This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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Well fellow V-flyers the time had finally come for me to experience the delights of Upper Class and upfront all I really can say is anyone who actually flies economy to Sydney should be given a medal! This a trip I have classed as Pacific 09 as it includes Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Hong Kong. So a busy three weeks and all for leisure, would love a job travelling on business expenses.
The morning started early after a very heavy night out with friends for my birthday. I had breakfast and had to drive friends home before making my way to LHR thank goodness I checked on the underground status as there was a person under a train at earls court on the Piccadilly line so I decided on the Heathrow Express should be safer.
It was extremely busy at Terminal 3. There was even a queue for the Upper desks. I didnt mind waiting but a very nice lady approached me and apologized for the delay made sure I was ready to check-in and explained the process as I said it was my first upper trip. You could see the cause a family who I think were buying the planes luggage space I have never seen so many bags for what looked like two people. Plus I dont actually think they were flying Upper!
Anyway I got to check in after a few minutes was served by a lovely lady loads of smiling and great conversation. Explained the route to the private security channel. Now I got in the lift and I really can see why everyone loves this service my god what a luxury to have. Got through very quickly and turned to the left to see a huge queue for security what a result!
I decided I wanted to shop, but I have never seen terminal 3 so packed I just headed straight for the clubhouse that was awaiting me. I can say hand on heart everyone I was amazed by the clubhouse and I knew what to expect from reading up. Its at this point I wish to thank v-flyers for all the information on what to eat and drink. etc
So of course I had the scrambled egg and smoked salmon. Divine is not the word. I made my to the spa and booked a facial, which was a lovely relaxing experience I really did need with only 3 hours sleep that day.
The flight was called so I made my way to the gate and priority boarding was working YAY, but there was no A zone jetway (I think thats the right term, but will edit if its wrong) Then had to queue to board as I think there was a very big group. Made my way to seat 4A. Once again with information learnt from this website I made sure I got a sleep suit, which this time came in a nice bag. Nice amenity kit, but not much really. I think the premium one is nicer, but nice to have. The suite is lovely and very clean read the menu and to my delight there was the steak pie so of course this was what I wanted to order. Gave my coat over and handed another glass of champagne, how much I have drunk in this weekend does not bear thinking of. It turned out the whole plane was full. There was not a spare seat in any class. So started relaxing as we took off. I must say the suite is a little confusing and no was there to explain it to me although I would have felt a little embarrassed for asking. I made up the bed after pushing the table button first then couldnt work out to get it back in, quite comical to watch really if youre a seasoned traveler, but I sussed out what to do in the end. I relaxed and tried to sleep I dont find the noise cancelling headphones easy to sleep in so had to use my B&O headphones. I woke up in a bit of state unfortunatetly my asthma had flared up very badly, which is very rare to the extent I very rarely carry a pump. Thankfully I had packed my pump in my bag. A crew member approached me and asked if I was ok and I explained. I think she almost went in to a panic attack herself, but I just said its fine I have my pump, but I think I am allergic to the pillow they must be feather or something. So she very quickly got me a few from premium which I knew I was ok with as I have slept with them before and tried to get back to sleep. I did so and unfortunately was awoken for breakfast and had missed the chance on the steak pie #9785; , but hopefully on the way back. I must state the FSM was visible but never made his way through the cabin to address anyone and was behind the curtain most of the time. I had the bacon roll for breakfast thank you once again for the tip they are absolutely lovely to eat after a good sleep at afew thousand of feet. I changed and freshened myself up as we landed in Hong Kong 30 minutes early.
In Hong Kong its not very clear what to do, plus you have one world employees telling you and giving you Virgin Atlantic stickers to say your flying to Sydney??? I filled out the health form for security, which wasnt asked for at all so threw that in the bag, the Clubhouse is not very clearly signed posted unless you look up to the lounge itself. Maybe it was just the fact I was half asleep if anything it was a blessing as I met someone who was also lost and we have struck a great friendship because of it even meeting in Sydney at the weekend. So got up the lift and walked right past the entrance and went for the door nearest the balcony we werent the first once again didnt think the signage was great. So got in to the clubhouse must have been one of the first as it was empty result! so tried to book a shower and no showers available out of order grrrrr. So sat down with my new friend and we started to get to know each other. Was served straight away by the staff had a few cocktails and had the scrambled eggs again. Unfortunately my new friend forgot her glass was on the desk as she was on the phone and it all just went flying(but dont worry the glass was half empty, most of which went over me) Was quite funny but the amount of staff that came over was very impressive. It was dealt with in seconds and of course more drink followed, but it wasnt drink related just clumsy more to follow on this.
