rob

[Neil]

A site first? a TR before the flight. Have a great first UC flight and I look forward to the continuation of this TR.

Neil

Have a great trip! I hope your flight lives up to your excitement for the flight!

Well here we are esconsed in the Air New Zealand lounge at Sydney champers at hand - its past midday somewhere in the world[:D].

Arrived at airport at 1115 and walked to the UC check area, not officially due to open until 1130. As we stopped the agent opened her counter up, smiled and beckoned us over.

Handed over eticket and one passport - minor coronary as thought I had left OHs in hotel - turned out it was mine which was missing. Found it in my bag. However apparently I turned very pale!

The agent joked about it and said we'd be surprised how often it actually happens.

Anyway check was a breeze and we were handed various bits of card, boarding cards, express customs and immigration and lounge invites.

Off we headed - as it turns out we were the only ones in customs and immigration so no real need for express. OH got stopped for the explosives sniff - yet again.

Went through the deserted terminal and welcomed as the first VS passengers of the day and to make ourselves comfortable and we would be called around 1400 for boarding.

Currently there are 3 passengers in the lounge and 5 staff!. Very nice veiw of the apron and runway. We can see the VS 346 but not its name or rego.

Anyway all is going excellently so far and I need to relax after the shock of nearly losing my passport and before the bubbles warm up.

Next update from HK.

Cheers Rob.

[mcmbenjamin]

Have a fab flight Rob! Enjoy Hong Kong! I expect a full TR with pictures!

[buns]

Rob

Thanks for the first instalment covering the land experience[y]

Looking forward to further instalments as your journey continues

buns

Well here we are in HK.

What can I say - the flight was a dream[:D][:D]

We decided to hed down to the gate at 1350, before an announcement was made, and walked up to an empty gate area with priority boarding clealry signed.

Boarding cards and passports checked and off down the jetway. For those of you who are interested the aircraft was G-VRED Scarlett Lady. Got to the door and were welcomed aboard and turned to the left. At this point not many UC passengers on board yet. Took our assigned seats , 2A & 3A, and before we had a chance to sit down the steward was asking us if we would like a drink - bubbles of course - and would we like a demo of how the suite works.

I declined as had flown Air New Zealand business, but OH took the walkthrough. During which he also explained the Freedom menu and the general service which would be offered.

Browsed the menu and looked through the 'sparse' amenity kit. Won't go any further with that!

UC passengers slowly came aboard which allowed a refill of the bubbles and the IFBT came around and explained the her service we both requested treatments. Along with them were 5 children - and before any one says anthing - not one peep was heard from any of them until the youngest was awoken at the gate in HK to disembark.

Apparently there were 10 empty suites in UC, PE full and a couple of empties in Y. Luckily for us 123D were vacant so quite private flight.

I think we were slightly late departing but who cares. The captain announced a flying time of 8h47m. After take off the cc responsible for our section introduced herself and the service started with drinks. But the peach juice to make the Bellini on the menu had not been loaded so I had to have a G&T. Didn't think too much of it at the time but VPort was taking a long time to start.

After half an hour or so the FSM announced there was a problem with aforementioned VPort and she was rebooting. Well things didnt go too well and she then announced she would have to do a full system reboot which would take 1.5hrs but in the meantime she would show Shrek and Spiderman.

I managed to endure Shrek, havig seen Spiderman, until I had eaten lunch and then went to the bar.

I had the scallops, lamb, cheese plate and ice cream - and to be honest couldn't fault any of it. If I must criticise anything the icecream was too hard.

Had chats with a number of the crew all very nice and happy to talk. The captain herself even stopped by for 5 minutes or so and suggested places to see etc in HK.
Eventually the system was reset and as the bar stoll was very high up and bubbles were flowing decided to go back to my suite and watch Notes on a Scandal. Tried both the bacon roll and chcken and leek pies lighter bites.

Before long I was selected for a treatment I had the hand massage which was very nice and relaxing - and was done at my seat as the seat belt sign was on.

Amazingly the flight flew by and it was soon time to land in HK, on time I think. A very smooth landing and we pulled up at the gate and a quick thanks to the FSM and we were on our way.

