This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
We spent the rest of the morning relaxing by the pool with a couple of cocktails and then a spot of lunch before the buses arrived to take us to the airport. On arrival we went to the ticketing line to collect our boarding passes whereupon we were given our lounge passes and directions to the 'Sticky Wicket' across the road. This turned out to be the clubhouse for the Stanford Cricket ground which was quite pleasant.
The lounge pass gave us a $50 credit for food and drinks so we ordered a couple of sandwiches and cokes which just about spent the lot. Over the next hour or so more passengers turned up and we overheard some comments that the inbound flight was quite late and we were expecting to be delayed by about 90 minutes. On hearing this we ordered a couple more cokes and kicked back for a bit longer. At around 4.30 we decided to go and have a look around the shops and after walking outside we could see that the plane had arrived so went through security into departures.
The shops were a bit basic apart from the jewellery store and fortunately Mrs M wasn't interested. So we bought some rum cakes and took a couple of seats to wait for our flight to be called. After some apology announcements for the delays we were eventually called at around 5.30 to board.
Now I know there have been a number of debates on here about priority boarding so I thought the approach at ANU was quite novel. The first call was for PE and UC and all other passengers were asked to wait. Of course this didn't happen and everyone and their dog rushed forward. As we were sat fairly close to the gate we were in the middle of the queue and for the first time witnessed people being turned back because they weren't in the right class. Others seemed to get the message so decided to turn back of their own accord. So there you go, priority boarding Caribbean style.
Anyway we made our way outside to the plane and up the stairs into the UC cabin. As we settled in the customary drinks were offered and as I was driving in the morning I had a coke (yes another one). The FSM came around and introduced herself and made it clear that the crew would do everything they could to make us comfortable. She wasn't wrong, they were great. Within a short time the doors were shut and we were off, I think it was about 6.00pm. As we took off the sun was going down and we were presented with a beautiful sunset which I thought was a fitting end to our time in Antigua.
The entertainment was switched on and I settled down with Crank 2, a bit stupid but quite hilarious in places. Dinner was served during the film and I had tomato soup followed by the chicken and apple pie. Not bad. After the film finished I decided to try and get some sleep so had my bed made up and got my head down.
I spent the night half asleep and awake as the flight was quite bumpy and it felt like every time I was about to drop off I got bumped awake again. Eventually a tap on my leg signalled that it was time for breakfast so I had weetabix with a bacon roll (with tomato sauce because everyone knows that is the only way to eat a bacon roll, unless of course you are really refined and have access to Branston pickle) and a hot cup of coffee.
As we started our decent crockery was cleared away and cabin secured we came into land just as the sun was coming up. Doesn't time fly.
The landing was pretty smooth and after a short taxi to the gate we were up and off. It's been a while since we've flown from and to Gatwick and the walk to immigration seemed to take forever and when we got there the queues were the longest I'd seen in a long time. It would have been quicker to go through the non EC lines as there was no one there.
Anyway we were through in a few minutes and made our way upstairs to collect our bags. I'm not too sure why but our bags took ages to come up and while we were waiting we noticed that there were one or two damaged bags on the carousel so we were relieved when ours appeared intact.
Why is it that we always get the trolly with a mind of its own. After some deft steering through customs we went out to get the bus to the car park and the long drive home.
So that was it another trip over and quite a long wait till our next one to Dubai in February. Can't wait.
Miopyk[8D]
