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#748177 by totallylost
16 Jun 2010, 18:31
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Ok so here's my return trip report:

arrived at Havana airport at about 3:30pm and proceeded to check-in. The Upper Class desk wasn't staffed, so we were directed to the Premium Economy desk. Present our documents and cases where checked in, boarding passes issued and the invite to the lounge. Directed to pay the CUC25 departure tax prior to heading through security.

Once through looked for the lounge, not easy to find, but we found it and were soon sitting enjoying a drink and some nibbles away from the crowds. Flight was showing as on time and boarding would be about 6pm.

Boarding was called and we proceeded to Gate B8. There were a lot of people in the queue waiting to board, but the staff were holding everyone back for priority boarders first, so we walked to the front and down to the the plane. We were on "Lady Penelope" and headed up stairs to our upper class seats.

Was welcomed onboard by the crew and offered a drink, champgane was selected. Again we had a split cabin and i got the impression that the crew were not too impressed with this set up. So this time, there was only one crew member serving the upper class upstairs and she was a little ragged I think.

Flight time to London was 8hrs 20 mins.

Kicked off shoes, changed in to flight socks from amenity kit and champagne arrived. Newspapers were offered.

Pushed back 10 mins ahead of time and on our way to take off.

Having taken off another drink was offered and more champagne ordered. Sleep suits were offered and I was recommend a large, hmmm not sure about needing a large, but duly accepted. Was asked if i wanted to be woken for breakfast and duly said yes.

Shortly after take off and food orders were being taken, mentioned that we had ordered special meals, only to be told that whilst the sheet said they were onboard, but the were not so selected from the menu. Didn't really lie the choice of starters, so decided to give that a miss and ordered the Pasta with watercress sauce for main.

Food was served and choice of wine offered, I chose an Australian Chardonnay, very nice. Followed dinner with Cheese and crackers and washed it all down with a glass of champagne.

Having finished dinner, felt it was time for a sleep, so off i went and changed into my sleep suit. Large was exceptionally large and i needed to roll the sleeves up abit, but it was comfortable, if a little on the big side.

Converted bed into sleep mode and made the bed. settled down to try and get some sleep. Managed to get about 3 hours sleep, was a little warm, due to the sleep suit and duvet, but nothing major.

About 2 1/2 hours away from gatwick at this point, so put seat back into seat mode and changed out of the sleep suit.

About an hour and 45 prior to landing and orange juice was served and orders taken for breakfast. I had tea, toast with butter and Jam and a crossiant.

Landed into Gatwick virtually on time and was soon on our way to immigration. passed through quite quickly and are luggage was at the belt when we got there.

Another great flight with great crew.
#748226 by buns
17 Jun 2010, 04:16
Thanks for the TR y) As you said on your outbound report, the Havana Route has not been covered that well in the past here, so your Report is all the more useful oo)
Again we had a split cabin and i got the impression that the crew were not too impressed with this set up.


To be honest, I don't think anyone is :(! The configuration seems ill thought out and even I overheard check in staff saying at SFO it was a bad move. I would like to hear what the justification was from those at VS who thought it was such a good idea in the first place. It of course does not help is you only have one cree member working the cabin v(

Thanks once again

buns
#748241 by HWVlover
17 Jun 2010, 09:30
Thank you Totallylost, two great TRs and two great flights.

EXCELLENT

y)
#748245 by pjh
17 Jun 2010, 11:35
Thanks for the TR. Glad to see the return flight didn't disappoint, as one of the themes overnight flight TRs tends to be a feeling that things are a bit rushed.

totallylost wrote:There were a lot of people in the queue waiting to board, but the staff were holding everyone back for priority boarders first, so we walked to the front and down to the the plane.


They were very rigourous with the application of priority when we went a couple of years ago. Kind of odd, considering where you are... :)

Paul
#748252 by HWVlover
17 Jun 2010, 12:18
pjh wrote:They were very rigourous with the application of priority when we went a couple of years ago. Kind of odd, considering where you are... :)

Paul


All those everybody-is-equal countries which I have visited have been equally rigorous on such matters. Not surprisingly a quote from the last chapter of Animal Farm is coming to mind right now!!! y)
#748305 by totallylost
17 Jun 2010, 18:31
Buns, re the split cabin, we were told by a member of the crew that VS have done this as a result of the current economic climate. I guess they haven't been selling as many premium seats so altered these to lower classes. Hopefully this won't last that long. Certinaly, the crew member I spoke to hated the split cabin layout.
#748326 by Ptarmigan
17 Jun 2010, 22:12
Thanks for posting, I enjoyed reading & I'm glad the return flight was as good as the Outbound.

Just a quick question about the new config - when you go up & down stairs are you sort of in the Y section? I think I would feel a bit uncomfortable about trotting up & down stairs to the bar in full view of all the Y pax. The glares at priority boarding are enough to deal with let alone stony looks knowing your off to drink champers & eat bacon rolls! :D
#748333 by honey lamb
17 Jun 2010, 23:25
Ptarmigan wrote:Thanks for posting, I enjoyed reading & I'm glad the return flight was as good as the Outbound.

Just a quick question about the new config - when you go up & down stairs are you sort of in the Y section? I think I would feel a bit uncomfortable about trotting up & down stairs to the bar in full view of all the Y pax. The glares at priority boarding are enough to deal with let alone stony looks knowing your off to drink champers & eat bacon rolls! :D

The stairs are more or less at the very end of the UC section and in fact you can't be seen by Y pax downstairs as PE is in front of them and the curtain will be closed so they cannot see you.

I have to say that as a UC passenger when the upper deck was divided between UC and PE, I felt a tad uncomfortable going down to the bar in full view of the PE passengers. Only a tad, mind you :D
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