This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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Somewhat usual journey to JFK. I took the Acela from Boston to Penn early that morning in order to get in some short meet and greet in midtown before getting out of there as soon as possible (I am a west coast guy and NYC is not for me) and heading to JFK. For those who might have the opportunity, I would heartily recommend the Acela. Relatively fast, beautiful views and bang on time. From Penn I took the LIRR to Jamaica and then on to JFK. A really easy journey.
Arrived at Terminal 4 just as the check in desks were opening, some line, but I was checked into 12k pretty promptly and off to security. TSA agent at the entrance to security did not know what UC was and initially refused me entry into the 1st/biz line, before a colleague stepped in and I was on my way. No matter as the lines were very light.
Now to the new UC clubhouse. For those of us who deal with the VS/ANZ sharing arrangement at LAX (Crab salad and Otari fizz anyone? - my habit has been to use priority pass select for a Moet or 2 over the way in the air france lounge), the clubhouse was a dream come true, especially as I had time to kill. Good views out to the jetway and beyond in enough time to see Lady Penelope arrive and deposit, amongst other things, a blue morris minor from its cargo bay
Now, not all was perfect. First glass of champagne came out was flat (previous day's leftovers?) but was quickly replaced and everything smooth thereafter. Tasty Chana Dall, spacious shower rooms and a good haircut all made the stay there very enjoyable. I wanted to change into a sleep suit post shower but you can't. I was informed they only have sleep suits in the clubhouse for the last flight of the evening.
Work and clubhouse R&R over, and seeing folks begin to board, I chose to board early and not wait for the announcement, and I was quickly seated in 12K with a sleep suit, a glass of fizz and frankly ready for bed. 12k in good shape. No tears or obvious dings. I love the new coupe glasses, but for the life of me I don't know where to put them down. The glass doesn't seem to fit on the drinks tray because of the light fitting so....er....nothing to do but just empty the glass. May be that's the problem
I don't have a lot of comment on the flight itself as I slept from seats belts off to seat belts on. So I did not eat nor use the entertainment system, and perhaps this is a great testament to the benefits of the snooze zone. It's dark and quiet and spacious, and that's worth the price of admission alone. But a couple of comments. May be its because I am impatient or I feel bad watching someone do what I can do myself, but I always find myself operating the seat into the bed position and making the bed unaided (and the reverse on landing). May be I should smile more? When dinner orders were taken, and I declined, I was asked about breakfast, I asked for a cuppa as late as possible before landing - Revivals is for breakfast for me - but no cuppa was forthcoming and by the time and I went to see what was going on, it was too late. Third, the front seats rows 12 and 13 have no overhead bins so luggage is a problem and it turned out to be. I had 2 or 3 small gift items which I had placed temporarily on the ledge in front and before long, I was somewhat huffily asked to move them. But there was no overhead bin space so the FA walked me down to the next cabin until we found space and had me put my bags in there. She mentioned something about not being allowed to carry passengers bags, which was not really the point, but I felt a bit like a schmuck trying walking down the cabin with my clobber until overhead space appeared. Seemed a bit 'economy' to me.
This being said, we arrived bang on time at 7.40 and I was in the shower at Revivals at 8.15, so absolutely no complaints there.
All in all, and but for the cabin hiccups, I enjoyed this flight more than the 346 flights. Snooze zone a hit, more space than the galley atmosphere of the 346 and a fabulous lounge.
