This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Transport from the house in Kingston that I'd moved into a few days before, to Gatwick, was in a local cab which got me to the airport at around 6.30 for a 9.30 flight. UC check-in was empty and, after normal security, I was greeted by a friendly assistant who very politely sent me straight back to the ticket desk. Could this be the upgrade from PE that I'd previously tried to arrange, only to find that UC was full? Err, no. Sadly, it was simply to reissue an e-ticket receipt because I'd had to change my original travel dates. Never mind, back to check-in and I gave up my one bag and was given a boarding card for 80H (79 A and C having been already taken - I'd read the ratings guide)[:D] Had to ask for a Fast Track sticker but, in the event, there was no queue for security, and I was through and outside the CH a couple of minutes before it opened at 6.45. It's as good as ever, and is now decked out for Christmas:
My arrival interrupted the staff's pre-rush coffee break, but they got to work with generous grace. In no time I had a full breakfast (which was particularly welcome) and a glass of champagne (less so - I'm still not convinced by champagne at that time of the morning). No treatment today, as the early slots had been taken by the time I contacted the team. Called to the gate at about 9.05, to find the priority queue well marked, so I missed the crush which was clearly just starting. Straight upstairs to PE, where I was greeted with more champagne and settled in. This was the first time I've flown in a cabin other than UC for a while (partly because I was paying for it myself), and I was actually quite impressed. Seats were good with a fair bit of legroom, even at 6'2', and the luggage space was fine. As ground staff were starting to leave the aircraft I decided I could cope with the shock of UC withdrawal, at least for a day flight. And at that point a rather nice chap from the ground staff came up, addressed me by name, and told me 'a suite had been found' for me, and would I like to follow him. For an op-up? Would I! Hastily downstairs to 10K, the last free suite, where I arranged myself in all the luxury that is UCS. Another glass of champagne (OK, I seemed to be getting the hang of it by this point) and we pushed back and were in the air by 10.00.
Normal routine took over - the IFE started up quickly, and the two dedicated UC staff were around with drinks, amenity kits, Carlos and so on. I checked out the IFE and watched the first 30 minutes of the new Wallace and Gromit film, before deciding they're getting a bit tired now. I didn't fancy anything else on the programme, so stuck with the new Alan Bennett book - Untold Stories - which I recommend. Lunch started with soup or gravadlax. The salmon was good, if a bit on the thin side, but the salad was excellent - really crisp and herby and with a tasty dressing. Main courses were Chicken Pancetta, Steak or vege lasagne. I had the steak, which came with some really tasty dauphinoise potato. The steak itself was less good - ok, but a bit tough and dry. I can't remember the dessert - obviously should have written the TR before alzheimers clicked-in. [:D]
This was my first time in a LGW 744 since they were refitted, and no surprise that the suites are in excellent condition and look the business. I'm not sure about the layout as all the seats (except, perhaps, row 12) seem to be disconcertingly overlooked by those on the other side of the cabin. Moreover you can't really sit at the bar unless you're unconcerned by several pairs of eyes periodically focussing on you. I suppose this is the result of the holidayish culture of Gatwick, rather than the Heathrow business focus that I'm more familiar with. In any event, please don't get the idea that I was looking a gift horse in the mouth - they're observations, and not complaints! Staff were brilliant throughout, and I noticed the 2 staff who were in or about the cabin supplemented throughout the meal service by the FSM and another crew member - 4 in total. This seemed pretty generous, particularly since the rest of the aircraft was full, and was a nice touch.
Afternoon tea came and went - all fine, and we were on the ground at VC Bird just after 2.00pm. I was about 4th off the plane, but first into Immigration (long legs [;)]) to find it completely empty - yoohoo! I was through in a couple of minutes, and saw my bag coming round the carousel after 10 minutes or so, before I was off to the taxi despatcher outside. The result of all this was that I'd checked in, dropped my bags and changed into shorts, and was by the bar at the Royal Antiguan with a beer in my hand less than an hour after landing. Result!
I think that's about it for my first TR. Any flight giving you an op-up is going to struggle to be anything other than a success, but actually this one was really pretty good all-round with staff, as ever, making it. In the return trip I did get to complete a flight in PE which, whilst not a patch on UCS, is still a really good product on the upper deck. Next trip in Jan - maybe another report then.
Best wishes
David
