This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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Aircraft: B747-400, Mustang Sally
Seats: 20A&D
Having arrived at JFK feeling somewhat... dishevelled, after our journey from Tampa with AA, we made our way over to the calm Virgin check in area at T4 at around 2.45pm.
We were originally booked in PE on the VS4.
Nobody around at this time so checked in by a very polite chap immediately at the PE desk, and (after a bit of a haggle) managaed to score 18A&C bulkhead seats. We asked the agent about upgrades to Upper and were advised that none were available as all flights were full that night.
After a bit of fresh air outside the terminal, we spied an empty ticket desk, so decided to chance our arm at the upgrade again. Turned out we were in luck, and emerged about 25 minutes later £30 and 12,500 miles each lighter clutching two purple boarding passes for the VS46.
Our checked bag would also be transferred from the VS4 to the VS46 (it was checked to London in Tampa). So, our second UC trip was ahead of us!I exchanged a bit of banter with the VS agents manning the front of the check in queue about their iPads showing all the onboard products, and how we'd managed to score the upgrades. Nice people really displaying the Virgin spirit.
Headed to the Clubhouse for the next 4 hours or so before departure. We enjoyed some champagne, food and the views over the airfield. The TAM customers did seem to make it rather busier than it would be with only Virgin customers. Service was good though.
Called for boarding around an hour before departure, made our way through the bedlam of security, and down to the gate. Priority boarding was in full effect so no queuing, except for a fairly lengthy wait inside the jet bridge as economy passengers were also boarding at that time.
The new metallic red livery looked great in the evening light.
Greeted warmly (not by name) and directed 'to the left sir'
to 20A&D. Can't remember the CC's name who looked after us, but she was very friendly and engaging from the off, this was to continue throughout the flight. The cabin looked slightly worn, but I'm used to the more 'shiny' A340-600's.Flight time was 6 hours exactly, and due to arrive half an hour early at 7.20am. We took off at 8.20pm after a pretty lengthy taxi and queue for runway 31L.
I loved the power of the 747 on take-off, nice short roll, smooth take off and an immediate steep left turn out over Long Island.
I opted for a hot chocolate and cookies (very nice) and asked to be woken for breakfast. The crew worked like beavers (but in a good, co-ordinated way) in the galley for the first hour of the flight, given most people just wanted to sleep.
Once I'd eaten, I went into bed mode and watched an episode of 'The Inbetweeners' which I find hilarious. I then tried to sleep, but failed miserably. (My GF, who never sleeps on aircraft) was away with the fairies). By then it was around 2 hours into the flight, and the cabin lights were off, however there was no escaping the fact that I was hungry! I had eaten the curry in the CH at about 4pm, but tummy said 10pm was time for more food! So, I trudged into the galley an apologetically confessed my hunger, and "please could I have the salmon express supper?" The same lady I mentioned before was super, nothing too much trouble. I devoured the meal in about 5 minutes, and found it rather nice.
I returned the tray myself because I didn't want the CC to have to come and fetch it, and spent a while chatting to them all. Turned out my CC was part-time and has two little ones, she also agreed with my summary of AA.
Lay down for a snooze, up again for a comfort break and another chat with the crew, this time with a CC who had an iPad2 containing all the crew safety documents etc. The FSM (very friendly scottish lady) was in the galley eating her meal at that time too. I noticed that all the Upper Class CC were 'Senior Cabin Crew' is this normal? The FSM didn't speak to either of us during the flight, (should she have?) but the crew seemed to work well under her management.
I managed about 2 hours sleep before I was woken for Breakfast about an hour before landing. I'm not sure how I was woken, because I certainly didn't feel anything! I enjoyed the bacon roll (warm and seemed pretty fresh) and some fruit, whilst watching a nice sunrise outside.
Most people were in the land of nod, so we decided to get changed, ready for landing before the inevitable rush when the seatbelt sign came on.
We were held in a stack/hold for around 10 minutes, so our arrival was at 7.30am on runway 9L. I enjoyed a nice view of Reading's football ground, and Windsor Castle on approach.
Taxiing was quite slow because we parked up in the T3 'cul-de-sac' in front of the Clubhouse. Priority disembarkation was in effect, and we made the march to immigration. Only a short wait there, and into the baggage hall. We did notice that the refurbishment of T3 has improved the corridors, immigration and baggage halls. It's just a shame the outside (when looking at it from an aircraft) looks so unappealing. Our checked bag came off with the UC/PE bags after a short wait, which we were very impressed by given it only had an AA 'priority' tag on and had been shifted between flights at JFK.
There was a fairly sizeable queue at Revivals, so we decided to head up to the top of the short stay car park to collect our car from Purple Parking Meet & Greet. The car was eventually delivered an hour after landing, very poor service and some very unprofessional staff didn't help matters. They have offered us £20 refund, the value of the Meet and Greet over the standard mini-bus service, which seems fair. Thankfully we weren't in a hurry, and enjoyed a sunny drive back along the clear roads. Managed to keep going until about 1pm when we zonked out for about 2 hours. Jetlag hasn't been too bad, and we felt much less frazzled having flown Upper.
So in conclusion, we were delighted with the upgrade and really enjoyed the treat. The Virgin staff we dealt with were all very good or excellent, and the novelty of being in bed on an aircraft will never wear off. We sent a complimentary email to Virgin about the crew on our return.
In future we loved Upper Class, and will definitely look to fly Upper again where possible on night flights. However, I would say that we usually fly PE and that's easily good enough for US East Coast trips and day flights, as well as being great value to NY with the Economy seat sale plus AMEX voucher.
Always planning a trip somewhere!
. But a great result nonetheless. The thirty quid was probably extra tax ..
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