VS008 LAX-LHR 31 MAY 12 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

First of all, I have to say that I'm doing this over again as three-quarters of the way through, it sent me back to the beginning of my post when I'd not typed much, but here's hoping that the second effort is better than the first attempt.

After a week in sunny California, it was (all too soon) time to leave . I had been staying in Orange County and apart from a trip to Santa Monica and Venice Beach, and a drive around LA with the obligatory trip up the hill to see the Hollywood sign,I hadn't done anything touristy. So I had called for a Town Car to pick me up and take me into LA in the morning and also arranged to be picked up from my sightseeing when I was ready to leave. VS doesn't check you in until 4 hours before the flight, so I had to organise for a Left Luggage service where I could leave my bags while I went off to Universal Studios. I had massive fun at Universal with the little time I had and even managed to get a fine artist to do this portrait of me

Cartoonist impression
Universal Cartoonist.jpg (46.64 KiB) Viewed 2815 times

All too soon, the fun day was up and it was time to head to the airport, but first a quick stop at the storage place to pick up my bags. On the way there, I got a glimpse of Tubular Belle as she came in to land at LAX. It's quite amazing seeing a bird of that size flying across your path merely a few feet ahead.

Bags picked up, I headed to Terminal 2 for bag drop. Made a bee line for the UC check-in desk and the following conversation ensued:

VS Agent: How many bags are you checking in today?

Me: 3

VS Agent: You're gonna have to pay for the extra.

Me: No I'm not

VS Agent: How do you propose to do that?

Me: By flying Upper Class.

That put an end to that conversation.

Barring the asinine questioning, check-in was smooth and over in less than 5 minutes. bags were weighed and taken over to the x-ray machine (Would I be right in assuming that the service of ground staff taking the bags to be x-rayed is reserved for UC pax? I didn't notice it happening on the other lines).

Check-in done. Headed to the security line which was very short and I was through in a manner of minutes and headed to the ANZ lounge which was a bit busy. There really wasn't much to see or do here so I turned on my laptop and started to do some work. I reckon the general lounge will be more fun, just not as comfy. As soon as boarding was called, I didn't linger and headed straight to Gate 23, just a few steps from the lounge.

Boarded at the same time with the Y pax in the bubble, so there was a bit of a delay in getting to my seat but I eventually got through. No sooner had I reached my seat than I was offered a sleep suit (which I accepted) and a drink. I opted for the bucks fizz.

Welcome drink -Bucks Fizz.jpg (30.84 KiB) Viewed 2815 times

Dinner orders were also taken while we were on the ground.

The captain announced a flight time of 10 hours which I guess is the norm, but I don't normally do these long flights. We pushed off at about 5:35PM and were airborne in about 10 minutes. Shortly after we reached cruising altitude, IFE was turned on and was a bit slow to begin with and when the programming started, the sound wasn't so great.

Drinks and crisps were offered shortly afterwards and I settled down to watch John Carter with my cup of crisps in hand. About an hour later, dinner was served.

Amusing Bouche
Amuse Bouche.jpg (35.38 KiB) Viewed 2815 times

Starter
Salmon starter.jpg (39.95 KiB) Viewed 2815 times

Main Course - Braised Beef Short Rib
Beef main.jpg (45.01 KiB) Viewed 2815 times

Bread & Butter Pudding
Bread and butter pudding.jpg (42.85 KiB) Viewed 2815 times

No sooner had I eaten than I converted the seat and attempted to reset my body clock by sleeping for the rest of the flight.

Woke up with about 3 hours of flight time left washed up a bit and tried to listen to music but there was no sound . So I tried to watch Adult Swim but gave up after a few minutes. Breakfast was served about half an hour before landing. I chose the Full English with a cup of hot chocolate.

Full English for brekkie
Brekkie.jpg (35.63 KiB) Viewed 2815 times

landing was smooth. The walk from the plane to immigration was quite short and the time from the plane to Revivals was less than 15 minutes

All in, it was a lovely trip and the flight was like the cherry on top.

