This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
So my journey to Heathrow was courtesy of Virgin trains in First class and for a journey of just over an hour to Euston I was served a sandwich and a cake, a drink from the bar and tea/coffee - the staff were also friendly and typical Virgin as they were jolly and attentive. From Euston a quick taxi ride to Paddington and then onwards to Heathrow courtesy of the Heathrow Express - all very straight-forward.
Staying at Heathrow the night before worked well as I wished to maximise Clubhouse time the next morning - so decided on the Renaissance on Bath Road opposite the airport. I have stayed here before and it is a typical airport hotel but a new Manager and some new changes made this stay rather more memorable - a glass of sparkling on checking in and my request for a room to overlook the runway was forthcoming. The Club lounge also offers drinks and hot/cold food on an evening during the week, so all went well.
Up with the lark at around 0600 and across to Heathrow to check in - the check in area was empty though it was only 0645. I went straight to the UC check in desks and was processed quickly by a very friendly check in staff member. She thanked me for my loyalty to Virgin and commented upon my AU status and said perhaps with all the Virgin security labels on the back of my passport, I could help in directing people to the lounge later on......!!! So things off to a great start.
Up in the lift and through the private security channel in next to no time, not sure what the current record is but I was quick!!! Stopped off to pick up come currency and then into the Clubhouse where I was welcomed warmly and told to make myself at home. I went straight-away to book a haircut and with the booking secured, I sat in the Brasserie and was approached without any delay, it was really quiet at just gone 7am. So OJ and champagne ordered with the full Clubhouse breakfast which was tasty. Suitably topped up I went across for my haircut and purchased some more tonic - love that stuff for my hair!! I can say without any hesitation that the Clubhouse was not "tired" or "dated" as claimed by BA recently
and the staff team were all lovely as always.So back to check a few emails and make a few calls and enjoyed a redhead and another glass of champagne - 1030 soon arrived for the first boarding call and I left. Within minutes I was at the gate and priority boarding worked well, boarding through L1.
The FSM and CSS were at the door to greet me and get this - I was welcomed by name
we had a little laugh as the FSM had his thumb over the boarding stub and was about to say it had no seat number on it until he realised his thumb was covering it up....set the tone well for the flight it must be said 
Seat clean and tidy and I was offered a glass of champagne quickly and refills were flowing - menu, bottle of water and amenity kit all in position
Boarding did take a while and a couple of celeb's were the last to board, one rather famous US singer (if he can be called that!) and one really down to earth British actor who we all had lots of fun with at the bar later on - more on that in a bit. In fact, two seats down my new "British actor" friend (he just didn't know it at this point) and the US fella at the other side of me in 12A - things did not get off well with that man, he felt he could use his phone despite been told he couldn't and was rather rude to the crew....the rest of the cabin swung the balance in our favour throughout the flight. To be fair after take-off the US guy went to bed and stayed there for 11hrs
and as he had presented some awards the night before, he clearly needed his sleep. His minders who were in Y would come and see he was ok.A word here on recognising AU status as that is a hot topic for us at the moment, I was one of three AU members in UC and none of us were recognised or thanked which was a big shame especially as the FSM nearly fell over hismelf to introduce himself to my new celeb friends!!
Anyway we pushed back at 1140 and were airborne at 1208. The aircraft was Cover Girl and a flight time of 11hrs 13mins was promised with 198 on board and 14 crew - UC and PE were solid but Y was so so quiet.
Once in the air - hot towels were offered and drink orders taken which came with olives or crisps, refills were provided without asking - a great attentive crew.
At just after 1300 lunch orders were taken and I went for the soup, the beef and the cheese. Tables for lunch were laid at 1330 and warm bread offered, followed by water and wine ( top up's very regular
) - CSS was on water duties and the FSM the wine - the FSM was visible in the UC cabin throughout the flight.The spicy soup was delicious as always though this is the third time I have had it so looking forward to a change soon and the beef, well it came very different to how the same dish has been presented before but was good and I really enjoyed it. I rounded things off with cheese despite numerous attempts by the CC to get me to have some dessert....the cheese was washed down by a glass (or three) of port. All very good indeed.
The CC team on this flight worked really hard, they were always in the cabin offering drinks, bringing around the fruit basket and at 1645 the ice-cream.
After some TV and a film (v-port behaved at all times) I went to the bar with the US star asleep next to me I joined the bar crowd and the drinks were flowing, choosing to stick with water we had a great time talking and trying to second guess what everyone was doing in L.A! The British actor/quiz show host joined the "bar crowd" and was so down to earth and was so funny - he certainly made some new friends on this flight
At 1830, options from the light bite menu were offered though still full from lunch I passed but the mini-burgers looked good and the mini sushi selection was also really popular.
Just after 2130 (UK time) it was time for tea - sandwiches and cakes with warm scones offered and if you didn't fancy that options from the light bites menu were also available - I stuck with the sandwiches, which were not dry at all and a warm scone with jam and clotted cream - the CC then brought along a plate full of mini cakes and they were washed down with hot tea which was refilled without saying a word!!
Just after 2300 we touched down after 11hrs in the air and what must have been one of my best flights on VS - they have really had some stick recently and I myself have had "hit and miss" flights too of late but this one showed that when it all comes together and with good leadership from the FSM (just wish he had said something to me!!) VS take some beating and with a great atmosphere on board, the time just went by so fast....
Pulled onto the gate and was off within minutes and was the first in the immigration queue and was processed within seconds really and then only got delayed by a random customs check....but all went well and was outside in the warm L.A sunshine within 20mins of touching down....now is that a record.
Well done VS you certainly have my vote
