This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
So having checked in online the night before and secured a rather depressing seq 139 the final evening was spent packing, getting organised and trying to get a good-nights sleep - though for someone who gets so excited before a trip, the latter point proved rather difficult
As the flight didn't leave until 1310 it does mean a rather less rushed feel to those last minute things to do. Across the M62 from lovely Horbury to Manchester had me arriving in the newly located Virgin check in area at just after 10am.
Check in for VS73 was well and truly underway and only had to wait a few mins at the UC desk to be processed as a family ahead of me were been attended to. The check in agent was rather friendly actually (my last flight from MAN seemed like it was a real effort for the ground team
)I noticed the new purple UC bag tags and was provided with a hefty supply as she mentioned they didn't have them yet at MCO! Bags on their way and it was time to say cheerio to my folks who were spending the day in Manchester.
Through fast-track quickly and without any fuss. Picked up my currency and a couple of books to read and then it was through a rather empty T2 up the Escape lounge.
I was greeted warmly and escorted to the dedicated "business class lounge" across the corridor. I was told to make myself at home and to let them know if I needed anything. Ok the escape lounge is not the Clubhouse by any means - but I find the staff are always so friendly and helpful, breakfast was ongoing wth hot bacon and sausage sandwiches, bakery items, fruit, cereals and toast - juices and coffee were flowing too.
At 11am the lounge started to fill with the business class transfer passengers from the PIA flight just arrived from Lahore and going onwards to JFK - they stayed until around 12noon when they were all called back to the gate. Back to my flight, and boarding had been advised to begin at 1155 which semed rather early and it was too as we were not called to gate 204 until 1225. A member of staff directed us down the staircase and I was on my way
At the gate boarding was well advanced and I simply walked up the priority line and was greeted warmly and sent down the air-bridge. I was greeted at the door (not my name) and advised to turn left and keep walking....On reaching the UC cabin, two people were at the bar already with champagne and I found my seat. Within seconds, the CSS approached and welcomed me onboard and offered a drink - champagne was requested and arrived.
The new purple designed menu was on the ottoman with the amenity kit. I settled in and was offered and accepted another glass of champagne. So the cabin had only 4 people in it until the last week when it suddenly increased to 11 and then on the actual flight - all 14 seats were filled. Two were clearly upgrades for family of staff members who were travelling in PE (more on that later) - newspapers and magazines were offered too before we closed up.
At 1300 it was confirmed that 354 people were onboard with 17 crew and a flight time of 8hrs 51mins and we were ready to go. A very jolly welcome from the captain completed things before we pushed back at 1304 - we pushed back and sat there for about 10mins until looking out of the window I spotted someone pointing to the ground with thumbs down - not a good sign
The captain came on and advised we had a small technical issue which we would need to return to the gate for and he would keep us updated. Back at the gate, he came back on the PA again to explain that a valve needed to be replaced and it would take around an hour to complete - he did say it was lucky one was in stock at MAN and I think the entire flight were pleased about that
The cabin crew swung into action by switching off the seat belt sign, opened up the washrooms, switched on the IFE and started to serve drinks. Refills were offered and pretzels and crisps were offered too. The captain came down at 1400 into UC to personally explain what was happening which I thought was good of him and he might well have walked the aircraft too but didn't see it - he reassured everyone this would be sorted and all was going well.
At 1430 he came back on the PA and advised the problem had been fixed and we would be on our way soon. At 1450 he advised we were still waiting for the flight plan to be refiled with ATC and then we would be on our way - at 1456 we pushed back and the safety video was shown again and we performed a rather quick taxi to runway 23R. Airborne at 1511, two hours late.
Though the problem was fixed and was beyond the control of VS, they handled this really well.
Within minutes of being in the air - drink orders were taken, a large G&T (lime onboard too!) was ordered and delivered quickly with either a small bowl of crisps or olives - hot towels were provdied and the FSM came to introduce herself to every UC passenger and had a couple of mins with everyone - great service.
The FSM then came around and offered everyone refills of their drinks and more crisps or olives. Whilst this was happening, lunch orders were taken (can it still be called lunch at 1530) - it was good to see actual revenue passengers offered their meal choices first ahead of upgrade passengers and shortly afterwards at 1600 the tables were laid for the main meal service. The FSM was visible throughout the main meal service.
The new tableware was in use though my old friends as the salt and pepper shakers were still putting in an appearance (more of that later too)
I enjoyed the spicy soup which was tasty, warming and served with two rounds of warm bread. I had chosen the beef which was delicious it must be said with regular refills of wine and water - the flight was going well.
Dessert of warm sticky toffee pudding and fresh cream rounded things off nicely but hand on a minute....the CSS came back offered cheese and port, she twisted my arm without much effort and this was a great end to the meal (though the chutney had not been loaded!) - coffee and a little box of chocolates were enjoyed at the bar.
When my table was cleared away I asked the FSM if I could take my salt and pepper friends and was a little taken aback when she said no - she was nice about it and something to do that only 14 sets had been loaded and they needed to be used on the return flight so if I took one, one of the return passengers would have to do without - sounded odd to me but obviously I said I would leave for another time.
Using the bathroom a little late on, some crew members who were travelling in PE (on staff tickets) were in the UC galley drinking champagne and enjoying some UC food (of what was left) out of sight of the other PE passengers and were laughing and joking - must be said though the service level in UC did not suffer as a result.
Then at around 6pm flying into daylight, the cabin was plunged into darkness with window shades lowered and lights dimmed, so just about everyone made up their beds and settled down. Whilst I was watching a couple of movies (Nova just does not get any better!) I was regularly checked in if I needed anything and my water bottle was refilled twice.
The bar had been dressed with a fruit bowl, bags of pretzels and a bowl of chocolates so a few were enjoyed on visits to/from the washrooms!
Two hours from MCO orders were taken for afternoon tea - I asked if I could have all the sandwiches with the exception of the salmon but was told all the sandwiches were packed together and she would not be able to take it out.....
Anyway the sandwiches arrived and the salmon was actually very good and was enjoyed with a warm scone with clotted cream and jam and a slice of walnut coffee cake - tea was refreshingly hot and refills offered too.
Hot towels were provided as we strapped in for the arrival and the FSM came around to thank everyone for their company and loyalty with love hearts offered as a final treat.
Touching down at just before 1900 it was obviously dark outside and I could see in the distance the tail of the Air France flight from Paris which obviously had been delayed too and it was already pulling onto the stand...thinking the worst we pulled up at gate 81 alongside the Air France jet only to find that I was one of the first in the immigration hall, not sure what happened but somehow 354 passengers from MAN were in the arrivals hall before the passengers from Paris who had arrived around 5mins before us at the gate.
Immigration was a breeze and my bags were waiting for me and a quick dash through customs had me landside at 1930. Now to the fun and frolics of Florida for a week....