Great TR, what a check-in agent, and yes ten hours is about the average for LAX.

Thanks for the great TR -- I enjoyed the exchange at check-in.

[buns]

Thanks for the illustrated TR

I am sure that if VS could get a Clubhouse in LAX, they would have to put on three flights a day

As for staff taking bags to the X Ray - that is common in the States and have experienced it both at JFK and MCO

BTW how was revivals??

buns

Thanks for the TR. Loved the dozy check-in agent!

And yes UC Pax get their bags carried to the x-ray machine.


(tip - I write my TRs in word so I can save them rather then straight into v-flyer. means I can spell check them too. I speak from experience !)

Excellent trip report thanks for writing it up.

Cheers

Alex

Thanks for the TR, and the pictures.

Good retort to the ...oh....Upper Class desk agent. I remember a good few years ago when in a business class line at JFK being taken aside and asked, in a very patronising manner, "are you sure you're flying business, sir?" and being able to respond "well that's what it says on the ticket I have in my hand".

The agent sounds like the lovely S*****. He always seems to be unfailingly rude , the reasons for which I've never fathomed out .
IMHO the Koru lounge is a great lounge- granted it's no CH, but it offers great NZ wines, great views, edible nosh and decent shower facilities .
Glad you had a good return trip.
DL

Thanks for all the replies.
@buns: Revivals was pretty quiet, but I guess that's because it was the early afternoon crowd. I didn't have time for a shower as I was expecting a taxi, but I did have the quick maintenance manicure and a really yummy hot chocolate with marshmallows.

@tonty: Thanks for the tip. I hope I don't forget next time.

@pjh: I thought I was the only one that's happened to. I figured it's because of my size coupled with the fact that I always travel in jeans and a tee. So I sometimes get mistaken for a teenager.

@DL: So the check in agent's a repeat offender. I agree about Koru Lounge. It's bright, comfy and has great views, but can one really have a lounge without treatments?

[honey lamb]

Thanks for the TR, and the pictures.

Good retort to the ...oh....Upper Class desk agent. I remember a good few years ago when in a business class line at JFK being taken aside and asked, in a very patronising manner, "are you sure you're flying business, sir?" and being able to respond "well that's what it says on the ticket I have in my hand".

I had a similar experience, not at check-in but at the entrance to the UC/PE area in LGW. I arrived with Aer John who was then about 15 or 16 in tow in one direction at the UC sign at exactly the same time that a family with Pa suitably attired in a blazer and of a military bearing arrived at the PE sign from the opposite direction. The security lady swithered between the two of us and then obviously impressed by Pa's air of authority, turned to him and asked "Good morning, sir. Are we travelling in Premium Economy?" He confirmed they were and she processed them while I silently fumed behind her. Once they had been dispatched on their way she turned to me and with the kindly but patronising tones some people use with the elderly or the bewildered asked me if I were travelling in Economy. I replied, "Well my ticket says Upper Class and the sign says Upper Class and that's why I'm here and even if I were travelling in Economy I'm a Gold member and therefore entitled to be here" whereupon the lady became covered in confusion and became all sweetness and light. Too late, darling! Too late!

I too get the shouldn't you be in Economy look when checking in to Upper Class with my Snowboards but at least they don't say it anymore.

I'm flying on the VS008 UC later this year so hope my experience is as good as yours.

Thanks for the TR, and the pictures.

Good retort to the ...oh....Upper Class desk agent. I remember a good few years ago when in a business class line at JFK being taken aside and asked, in a very patronising manner, "are you sure you're flying business, sir?" and being able to respond "well that's what it says on the ticket I have in my hand".

It's strange, I have always thought it might happen to me due to my age, but never has. Had a few comments and looks from other passengers though...

At JFK the other week I was asked 'good afternoon, which class are you travelling in?' as I made for the UC desk... it's not the best greeting, but I understand the problem that they are trying to deal with.

Great TR and glad you enjoyed the flight. The check in experience is so important it's essential that staff have the right attitude and training.