VS015 LGW-MCO 21 FEB 11 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

I don't normally post a TR as every trip seems to be more or less the same, but this one was definitely different, food wise at least.

Flight left an hour late and took nearly ten hours due to a last minute change of route around the NYC area, that said, the time went very quickly due to the excellent cabin crew who were very attentive.

The flight was trialling a new type of menu which not only included the usual offerings in UC but also some added extras and we were encouraged to try as much as possible from the various offerings.

Firstly an amuse bouche - the was a mediterrean sampler of mozzerela cheese, peppers and olives which was extremely flavoursome.

We were also offered 3 options from a Graze Menu, Smoked Salmon salad, Mushroom tagliatelle with Parmesan shavings and a Chilli con Carne bowl. These were all in addition to the normal UC menu.

I didn't fancy any of the desserts on offer so asked for cheese and coffee and was told this would be served after desserts were finished. The crew brought out a trolley with all cheeses on display, the biscuits and a bottle of port and brandy.

Afternoon tea was again served by a trolley with all items on display to choose from. I definitely thought this was better as you could select what you wanted more easily. All sandwiches, scones and cupcakes were elegantly displayed and tea and coffee served from pots from the trolley. UC tables were set with black paper doilies (not sure on that one).

The other change was the hot towels, given out in what I can only describe a origami type cardboard taiwanese style boats

According to the crew, this was a 'one off' trial for that day only and they asked for feedback and our thoughts on the changes.

I certainly felt I was treated more personally and, although it may not sound like a huge improvement, it definitely felt like the UC service from a few years ago.

Very enjoyable flight, an excellent crew and FSM.

Jilly

Any new service improvements / innovations are certainly to be welcome.

Hope people don't take this the wrong way but I wonder why VS did this on one of the more leisure related routes?

Bit off for them to deny you your cheese and biccies until after the desert course!

Can I ask why the ground staff were only 2 star rated?

[buns]

Thanks for this

I suspect that as this was a trial, the use of a smaller UC cabin allows for better presentation and evaluation

buns

I like the idea of a Graze menu, I often have two starters rather than one main anyway.

Very interesting TR, thank you for sharing!

I like the sound of this graze menu and the options provided! Hope they roll out.

Perhaps a short term fix to improve the LGW flights until their update?

Luke

Great TR sounds interesting about the menu trials, i found the food vastly improved last year from the years before, and if they are looking on improving again to enhance the experience then well done vs for trying to make up lost ground.

cheers

alex

Another thumbs up from me - sounds great - always wondered why the MCO flights never got the LHR flights "light bite" option.

Hope this trial becomes permanent.

David

The crew brought out a trolley with all cheeses on display, the biscuits and a bottle of port and brandy.

Afternoon tea was again served by a trolley with all items on display to choose from.

"Can you see it on the trolley?". Marvellous stuff...

Any new service improvements / innovations are certainly to be welcome.

Hope people don't take this the wrong way but I wonder why VS did this on one of the more leisure related routes?

Bit off for them to deny you your cheese and biccies until after the desert course!

Can I ask why the ground staff were only 2 star rated?

TBH I didn't mind waiting and coffee was brought immediately, just had another when cheese was served.

Check in was poor, ignored at the entrance and then Servisair agent carried on talking to another agent behind about when she was next on duty whilst I was waiting.

Jilly

Thanks for this

I suspect that as this was a trial, the use of a smaller UC cabin allows for better presentation and evaluation

buns

Definitely a trial, was told it was just that day but suspect it could have been other flights too as the menu was specially printed with all the options.

Jilly

The crew brought out a trolley with all cheeses on display, the biscuits and a bottle of port and brandy.

Afternoon tea was again served by a trolley with all items on display to choose from.

"Can you see it on the trolley?". Marvellous stuff...

Told that if the trial becomes permanent then new style trollies would be used that are higher so crew didn't have to bend over The ones used were the ones usually laid out in the galley.

Jilly

Very Nice if you are UC but why not PE aswell. We also pay to upgrade so we should trial food etc as well.

That really does sound as though someone at VS is finally listening!
Great news. Many thanks for the report.
Some very good ideas; simple and low cost - I wonder if this is just a sample of one of the ways they can improve - whether there might be alternative trials. If so, please let us know if anyone experiences them.

There have been lots of trials over the last year in all three cabins, not just J.

Thanks for the TR!

Great to hear VS trialing new things, maybe getting new services ready for the new UC?

The trolley service sounds very Emirates business class. They combine cheese and desert though.

On the subject of the trolley, I have liked that in UC there is no trolley pushed down the isles...

I agree that a look at tea etc is good, but I don't like the idea of a trolley :S