This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
We used the Heathrow Express from Paddington for the first time. I liked the short journey into LHR Terminal 3. I don't think £50 return for two people is cheap (and this was on a discounted ticket), perhaps this is the cost of convenience.
Check in desk was empty. This was also the first time when flying upper I have not used the drive through wing. I was childishly excited about using the lift that says ‘by invitation only’… A scan of our boarding card and the magic doors to Narnia opened and we were through to fast track security.
The lounge on arrival was rather quiet but then we got there at about 4.30pm. It did become busier as the evening drew out. I booked a haircut and Mrs Harps a manicure.
On arrival we ordered from the Tapas menu. I really liked the little bites on offer. For our main meal we ate from the deli as it had some lovely fish and salads. As a leisure traveller I really, really love the Clubhouse. Time flies by and it really feels a special place. It was a lovely evening and I poped up to the outside terrace to watch the sunset and a few planes take off. I returned, joined Mrs Harps and ordered some desert. Mrs Harps asked why I was sitting and smiling for no apparent reason. I didn’t want her taking the micky by telling her that the clubhouse can make me smile just by being there, so I told her I was thinking about our trip away.
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We headed for the gate on the first call for our flight from the clubhouse. We arrived to find a massive queue with no specific priority boarding. Infact Upper, Premium and Economy were all directed to the same line. As we stood an apologetic groundstaff member moved the signs and rope and created a priority line. Then to reduce the backlog all gate staff dealt with the priority line first whilst the economy passengers were having to wait. I am sure there were a few annoyed by this.
Boarding the plane was by a separate air bridge and directly into the upper cabin. A polite hello greeting from the cabin crew at the door. We took our seats and awaited take off. Once in the air, as it’s a night flight it always seems a rush to get the meal service done. Menus handed out and orders taken. I had the Soup, Veggie Curry then Torte. All was quite tasty. From the wine list I had the South African Chenin Blanc wine which was very nice. I declined the cheese service but had a Blighty Mojito as an aperitif.
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Cabin Crew handed out a tick box breakfast request sheet. On there you ticked the box against all the items you would like for breakfast. They said this saves time on the breakfast run and gives passengers less disturbance. An hour and half before landing my full English was served.
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Landed on time. No other flights were ahead of us so we breezed through passport control. Our bags were on the carousel very quickly and we were out the terminal, in the car and the welcome African heat and sunshine within about 30 minutes.
The Harps
