This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
I was hoping for an OP upgrade or perhaps I could use miles to upgrade as I was travelling on an S fare code. Anyway, stuck with my original seat choice of 19C and because it was a day flight thought I can cope in PE but was worried it might be the same crew as it was only two days after arriving that I was flying back.
Sunday morning came early and up at 4am to get myself organised for the short walk from the Newark Marriott to Terminal B - though New York was suffering with an icy blast this past weekend.
Checking in at 5am, I was told that row 18 was not available, for the second week running it was clearly pre-assigned. I stopped by the CH which was just coming to life and the breakfast buffet was not yet open - in the end it opened at 6am which must be its regular opening time?
Whilst waiting coffee and juice were enjoyed though I could not get the wifi to work, again for the second week in a row. The lady at the desk was sorry and said it was an issue at times and would report it.
I left the lounge around 645am to head across to Gate 54, a quick fly through security which was very quiet this time and was at the gate around 655am. As I arrived my name was announced to visit the gate desk with about another 12 names. I approached thinking was this it......or was something wrong with my seat and they needed to change it.....anyway, it was good news.
The conversation went like this "As a Gold card holder and to thank you for your loyalty to Virgin Atlantic we would like to upgrade you to enjoy Upper Class today" without a moment's thought, I was rather too grateful I think and we said a friendly goodbye and I was on my way to sit back down with a purple boarding pass in my hand.
Boarding commenced at 720am and I was through onto to the aircraft "Soul Sister" just about skipping and jumping but making my way through L1, it was quickly established this was a different crew to the outbound, which was a huge relief all round. I was greeted by a cheery cabin crew member who asked if I would like a drink - I asked for a mimosa without the orange juice which achieved a broad smile and a "I love that" comment from the cabin crew member. Think Honeylamb was the first with this, so thank you.
As boarding continued a second glass of champagne was offered and accepted - texting my brother with a comment "is it too early for champagne" which produced a "no it's not" reply from Yorkshire!
Push back was at 804am and take off at 820am. A flight time of 6hrs45mins was promised and 264 passengers with 13 cabin crew were confirmed. The FSM, Kim Clarke (permission sought and granted) ran a well planned team and a tight ship. We also had another FSM working in UC who was looking after my row and the UC CSS was professional and friendly throughout - team work that showed all the way back to LHR.
UC was full so quite a few upgrades but so was PE so some economy passengers were lucky too it would seem.
After the hot towel run, I made myself comfortable ready for breakfast. My suite was showing a little damage around the edges but was comfortable and it was good to be back in UC after quite a few flights recently in PE.
Breakfast was served - Fruit plate with yoghurt, bacon roll, croissants, cereals, apple muffin, tea/coffee and juice. A wee while later, drinks were offered. I asked for a gin and tonic and said "was it too early for a G&T" which a reply came from the second FSM "it is never too early" - this came along served with ice and lime (as requested) large and strong. A little plate of pretzels and nuts came along for the ride too.
A second one followed and went down far too easily as the champagne well and truly flowed around me, a kind of party atmosphere soon developed (or perhaps that was the gin) with the bar area very busy and drinks flowing throughout the cabin.
Around 3hrs from LHR, dinner tables were laid and a quick drinks run offered though I settled for a diet cola this time. I ordered the grilled chicken salad take out style - having read and seen lots about it on v-flyer I did wonder how I would get along with it but it arrived in a white box with chopsticks and I really liked it. The dressing was spicy and went well with the tasty and juicy chicken.
While enjoying this, wine was served along with water and warm bread and this came around again as my main course arrived. I enjoyed the Steak and Mushroom pie which was a huge portion and came with green beans, rich gravy and mashed potato - it was delicious.
More wine, water and warm bread followed as I ordered dessert and enjoyed a cheesecake. The second FSM came along and said he hoped I had saved room for cheese and a glass of port and I had really, so both arrived and went down well. A second glass of port was offered but declined but I finished off the Italian wine which was very good, with the offer of opening another bottle which I said no to!!!
Coffee and chocolates arrived as we commenced our decent into LHR at 715pm. This crew worked really hard and nothing was too much trouble, I passed on my thanks to the FSM Kim which said she had enjoyed the flight too and was pleased I had enjoyed the service.
A few loops around London and we touched down at 759pm arriving onto Gate 32 at 809pm. A truly memorable flight with a fantastic crew - thank you Kim and the team, you did very well and restored my faith in Virgin Atlantic after my poor outbound flight.
When it works, it works very well indeed and in my view, cannot be beaten.
