This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
The day before, I tried OLCI but for the first time got the message that we would need to go through the process at the airport.
Our Tristar taxi arrived early and we were quickly delivered to DTCI. I never did find out if it was just a random security selection that stopped my on line request but we had a warm welcome, manual check in went without a hitch and were soon walking up the staircase to the Clubhouse.
It is well known that I have been very upset with some of the “changes” to the VS product recently. The slow but relentless downgrading of the service has tested my loyalty, for example since the introduction of the no-booking Cowshed policy I have failed to get a single treatment. In an effort to break this cycle we arrived 2.5 hours early and to my delight the Clubhouse was exceptionally quiet and the Cowshed diary wide open, so after grabbing a glass of champagne I booked a facial.
It was just like the good old days, and once thoroughly pampered and moisturised I was very relaxed and ready for breakfast. As we chatted we noticed the CH had been overtaken by armed policemen - all became clear when I looked to my right and saw the Chancellor of the Exchequer tucking into a bacon sandwich! Given the very bad behaviour I have witnessed in the CH on occasions, apart from the enhanced security no areas were cornered off and the service to passengers continued to be first class. 
Our flight was called on time and we left the CH and walked straight onto Lady Penelope. The first impression was that the plane was very clean. On board I met up with another V-flyer Philadams - more about the V-flyer Miami Social later!
The crew gave us a warm welcome and it signalled the start of an excellent flight. As discussed on here many times a good FSM is key and our FSM was superb. She introduced herself to everyone personally at the start of the flight and her hands on approach clearly motivated the rest of the CC to maintain her high standards.
Her skills and those of her crew were tested further as we had two medical emergencies, one significant, during the flight. I was extremely impressed with the thoroughly Professional way these incidents were managed and the supplies and support available.
There were problems, the IFE required one reboot but again it was quickly rectified.
This was my first experience of the new UC onboard product. I must say I prefer the increased interaction with the crew, miss the old tacky salt and pepper sets, like the champagne glasses and table settings, and whilst I didn’t eat a full menu the soup, sushi and afternoon tea service were very tasty. I would have preferred to have ordered the full menu later on in the flight as I had eaten in the CH, but the “enhanced” graze menu is actually covering up a downgrade in the service as the “freedom” aspect has now been removed.
Landing was very smooth and on time (1600 hrs) which suited us as it was looking likely we would make the 1800 hrs AA flight to Tampa - then we hit the hell hole that is MIA Passport Control! The queue went on forever but just as we were giving up a call went out for anyone with a connection before 1900 hrs and we were fast-tracked up to the top of the queue. I’m not sure if the Officer didn’t like queue jumpers or was just having a bad day but he had definitely had a charisma bypass and for the first time ever I was asked to produce my ESTA paperwork. Luckily I carry this but he looked at it for about 5 minutes before saying it wasn’t correct. Given he had no problem accepting my husbands ESTA paperwork which was identical I was beginning to take it personally. Then just when I was wondering if I would be catching the VS006 sooner than expected, without further explanation he just waived me through.
With 60 mins to check in for the domestic flight we were now optimistic we would catch the early flight. Our cases were waiting for us in the baggage hall so it was just a quick stroll to the AA check in. We turned the corner and suddenly we were confronted with a queue almost as long as for Passport Control. We were informed that bad weather had forced a lot of domestic flights to be delayed and everyone was trying to re-schedule. The AA staff were not so understanding of our plight and as the queue was over 60 minutes long it soon became clear we would miss our flight. We did eventually get to check for the 2230 hrs flight and having dropped the bags off we went to look for somewhere to sit for the next 4.5 hours!
As with all good stories, this has a happy ending, we walked into the MIA airport hotel bar and bumped into Phil again who had met up with his American friends before joining the cruise. V-Flyer socials come in all shapes and sizes and whilst this one was small it was perfectly formed, and suddenly all was well in the world again.
To summarise:
• CH at LHR is simply the best, I just need to know I can get a treatment if I want one.
• Flight and crew were excellent.
• I like the new UC changes but please don’t pretend the Graze Menu is an adequate replacement for the Freedom Menu.
• MIA airport is not for the faint hearted!
Jacki
A purple boarding card, pre-booked cowshed treatment, glass of T10 with lime, a proper amenity kit, packet of polos and a Freedom Menu please!
Jacki
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Jacki
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