This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Well the sun doesnt shine forever. Goodbye Sunset Blvd, goodbye Tiki Ti...
I was given a tip by a friend in LA to take La Cienega all the way to LAX and it works. If you're coming from the Hollywood/SilverLake area, take this. Avoid the 405 at all costs. Hmmm, should I have that last Oreo Cookie shake from Jack In The Box or head straight to the ANZ lounge? Whichever I come across first will decide itdamn, theres the Rental Return sign.
Check in
No line at Upper, and progressed immediately to check in. Very efficient. None of the problems previously experienced here. Boarding pass and lounge invitation issued very swiftly. But first
Encounter in the Theme Building
Once I've got my boarding pass I always head straight back out of the terminal, take the short walk across the road, and board the magic elevator for a drink at Encounter. Many travellers never ever think of this, but to me it's part of checking in. Ive become superstitious that Ill have a bad flight if I dont go there.
Encounter is upstairs in the Theme Building the spider-like structure at LAX. It's currently covered in scaffolding because almost 3 years ago a piece of concrete fell off the arch and through the kitchen ceiling. Luckily no one was hurt, but it revealed the perilous state of this iconic building. There is a bar and restaurant. The interior was re-designed some years ago by the Imagineers at Disney. It's an ultra retro-futuristic design inside, straight out of Tomorrowland and the Jetsons. Huge lava lamps adorn the bar, under big purple shapes in the sky. Even the beer pumps are designed like ray guns and sound like it. I usually take the VS24 so it's busier with diners - I've never had a meal there but I hear it's OK. Perhaps Chuck may know more? On this visit it was pretty quiet, and definitely looked like it had seen better days. I'm guessing this is down to the repairs to the building.
Anyway I recommend a visit, you can see all around the airport from the bar and occasionally as far as downtown. It's so close to Terminal 2 it's shame to miss it.
*For a sneak peek of the elevator experience at Encounter, go to TikiJonTV:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TikiJonTV
Security
This is just a mess isn't it. I have never seen a priority line operate at LAX, even though there are signs for it. Fortunately I pitched up in a queue that was very short more luck than anything else. Slow but have seen it much worse. Straight through and up to the Air New Zealand lounge.
Air New Zealand lounge
I like this lounge a lot. The staff are extremely friendly without gushing, and it has a calm and soothing atmosphere. There are nice showers, although in mine the products were running rather low. The lounge wasnt too busy for once, with plenty of seats and peace and quiet. I appreciate this before a long flight as Im slightly nervous, but worse, VERY cranky having to return home. I once stroppily told a band in there to shut up because their spontaneous jamming session was getting on my nerves. Turned out the band was Matchbox 20.
Celeb spotting in LA is an inevitable part of the trip and I wasnt let down as I practically knocked Barry Manilow over as I returned to my seat with a snack.
Food nice very lite bite but good for that.
Boarding and departure
Priority Boarding actually happened. Departure was slightly delayed due to a sick passenger deciding not to travel, so of course they had to locate her luggage. But a smooth take off and I caught my first glimpse of an A380. Perhaps I imagined this but I thought it was a Qantas plane parked up. Clear skies made it possible to see down the coast - I usually opt for the evening flight as it means getting a complete final day in LA. One of my favourite sights in the whole world is seeing LA from the air by night. Its like a scene from Tron.
The flight
Unlike my outbound trip, I didn't get hammered and only had a couple of beers. No spirits and no wine (champagne of course for pre flight drink). Not to moan, but I think a few more than the 6 crisps on that silly little dish might be welcome?
The drinks service was very fast, followed just as efficiently by dinner.
I cant remember my first course (Im assuming it was a salad) but I opted for the beef for the main. This was pretty awful and I ended up only eating the meat. The accompanying vegetables were justhorrible. It put me off desert but I did have the cheesecake later when I was at the bar, and this was very nice indeed. No one seemed to use the bar, so I had a good chat with two crew members. I mentioned V Flyers, and they seemed interested.
Its just like a road in the sky
Practically all of Upper went to sleep or at least tried to. But it was a fairly bumpy flight and the seatbelt sign kept coming on. For once I was laid back about this, but I chose not to convert the seat into the bed I always feel less secure in turbulence in that position. I like to be able to brace myself as if thats going to make any difference!
Mr Reiffer advised me that sleeping upside down with your head on the foot stool was more comfortable but I thought I might get my head knocked. I also wasnt sure if I understood him correctly but Mr Reiffer has since confirmed this, so something to try in the future. The suite is all very fabulouse, but Im sure there will be many of you out there like me over 6ft tall and all legs (my best feature). I cant lie properly on the flat bed as my feet are squashed in if the end of the footstool could be removed it would be perfect.
Having said that I managed a couple of hours dozing in my seat, between watching Flight of the Conchords and bits of Anvil! The Story of Anvil. The films had been changed over since my outbound trip, this always gives me a slight thrill discovering whats different.
Breakfast
This is a real bugbear with me. It just tastes wrong. I picked a bacon roll and a croissant. Both too dry Morrisons caff do better bacon barms (tasted purely for research purposes). I don't know, I've never taken to the breakfast, does anyone else feel the same? I cant understand why its so awful is it me being overtired and stuffed full of food and drink for the last few hours? And of course anything with the evil egg has to be avoided
We would have arrived early but had to circle and landed on time to a very hot and sunny day. Thats something I suppose if I have to come back.
Looking out of my window I had a birds eye view of Windsor Castle, and then we were down.
The crew were attentive throughout and worked hard on a busy plane (Upper was full). I was well looked after throughout. There was a slight delay waiting for the gate, but not too bad.
Revivals
It always irks me that Revivals closes before passengers from the later LA flight can use it. So I was pleased for once to be able to visit and freshen up. Not everyone flying Virgin lives in the south east and some of us have long onward journeys to make! I gather its not very well used, but if youre offering it, offer it to everyone
Having said that when I arrived there were only two people there. I had a hot shower, and came out to find all the staff staring at the TV. News was breaking about the missing Air France flight. It seemed particularly chilling having just flown transatlantic. We watched together in a subdued atmosphere, and after a juice I made my way to the tube. (I have a question about the AF incident but its not appropriate here and dont know where/if I should ask it).
Before I knew it I was back at Ealing South. A 5am start to get back to Manchester next day was delayed due to car battery being completely flat. Bugger, should have checked the night before! Finally on the road at 6.30 but appt with surveyor at 9am. Drove like a demon, made it by 9.20, still waiting for possible summons, cant believe I did it. Mortgage funds duly releasednow what should I spend it on
*For a sneak peek of the elevator experience at Encounter, go to TikiJonTV:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TikiJonTV
I took this in one take on my mobile phone, it was a bit of an afterthought. Future episodes of TikiJonTV will be less shambolic!
And special thanks to vegascrazy, s-pressobean, chuckc and preiffer for the fun in the sun.
