VS200 LHR-SYD 13 OCT 10 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

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Sorry this is quite long but was a very long flight.

This was my first trip on UC as my hubby (CD) and I were going to Oz for only 13 days (for a wedding) we felt that the extra expense on UC was worth it. That said we wanted to make the most of it and therefore I have been scouring the forums for the tips and hints – so thanks everybody.

We got to Heathrow very early to make the most out of the Club House, to my slight dismay at check-in there was a long queue at UC and no queue at Y or PE. We used our initiative and went straight to PE much to some other UC customers annoyance, I think they were a bit slow moving people over. After that we went into the lift and through the private security which was a real treat, CD finds security the most stressful part and really felt this was a bonus.

We rushed through the terminal which seemed ridiculously busy and found the CH. I thought I may be disappointed after I had read a few people have had some gripes but it far exceeded my expectations. CD had not done his homework unlike me so was pleasantly surprised. To say we made the most of the CH might be an understatement we booked in for our treatments straight away I went with the Facial and he the massage (both were great). We then had the obligatory glass of champagne and a few snacks from the deli bar, after that a game of pool and then dinner followed by our treatments. During this time I think I slightly over indulged in the beverages, all the staff were very good at filling us up. We were the last people in the CH when our flight was called and went straight on to the plane.

Unfortunately this first leg is all a bit of a blur due to the CH consumption and another glass of champagne on board. However the staff were super helpful and after a quick snack made up my bed. When I woke I only had a couple hours of the flight left and a booming headache (I know serves me right) . After a bacon roll, which I have to say was very tasty I was starting to feel a bit better. The FA’s were great and could not have been more help but the FSM was conspicuous in his absence and never really helped during the flight. Slight complaint the other end our bags were nearly the last ones off with no UC ticket or priority sticker.

After a few days in HK we had the second leg from HK to Sydney I vowed to be far more sensible about my alcohol intake as feeling hung over negated the reason we were going UC. After checking in at the train station (very handy) we went straight to the HK lounge with a few hours spare and had a snack; a steak sandwich and a lemonade. The steak sandwich was really tasty, better than anything I had at the Heathrow CH. We were both feeling a bit sticky after the journey so we both had a shower, the facilities were really clean and the cowshed products were great.

The gate is very close to the lounge but you have another security check where they check for liquids again, which annoyed CD as he drinks litres of water on the flight and had brought some on with him. This time I asked for my sleep suit early to make sure I got a small (on the last leg I had a large) which I did. I was in 5a this time and I preferred the 9k you which feels a bit more private, I think it is because of the barrier in the middle. I just had a main course as I had only just eaten in the CH, it was the pasta which was quite tasty. The FSM served the wine and was really on hand chatting to people and making sure we were all happy. After a few films I bedded down again, there were a few toddlers on the flight and one pretty noisy one to the horror of their parents, the ear plugs definitely came in handy. However all in all slept a good 5 hours which was not bad on an 8/9 hour flight and woke up very much more refreshed having been sensible with my alcohol consumption. Only black mark on the flight was that one of the toilets broke which did mean a bit of a queue again 5a you notice this more as people mingle in the aisles.

We got through security quickly, partly because the FSM handed out express tickets and our luggage was much quicker coming off. All in all we were very happy with the flight.

Will try and write up the return which we did in one hit which was where the UC comes into its own.

Nice trip report, thanks. Must admit I would never again do a flight to Oz in anything other than UC, it really makes all the difference on arrival there and on the return.

Loved the TR as it reminded me of my trips to Sydney. I am particularly encouraged that you managed a treatment in the CH as since the new system I have been unlucky every time. I arrive straight from work so maybe I need to ensure an earlier start from now on.
Like you I am a fan of the HKG CH and always have a shower before going on to SYD. The sorbet is amazing too!

Thanks for the great TR, makes me want to go to Sydney even more

Unfortunately this first leg is all a bit of a blur due to the CH consumption and another glass of champagne on board.

Thats the norm isn't it for V-flyers ...

...there were a few toddlers on the flight and one pretty noisy one to the horror of their parents, the ear plugs definitely came in handy.

Disgraceful behaviour taking toddlers into UC, especially on the SYD route

Hope good time was had "down under"..

NH

[honey lamb]

Sorry this is quite long but was a very long flight.

Don't apologise. The longer, the better. We love detail.

That said we wanted to make the most of it and therefore I have been scouring the forums for the tips and hints – so thanks everybody.

You're welcome.

During this time I think I slightly over indulged in the beverages, all the staff were very good at filling us up. We were the last people in the CH when our flight was called and went straight on to the plane.

Unfortunately this first leg is all a bit of a blur due to the CH consumption and another glass of champagne on board. However the staff were super helpful and after a quick snack made up my bed. When I woke I only had a couple hours of the flight left and a booming headache (I know serves me right) .

Welcome to the club

The FA’s were great and could not have been more help but the FSM was conspicuous in his absence and never really helped during the flight.

Erm, how did you know? You were asleep

Slight complaint the other end our bags were nearly the last ones off with no UC ticket or priority sticker.

It's the bar code that determines that the case goes into the priority bin, not stickers or UC labels. The agent at the PE desk must not have entered the correct detail. On the subject of the crowded UC desks, I was surprised that there wasn't a staff member patrolling the area and diverting passengers to the DTCI area which has happened to me on a couple of occasions

Thanks for a very good TR and we await the return with anticipation!

[mitchja]

Thanks for the great TR.

I've also never had much luck with priority luggage when arriving in HKG and I've done this flight several times now. Last time I landed at HKG my bag was almost the very last one off. I think it must be to do with how the A/C is unloaded at HKG maybe?

Thank you for the great TR.

Hopefully I'll experience as good a service in a month as it's my first time in UC too!