VS021 LHR-IAD 17 OCT 13 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

After a most pleasant stay at the Premier Inn M4J4, which in my mind is a very acceptable and reasonably priced option, it was onwards and upwards for our first DTCI experience

Met, as promised, by Purple Parking outside T3 I drove our less than posh Qashqai to the Upper a Class Wing, being surprised by the barrier and double pillar security. Met by smiley agents all round we were in, thru security and into the CH in around 10 minutes - a fabulous experience

Our first time in the LHR CH so our plan was to max out on its benefits but truth be told we never had an empty glass and ate enough to keep us going for the 2.5 hrs we were in there! Service and atmosphere was fantastic, busy but buzzing and service never compromised. A fabulous place to while away the wait time

In the CH I found out that the plane had been changed and that we would be on an A346 as opposed to an A330. The fine people on this forum reassured me that 4&5K were great seats and that we had nothing to worry about....time would tell

The customary first call additional drink happened and the suddenly it was 10.40 for an 11.15 departure. Thanks to the CH staff all round followed by a champagne infused sort-of-dash to gate 17 saw us the last but one to board!! We were flying on G-VEIL Lady of The Skies and were greeted as Mr & Mrs P and shown to our seats, which were perfect 4&5K do not look over anyone and are fairly private with the ability to check on Mrs P's alcohol consumption over the screen Champers accepted and the it was batten down the hatches....

Flight time announced as 8 hours and 2 minutes and 250 pax & crew on board. A couple of AU's were upgraded to UC whilst boarded, so everyone's happy. Prompt take off, CC introduced and menus handed out. Although Blacky clearly indicated to avoid the beef...I chose the leek and potato soup then the beef....will I live to tell the tale????

My seat, 4K was in good condition....if I was fussy I would mention the chips on the outside of the tv screen, the tippex repair on the drinks table and the very different coloured patch repair on the outer seat - clearly that is detail and I couldn't careless as everything else us awesome

So meal service starts with the soup, which is very palatable followed by the beef which was very tender and tasty! Served with a fine wine, topped up frequently all was very good. Dessert declined port and cheese very much accepted.....I go to the restroom come back and Mrs P has snaffled the rest of my very pleasant port?!? Not only that, I find out that she has ordered me a COFFEE?? Damn it I am in UC, I demand flowing alcohol !! Thank you for the coffee dear!!!

Service brilliant throughout, no use of name but smiles and pleasantries go along way. Coffee served and I was informed that is was a pod coffee and not instant...not the same crap they serve in economy

After drinking the rest of her and my port, Mrs P indicates that she needs a little sleep prior to accompanying me to the bar No chat yet from the FSM but the CSM seems on the ball and very aware of what is going on in all of the UC cabin.

After 40 minutes of champagne infused sleep I was woken, with an apology, for duty free. I ordered but then was a little miffed as I was away with the fairies and still waiting for the DF to appear 30 mins later! Maybe I'm just a tad tired!!!

However, the rest of flight was wonderful with a CSM that was visible through the entire flight and crew that were attentive at all times. A trip to the bar was necessary, tho Mrs P was not that keen, it led to polite conversation with the crew and other pax, which is always nice. A few californian Chardonnays down it was back to the spacious seat for a peruse of the Washington DC book that we bought 2 weeks ago but thought there's no point as everything was closed! Great shout by the US Senate and Government to agree a debt-busting deal on the eve of our trip. I was going to have a word in Obamas shell like!!

Afternoon tea was served with the awesome appearance of the epic cake stand! Did I over play that? Decided that savoury was the way forward with a coffee.....I know I have let you down Joey

So, in summary, our UC experience was excellent from DTCI to CH to flight service it was fabulous to enjoy an 8 hour flight! Food was great, a quiet FSM but one that spoke through his CC and service that puts a smile on your face! That'll do for me!

All I need to do now is source 2xG's for the return journey...they have been very scarce as I have been checking for the last 2 months and missed one by minutes!!!

Awesome TR Mark, and good to hear that you enjoyed the UC experience to the max. Great to see that VS delivered too

Don't worry, you haven't let me down.. ya tried and there is always next time

Do keep looking for the Gs.. if all else fails, turn up at the airport as soon as check-in opens and try for those reward seats at the ticketing desk. You lose nothing by asking.

Good luck and hope you enjoy your hol in DC

I've been looking forward to this TR PM , glad it all lived up to expectations and you had an awesome experience by the sound of it .
So you went for the beef eh ? .to be fair i always have the beef and it's normally good so I think I was just a bit unlucky on my last trip .
Most of the suites have the odd chip or dent but only to be expected I guess with the volume of traffic that goes through them .
Enjoy Washington and as joey says get to the airport early ,you never know your luck

Thanks guys for your feedback! Just arrived back into internet civilisation in Virginia after a couple of days in a cabin in Shenandoah National Park...OMG unbelievably beautiful, especially with the Fall leaves. Mrs P is very happy after spotting 2 bears fairly close up (from the safety of our Jeep)

Still working on those return G's...will keep you posted

Thanks for posting
Glad the whole experience was good
I also always go for the beef lol
Yes let us know how you get on with the Gs.

Great TR!! Good luck with the hunt for return Gs

Cheers
MrsB