This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Over-nighted at the Holiday Inn at Gatwick following trip over from Heathrow where I had left my car ready for my return on VS10
Very bad night sleep, more down not wanting to sleep late rather than a lack of comfort, although the bed was not the most luxurious I have ever had.
The shuttle but to the South Terminal was waiting once I had checked out and it took only a few minutes to arrive at the drop-off point. The walk to check-in was an assault course from the moment I walked off the moving walkway, especially around the Monarch desks. Why do people insist on standing right in the middle of the more open areas so as to create choke points?
Arriving at the check-in area I could see a small queue in the Y area along with a pile of parents, children, buggies, cases and those awful ‘Trunki’ cases that parents think are fun for children to run around terminals with. Why not just give them a scythe each with which to hack at ankles with? At least it would be a clean cut!! Luckily I was called to the PE desk almost immediately and processed with no problems. I wasn’t asked the usual security questions either, which was a first. The whole check-in process took about 5 minutes and I headed off to Security for next step. As it was about 6.30, fast track wasn’t open so I was directed to the Assistance queue. This took about 20 minutes to complete and going by the amount of trips to the wheelies bins, the 100ml rule still hasn’t sunk in, 4 years on!!!
Once I had cleared security (laptop and boarding card given the bang-bang swab) I took the chance to head upstairs to the Clubhouse. On arrival it was deserted and as such I had no problems booking a treatment in the Cowshed. Initially I went for a massage at 9 o’clock and then sought breakfast out. Being a bit of a greedy pig (and getting monies worth) I went for the Eggs Benedict twice, with the always-excellent tea. Even having two, it didn’t hang around for long. Being only ten past seven, a quick return to the Cowshed resulted in a 7.30 massage. The massage itself wasn’t quite as intense as I’d hoped for but then they do have to cater for all tastes.
More tea, waffles and champagne followed along with my traditional Mojito I sat back, chilled in the calm. Prior to the calling of the St Lucia and Barbados flights, it was filling up fast. Soon after the calling, calm and near-silence returned.
At 10:30 the first call went out and as the Trunki’s from check-in had arrived, I decided to pre-empt them board early (as it happens, they weren’t on my flight. Oh well…). Down to gate 19 where G-VAST Ladybird was waiting, looking good in her new lettering.
Priority boarding was in effect at the entrance to the gate, but not at the jetway. Boarding took 10 minutes and I soon settled into seat 10K with a glass of champagne being rapidly offered. We pushed away pretty much on time and only a 5-10 minute wait for takeoff. We had barely finished climbing before the seatbelt sign went off and G&T with ice and lime was offered. The suite was in a reasonable state with a few chips where the screen goes but that looks more like ham-fisted users than a design fault. As usual, hardly anyone paid any attention the safety briefing.
Now, previous readers of my trip reports will know that when it comes to children, I fall into the “tolerate, but…” category. Out of 14, 5 were young adults (as I believe the PC term is). To be fair though, apart from the odd grizzle, they were very quiet and after the meal service, went to sleep.
Talking of meals, I chose:
Smoked Halibut
Braised Beef Wellington
Sticky toffee pudding
The meal was excellent although I would have liked a bit more halibut. The beef was tasty and being braised meant it didn’t need hacking away at. The more said about the Sticky Toffee, the better. It didn’t last long at all. My choice of wine fell to the Spanish Dario Crianza 2007. It improves no end with a bit of breathing and was very drinkable.
Post-dinner, the usual Odyssey gremlins appeared and a reboot was needed. Not being impressed or even remotely interested in what was on offer, I adjourned to the bar where I’m sat now, writing this. The cheese plate and a glass of 2005 Graham’s port is on the way…
Passenger number wise, the plane is rammed solid as it’s the Friday before half-term.
The flight did seem to drag but looking at the skymap we seemed to take a more westerly route down over Toronto, Virginia and the Carolinas than I remember. Flying time was 9 hours.
The landing was straight in and onto a gate with minimal delay. The airbridge went to door 2(??) and the crew did a good job of holding both the main economy cabin and upstairs back. A quick walk to immigration and I was through in about 2 minutes. Priority baggage worked too, mine was 12th case off. No way was I using the secondary belts and up the stairs to the train. All in all, 10 minutes and I was at the check-in for the Hyatt.
In management speak, the flight was "pure vanilla". Nothing outstanding and nothing bad. A bit too much Galley FM but as it was a day flight, not a problem. No-one else used the bar so it was a bit lonely there and the V-Flyer cards I left remained until the end. Service was there when needed, but as there is only 14 out a full plane, the crew are best used elsewhere.
OK, I will admit to missing the LHR 744's with V-Port but a fully loaded laptop made up for it.
Thanks
Darren
Darren
.
