This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
I was very much looking forward to our second UC flight out of LHR (the wife, not so much, as she hates flying!). I was curious to see how it compared to our flight last summer to Chicago. Having checked in online (seq 8 & 9 - boooo!!), we arrived to drop our bags where there was no queue (couldn't help feeling a little smugness, when I saw the large, snaking queue to our left!). Bags dropped, we made our way through security - my wife sailed through, though I got a full on frisking! Having only managed an hour in the CH last time, I was determined to enjoy the experience for a little longer this time, so we made our way there tout suite, with a very quick detour via duty free. On arrival, a very nice gentleman asked if it was our first time, and even though it wasn't, still offered to show us around. We made a beeline to book treatments, having missed out on them last time. Neck/shoulder massage for me, pedicure for the wife. After that, it was straight to the brasserie for some lunch. I had the burger and a peroni, whilst the wife had the prosciutto salad - all very good, and very quick service (it was about half full). After that, it was time for a cocktail - ordered a couple of Virgin Redheads, and then relaxed and flicked through the papers. The treatments were excellent - my massage was pretty brutal, but I came away feeling much looser. The wife was very happy with the pedicure, and the shellac (?!) treatment for £20 extra was well worth it, as the toenails in question are still looking pristine. More cocktails after this - brambles and mojitos, whilst watching the England test match on the big screen, before we headed to the gate (a bit fluffy by now!). Thanks to the vflyer forum for the seat tips - 11A and 12A were great seats. On our previous UC flight, the wife and I were sat opposite, but being in adjacent seats was much better. Champagne was very quickly dispensed, and we were asked if we knew our way around the cabin. Then drinks orders were taken - had to be a G&T! Needless to say I was desperate for the seatbelt sign to go off ;-)
I, unlike my wife, tend to enjoy airline food (I must be in a minority!). I went for the risotto then the salmon, whilst she had the feta and tomato tart followed by the beetroot tortellini. The threat of turbulence wipes out her appetite, so I pretty much had four courses! I also got half of her lemon tart to go with my own portion, as well as cheese and port. Oink oink!!! All pretty good - but as I said, perhaps I'm not the most critical judge!
After that, we settled down to watch a couple of movies, before afternoon tea, which I just about squeezed in! Cabin crew were all great - very helpful but not intrusive. Just what you want. As is usually the case, the IFE got turned off about 20 mins before the end of the film I was watching (Paul) - fortunately it was still playing on the return flight, so got to see the end. Logan was very smooth (unlike LHR on the way back), and we had the most jolly Border Agency person I've experienced in my half a dozen times entering the US. Had an amazing 2 weeks in New England, and fortunately managed to dodge Hurricane Irene. Should anyone want a tip if looking for somewhere to stay in Maine - the Topside Inn at Boothbay Harbor is amazing!!