So even with the hiccup with VPort the service was seamless, professional and always with a smile. I didn't ask about naming names so I won't but the FSM and her team did a first class job and made the flight very relaxing and enjoyable.

Lets hope the return next week will be as good. I can see what all the fuss is about now.

My only observations are the suite seemed narrower than the ANZ 747 and I was slighlty, and I do mean slightly, disappointed that the safety card was sticky.

I'm sorry but no photos - I was too excited to even think about getting the camera out.

Well there it is. Go VS - I know we will whenever we get the opportunity. So hopefully VS will introduce MEL to their destinations.

From a hot and sticky HK - Rob

[mitchja]

Thanks for the rest of your TR [y]

Glad you had a great flight [:)]

My only observations are the suite seemed narrower than the ANZ 747 and I was slighlty, and I do mean slightly, disappointed that the safety card was sticky.

The VS suites are indeed narrower on the A346's & A343's than on the main deck of the B744's.

The sticky coating on the saftey cards is the anti-eBay theft device [:o)]

Regards

[ChuckC]

Very fine report, Rob, and of course we are looking forward to your next TR with great anticipation!

Thanks and best regards,
Chuck-

Question - has the peach juice ever been loaded on any flight - not in my experience.

Great TR - glad you enjoyed the flight. I agree that the 747 vs 340 UC seats are notcibly different width wise, but both are condusive to sleep IMO.

Hi all

Not complaining about the width just noticed it - and couldn't decide if it actually was narrower or was just my imagination. Shall try sleeping on the return leg as it is an overnight flight.

Bit daft having not loading the peach juice as it was advertised as the 'Special Guest' and I wouldn't imagine many folks would request it unless the idea had been suggested.

For those of you are into this sort of thing I did note down the menu, but forgot to include it in the TR so here it is, abbreviated,

Salad with chicken tagine
Vegetable noodle soup
Barbecued scallops

Mustard loin of lamb
Tasmanian Salmon
Pumpkin cannelloni
Tamarind pork fillet

Cheese

Choco nut tart
ice cream

Smaller bites
pork & prawn dim sum
chicken and leek pie
bacon roll

The OH had the dim sum (two pieces!) said it was very nice but really was a small bite!

Bit odd they only serve one meal service but I guess the majority of folks are continuing on to LHR so will be fed again shortly after departure from HK.

Rob

[buns]

Rob

Thanks for the comprehensive TR[y][y]

Your sense of excitement on travelling UC comes across so well; it is fortunate that the on board service did not disappoint and that your expectations were fulfilled.

Eagerly await your return TR


buns

I am looking forward to the return leg but with mixed emotions as on the plus side VS UC again but on the downside holiday over and back to work. However again on the plus side I consider the flying as part of the holiday too.

Indeed any journey is what you make of it - not simply the quickest time/route from a to b. I subscribe to the whole 'romance' idea of travel and consider myself on holiday from the moment I lock the front door to when I insert the key upon my return. Sometimes much to the annoyance of the OH when I order a G&T or glass of bubbles at 0800 am! I must point out the alcohol is symbolic of being on holiday and I am drinking for the sake of getting drunk. In my line of work we are not allowed to partake on duty or even be under the influence when at work. Random testing et al.

Thanks for all your comments and I will certainly post a TR for the return leg next week.

Rob hic (sorry been at bar)

[}:)]

PS mods I don't seem to be ble to amend the ratings if this is possible I would like to update all to excellent. Ta.

Great TR Rob, brings back some good memories when we went home in UC. I found the SYD-HKG flight a shame that they only served one meal service....[:?]

Enjoy HKG and look forward to the return TR.

Dominic

Thanks for the report Rob - we'll be on the VS201 back to LHR on Sunday after our trip to this fantastic country (currently chilling out in Sydney with yet another bottle of Australian wine after our Bridgeclimb earlier today!). It looks as if the menu on the VS201 is better than the current offerings on the VS200 (vile!).
Bellini mix was certainly loaded on our trip out (I know as I partook in several glasses and the crew made Dragonbaby a non alcoholic version).
Hope you have a great trip back. We'll be feeling like you come Sunday- we've had such a good time we don't want to leave.
Julie