VS400 LHR-DXB 24 JUL 14 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

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Cabin Crew

My first Uc in the a330 ....

I've read a lot of issues with the dream suite on this so, so was curious to see for myself what it was like..


So, I left off my leg1 tr with the little red shuttle bus from t1 to t3.

Quite a long walk, but was in the ch and organising my haircut before I could take stock of the marathon just covered. Hc was top notch as normal. Plenty of chatter and pleasantries.

To be honest, we all know the club house well enough... Let's just say, it was everything we love about it. I enjoyed the new look library and the sauna was pretty nice too.

The 400 was called so I ordered on final cocktail and then wandered down and across to gate 19. Had a few mins to wait, but door B was soon open and I was in my seat.

Initial impressions... I liked it. Yes it was a little cozy, but I enjoyed the clean, new feel to the cabin.
The seat was really comfy and I enjoyed the new reading light... Much better than the previous versions of Uc.

The service was brilliant, but to be honest, I would have expected that on even the dreaded a340. Food great, drink great, Vera ... Ok, although I had seen most of the movies already.

Now... The issue.

As a seat, I loved the cabin and the journey thus far... As a bed... It was rather narrow. I can't say it was my best ever sleep in Uc... I and did find myself wishing I was on my beloved a360.

After a spot of snoozing, breakfast was called... And the rest is your typical va story. Great team, great service and swift baggage reclaim.

Vs401 is at least a day flight, so don't need to turn the chair into a bed.

Curious to see what permutations will now occur on the Dreamliner.

Sam - sweltering in 38 degrees.

Thanks Sam. I don't mind the UCDS to be honest, it is narrow but the cabin is still ok. The nose on the 747 is my favourite though.

Glad to hear you had a great flight. Enjoy the heat, we've plenty back here too!

Thanks Sam. I don't mind the UCDS to be honest, it is narrow but the cabin is still ok. The nose on the 747 is my favourite though.

Glad to hear you had a great flight. Enjoy the heat, we've plenty back here too!

Thanks for taking the time to post

I have to agree with you marshy. The nose of the 747 is by far the best in my opinion.

Dan

Nice to hear a slightly more positive tr about the UCDS.
Not been on it myself and I've avoided it on my next trip to NYC(by choice)
I'm flying back on the Dreamliner in March next year (hopefully) and can't wait to "taste" it!
Hope you enjoy they heat!
Darren

Thanks for TR Sam and as Ultreen said, nice to see a positive review of the UCDS, which I'll be using in October for my trip to BOS.

Hope you have a great holiday

Thanks Sam, good to hear your views on UCDS, maybe it is not as "to be avoided at all costs" as I'd thought, though I'm another voting for the wonderful pointy end on LHR 747. Enjoy the heat, we're enjoying it up here in Yorkshire too.

I've only ever flown UC on the A330 between LHR-DXB and just assumed that UC was like this across the fleet??

I am flying between LHR-LAX on the A346 in Sept.......what are the main differences between these 2 aircraft?

Owen

I've only ever flown UC on the A330 between LHR-DXB and just assumed that UC was like this across the fleet??

I am flying between LHR-LAX on the A346 in Sept.......what are the main differences between these 2 aircraft?

Owen

Hi Owen

There are only three UC suites across the width of the aircraft on the A346, and the middle set are laid out in such a way that so that if in a window seat you can pick one that faces a wall, I.e. the back of the middle suite, which helps with the feeling of privacy. There are design differences in the suites themselves, with the A346 suites being held to be wider and better laid out. The ottomans are also more substantial.

The A346 has the "old" UC suite which is largely similar to the UCDS but doesn't have the opaque dividers between suites and is generally thought to be slightly more roomy.

And crucially each row is 3 suites across instead of 4 so the cabin feels more spacious. That also means a number of suites (front Ks and rear As) face a wall instead of another suite, affording more privacy. They seem to be the most popular with V-Flyers.

Thanks Sam for a great TR, sounds like you had a great time in the CH and the connection with LR worked well.

I was a critic of the UCDS when it was first launched, that said, it has grown on me. The cabin is cramped, but I do feel the personal space when in seat mode is better in the UCDS. That said, in bed mode I agree it feels very narrow and I haven't slept that well on all my UCDS flights compared to the A346s and 744s.

Enjoy Dubai.

Jon