This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
We checked in at Vegas on Amercian Airways for a efficient 80 minute flight, on Business Class. We had a 10 minute walk to the International terminal, where we were 2nd in line to be served. A perplexed check in agent asked us if we had already checked our bags in and we said we had. That was a concern then he said, as he could only find one bag on the system and no more. He was training a young girl and asked her to make a phone call to AA to find out further information. He took out luggage tags, but rather than us wait, he advised us to go the the CH and he would find us later.
We made our way around 2 hours before the flight to find a half full CH. We settled down to a beer and perused the menu. It had changed from last time from a BLT to some mozzarella and tomato sandwich. Not quite the same, and didn't fancy the veggie option nor the black bean and beef surprise, but as I was hungry I forced down the toasted cheese sandwich - it was OK, but not my favourite. I needed a cocktail to compensate!
Soon the guy came back in with an unhappy face, saying the bags were not loaded and had missed the plane, only my MIL bag had been saved. Damn (or words to that effect) I said as we resigned ourselves for a pain in the backside time the next day at LHR and of course at home. Another drink was needed.
Anyway, half an hour before boarding we did a bit of duty free. We were given a fast track security bit of blue paper, but this was closed, so off to the regular line which as it happened was OK. 20 minutes in the shop (with a personal shopper it seemed, hovering over us taking our purchases to the check out each time we made a selection - MIL thought it was part of UCS, so I didn't correct her!).
We boarded on the UCS only gangway which was good, to the same seats as the way out. Again very nice staff, fussing over MIL which she relished, introducing still my wife and I to everyone and saying what a lovely time she had had. The captain advised us that the flight would only be 10 1/2 hours which was good, but 'due to late arriving baggage' we were half an hour late, so any time made was lost.
Drinks were handed after take off as we settled down into our seats. Menu seemed OK, with beef ribs or chicken. I asked for the chicken and dauphinoise potatoes, but half an hour later was asked if I would change my mind as they were short of beef. Now, having dined at Prime the night before in the Bellagio and having one of my best steaks ever overlooking the fountains with a fantastic bottle of wine, this beef/rib thing did not appeal to me, so I politely advised that I would prefer the chicken. She was fine about this and said she wouls ask someone else. I presume not everyone dined at Prime becasue I got my chicken, and to be fair it was very nice. The starter was mushroom soup - 7/10, as lacked taste and warmth. Cheescake of the day was chocolate and was very nice. Unhappy with the brandy brand I opted for the port, but this lacked any depth or taste (am I that fussy? Obviously yes!), so again a bit disappointed. The couple behind me were very demanding, asking for dinner right after take off had happened as they wanted to sleep. When told this was not possible they became very indignant, muttering that they could not even get a dubonet on the plane and now they would have to wait for dinner!
The service seemed very stilted I have to say. They were brilliant people and a lovely crew, but it didn't seem to flow as normal. First the IFE had to be restarted after 15 minutes, then 30 minutes into a Jodie Foster movie (quite good) the whole system crashed, whereby contact with the IT team in the UK was needed after the Captain couldn't reset it. It needed a major system reboot which could take an hour. This seemed to have worked but broke down again an hour before the end of the flight. Then one of the toilets broke down and wouldn't flush, meaning always a queue. The trays were on our lap for a good 5-7 minutes before dinner was served and usually wine is topped up frequently throughout as is water. This wasn't the case and we had finished our mains before another roll or liquid refreshements were offered. This is not a criticism just an observation as I have high admiration for the team there and they do a wonderful job in sometimes demanding situations, but with one thing and another it didn't seem to flow as it normally does.
I managed to get an hours kip before being roused for breakfast. There was no 'room service' type card to pre-order this - the lady who took my initial dinner order thought I had misplaced the card and went to get me a new one, but came back saying they didn't exist anymore - so even she didn't know! I chose Weetabix, with a full English. Yuk! The beans certainly weren't Heinz! (Dark, US style BBQ taste), Potato Wedges which were a bit hard and scrambled eggs which again were tasteless. The sausage and bacon was good, washed down by a glass of OJ. On passing the galley I saw a flight manifest where crew mark down passengers comments on all things including food - I saw 3 comments, 2 praising the chicken, 1 saying the beef was poor and bland.
So, landing was about half an hour late and the taxiing seemed to take for ever. It was a smooth flight and MIL enjoyed it ablivious to what was going on, relishing her whole UCS experience, chatting to all that would listen! Thanks to both crews in and out bound for really making it a special flight for her - it made both my wife and I smile and laugh as she joked with the crew and vica-versa, they were all great with her, and indeed us too. Mishaps aside (mostly beyond their control and perhaps staffing shortages) it was a very good flights, and drink selection aside and the odd food grumble, it was overall a very good Virign experience. We are doing BA First in September to China/Japan from T5 so that should be good (with Concorde Room) and also BA Club in February to S.Africa, so have no more VA expereinces until well into next year, so really am glad I enjoyed this one so much, and cannot wait until I return.
The only bad news was, the late arrival of baggage was not ours, and a 45 minute wait at the carousel was fruitless. We went to the desk to give our details (it does annoy me when they are laughing and just enjoying their job, seeming to make light of the fact I have lost my suitcase - they were not I am sure, and were literally having a good time at work, but the impression was not that - I had lost my suitcases and I wanted everyone else to be miserable too! Unfair I know!! Sorry, but I wanted to moan, as they still have not turned up. One phone call this morning said tey had arrived, then another said tey hadn't so not happy and very confused. Appreciate it is not VA's fault at all, but it takes the edge off things.
Anyway, musn't grumble too much as had a lovely holiday and flight experience, just hope the baggage turns up!!
