VS019 LHR-SFO 26 MAY 12 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Arrived at T3 after a short transfer on the HEX from T5. Walking into T3 and waited a few minutes for a free check in agent. A male agent checked us in, he was polite but somewhat robotic in asking the questions.

On through to security, very impressed with the security staff here, very pleasant and chatty today - nicest experience i've ever had.

Welcomed into the CH and through to the seating area behind the bar, very quiet at this time. The VS3 was cancelled this morning so the CH was very empty and peaceful. Time passed in the CH nicely with a visit to the rooftop terrace, it was a lovely sunny and warm day so a beautiful way to spend time waiting for the flight.

When we returned the CH was busy, with very limited seating. We decided to spend some time in the Study. An announcement was made that the boarding of our flight would due delayed by 40 minutes due to the late arrival of the Miami flight.

Boarding was called and we headed down to the gate, very busy here, probably the busiest gate I have ever seen, however, the priority lane was well managed and everyone queued at Door 2 ready for boarding.

Why do some UC passengers feel that they have the right to push past everyone to the front of the line? I really couldn't understand this, but let them get on with it, in their head they clearly feel they are the most important person in the World.

Welcomed on board by name, shown to my seat. Aircraft in good condition, looked like a new carpet had been fitted recently. I understand VS are currently refitting the carpets on a lot of the LHR 747 fleet.

The crew were fantastic throughout the flight, the FSM was very present throughout and took the time to talk to all passengers in UC.

A fairly short flight for SFO of 9h45m, very smooth landing and great views of the city on the way down.

We arrived and disembarked from both doors - this even surprised the crew who told us it would be L2 only, but L1 was opened up. On route to the immigration hall, it was evident that the queues were large - we had a good hour wait. We had arrived after a flight from India. I have to say - I have never seen so many wheelchair passengers in all my life. They were lined up 2 by 2 about 30-40 of them! A tough job for the 15 or so special assistance staff.

The queue took forever, finally out to find our luggage had been removed from the belt and was nicely scattered around the baggage area. Through customs and out into the sunshine!

Overall, another fantastic flight. The crew really made this flight for me, it doesn't take much to spend a couple of minutes talking to passengers but it really adds value IMO.

Very nice TR, thanks for posting Shame about the Indian flight delaying your ability to enjoy the Californian sunshine

Thanks for the TR

Why do some UC passengers feel that they have the right to push past everyone to the front of the line? I really couldn't understand this, but let them get on with it, in their head they clearly feel they are the most important person in the World.

Because some people feel they are the most important people in the world and don't realise that priority boarding is available to a 1/3 of the pax (so 110+) on a full 747!

Most respond to 'an excuse me. there are other people' stops most of them.

I did hear one say (not on VS though) "but I have priority boarding" to which the reply cam (from a little old lady) "yes and so do I and these other people so tootle off to the back of the queue like your mother taught you"

Granny 1 : 0 DYKWIA

thanks for the TR

Thanks for the TR Luke.

BAA staff do seem to be getting friendlier.

Whenever I have been on the 19 L1 & 2 have been used...

Shame you had to wait so long at immigration, SFO has always been efficient when I have gone through.

Great TR and overall a very good flight.

sounds like a good one Luke.............

Very nice TR, thanks for posting Shame about the Indian flight delaying your ability to enjoy the Californian sunshine

SFO can on occasion be a basket case in peak months, especially on a weekend, even though you will have a hard time blaming it on India flights - bit too far for any aircraft to fly in one hop, and not into INT-A terminal in any event

It is unfortunately the case that VS come in last after BA, AF and KL at that time of the day, all within a fairly short time of one another, so VS pax can from time to time get the short end of the stick in landing into a super crowded non-resident line.

Thanks for this discussion. We'll be on VS19 in Sep, so if there's a delay through customs, we'll know it was because of BA, AF & KL coming in ahead of us.