This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Dollar car back to the rental station , nice and simple, then into the terminal. Upstairs to level 3 and meet the back of the queue for Y pax - its long, check in is underway for the VS 28 to LGW and of course for the 76 - big queue. I would strongly recommend using the Downtown Disney check-in to avoid this.
Walk around the queue to the UC check-in ,there is 1 person in the line. PE has 8 people in it. Smooth check-in, seats 7\8 K as pre-booked. Invite to Crown Delta lounge and bags taken to the TSA check by a porter - sweet!
Easily through the TSA screening - maybe 2 minutes, shoes and belts off, still no liquids allowed but duty free can be ordered and collected at the gate. Then take the shuttle out to the Delta/Virgin hub. This finally completes the 'circle' of our South Florida tour. Lift to the lounge - its no clubhouse but its very comfy and has a full bar with ice cold draft beer and snacks.
Get a cold one and relax in the comfy chairs. Its quiet and there's free wifi - so have a look at what I've missed on VF - cripes, lots to catch up on!!! Well when l say 'quiet' there's one woman who is loudly telling anyone who will listen about her holiday - bet she's on our flight - mind you, a few beers at the on-board bar sounds fun, so maybe she will keep us entertained!
Departure screen says that the 76 is running 30 mins late, so plenty of time for another beer!!
The lounge makes calls for flights and we get called at 600 pm. But when we get dpown to Gate 85 there is a bit of a wait at the gate as we see the 'wheelchair derby' go off!!
Its Barbarella G-VROM
Board and get my first experience of the UCS - hmmm - can see why its easy to get bitten by the UC bug!!! Its interesting to see at first hand how the comments on VF relate to things firstly I think the condition of the UCS is excellent, I saw no signs of any serious wear and tear and all the suites seemed to work propoerly when buttons were pressed. I liked the small touches in the Suites the lights, the arm rest/storage, the comfy seat belts and the excellent screen and extra drinks area when the screen is pulled out.
Have a play with the seat, feel like l know all about it already. Bottle of still water in an elastic strap. Get a glass of bucks fizz, and then the FSA comes round with menus and sleep suits, opt for medium - hope it fits. It does.
Sue,(permission granyted for name use) the FSM, then comes round to introduce herself and give out the Oswald Boateng - still on the b and s routes - excellent. Shes great already, have a chat about VF and whats on here, discuss snooze kits envelopes and in flight beauty and club houses. Sue has that lively approach that makes VS the way we love it!!!
Offered another drink and go for a Bellini -yummy!!
Peruse the menu and opt for the following:
Seasonal salad with smoked Duck
Lamb fillet
Sponge with marscapone
Was debating whether to go for the 'sleep experience' or the full on 'UCS' experience. Theres a couple who like a chat and a drink, so 'full on' it is!!!!
The safety video doesnt work so its a manual demo - a couple of the other FSA's try to put off the lady doing ours- which makes it a bit more interesting!!
In the air at 1915 so an hour late with a flying time of 7hrs 30 mins so wont get in too much behind schedule! Seemed weird sitting at a slight angle for take off, but lm sure l can get used to it! The FSA gets the bar ready and an American guy sorts out his bed ready for golf and work over the weekend!
Drinks service begins about 20 mins in, have another yummy Bellini!!
Watch the Omen, the screens are great, could do with better head sets though.
Sue has a friend who has over 40 Lewis's - lm jealous! We dont have metal cutlery but do have airplane cruets. The bar is stocked with fresh fruit, snacks and delicious chocolates! Mmmm! Another Bellini slips down nicely!
Dinner is served - opt for Pinot Grigio, choice of garlic, rustic or country bread. Have garlic, v nice! Duck salad - have rustic and country bread too! Salad is delicious, great dressing. Next is the lamb, its a nice cut but personally a touch too well done for me. Then had the sponge and mascarpone!- needed more syrup on the sponge but nice taste and fresh fruit. Had a coffee to wash it all down!
Up to the bar for a double baileys (turns into a double double Bailieys) and some chocolates!! Fancy trying out the bed too - but maybe later for an hour or two.
There's three crew in UC tonight and they have been excellent with nothing being a problem. The service has been excellent and I still believe that the FSM sets the tone for this, so well done Sue!!
Sit at the bar and have a good chat with Sue whilst the rest of UC goes to sleep - hope l didnt keep anyone awake! We talk about IFE, the new arrangements for having a Manchester based crew, flights from Glasgow, service levels and flying in general. Its interesting to hear from a FSM who firmly believes that VS have been and will be the best. There are some initiatives to develop customer areas and this can only be good!
About 5 hours in my bed calls me and one of the excellent FSA's makes up my bed. I nick an extra pillow from a spare seat and get a couple of hours - find it very comfy!
700am and breakfast is served!! The famous bacon roll, a bluube muffin, fresh OJ and coffee. What could be better at 35000 feet. Map says we are over Ireland with 40 mins to go.
Begin our descent at 0725, its a lovely clear day over the Irish sea, but as we get closer to Manchester the cloud sets in theres a surprise.
We are on the ground at 745am and we are through to our waiting car at 8am there were no queues at immigration and our bags were on the carousel as we walked up to it excellent!!
I know that there is much debate about service levels and Clubhouses at Manchester but I really believe that there is a great deal to be said for the speed at which you can get through here compared to Gatwick and for those of us living in the Midlands and up its really a much better option.
My first time in UCS and it will not be the last as a new user I found it difficult to fault anything but maybe over the past couple of years certain things have changed and been removed however if it gets better than this then it will be even more wonderful in my eyes!!
