This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
We travelled down to London by car as usual, dropping pets off en route. As it was a late arrival and early start the next day, we decided to stay at the Premier Inn on Bath Road. Much as I love the Sofitel at T5, if we are doing nothing more than sleeping it seems an unnecessary expense and it is not as convenient for T3. I have to say the PI's Stay, Park and Fly package at £111 for 2 weeks parking included (with Purple Parking’s Meet & Greet) is excellent value (the actual parking bill was £175, which we of course did not have to pay as it was included in our £111 package). Also the car park at the PI is ideal for watching aircraft landing!
We dropped the car off in Terminal 3 the next morning at 8 am and made our way into T3 Departures, two floors below. We of course did not use DTCI, but may try it later this year. Check in was straightforward. We had some difficulty locating the Wing entrance at first, the check-in desks appear to have moved location since we last flew with Virgin, but were soon at the security area, which was busy with 10 passengers in line, but once through we made our way to the Clubhouse.
I booked a scalp massage and then had an English breakfast, followed by moving seats and a breakfast roll, followed by moving seats again after my scalp massage. I was peckish again by then so ordered some chicken wings and fries and rounded this off with coffee and cookies. Oh and obviously several cocktails, the Lady T (Earl Grey tea infused vodka with cucumber) being my favourite.
The Clubhouse was busy and seating availability was limited on our arrival. We shared a large table with a lady in the restaurant area as there were none free, but my mid-day it was half-empty. Our flight was delayed due to a technical issue and a new aircraft was arranged. We left LHR 2 hours late but no big deal; we had a great time in the Clubhouse!
Our aircraft was Miss Behavin':
My last long haul flight last December was in BA First and it is tempting to make direct comparisons between that flight and this even though Virgin UC is technically a business class product. We had an outstanding crew on this flight, especially the cabin crew member who looked after our area and the FSM, who led from the front. I am not one to usually write to companies with praise (nor complaint) but have done so on this occasion.
I have discussed the menu on another thread so will not repeat it here but I attach a few pictures:
As I can only add 3 photos per post, I shall add a few more in a post below.
So, overall I loved my first UC flight. I especially liked the Clubhouse of course (I have visited before and this time it was busier, too busy first thing, but still one of the best lounges going). Also the excellent on board service, the cabin crew were outstandingly good. They were fun but professional. I felt they actually cared we were enjoying the flight. The food: although meal presentation in BA First was better, the choices more extensive and there is flexibility to eat when you want is nice, I really liked Virgin's food, it was certainly tastier and less "fussy" than BA First which suits me. The chicken dish was the best meal I have eaten on a flight- really delicious.
I did not convert the seat to a bed on this daytime flight but found the seat comfy. I did at times feel a bit "penned in" and there is no doubt BA First offers far better privacy but this seat is superior to BA Club certainly.
The inflight entertainmenet was limited but there were several films I wanted to see and indeed did see- just. The screen contrast and brightness was very poor and this let it down.
All in all a great flight and I am looking forward to flying with Virgin again in September.