This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Travelling from the office in Covent Garden to Heathrow thanks to the Underground and the Heathrow Express had me entering Zone A at Heathrow a little later than I had planned. In fact, it was now approaching 1130am... 
Anyway, approached an empty UC desk and was processed without any fuss. My Gold status was recognised which makes a refreshing change and I was up in the lift and into the security lane. I was "selected" for a more thorough check which is always the way when you are in a rush with a 1230 teleconference looming which I had hoped would be completed from the Clubhouse.....that said, the security agent was lovely and friendly and we just needed to go through the motions together. The whole process did take about 15mins as everything had to come out of my laptop carry case and then put back in....it was the case with six different sections which were all crammed full
Up the stairs to the Clubhouse and it was now approaching 1215 so booked a hair cut for later on and went to the library to find a spare desk and get some work done and that call
By 1pm I was hungry and some work things taken care of I went to find a table for something to eat. I was not approached once whilst in the library which was most unusual
I had the dim-sum and the Chicken and Mushroom pie - all delicious though a little too much puff pastry with the pie and finished off with some ice-cream and a small cheese plate.
Haircut also taken care and just time for a glass of perfectly chilled English bubbles it was time to think about boarding which was delayed until 1445. The call did come and I left and was at Gate 16 quickly and boarded through L1.
The FSM was at the door and recognised me from a previous flight and me him.....so he welcomed me by name and things were off to a good start
I was getting organised when the cabin crew member looking after the A side popped along and introduced himself and offered a glass of champagne which was refilled without asking....
A long flight time of 11hrs 38mins was promised and we finally closed up and pushed back at 1527. A total count of 106 passengers. Drink glasses collected, newspapers offered and sleep suits for those that wished and we were airborne at 1550.
Hot towels quickly dispatched and drink orders taken. Menus handed out and the FSM popped by for a chat and thanked me for my "super loyalty" and for being "a top tier flyer"....
Drink arrived and was a very large and strong G&T wih some crisps both were refreshed without asking and then it became clear....something was wrong....
V-port or should I say not only the renamed "Vera on demand" but also now the refreshed version was not working properly....two reboots later and now 1hr30mins into the flight and it started to work.....a sigh of relief rung around "Scarlet Lady" and not just from the passengers...
Tables were laid for dinner at 1715 and though the same menu as my recent flights....the chicken main option has changed to a breast of chicken with mashed potatoes and courgette. I enjoyed the Onion and Cider soup which was tasty...a couple rounds of warm bread rolls and then the chicken dish, rounded off with the warm chocolate and salted caramel pudding.
The crew were very attentive but with 20 free seats in UC you would expect them to be but my water and wine glass were refreshed until I said stop....they were great.
No cheese trolley but cheese was promoted so I am guessing as a few declined it was a pointless exercise, though some cheese plates did appear. It was then time to settle down for a few hours. Ice-cream was offered a little later and then the graze options were offered mid-flight - mini beef burger, vegetarian sushi and a Coronation chicken salad...the mini beef burger was tasty and I enjoyed it at the bar
The bar was lively all flight long but a good atomosphere. 1hr30mins from LAX, afternoon tea was served which also interests me as it was now nearly 2am UK time. The trolley put in an appearance and the sandwiches were good, the scones seem to get smaller but were warm and went well with strawberry jam and clotted cream and the mini cakes are always welcome
Strapped in and hot towels offered once more followed by lovehearts and it was time to land, touching down at 1923. I was the first off into immigration but most likely the last out of the airport as they had many questions for me about my recent trip to the middle east.....a quick holiday in Dubai just didn't wash though that is what it was
This questioning then had me following the dreaded red line to the customs check who went through my case with a fine tooth comb and then at the end "welcome to the USA"....an hour later and into the cool LA evening.
Overall....a fantastic crew. The IFE problems were out of their hands and they really did help make a long flight a good one.
Thanks for reading......Jon
