This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
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Cabin Crew
(although I cannot begin to imagine why 
)Well anyway, after a week away in a very hot Orlando, Mrs Buns and I needed to get back to Blighty - not least to save further punishment on our poor credit cards, having decided this was to be a shopping / relaxation trip
Now I must admit to a slight degree of nervousness as this was also the day that Chelsea Clinton was to get married and some of you will recall Comrade Wheeler's exploits back in May where a quite simple flight between Palm Springs and San Francisco combined into disaster when he missed his connection.
I had booked AA between MCO and JFK and had visions of the airspace of the entire Eastern Seaboard of the US being closed down to stop anyone seeing the wedding
My fears were unfounded and we arrived at JFK at 4pm - giving us ample time to switch between Terminals. But I am now very wary of independently booking flights 
Back to to the TR proper then
We arrived at Terminal 4 JFK on the AirTran and made our way up to the Departures Level by escalator; not withstanding we had our 3 bags with us (well we had gone out with 2, but were forced to get another
) as we have now mastered getting between JK Terminals with bags. However, as we got to the top of the escalator, some charming person had decided to get out their documentation as they travelled upwards and had dropped the whole lot They thought it would be also a good idea and just crouch at the top of the escalator and pick everything up - well I wasn't (couldn't) going to stop so just ploughed through Now the reason I mention this interlude is because as many of you will know as you emerge at the top of the escalator you you encounter the shambles that masquerades as the VS Check InOnce again, my encounter there was less than impressive - no queue marshals in evidence, staff not working the Check In Desks attentively engaged with one another in deep and meaningful conversations - all of this wrapped up in indifference. I am convinced this is a ploy by VS to condition our American Cousins to the indifference they will experience the moment they step off the plane at Heathrow.
After checking in and making sure our bags were being safely taken to the screening area we made our way to the Clubhouse, proudly brandishing our invitation
We of course were early enough to be there in time for the VS004, but I had wanted to come back on the 747, so the place was pretty full, We grabbed one of the dining tables and ordered our usual Burger I am two minds about the JFK Clubhouse - on the one hand, it is an efficient operation with plenty to offer, but on the other, the open nature of its location (with some little sparrows thrown in for good measure) does nothing to give that sense of calm before a flight. As this would be our home for the next 2 hours we made the most of our visit, quickly blagging some of the comfy chairs by the window once the passengers for the VS004 had left.Eventually the flight was called and we made our way (via the dedicated channel for Business and First Class passengers) through security and down to the Gate. The flight was already boarding and we made our way down the Jetway. For regular travellers through JFK, you will know that you descend down a glass walled ramp to begin with and this is where we saw Mustang Sally in her new livery
I do have to say that in the evening sunshine the golden sun against the new metallic red paintwork on the engine cowling was very impressive indeed - so much was my attention focused on this, I did not even notice the lack of the Union flag on the winglets Standard welcome on board and directed to our seats in the A Section. It was clear that whilst the outside of the aircraft was getting a new lick of paint, the cabins had not been ignored
New leather on the ottomans and a general sprucing up of the Suite surrounds by removing marks and making good chips, made it just like they looked like when they were first made. Now I may have been mistaken, but I am sure that the mattress foam had been made a little less firmer - but as the cabin was (as always) too hot, I never used the bed on the flight as such.
The Crew were efficient in ensuring passengers were settled before push back (which was a little ahead of schedule) and, remarkably for JFK, a very quick taxi had us in the air in no time. The flight was only to be 6 hours, the crew were anxious to get everything underway and passengers put to rest as soon as possible.
Mrs Buns and I - having used our own hard earned cash for the flight - decided to "get our money's worth" and opted to partake of everything that was on offer rather than just getting a nightcap
I have to say, I was fully impressed with the offering - albeit, much was served in the dark, out of respect for others.I became engrossed in watching Nanny McPhee - a delightful story to pass away the time before dropping off to sleep. As I mentioned before, the Cabin was very warm, so both Mrs Buns and I declined to have our beds made up, preferring to snooze in the reclined position.
All too soon, the breakfast service commenced and knowing we would partake of Revivals, I just had some coffee and juice. Perhaps at this point, I should make some comments about being in the A Section.
Yes it is spacious, and has plenty of room to move about. But one has to accept this is a shared space and combined with the fact that the front two seats do not have overhead bins directly above the seats, it soon becomes clear that there is a distinct lack of privacy. There was a family group split across the cabin and the conversations and discussions between them were obvious to one and all - perhaps a reminder to us all that, on an aircraft, everyone can hear you
The good progress of the aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean was to no avail as we were put into a hold pattern over Watford before crossing London to then double back towards Heathrow. Being on the Starboard side of the Aircraft, I was afforded a double dose of viewing my hometown before landing
Rant Alert
We arrived at the Gate to find that the direction equipment was faulty and we had to wait for the Ground Handling Agent to attend to finalise the parking - now you would have thought that whilst this was taking place, someone would be ready to dock the jetway - but no - a further wait ensued whilst somebody saltered along and it must have been a good 20 mins from arriving at the Gate to actually departing the aircraft
The UK Border Reception remains as dire as ever, it is still undergoing refurbishment and one wonders if the area was generating revenue for BAA, whether it would take so long to fix. Perhaps it will be ready for the Olympics - not saying which one mind
The Baggage Hall was no better and it seemed like an age for the carousel to be assigned. Bags were off pretty quick and once loaded we pushed our self seeking missile towards Customs and the world beyond, only to witness one of those Reality TV Moments were a group of people had tried to split up but were caught be the Customs Officers
We made contact with out Tristar Driver before adjourning to Revivals (via a faulty lift i might add
) and after a satisfying breakfast we were on our way home and hour and a half after landingTo conclude, whilst the flight did little to wow (other than the paint job) there was nothing to tempt us away from VS and given we both have a shed load of miles and need to maintain status,it looks like we will be flying VS again - bit not too sure when
buns
