VS021 LHR-IAD 28 Jun 08 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Arrived at the check in desk - 5 people in front of me. It seemed to take a while to get to me - and there was 2 desks not being used at the Upper check in. I was a little surprised that there was no carpet or the like - only the colour of the Virgin background really indicated that it was Upper Class. I was impressed with the security set-up and was quickly into the chaos of the duty free area.

I went to the lounge and my first impressions were good - although it did have the feel of a fancy wine bar - I am still undecided as to whether the clubhouse is to my taste but I was impressed with all the facilities. I had a bacon roll (lovely [:)]) and a sneaky glass of champagne [:I] - well you have to really!! I had the collegen eye treatment at the Cowshed - the treatment was lovely but I was a little worried about the beaded curtain that separated me and my underwear from the rest of the clubhouse! I am sure no-one was looking but I did feel a little exposed [:I]. I then settled back to read the papers and tried to get another glass of champers - this took a bit of doing as the lady serving my area kept walking past me without looking at me - so eventually I waved in her view and got the cold glass of bubbly I was after.

I wondered down to the gate before the flight was called - why I ask myself but hey ho ended up in the cattle pen that is the gate waiting area [:(] When the flight was called - Upper was called first but it was a job to get to the gate as everyone was stood in front of it - and when I tried to get past I was told a couple of times to wait my turn - I did point out that my ticket class had been called to board and got a look of ... well I am sure you know [}:)]

Once on board a nice chap showed me how the seat worked and I was quickly given another glass of champagne. I was surprised that the cabin felt crowded with the seat configuration - I have flown BA and the way their Club Class seats are laid out seemed to give individuals mre room. I am sure it is my imagitnation but it seemed cramped [:0] We taxied out and then - is it me (see my TR from JFK - LHR with 6 hours on the taxiway) but we stopped for a bit then taxied back as one engine would not start (rather important I thought so was happy for the delay [;)]) After 2 hours of 'fixing' we were on our way to Washington. Although we did have to refuel - shows what a difference between the 747 and the A300 is - when I was stuck of 6 hours on the taxiway at JFK we did not refuel but 1 hr at LHR on the Airbus and we did [:(]

The crew were pleasant - although when I did take the opportunity to sit at the bar the cabin crew chap looked decidely bored and un-interested (I know that they prob are but perhaps not show it!!) [V] Anyway - food was fine - I had the beef - wine was nice - I had the Sauv Blanc [y] and the entertainment worked as advertised [y]

When I did enquire what I was to do as I had missed my connecting flight to LAS there was not much help except that I was to contact the ground staff on arrival.

We landed and I was quite quickly through immigration and got my luggage - the ground staff at the aircraft were not terribly helpful but I thught I would go to the Virgin ticket desk to sort out my issue. The girl there was great - even arguning with United about them charging me a change fee - as I had 'voluntarily' changed flights - even though I had nothing to do with it!! [?] She gave me a voucher and I am typing this from the Embassy Suites in Washington - not bad hotel either. I will hopefully get back to LAS tomorrow after a very eventuful couple of weeks.

In summary - I liked the facilities in the clubhouse - just not sure the decor is for me but horses for courses [:)] The flight was fine - can't complain about the Upper Class product at all really apart from a few niggly points. And the service was fine - not as good as my outward flight from JFK but fine.

Regards AKS120

Heya!

I worked this flight! Was down in Economy though. Glad the flight went OK for you. I believe the crew member working your section was 'working up' as they had some trouble staffing the flight. So a few junior crew were asked to work as senior cabin crew. The two crew members working up seemed to do an OK job though both were nervous I believe. As for the missed connection, there is not anything the crew onboard can tell you. We know nothing about that stuff. We simply are told that ground staff will take care of customers on the ground.

I paced the cabin a few times so we may have crossed paths. Hope your next flight does not have such a bad start!

Galley Guy

[buns]

AKS

I was greatly interested in reading your TR, knowing this was your first time through the LHR Clubhouse.

First impressions do count an awful lot and what struck me was how all of the investment that VS has put into 'Limo to Clubhouse' is virtually undone with the gate fiasco that they just seem incapable of over coming.

God luck with getting back to LAS

buns

Ah, the gates, the gates! I'd just love for any of the Virgin staff who trawl the site to explain why ... it is beyond comprehension! Two queues, a couple of chains or tensile barriers, anything! It's not hard. OK, OK, I know it's BAA, but give 'em a good kicking! It's not like we're talking 4bn investment in building new terminals here. With all the money they've invested in this place, it just plain does not make sense.

