This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
The day before departure was greeted with an email inviting us to use the UC Wing Check In facility. I was meant to be in my office the morning of the flight so would have been arriving by the Heathrow Express, but how could I turn down the drive through check-in. A quick phone call and no longer needed to be in the office, plus a friend who is a black cab driver offered to take us to the airport. When told him about the separate drop off area he was impressed. The journey on the north circular was painful, why do 2 men working on a traffic light sign need to close 2 lanes thus insuring a 2 mile jam. Anyway we had plenty of time given I hadn't gone into the office, arriving 12:15 for a 16:35 flight. The security barriers dropped and felt we glided up to the drop off area. 2 gents stepped out to presumably greet us..... but no, they just stood there, expected one to open the door for Ms Carter, but no, I then expected one to take the luggage from inside the taxi, but no, was left to me and our driver. one of them did move the bags from outside to the check-in desk but I expected much more than the service we got there. Check-in itself was quick and efficient, allocated 5a and 5g, yes I can hear some of you more experienced V-Flyers flag an alarm here, more of that later. The private security channel was busier than my previous visits, about 6 people in front and slow moving, so much for me saying we'll be in the lounge in 5 minutes! No, shoe check for me, but Ms Carter's boots did come in for extra attention.
Felt like a fight through the T3 crowds to reach the lounge, seems our arrival had co-incided with a couple of departures getting announced and everyone fighting to get to the gate. No one was at the lounge reception desk to greet us, a flustered gent eventually did show, asking if been before, I said I had but not Ms Carter, so he said, great, you can show her around then. Upon entrance to the lounge I can see his headache, the lounge did seem busy. Admittedly my previous visits had only been for early morning flights, maybe this was normal. Table for 2 in the brassiere, visit to the salad bar for starters, Ms Carter loves her sushi and said what was on offer was very good. I opted for the steak pie, which was full of flavour, but I sneezed and the meal disappeared. I know this is a 'bite' but its 1pm and a proper sized lunch portion would be better. The waitress could tell I wasn't satisfied and asked if I wanted anything else, Chicken Curry here I come, much better, airports always make me hungry [:w]
A quick visit to the shops to kill bit of time before our 14:30 appointments. A facial for me, nothing special seemed a quick and rushed, but was still refreshing. Ms Carter a pedicure, after which they gave her a pair of flip flops whilst her toe nails dried. just before we board I returned them to the cowshed, to see them thrown in the bin. I said don't they get re-used or recycled? No, was the reply. A pair of shoes worn for less than an hour about to end its short life in a landfill. Surely the button pushers should be looking at things like that and re-using them where possible in the current cost cutting. Another drink and a short wait till we board, pretty much on time. At the gate there was separate lines for Y and UC passengers, but the cue on the air bridge filtered all the way back, so no preboarding. [V] It got worse once we get to the aircraft, everyone was boarding at the front set of doors. Getting to our seats was easy, but trying to settle in and relax wasn't going to happen till everyone had boarded. Ms Carter was just getting comfortable and enjoying her new found travelling style when an American gent said she was in his seat. I said I'm in 5A and that's alongside me so must be 5G, but no, the rows are staggered and that was in fact 6G hence my comment above, embarrassingly Ms Carter had to move forward a seat although the gent could've offered to take her seat instead. Strange check-in didn't highlight this at the start that the seats weren't next to each other, although not a major issue given you're cocooned in the suite.
A glass of champagne and what seemed like an eternity to close the doors, taxi and take off. Once in the air, favourable winds would mean arriving almost 30minutes ahead of our original arrival time. Mealtime again, had the beef olives followed by the spotted dick, both enjoyable. Ms Carter wanted to watch a chick flick so I settled in with Ice Age 3 (yes, as per previous TP still a kid at heart). After which we met at the bar for a drink or 2. Get chatting with couple of CC members, all very friendly. I then realised we never had the basket of goodies being offered, I asked had they been cut and told they are on trail as 'available on request,' so I guess those who don't know won't ask. The CC disappear and come back with 2 sets of everything in the basket for us, was unnecessary for me, but Ms Carter loved all the little bits and promptly put them away. Returned to our seats and showed Ms Carter how to convert to the bed, maybe I shouldn't have done that as ever since she has been in love with that UC suite. She's is a light sleeper so has trouble in flight but being able to lie flat made the world of difference and has asked for this on all our future travels (Oh dear 12hours to Thailand and back in Y over New Year is not looking good!). I settled in to watch Bruno, couple of funny bits but once was enough as the film is just sick in places.
As advised we arrived ahead of schedule and quickly embarked. Got to immigration to find it practically empty, so whisked through quickly by a smiling Homeland Officer, how rare. $5 for a trolley, what a cheek, but needed to be done given the bags we had. Took a while for bags to come off, but luckily all 3 were together and off to get a taxi as I still am thinking $5 for a trolley and don't get it back when return it, I hope BAA don't find out!
