This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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The week and a half trip was now over. CDC's were booked (4 of us traveling back so 2 cars were expected). The VS10 was leaving at 23:25 so a 16:30 pickup left a generous amount of time in the CH
However the cars didn't arrive....so on the phone to Premier and after some 3 way conversations with the car company and VS it turned out that there was a balls up with the car bookings meaning that one was due at 17:30 and one at 18:30. VS blamed the travel agent, something I can't prove either way, but we would have to wait. By now it was gone 5 and luckily the first car arrived well before 17:30. It was a Mercedes R class so we managed to all fit in that with our luggage so no real inconvenience. A smooth trip through New Jersey and we were at JFK.Check-in was dead other than a few people at the UC desk. I was checked in at the PE desk by a pretty grumpy agent. No pleasantries or a smile. No security questions. No belt working so bags were taken seemingly manually on a trolly somewhere!
CH pass in hand we headed over to the CH. The CH had a warm welcome and was busy as there were many pax from the 46 in there still and also another airline (Mexican I think). Finding a seat was very challenging but managed to get a table for some dinner after a lap.
Now the CH has a very different feel to the BOS CH - I'm not sure that I like the fact that it feels part of the terminal building but then the airiness and views of the apron are great. Chose the chicken fajita soup, beef and then the apple desert. All were great, as was the Washington State red wine I selected
The servers were not particularly friendly, unfortunately, but efficient.The other flights were called so the lounge was now pretty empty. One hilarious server brightened up the evening - boy she loved her job
and deposited a couple more Washington reds Now I had killed enough time in the CH and was almost glad when the flight was called. We wondered in there would be any delays as there seemed to be some storms around the area but nothing was mentioned.Security was painfully slow and boarding had almost finished when we got to the gate. G-VNAP (Sleeping Beauty) was taking us home. A pleasant welcome at the door and soon settled into the seat with a champers. We were advised that as it was icy we would need to be de-iced twice before take off. 246 pax on board and 14 crew I think.
Push back was on time but the whole de-icing saga took an age and then we waited and waited and waited - eventually wheels up at 1am local. Flight time 6:45 I think was declared. Interesting point to note was that the safety demo video stopped working halfway through so the crew had to go into manual mode very quickly (which they did very well!).
Once we were up the seatbelt sign was on for an eternity (well over an hour) due to some pretty heavy turbulence, so I was glad I had changed into my sleep suit before take off. It was now so late I had declined the dinner, opting for a single malt instead
I then bedded down and got 4 or so hours pretty good sleep. Our crew member was a very pleasant Northern girl who was helpful in getting the bed sorted - she offered a very personal service quote "lay down in there and I'll come and sort you out". Lets say she went as red as her uniform
!This trip on the 346 reminded me that the suite is a bit narrower and the cabin noisier than the A zone on the 744.
I awoke earlier than the rest of the cabin so was able to change easily and then settle into some comedy and a nice breakfast of bacon rolls, muesli, juice and coffee. I have to commend the crew on this flight - very hard working and supported wholeheartedly by the FSM who, dare I say, worked hardest of the lot
Cabin secured and, after holding for about 15 minutes we were on the ground. Quick taxi to stand and we were soon off to deal with immigration, baggage etc all of which was smooth. Once land side, no issues with the CDC!
Overall a great flight and a credit to the airline!
