Thing is, it's not imitation. There was plenty of furore when this came out, since other than breakfast and a rather pathetic snack using the Raid the Larder service you get no food whatsoever on the plane. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
As we all know, on VS you can pop downstairs and have a meal at the bar whenever you want. No meals on the BA Sleeper Service. No bar either.
Sorry can't resist a spot of BA bashing...
How anyone chooses to fly NCW over VS UC from the UK is utterly beyond me. Fine, if VS doesn't fly the route, but it amazes me that anyone could prefer NCW seat, amenities or service to VS UC. Where's the limo? The in-flight beautician? The bar? The decent IFE? The flat bed for people who are more than 5ft6? The sleeper suits? The freedom meal service? The great Clubhouse and Arrivals lounge? And coupled with these missing features are the fact that you either have to climb over someone or have someone climb over you when they want to get out, and the cabins on all planes are as crowded with seats as anything I've seen, including G-VEIL!
Sure, not all VS UC features are always available (no limos on Z flights, no bar and beautician on ex-LGW flights) but even at its worst, VS UC is better than BA NCW. And wouldn't people rather fly an airline that dares to be different and dares to innovate?
Ah, I feel refreshed!
BC