This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Travelling down from Horbury was more complicated than usual as flooding on the train line in my local area caused a delay of 40mins but then the East coast train arrived and I was on my way - a delicious hot breakfast was enjoyed en-route (potato scone rather nice too) with friendly staff and refills of tea/coffee and juice - so a relaxing start.
I then made it across London by taxi to Paddington and uneventful trip on the HEX. I was walking into the Virgin "terminal" in no-time at all and was warmly greeted at the only free UC desk. I was processed quickly and my seat choice confirmed, bags tagged and was thanked for my loyalty to VS with reasurance offered that my AU number was in the booking!
Up in the lift and through the private security channel which was rather slow but was through without any fuss. No shopping to do so was walking up the stairs and welcomed warmly to the CH - asked if I knew where everything was and I was in....
I went across to the spa and booked a hair-cut and pleased I did too as one hairdresser had phoned in sick and one was on holiday, so only one hairdresser working so secured one of the last appointments before my flight closing time
Settled down and ordered some toast and a coffee - was not overly hungry as could still feel the full breakfast from the train so read the papers and then went to sit at the bar to do some more reading and ordered a red-head which was refreshed a little while after without asking...
Hair-cut time approached and had a relaxing cut with another quick drink afterwards before boarding was announced. The gate (Gate 18) was only a 5min walk so quickly there with everyone else already boarded walked up the desk and was boarding through L1 without any fuss - welcomed warmly at the door by name and the crew member said "i'm sure you know your way!"
I was getting myself organised in 15A when a lovely chilled glass of champagne arrived and the crew member looking after my section introduced herself - she was excellent from that moment onwards. The suite was tidy with a bottle of water and amenity kit already in situ. Settled in and glass of champagne enjoyed we pulled away a few mins late due to some issues with some cargo. A shortish taxi and a little wait we were airborne 25mins later.
Seat belt signs off and the FSM introduced himself and was clearly one of those FSMs who like to tell a few jokes and even told us some recommendations on movies to watch! Seat-belt signs off and hot towels quickly offered. Drink orders taken and quickly dispatched with crisps and service was up and running. The CSS came along with the menu, introduced herself, welcomed me by name and thanked me for my loyalty recognising my AU status - fantastic
A refresh of my drink was offered and accepted before lunch orders were taken. At 1545 tables were laid for the main meal service - love that VS have improved this aspect by removing the tray element here and everything is set by hand. Wine, water and warm bread all followed with the FSM playing a significant role too.
I enjoyed the delicious pea soup with pea shoots - it was served piping hot and was very moorish. I have enjoyed the Thai Red Chicken curry on my last few flights and this flight was no different, lovely big chunks of moist chicken and so tasty and lovely - really enjoyed it again. Dessert of warm sticky toffee pudding with fresh cream was delicious as always too. Wine and water were offered a couple of times more too throughout the meal.
The cheese trolley arrived into the cabin and I actually love this element of the service, no congestion issues and the crew and indeed those passengers around me all enjoyed it too - everyone taking cheese and some (including me) a large glass of port
I personally welcome this aspect of the service and on this day flight it worked so well once againMeal items out of the way and the cabin was not plunged into darkness which was welcome on this day flight as has happened on other VS flights - so settled down to watch "The Iron Lady" which was very good. Mid-atlantic a announcement from the FSM about a missing mobile phone that had been found and clearly and rightly a serious security concern but thankfully its owner handed themselves in and all was resolved. Ice-cream offered and I enjoyed the vanilla but mint and choc-chip was the other choice.
I had a quick trip to the bar for a drink but it was crowded so went back to my seat with drink in hand with some crisps and then two hours from JFK the afternoon tea service began.
Now again I think this element of the service is done really well and those onboard this flight really enjoyed it too. Sandwiches, cakes and warm scones placed onto an individual cake stand looks great and everything was lovely, not a dry sandwich in sight and I enjoyed it all - Graze menu options were offered too and those mini-burgers went down well, so no issues here of a shortage of loaded Graze items - in fact I was told that those issues did exist in the first couple of weeks but following feedback, it was quickly changed.
Refills of the tea which was piping hot were offered and accepted and then the cabin was secured for our landing. Lovehearts were offered before touch-down and then arrived dry and sunny New York at 1645 - parking at A4 the walk to the immigration area was shorter but the queue was not - ok, this flight is renowned for arriving at the time of quite a few other flights and today was no different, arriving after a PIA flight from Lahore and an Egyptair flight from Cairo - so the wait was 1hr but the cases were waiting when I was through and the TSA agents rather friendly
So in summary another superb flight - excellent crew from start to finish who really did provide superb service from the outset and welcome interaction between the crew and passengers through the personalised service - the cheese trolley and afternoon tea service are great additions to the service delivery in my opinion. Well done VS, no wonder I remain loyal with a service delivery of this standard.
Jon
