This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Upon entering we saw the VS desks but there wasnt one identified as the UC desk. The others all had electronic signs above the desks detailing the cabins but none for UC. Asking a member of staff, we were immediately taken to the left of the desks where we were checked in.
Boarding passes, lounge passes and bags tagged all within a couple of minutes. The agent then said we didnt need to take our bags to the TSA for screening, as she would get someone to do it for us. (Apparently a perk of travelling UC).[y]
Up the escalators and with a bit of a wait for security, we were happily ensconced in the Club America lounge, after about 30 mins of arriving.
Having never been into this lounge I wasnt sure what to expect. Lounge was about half full (or half empty depending on whether youre an optimist or pessimist[:)] )
The range of snacks wasnt too exciting, a few sandwiches, choice of soup and crisps, nuts and trail mix.
No mojitos here either :-( I settled for a can of lager, and Mrs Chumba a glass of tomato juice.
Anyway there I was happily eating my crisps, when I looked over the other side of the lounge, and there were a couple of faces I instantly recognised. No no one famous unfortunately, but a couple of people I used to work with who were on their way home from the Bahamas. The next hour spent chatting and catching up meant the time passed quickly and next thing we were being called for boarding.
As we arrived at the gate priority boarding was in place, to the distain of the gentlemen travelling in Y who tried to board with us and received a sharp no sir economy isnt boarding yet in a loud southern accent from the gate agent, which sent him away with his head down, amongst lots of smiles from other economy passengers
Once on board we went up into the bubble whilst my friends stayed downstairs in PE. Into seat 4K with Mrs Chumba in 3K. We were welcomed on board by probably the bubbliest CC I have ever met. She was so happy and smiley, I thought I wonder how long this will last, but it lasted the entire flight.
She took our drink orders obligatory champers, which was brought back instantly. She carried on welcoming pax into the front of the bubble, but still was able to keep refreshing drinks. Whatever she was on I wanted some.
Captain came onto the PA saying we were loaded and would be ready for push back 10 minutes early; (subject to ATC clearance) which surprisingly came and we were off stand early. However it took a while to get into the position to be next to take off, so we were a few minutes late taking off. However we were assured we would still land about 45 mins early @ LHR.[^]
Shortly after takeoff I began to feel a bit uncomfortable in the seat, with some pain across my shoulders, Even moving about I couldnt get rid of the feeling. After investigating I realised that what I could feel was the metal frame of the seat coming through the nonexistent padding, majority of the seat was worn so much just placing your hand on it you could feel the framework. This wasnt the first time I had had this problem with a seat. Last year a seat had the same problem, a complaint to VS at the time and they later assured me it was an unusual problem and that it had been fixed. Obviously not as unusual as again I was encountering the problem.
The FSM appeared at this point with the extras basket, so I mentioned to him the seat problems and was met with an Ill get you a pillow and off he went. He had introduced himself as the FSM but was wearing a white shirt, and his badge said senior cabin crew. Newly promoted I thought? Still awaiting his badges of office? If so not a good start. No apology, no Ill make sure its mentioned on the plane log etc. He didnt even welcome back the Golds as was mentioned by 2 of them sat opposite me.[n]
The pillow arrived by a CC member- my smiling little devil [:X]with a Im ever so sorry theres a problem with your seat She checked it and said it was disgusting for an UC seat to be in that condition, and the flight was full so she couldnt move me. Another pax in 2K also had similar issues with his seat, and the fact the table was also jammed.
Our little smiling devil was then round quickly taking drink and meal orders and asking if we wanted breakfast or allowed to sleep. Ive never seen someone manage everything so efficiently and keep everyone happy. Every time she came into the cabin she checked with everyone if they needed anything. If she returned with a drink she would again check if we needed anything.
Dinner was served, which I didnt bother with, but Mrs Chumba had the chicken which she enjoyed. I went down to the bar where I ended up staying for about an hour and a half, without realising. Although the bar stools were more comfortable than the UC seat, which is probably why I wasnt too bothered. Mrs Chumba was ensconced in her Nintendo playing some game so she hadnt even noticed I was missing!
Went back upstairs and found my bed had been made, so into the sleep suit and off to sleep, which I managed until I was awoken with my breakfast with about an hour to landing.
Quick breakfast and then we were given the news that as we were early we would need to be put into a hold for about 15 mins.
The approach to London was from the east which gave great views of the Olympic stadium being built at Stratford, in over the Thames and over Whitehall, was going to wave at HackneyGuy in his Whitehall penthouse, but then realised he was still enjoying himself in SFO so couldnt wave back. Past Wembley Stadium and landed with a bit of a bump as a cross wind caught us.
Taxi to stand and off very quickly with bags already going round as we reached the carousel. Straight outside and found the car with the purple parking driver awaiting us. We had been going to go to revivals but in the end just decided to get home.
Overall a good flight, excellent CC in the bubble especially our smiling devil, let down though by the problem with the seat, and the reaction by the FSM.
2 letters being penned after this TR. One to complain about the seat, and one to congratulate the CC member.
