VS043 LGW-LAS 28 NOV 10 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

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Cabin Crew

Well, as many people will know my genuine intention was to be sat in 41H as this was a late planned trip. The year has been financially draining (not helped by our foray in Emirates First suites on their fabulous A380 and Dragonbaby's acquisition of Fanny the Fiesta and the horrendous insurance costs associated with provisional/newly qualified drivers ). Consequently Mr DL and I (both cheesed with work/ the weather and the vaguaries of a 17 yr old daughter ) had booked a fairly late trip flying into LAS and out of LAX in economy.
As we had CH /Lounge access at LGW /LAX due to my (sure to be non- retained) status I was sure all would be fine .

Anyway... on the 26th Nov mother nature opened her heavens and dumped a load of snow on a cold and dismal S.Wales. Mr DL's daily commute home from accross the bridge took 4 hours (as opposed to the usual 1.5 hrs ). The 27th dawned, and bright and early (mindful of the weather) Mr DL and I loaded up the car and headed up the M4 for LGW.
Continuing in the "thrifty" theme I'd bagged a late deal at the Travelodge for £23 (the Hilton wanted £180) and we'd planned to go out with some friends from the South coast and would be in the room for less than 7 hours this seemed a good deal (WRONG!!!!).
Arriving at LGW we dumped the bags and went for some food and a drink. Mr DL then departed for LHR as Purple Parking were collecting the car as a "meet and greet" and he was getting the National Express back to LGW (with a taxi from the terminal)as we were flying back into LHR.
Several hours later our friends arrived and we had a lovely evening with them (even if my friend did book a table at the wrong Copthorne LOL ).
Back to the Travelodge, and I got about an hours sleep due to the number of people talking loudly in the corridor (way past midnight) and who were happy to let their children run up and down the corridors shreaking . Never again.....
Anyway the alarm went off at 5.30am and at 6.15 we arrived at the terminal having used the shuttle.
UC check in was deserted and bags checked in (I did have to remind her to priority tag them) and I asked the agent how busy UC was and was advised numerous seats available but that I would need to visit the ticketing counter in order to upgrade . Sleep deprived and more cranky than usual I needed no encouragement to move cabins so Mr DL and zipped over and after a brandishing of the cc and depletion of miles from my account we were in possession of nice purple boarding cards .
Fast track had by this time opened (it was now just after 7am ), and was deserted so we were through in a matter of minutes and in the CH a couple of minutes after that.
My last visit to the LGW CH was last year (BGI flight) pre- refurb and I have to say me no likey . The beauty of LGW was that is was cosy (with great service) and used to feel like the "old" LHR CH.
The "new" CH is IMHO not a patch on the old .Service was sloooooow (unless you were the staffers sat next to us). We booked treatments immediately (3rd and 4th in the CH) but were slotted in for 9.30 and 10am as people on earlier flights "might " want treatments (little evidence of activity between 7-9).
My request for the obligatory Mojito was met with a resounding NO . They no longer carry mint in the CH and can't "do" anything not listed on the ( very limited) menu so most cocktails are off limits . I settled for a latte and had the duck pancakes for brekkie which left a horid aftertaste. I asked the waitress for a tooth cleaning kit and was told "No they're no longer available" so decided to toodle down to Boots to buy a toothbrush and toothpaste as my mouth felt foul .
On the way out the concierge asked if I was off to do some shopping and I said "yes- for a toothbrush and toothpaste". "I can get you one of those" she says (and she did ).
The treatments were OK - Mr DL had a massage and me a manicure bit there was poor interaction.
At first call Mr DL and I packed up and headed for the gate.
I asked for a bottle of water at the bar on our departure but was declined as they have "big" bottles which they can't give out . I was livid. Sorry your Au/UC passengers can't have a bottle of water that costs you 50p??????
In foul mood I stomped to the gate where priority boarding clearly marked but there seemed to be a dearth of passengers .
As the load was so light (160) all economy/PE passengers had already boarded so we headed down an empty gantry to the fabulous crew awaiting us .
From the moment we got to the door I knew this was going to be a "special" flight .Greeted by name, coat taken and a glass of fizz in minutes (followed by another shortly after ).The FSM Helen (permission to use name), Jose (permission to use name ) and M****(I forgot to ask her permission) were fabulous up front.
My Au status was quickly acknowledged (the only one in UC and one of 3 in total) with the comment "and we WILL look after you today". And gosh they did .
As the lovely Craig Reville Horwood would say "FAB U LOUS".
I really can't say anything more. Great drink service (even if it was Bombay it was lovely and served with lime ), great food (Cauliflower soup, Beef Wellington,Sticky Toffee pud Cheese and Port). Tea (no cakestand ) but lovely non -adulterated edible sandwiches and stunning carrot cake were served a couple of hours out of LAS.
The crew were uber attentive led by the fantastic Helen ( with VS since almost the start) .I've said it before but it's the FSM who makes or breaks a flight. Kudos . VS need to retain these fantastic staff.I had the bed converted and slept for 3+ hours having given up with the awful IFE that the LGW aircraft are still lumbered with (and it is truely awful )
We arrived in LAS slightly ahead of schedule (despite leaving LGW late having needed to be de- iced) and were promptly off the plane into an almost deserted immigration (save for the Aeremexico stragglers who needed to clear before we could proceed).
We were through immigration in 10 mins with an ultra pleasant official wishing us well . The baggage carousel was just starting up as we entered the baggage hall and the bags were 3rd 4th and 5th out (not that I was counting ). We were out to a dererted taxi rank within 15 minutes of landing and in a cab immediately.We were in the hotel rooms 15 afterb that. .Overall a fantastic flight (one of my best ever with VS).
The return trip however was a different story...
DL
FWIW I managed to consume 6 small bottles (and numerous glasses of water ) on board.......A large botlle from the CH would have been much easier....
Ground crew rating is for check -in and ticketing staff- CH staff rate a 2.5 and no more

[Decker]

Most excellent report - cheers DL .

We booked treatments immediately (3rd and 4th in the CH) but were slotted in for 9.30 and 10am as people on earlier flights "might " want treatments (little evidence of activity between 7-9).

Hmm if such people want treatments then they can jolly well turn up early for them !

Sounds more like a strategy of having an easy morning !

Still a great TR !

Loved the TR a real mix of highs and lows - VS certainly don't keep Cowshed slots for VS200 pax at LHR CH.

Ha ha ha, you are too easily pursuaded Dear Lady D. Agog for the return but why, oh why, duck pancakes, ugh! Your review of the LGW clubhouse leaves me wondering if VS are going to squeeze LHR into a similarly poor state ... I have less desire to fly out of LGW now. Put the crew, once again, seem to have colluded to give you a fabulous time and set the barometer back in a good zone!

Thanks for the TR.
The new management at LGW CH does seem determined to destroy the CH reputation. We can see a pattern developing which is not good for VS.
Glad the crew were good - any comments from them about CH? It could be useful to ensure that the FSM writes feedback on the CH customer reaction.

Thanks for the TR.

It makes a difference being greeted onto the flight!

but why, oh why, duck pancakes, ugh!

Because generally I love them . These however were horrid . Greasy duck (ugh) and the sauce was supposedly plum not hoisin (though it didn't taste like plum to me) and tasted rather unpleasant (hence my need for a toothbrush).
DL

Great Tr your findings with the lgw ch is exactly the reasons why i wont be flying from their again with vs, the service is poor as is the offerings especially that there is no cocktails, not on!

Your flight sounded like a cracker hurrah.

cheers

alex

Thanks for the great TR.