This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Check in was very smooth and the agent directed up to the lift for the private security channel which was also very simple after which we found ourselves on the other side of the main security channel just before the entry into the shopping area. Now I read elsewhere that the shoe checks were a bit hit and miss and despite our protestations we were told to take our shoes off and go through the checks. No point arguing so we did as we were told
Once through we made our way to the Club House and settled down for breakfast and a few hours of calm before our flight was due to be called. The environment, food and service was very civilised compared with the melee outside. After her reserved hair cut my wife and the boys went out and did a bit of shopping and went to Dixons to pick up my reserved MacBook for a bargain price and 12 months interest free credit (see another thread).
Back in the CH we had more to eat and drink, I played with my new toy and eventually our flight was called at about 10.45. After the boys stocked up with sweets and drinks we made our way to the gate and by the time we got there there was no one waiting in the queue and we walked straight on.
After a brief wait we pushed back and made our way to take of which I think was around midday about 30 minutes late. We were in 10 & 11a which was quite pleasant, not to far from the bar but far enough not to be disturbed and not overlooked by anyone opposite.
The food wasn't too bad, I had the beef followed by ice cream as did my wife. The only criticism was it took ages to be served. I'm not sure if they were short of staff but I think I waited at least 20 minutes between each course although I was concentrating on the film I was watching (American Gangster) to be too worried about the delays.
I paid a couple of visits to the boys down the back to check they were OK and they were. After my second visit I was returning to my seat passing through the PE cabin and another passenger stood in my way and informed me that the toilets for economy passengers were down the back where upon I took great pleasure in telling him that if I wanted to use the loo I would do so in the Upper Class cabin where my seat was. His face was a picture as I pushed past him and closed the curtains behind me.
Sandwiches were served later in the afternoon and I had a Bacon roll as well because I was still hungary. I sat at the bar chatting to a couple of other passengers over a couple of beers for a while which was a pleasant diversion and in no time at all we were preparing to land.
If I remember correctly we landed about 30 minutes ahead of schedule and once we were off the plane we were about 10th in the queue for immigration. As we were doing the fingerprints etc. I looked across at the luggage belt and saw that 3 of our 4 bags had appeared already, things were looking up.
Having got these of the belt the fourth bag was no where to be seen. In the end we waited another 20 minutes for it to appear and it was the only one without a UC tag on it. Oh well such is life. We made our way to customs to be told that the form had not been stamped and so I had to go back to Immigration to get this done.
10 minutes later were out the door and on our way to the hotel.
All in all we had a good flight. This was only our second time in UC and I couldn't help compare the experience with our more regular PE trips. In short I think in this instance it was worth paying the extra since the price difference wasn't that great. The main benefit was use of the CH as ultimately apart from the obvious difference in space I really didn't think the difference in the on board experience was that great. Certainly UC is worth more than PE but in the end I suppose it will be down to individuals to decide if it's worth the extra cost whatever that may be at the time. For me, if the price is right in the future we'll be in UC if not PE will do nicely unless of course the dark side are doing any deals[:w]
Return TR will be up soon.
Miopyk[8D]
