This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Got to security and all was quiet so breezed through. As ever T3 was a cacophony of noise and people, so quickly traversed my way through the crowds to the sanctuary of the clubhouse. Decided to go straight for the British breakfast. It is a let down when a chef decides to 'present' something as basic as this in some form of stylish way. The majority of the components in a small dish, the poached eggs in a separate dish, with both dishes on a plate. Ok, its no issue to then have to move the items from a dish to the plate, but surely just serve them all on a plate in the first place as no one is going to say they're horrified it came on one plate!! Am surprised the middle management haven't spotted this as an area of cost saving, why use extra serving dishes unnecessarily, extra washing up etc. The second issue by having to 'decant' from dish to plate is you realise the collection of grease from the fried parts and the amount of water the poached eggs were sitting in, neither very appetising. To cap it all the eggs were overcooked..... I do enjoy a good fry up and this wasn't it.....
Next was to stroll over to the Cowshed to book an appointment. Chatting with the staff there they say the new arrangements are much better as there was a high level of people who used to prebook on the old scheme but failed to show on the day. This meant those who genuinely wanted to use the facility could do so and if desired could have a longer or more than one treatment. Opted for facial which was pleasant and relaxing. Went for a spot of retail therapy, stocking up on some chocolate for the hotel room. Before returning to the clubhouse for a jasmine tea. Before I knew it, the flight was being called and off to the gate.
What a farce this was. The satelite arm we were on felt like we were getting air locked in at times as the doors closed in the corridor so passengers disembarking from other flights could go through the correct channels, this very was badly designed. It was unclear what flight the crowd was queuing for, you had passengers for other flights trying to push through, as were UC and PE passengers who were told to move to the front. Then once thought the airlock into the gate, the usual mixed crowd queuing to get on to the aircraft, why do they never use the A doors at Heathrow, surely would alleviate some of the scramble. Seemed I was one of the first on board in UC, got a glass of wine, changed into my sleep suit and settled into 19A. All seemed clean and clearly during the refit of the upper deck a good clean and touching up of other areas had gone on.
The flight was completely full, 367 passengers IIRC, however the crew were 2 down due to illness and there was no one on stand-by, there were a few announcements to this effect over the PA system and to apologise for any delayed service. To be fair to all the crew service was excellent given how short they were, in the front of the plane they definitely seemed to be working for each other to keep service at a good level.
Push back was delayed by 20 minutes due to cargo, but would make that up in the air. Had a connecting flight to catch 2 hour 40min after scheduled landing, so plenty of time. Long taxi to runway and as I felt we were next to take off and expected us to bear left we made an unexpected full turn right away from the runway. A few passengers all looked up at each other in amazement realising this isn't right. 10 minutes passes then the captain announces that the plane taxi-ing behind us has seen a liquid coming from our aircraft. Of course safety first so we were to get this checked out. Eventually we were moved to a temporary stand and told they believed it just to be water but needed to know where it was coming from. 1 hour 40min passes, with numerous vans, VA cars, etc surrounding the aircraft we get told a valve was left open on the water system from when being topped up during the turnaround
. If we'd continued without stopping we would've run out of water 6-7hours. Now we had to wait for more fuel and this water to be topped up. So a needless 2 hour delay, understandably all passengers and crew were frustrated....Once in the air things were much smoother, except for a little bit of turbulence somewhere over Canada. Entertainment system was turned on promptly once in the air. Drinks service and food orders taken. Neither of the starters appealed and asked if possible to have the chickpea and coriander cakes as an alternative starter if there was left over, which there was and was ok. Then had the lamb which was nothing too exciting. Settled back to watch a couple of films, ice cream came around, but were semi-liquid due to the late departure as the dry ice doesn't keep it cold for that long. Went to stretch the legs and a few of the crew were in the galley, get chatting with them to see if the captain can radio ahead about my connecting flight but don't expect too much. The FSM joined us and was first time seen him properly, apart from wine service during dinner, given the crew shortage was an issue. Whilst chatting with them turns out a few UC passengers on the Upper Deck weren't happy up there and had tried to swap to be on the lower deck prior to take off, also its transpires there is talk of removing the Economy seats from the Upper Deck as management now realise the mistake!! Afternoon tea was served and the infamous cake stand made its appearance, turns out this is not popular with the crew!
By time we landed was clear had missed my flight as had 20 minutes to clear immigration, get luggage, customs, check in etc. There was also 6 passengers who were on the same connecting flight as myself in same situation, was told to go to the VX desk and they would be aware of our situation. Of course get there and the representative was completely clueless. I explained had missed the flight due to the late landing of VS19, she said was nothing she could do apart from put me on standby. I said I don't want to go on standby as didn't want to wait for the next flight to find it was full and I don't get on it when I could just get on a UA or Southwest flight now without the uncertainty. A manager overheard my pleas and made his way over, they said there wouldn't be an issue on standby as there were 10 seats free on the flight. Knowing of the 6 other passengers who will also be looking to change this wasn't very comforting. I said I paid for a Main Cabin Select and feel they should be more helpful, then the manager says for $50 he can book me a seat! Rather than miss the flight, I paid the $50 and am now intending to claim this back from VA given the delay was there fault. Whilst waiting at the gate the announcement was made that the flight was full, am glad I refused to go on standby
The flight itself was fine, food was nothing special, but other end of the flight left much to be desired!
