VS001 LHR-EWR 5 JUN 11 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Seems like there’s a glitch with the limo service booking system; whenever I use it to take me to/from Manchester airport, something doesn’t quite translate. The driver turned up at my house & it was only by checking the job notes that he found out he wasn’t driving me direct from Yorkshire to LHR. The usual short delay at T5 hit, this time the docking system had failed & they couldn’t get the plane the final 10ft onto the gate. As usual I skipped flight connections & exited thru T5 arrivals onto the Heathrow Express, arriving at T3 check in within 15 minutes. The check in agent had to re-start my booking as the details were with the drive thru check in agents in the upstairs upper class wing – again down to the limo booking service. No matter how many times I use the main check in, I never tire of using the private lift & magic door into the upper class wing.

The Clubhouse seemed quiet for a Sunday lunch & I soon got settled into my 3.5 layover with a selection of cocktails, deli selection & the bacon & egg salad. Boarding was bang on the time the receptionist had told me & the gate was empty with all non-lounge pax already boarded.

Crew were the usual mix, the FSM & CSS never came around to say hello but the crew member running my section was very friendly, stopping by each of her pax to say hello & let us know to call if we needed anything – even it was just a chat! A quick push back & taxi had us in the air on time & the promise of a short 6.5 flight. Service was great; I really enjoyed the menu options of risotto & guinea fowl. The crew seemed keen to hear what people thought of it, sounds like maybe it’s receiving mixed reviews but I thought it made a nice change to have something relatively light & flavoursome without being too rich or full of garlic. I was too full for dessert straight away but grabbed a piece of the lemon tart later & that was also excellent. Afternoon tea was just the scone for me, but with a mini-whoopie on the side. We landed into EWR 45 minutes early, de-planed without delay & hit a deserted immigration hall – always a welcome sight.
Overall a great trip, now looking forward to checking out the re-vamped EWR lounge on Thursday & a good sleep on the flight home.

I’ve hedged my bets on the connecting flight to MCR with 2 options; a quick transfer if we get in on time or a couple of hours to relax in revivals if we’re delayed

The Crispy Egg and Bacon salad - not quite what we were expecting, I rather enjoyed it.

I think VS are getting mixed reviews about the menu, the crew did sort of say that last night on my way back on the VS4 but I think its a bold statement - something different and something new. I hope it pays off, some people on the flight over last week to JFK were really not impressed whilst others loved the different approach.....It will always come down to personal taste I guess.

Enjoy your trip and let us know what you think of the Newark lounge. I have only been through it when catching the VS18 but have heard the evening buffet is good.

Jon

i agree, i think its brave & innovative. The Newark buffet is limited to one hot option (or at least it was a year go) so if that's not to taste then there's nothing else other than snacks.

one feature i do like is that because its pre-security, you can actually check-in & get your boarding card at the lounge & skip the check-in desks completely

i agree, i think its brave & innovative. The Newark buffet is limited to one hot option (or at least it was a year go) so if that's not to taste then there's nothing else other than snacks.

There's usually a hot meat option, vegetarian options, soup, salad, and cheese, then pudding, so while it might appears there's only one option there are actually a lot.

And, I think the food in the EWR clubhouse is the best quality of any!

Tks for the TR

[honey lamb]

There's usually a hot meat option, vegetarian options, soup, salad, and cheese, then pudding, so while it might appears there's only one option there are actually a lot.

And, I think the food in the EWR clubhouse is the best quality of any!

I'd agree with you on that

thanks for the TR, glad to hear the new menu went down well!

Thank you for the TR.

Thanks for the TR, nice to hear positive views on the food.