This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Decided to make way to the gate 5 minutes before the flight is called in case security is busy. Glad asked at clubhouse reception before making my way down as my boarding card hadn't got the priority stamp for security. Got stamped and was welcomed as the priority channel was much quieter compared to the rest of security. As got to the gate, priority boarding was announced, the separate UC channel was clearly marked and made getting on board a simple affair, why can't they do this at Heathrow??
On board was offered a drink, water fine for now, and a sleep suit which declined as have my own arrangement. Standing by 19A noticed a layer of dust on the bulkhead behind the seat, although the suite was clean clearly no one had touched the area behind for a while. No late stragglers and we get airborne promptly.
Entertainment system failed to booted up and FSM hit the reset and again and again and again. Turned out they knew there was an issue with this aircraft's IFE 2 days ago and a technician had replaced a server then as some of the seats weren't working, now it was the entire plane. Attempts to reset the entire aircraft proved fruitless.
Meal time and as per the outbound neither of the starters appealed. Went for the beef which when arrived if I'd sneezed it would've disappeared. Said to CC where is the rest of it?? Well that was it, a small piece of beef no larger than a jam jar lid, in a sauce claiming to be from 4 types of mushrooms (which admittedly was tasty) but with no sight of an actual mushroom could've been made from a powder, 6 small green beans and 2 small potatoes. I think my 6 year old nephew would've eaten it all without issue, this wasn't an adult meal. To compound it the beef was very dry and tough. I enquired if there was any chicken spare but no, then asked about a PE or Y meal as what been served so far was inadequate, plus with no light bites on this flight was was little alternative. They did find a meal from PE of Chicken with Flax seeds, which was ok and fed the hunger, but overall was very disappointed. The melt in the middle chocolate cake did appease a little, but was more a liquid chocolate than cake and resembled a warm but uncooked pudding.
With no entertainment and a disappointing meal, wondered what to do for rest of the flight especially as my IPod battery was about to die as well. Luckily the FSM was in the galley and I requested one of the DVD players, fully expecting to be told they'd been handed out already, but luckily no, I had hinted earlier I would request one if the IFE failed. DVD player secretly passed to me watched a couple of films and even was made a very nice hot chocolate. Got a hour and a bit sleep as well, typically just wasn't tired on this flight. Breakfast was served, the last night had a bacon roll on board the roll was rock hard, nice to see a new supplier and a fresh soft roll.
Landed 20 min ahead of schedule and began the long taxi to the gate. Seemed to stop at a distant outpost of the airfield to be told due to our early arrival our gate was still occupied and should be on there in about 12-14 minutes. We wait.... Another announcement says we will be delayed further as someone has hit the emergency fuel cut off at the gates and that now means the attendance of the fire crew to ascertain the problem. Also means that the aircraft we're waiting to vacate our stand will be delayed in getting refuelled. We wait..... Another announcement says we're going to get moved to a temporary stand, as we make this move we're told we will disembark there but will have to get bussed to the terminal. We get to the stand and see a couple of buses waiting and various other support vehicles, but no steps. After what seemed an age, the captain says we need to wait for a tug to move us 10 feet forward as they have stopped short and the support vehicles say we're not in the right position for them to approach us. The whole episode seems farcical especially as after another 15minute without moving they say we can disembark. So what was a 20 minute early arrival turned into an 1 hour 20 minute delay!
This was probably one of my worst VA flights, poor food, no IFE and then a frustrating delay to end it all. The only plus side was a good CC which helped to diffuse my frustrations. At the request of the crew as well as to vent my own frustrations I have already emailed VA with my disappointment over this flight. I will post their response as and when I get one