So we made our way back to VS200 and I finally got the name of the plane. The experience boarding from the A zone is certainly a better one. The same seat but all had been cleaned so looked brand new. Sat new now this experience is what I now will judge ALL upper flights. I was greeted once again very politely and given a glass of bubbly. Now this is where the experience went up a notch. Have you flown upper before sir and would you like assistance with how to work your suite This was not done before I politely said no but noted her name for the future. Got a new sleep suite, but save for another flight
She was to be my crew member for the flight and can I say that even with a full cabin I was still made to feel I was the only one there. She was amazing the whole flight. We took off and I just slept for a few hours. I awoke to find the FSM beginning her walk around and she started at 2A and seemed to have her manifest ready to speak to certain people. I never thought I was going to be one of them, but even as silver hello there sir and thank you for flying virgin again. She even spoke to most upper passengers after dealing with elites with the infamous tray of goodies 
you could tell the crew were being steered very well by the FSM.Very impressive and something I can certainly see can make the difference to fellow travelers. She sat down and spoke to me for a while and I explained my issue with the pillow and she made her colleague aware and got me some premium pillows. The last FSM I couldnt even get a chance to speak to about it!I was then asked for my dinner order and unfortunately no steak pie. However I went for the beef and for dessert apple cheesecake I couldnt believe the quality of the food. Yummy so made my way up to my friend Mel and we decided to use the bar.
This is where the whole upper experience was fantastic. Having someone to drink with on this flight was a lot better. I had the Red hot cocktail and we sat down and began to talk. We began speaking to the crew who were so attentive while performing there other duties and kept filling and refilling drinks. We got to know the FSM so much better and she really is a credit to Virgin. I made a point of saying what a difference she had made to the flight and mentioned her as one of those in my star form.
This is where we began to meet a new load of people. The FSM was around the bar a lot and we spoke to a lot of the crew. They were all lovely. It was at this point half way in to flight I made a point of noting names as I was to going to fill out star form I asked the FSM for one and began jotting down, which was an essay in the end, but all thing discussed on what makes the upper experience and of course loyalty to the brand. I have now gone from travelling alone to meeting up with a few new people over the weekend in Sydney for lunches, dinners and drinks. We sat up at the bar almost the entire flight talking and meeting new people. We then met newly weds and was introduced to a lady who was sitting in the premium cabin, but had been taken pity on by the FSM for a terrible experience that had led them to flying to Virgin. They had never flown before and didnt know what to expect as it was a last minute booking because Cathay had decided not except the flexi business booking and refused to fly them for no reason stating they had no record of the booking, But offered to fly them one way back even though this was the return portion of the journey! Although Virgin was there last port of call it was Virgin who came through for these people offering a premium flight one way for a almost 1/10 of the price cathay quoted for economy. Goes to show even being a platinum member of cathay means nothing! It had turned out she had been in the clubhouse and seen the whole champagne incident. I started explaining the virtues of VS and it had turned out they had paid for VS lounge and they were Singapore Gold so got her business card for a lunch date with the husband for travel advice.etc .The FSM came back and started some more conversations was so funny she would come back and tell us what she had done and what was next. The golds in economy here I come.etc. It was at this point I handed my star form back with a few members of staff names on. I spoke to her on the bar and said what a difference it made to me and what a comparison to the last flight. She even replied she couldnt believe how many had made the same comment. She was of course very busy so read as we landed and made a point of also speaking to the staff to say a well done as it was great and that I had mentioned her in the form. We then decided to have breakfast at the bar this time I had the scrambled egg and bacon. We began to land, it was at this point both the FSM and crew came over to thank me for the form and to say how much it meant to them.
Landing in Sydney I still had one more flight to Melbourne on Virgin Blue, but that was very quiet to say the least and not really worthy of its own report. I must say as many have said the immigration hall is packed at 630am and I was thankful for the upper fast track. The queues were very slow moving.
This is something that really did cap the end of the day off as Mel and I were both booked Virgin Blue, but to completely different destinations we saw the crew coming through the transfer terminal to their awaiting transport to hotel and they all started saying thank you and saying have a great time waving. They literally stopped what they were doing. To be honest we had out backs to them and wouldnt have noticed them going through. Something that will warrant an email to Virgin customer service. Seemed to take the Virgin blue staff by surprise
Said goodbye to Mel for a few days but were still meeting in Sydney and looking forward to this weekend with all these bookings in the diary now.The Lounge is quite an experience and thank goodness for the showers I felt human again, was great to know I would have had access even with my priority pass as well as my Upper boarding pass. Something I will be using for more internal flights to come. The flight to Melbourne wasnt anything amazing, but got talking to someone next to me ( I know your thinking. talk him .never!) but turned out he was on same flight and we were both saying what a come down to basic economy. Landed and made my way to Hilton South Wharf, which is amazing used status to upgrade to the executive floor, the views of Melbourne WOW and with all these amazing hotel deals atm buy one night get one free. I have actually been writing the report in the lounge and it has gone from sunset to pitch black. Quite a few glasses of wine and nibbles though and something I also dont think I will want to give up at my next hotel stay.
Sorry for the length, but so much to include from both a first upper experience and how the flights compared from good to the upper experience. Hope you enjoyed the report and of course once again want to thank you all again for all your help being able to read on advice and information on how to enjoy and experience the most from Upper.
Now is the dilemma can I ever actually go back to Premium or dare I say it economy???? I am half way to gold so looking forward to the clubhouse access in the event budgets dictate a W or N fare. Hopefully there will be more sales to take advantage and thankfully I do have a healthy balance of miles so some miles upgrades might be on the way
I will of course keep you updated on my travels and of course report the return leg with a lot more experience now of 'upper'
Looking forward to it
Cheers
Alex
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