This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Having looked daily to try and secure Gs for the three of us - I had given up when by departure day arrived and nothing had become available, even though 7 seats remained....
Driving down to LHR was different for a change, having taken so many LR flights in the last year, it was nice for a change. Driving took just over three hours including a comfort and coffee stop and all parked up in the business parking car park and across at T3 by 430pm.
Interestingly, on the way down, I had received a call from VS offering an upgrade for £799 each which I thought was still too steep and still no miles seats. Anyway, they agreed to hold them until 6pm should I have a change of mind....
Check in was seamless, welcoming, smiling and we were processed quickly. I politely declined the upgrade price and we were up in the lift and through the private security channel within minutes.
I've had warmer CH welcomes to be honest but we made ourselves comfortable and waited and waited....service was painfully slow, but we managed to catch someone's eye and drinks arrived with nuts and crisps (when requested)
Booking spa appointments and a table at the brassiere several days ahead is a treat. We ordered items from the British Tapas selection, Clubhouse burgers and nibbled on items from the deli - all good as always but the service was not as sharp as it usually is.
Several drinks later we headed down to the gate at 815pm and though the screens confirmed the flight was closing, it was far from that and people were running down corridors when it was unnecessary. With the two family members travelling UC just ahead of us they were processed quickly and we handed over our PE boarding cards.....each one produced a magic beep and we were all upgraded to UC. A totally unexpected treat....
Once on board boarding through L1 we were welcomed by the FSM who invited us to take our seats. Champagne, water and juice followed.
Sleep suits were offered and the amenity kit and menu were already on the ottoman. The flight was solid in all cabins and a total of 257 was confirmed with 14 crew.
Now I would never choose 7G as seat but this was an upgrade and you won't here too much about it from me- it did feel narrower than the window seats on the A333 in UC and of course no overhead lockers or air-vents
Pushback was a few minutes late as we waited for the paperwork but once we were moving a shortish taxi and airborne at 2130. A flight time of 6hrs22mins was promised.
Hot towels and bottles of water were soon distributed. A personal welcome too from the CSS which is always nice and it felt really genuine.
Drink orders were taken and quickly dispatched with crisps. Only one bar round on the flight but the tables were laid for dinner rather quickly, tonight's offer was:
Crab timbale or organic minestrone soup
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Artisan breads
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Seared fillet of British Beef- Jersey Royal Potatoes, carrots and watercress sauce
Grilled Chicken breast - potato cake, purple sprouting broccoli, toasted almonds and creamy saffron sauce*
Paneer kofta and korma sauce- mixed pilau and tandoori chole
*this option was not actually available it was a Chicken curry!
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Croissant bread and butter pudding
Chocolate and hazelnut slice
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Cheese and biscuits
Wine, water and bread were regularly offered and with it being a new wine list, I was invited to do a little "wine tasting" which was rather fun....
After dinner, I made a quick visit to the bar which was in a mess and was heavily marked and scratched. A poor show. The crew were a little critical of the UC cabin on the A333 still which is a shame but it really is back breaking stuff for them with the tables and suites....and the manual switching off of the spotlights above the middle seats makes me smile every time, though isn't funny that it has to be done one by one.....
I decided to watch a couple of shows rather than sleep and I do like the extended recline of the dream suite
It was really hot in the night and I missed the air-vent but soon enough it was time for breakfast and good to see a much improved selection:
Fruit juice, cereals, fruit salad, yoghurt with granola, croissants and pain au chocolat, scrambled eggs, chicken sausages, hash browns, mushrooms and tomato.
Chicken sausage rolls were also available and French toast too. Tea, coffee and juice were regularly offered and then before landing, a final round of hot towels.
So in summary a good flight- a hard working crew with an on the ball CSS - the FSM worked mainly in the galley but when we spoke at the bar was chatty and friendly.
The upgrade was a treat and well received and though they are rare.....they do happen
Jon
Last edited by horburyflyer on 21 Mar 2014, 20:07, edited 2 times in total.
And upgrades too - well done.
on the upgrades and 
on a great crew and a good flight 
