This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Just time to squeeze in a final walk on the beach and lunch at Panera it was time to leave the St Pete area and head to Orlando. Traffic was ok and the isolated rain shower on the way didn't delay us too much as we arrived into MCO at 4pm.
Headed straight to the UC check in area and with two people ahead of me a slight delay occurred but I was then quickly processed even if the usual friendly and jolly approach normally taken failed to put in an appearance
Heading straight through security which was well organised and I was through in no time at all and onto the monorail out to the gate area. A quick look around duty free didn't tempt me and then I made my way up to the Delta Skyclub. The welcome was cool but it was surprisingly quiet at 430pm and I found a seat quickly and then ordered a G&T. A selection of "English" newspapers were delivered and then announced they were offered with the compliments of VS and BA.
The food offer was improved since my last visit and included a hot soup, olives, cheese, biscuits, snacks, salad items and pasta salad.
Sadly no wifi was available in the Skyclub and or indeed the airport as it was down and quite quickly I became a little bored and headed down to the gate area at 530pm.
I managed to capture a surprise delivery which had just arrived on the Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt...
Then I managed to find a seat near to Gate 83 to await the time that "Pretty woman" would be ready for us....she teased us with a quick peek...
Boarding then commenced at 1755 and after special requirements it was time for UC to be announced. I was first in the queue and wished a great flight by name.
Welcomed at the aircraft door (not by name) but invited to turn left which I did. I was soon settling into 12K and was quickly offered champagne. The first of three glasses before take off. The CC member who was the CSS in UC was wonderful from the word go - attentive, friendly and she was VS at its best.
As the cabin started to fill up it was clear this was not going to be a normal flight home from Orlando. Not a family in sight and it was me and 13 lawyers who had attended a conference in Orlando. Sadly, a fault with 9K was discovered as it wouldn't lock into place. This meant the guy who was suppose to be sat there was moved into PE. To say he wasn't happy was a little understated but the crew handled this difficult situation really well and I am pretty sure he was compensated well on the flight and clearly by customer relations afterwards.
Newspapers, magazines were offered along with sleep suits. The amenity kit and bottle of water were already in place.
With champagne flowing freely before take-off it was clear stocks were low and true enough three bottles of veuve clicquot were accessed from the duty-free stock
With a flight time of 7hrs35mins promised and with 454 passengers onboard with 18 crew the captain provided a very informative summary of the route and that we hoped to leave a few mins early.
There was just time for the FSM to hand deliver the menus to everyone with a shake of the hand and a really personalised welcome. He was simply outstanding and all flight long was highly visible in UC. He was simply excellent, had a great rapport with the crew and built up a fantastic rapport with every UC passenger. I have already written to the VS Station Manager at Manchester to compliment him and his crew. They deserve high praise indeed.
Personally he made me feel really valued and his welcome was genuine and warm.
Pushback came at 1846 and we were airborne at 1900 from 17R. A sharp left turn after take off had us climbing up the East coast.
Hot towels were quickly distributed. Drink and dinner orders were taken quickly and drinks offered with crisps with refills and more refills proactively offered. The mile high mojito tasted good with the VC
The guy who had the faulty seat was invited to the bar and actually sat in his seat for dinner.....he seemed much happier by this point.
Dinners were set for dinner at 8pm and I enjoyed Mesclun salad with grilled vegetables and Manchego cheese. It needed a little dressing but was light and tasty.
The other options were Creamy Tomato and Basil soup (different from the menu which stated Parsnip and Parmesan) and Maryland crab salad which seemed popular.
With eight portions of Seared beef fillet loaded everyone who wanted this seemed to receive it. I enjoyed this very much with crispy potato wedges and creamed baby spinach. A salmon option was also offered (not on the menu) along with Pan roasted chicken, a vegetable Thai red curry and a Mozzarella and prosciutto ham salad.
Desserts of Mango cheesecake and chocolate ganache cake were offered. I really liked the chocolate cake though a little dry it was good with two portions of heavy cream.....
All through the meal the FSM and CSS were offering bread, water and wine. My glass was never empty.
The cheese trolley then came into the cabin and most enjoyed this with generous glasses of port with two bottles demolished in the process
It was then time to settle down with beds made up proactively by the CC. It was bumpy on and off through the flight and the seat belt signs were switched on a couple of times.
Breakfast service began at 0615 and I only fancied the blueberry pancakes with maple syrup and bacon and two mugs of coffee. Though the full works breakfasts were flying out the galley from those who had enjoyed a heavy night.....
For the second flight running I wasn't really interested in the entertainment and seem top-heavy with US shows!!
With everyone secure and settled we touched down at 0735 into a very wet and breezy Manchester with a personal thank you and goodbye from the CSS and FSM.
We had to wait a few minutes for a gate but pulled onto gate 210 at 0745. We had to wait a few mins as Paramedics had to board to attend to a passenger in PE who was on oxygen.
Border Agency welcome was as friendly as ever......and bags were quickly on the belt and I was leaving Terminal 2 at 0805.
A super flight with a simply outstanding FSM and CC. I did note the FSM was using a tablet device which was on a trial by all accounts but it seemed to be speeding up the paperwork exercise.
Flights like this are simply the reason why I stay loyal to VS and I can't wait to be back on board soon
Jon
