VS003 LHR-JFK 30 May 09 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

After travelling with BA and other airlines across europe and the US I thought i would give virgin a go after reading largely postive reviews on v-flyer [y]

Getting to Heathrow was a breeze using the Reading Air-Link coach service. Arrived at T3 about 0615 checked-in using one of the easy-to-use check in kiosks and bag dropped straight away without any queueing invoved [:D]

Straight up the lift and through the private security channel to the departures lounge to the departures lounge to have a nose around the shops.

After some light retail therapy at 0700 i headed straight into the Clubhouse to have a decent cooked breakfast which was excellent and after enjoying a pre-booked haircut left me refreshed for the flight.

We were called for boarding at approx 0830 for the gate, where priority boarding was in place - straight onto the plane!

Turned left, straight to my 'suite' and before being able to sit down, was offered a pre-flght champagne which i happily accepted [:D]

After Taxiing for a few minutes, we flew out of LHR on time, across the m4 corridor and out over the pond. about 20/30 mins into the flight we were given the opportinuity to order lunch from the 'freedom menu'. Not being a keen fan of blue cheese [:$], I went straight for the main course of cod and had the cheese selection as a dessert, both were enjoyable and filling[y]

The only issue was the entertainment system v-port. After being on the flight for nearly 2 hours we were told the crew were experiencing problems with the inflight eneterainment system and that engineers with LHR were being called. After waiting for another hour and a total re-boot the system decided to work and managed to watch slumdog millionaire before the system was turned off again for landing! [n]

During the film was offered afternoon lunch which for me consisted of a delicious scone (with clotted cream and jam) and a selection of odd sandwiches.

Landing was smooth and arrived in JFK 5 minutes ahead of schedule. PE and Economy were held to let UC get off first, luckily JFK's imigration hall was near empty, meaning getting from plane to taxi in 10 minutes a new record for me at JFK [y]

Overall an excellent first trip with both virgin and the UC experience (less the v-port part) [^]

Thanks for the trip report, glad you had such a good first flight - hope you have many more!

Good to read that your first UC was good apart from the IFE.

Dominic

[HighFlyer]

Thanks for the trip report [y] Glad the flight was good, though a shame that the IFE let you down.

Thanks,
Sarah

Thank you, I hope for a convert?

Unfortunate that the IFE let you down but from your report just about all else resulted in a tick.

[y]

Thanks for your first TR!

Glad you enjoyed your first experience with VS.

Great TR i certainly hope you continue with VS after your enjoyable trip.

cheers

alex

Good to have such a positive first TR, fingers cross the IFE doesn't let you down next flight!