Thanks for the TR, glad you had a reasonably enjoyable experience. Hope the clubhouse grows on you, it certainly did on me.

Originally posted by Galley Guy

Heya!

So a few junior crew were asked to work as senior cabin crew. The two crew members working up seemed to do an OK job though both were nervous I believe.

Galley Guy

That makes sense - I spotted them a mile off - and they were very pleasant and did a good job - very attentive [:)] but yes - they appeared very nervous!

I take your point about the cabin crew not knowing much about what is happening on the ground - I guess it is just frustrating when there is nothing that can be done - is it beyond technology to have some sort of connection with the ground so that questions about whether a flight was the last to Vegas would stop so much worry. I am sure I was not the only one that would have been less anxious to get on the ground if they could be told yes or no to the connecting flight being the last one - then I would not have rushed around on the ground like an idiot only to get to the United desk and be told it was all in vain!! [:(]

Buns - I never used the limo - I arrived by Hoppa (same thing really [:?]) but the new Virgin area was actually a bit of a disappointment apart from the fast track through security. I guess I was expecting a bit more. I noticed at Dulles when I was awaiting the hotel voucher that Upper Class had a nice wee carpet and that seemed to make it special - you could actually go to the wrong queue in LHR if you were half asleep as they all look the same!

An update - Virgin put me into the Embassy Suites in Washington with free breakfast and dinner last night - although I am annoyed that I missed my connection I should say that being stranded was well handled by the Virgin staff. I do wonder if I had been sat down the back whether I would have got the same treatment as the girl kept saying to all and sundry that I was a business class passenger - including to the United desk where I was actually flying Economy [:I]

[mcmbenjamin]

Walk down and enjoy the Folklife Festival.

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by aks120

I take your point about the cabin crew not knowing much about what is happening on the ground - I guess it is just frustrating when there is nothing that can be done - is it beyond technology to have some sort of connection with the ground so that questions about whether a flight was the last to Vegas would stop so much worry. I am sure I was not the only one that would have been less anxious to get on the ground if they could be told yes or no to the connecting flight being the last one - then I would not have rushed around on the ground like an idiot only to get to the United desk and be told it was all in vain!! [:(]

When my flight into IAD was late, albeit not as late as yours, I asked the FSM for assistance on arrival. They radioed ahead and there was a ground staff representative waiting at the door of the aircraft to whisk me through - well as much as you can be whisked through with those stupid moblie lounges. I also found that when I arrived at the transfer desk I had already been booked on the next flight (although I managed to get the original one because the airport had been closed because of a security alert and my onward flight was thus delayed).

Buns - I never used the limo - I arrived by Hoppa (same thing really [:?]) but the new Virgin area was actually a bit of a disappointment apart from the fast track through security. I guess I was expecting a bit more. I noticed at Dulles when I was awaiting the hotel voucher that Upper Class had a nice wee carpet and that seemed to make it special - you could actually go to the wrong queue in LHR if you were half asleep as they all look the same!

If you look there is purple lighting over the Upper class check-in area

Well I hope your return flight is much smoother! Glad to know you were taken care of. There was quite a few people down the back worried about missing connecting flights. I am sure I spotted you during the flight. (I was the very young looking crew member at the boarding door )

Thanks for the TR, sounds like you had a good flight apart from the delay.

The CH will certainly grow on you. I just love it especially when you see the throng of T3 outside.....[:?]

DMB

Quick question,

Why were you down to your underwear for an eye treatment????

Regards

John

Originally posted by JAT74L
Quick question,

Why were you down to your underwear for an eye treatment????

Regards

John

[:D] Well I did wonder myself - I had to take my top off and put a dressing gown on - but perhaps a little OTT for an eye treatment I grant you - especially as they have taken away the shoulder and neck massage that I thought was part of the treatment. I must admit I thought someone would pick up on that comment before now [:I]

DMetters-Bone - I am sure it will grow on me - in fact I am just looking at my options for flying home for Christmas - choices of Virgin through New York or BA through Dallas - both Upper/Club - well now I have tried it I am hooked! The Clubhouse is definately a draw for both airlines - hmm decisions decisions - I am now looking at prices [}:)]!

Originally posted by JAT74L
Quick question,

Why were you down to your underwear for an eye treatment????

Regards

John

You beat me too it...

I cracked up when I read it in the TR... [:D]

Boo