This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
I was leaving the Doubletree by Hilton just after 6am declining the offer of complimentary breakfast (a perk of being Hilton Gold) as I knew I would eat in the Clubhouse. This was my second stay at this hotel and I really liked it especially the warm cookies to welcome you on arrival...
The National Express airport shuttle is £8 return but it worked well and it was stress free in the end. I was arriving into Zone A at just before 7am and was welcomed warmly.
I was thanked for being Au and wished a good flight. Sadly, the lift to the UC wing was not working today so I took the escalator up and turned left, where someone was waiting for me at the glass door.
My boarding pass was checked as I loaded my items onto the x-ray machine belt and it was all pretty painless just having time to press the smiling green button to register my happiness with the security experience today.
I arrived into the Clubhouse which was up and running but very quiet. Several flights to the East coast USA had been cancelled and some frantic calls and rebookings were taken place the concerige desk with a few raised voices....
I settled in for breakfast enjoying the Clubhouse breakfast with juice and coffee. I moved to the library and did some work and made some calls but I was regularly checked on to ask if I needed anything.
I had my monthly haircut in the Clubhouse, which has been my salon for nearly two years now but a stylist I had not seen before looked after me. She was lovely and the wash after the cut still impresses me....
Just time for a couple of drinks before boarding was called at 1030. The Clubhouse was very quiet throughout and actually no VS flights were operating between 1320 and 2030 which I am sure made for a quiet afternoon for everyone
I went down to Gate 1 which was a new gate for me and boarding was a little odd but it all worked out in the end and I was walking down the airbridge onto "Sleeping Beauty"
I was welcomed at the door by the CC saying I had the same name as him.....I then turned left and found 16A. This is a seat I would not normally choose as it is close to the bar and I was worried about the view from the window but a late booking put paid to any other choice....in the end the view was fine and the bar did not create any issues for me.
Settling in and a glass of champagne was offered, followed by sleep suits for those that wanted them and finally newspapers. My neighour was one of the last to board and I knew straight away she could be trouble...I recognised her as a so-called celebrity and she was off to LA for the Grammys...more on her later...
Everyone on with a full house in all cabins, the FSM was already making a positive impression and we pushed back just a few minutes late with a flight time of 11hrs 3mins promised. The CSS welcomed everyone in UC and said we could use the bar after the main meal service (first time I have heard this)
The taxi was quite short and we were airborne at 1146 after no queue and a straight line up on runway 27R and off we went.
Hot towels were quickly offered and drink orders taken. Menus were handed out though no welcome back as Au and no use of names, but a good solid team spirit existed which was on show all flight long.
A large G&T arrived with crisps and both were refreshed without asking which was nice. My neighbour was fussing around in her seat and been very demanding of the crew which they coped with very well. Lunch orders were taken at 1230 which the CC laughed when she got to me as she said everyone on the A side wanted the same things.....
Tables were laid for lunch at 1315 and the FSM was visible throughout the main meal service.
I couldnt pull my table out so a trusty knife was found by one of the CC which did the trick and I was told it had been logged to be looked at.
The starters were Smoked Duck or Carrot Soup. I had the soup which was delicious and quite spicy. The main options were Asian braised shin of beef, Roast breast of chicken and Dolcelatte cheese and butternut squash tortellini. I had the chicken which came with Cheddar cheese champ potatoes, courgettes and balsamic jus.
Dessert options were warm bread and butter pudding or Gianduja chocolate shortbread. I had the bread and butter pudding which would have been better with cream or custard than the apple syrup it came with
The cheese trolley was offered and I enjoyed a small plate of goodies with a hefty glass of port. The cheese trolley I know has had some stick but it was very popular on this flight and I really like it
It was then lights out but thankfully no proactve shutting of blinds (though all did in the end!!) and it was time to settle down. I watched a little TV but find Vera on demand a little clunky now after using Vera Touch and the selection just does not get refreshed as often as I would like.
The bar was busy on this flight but not noisy and drinks were regularly offered by the CC to those not at the bar. No ice cream had been loaded which I thought was a bit odd but the graze options were proactivlely offered later in the flight. I enjoyed a mini beef burger but the other options being BLT salad and Vegetarian Sushi. The basket of crisps, nibbles and chocolate was also brought around the cabin and the fresh fruit basket on the bar was well used too.
My neighbour who had been at the bar since after the main meal service had now fallen off a bar stool and helped back to her seat - she was put on oxygen and told to stay put. It was all a little stresful but the crew coped well. The captain came to review the situation - she was fab, no-one would have messed with her whatsoever.
At the same time, the bar was cleared and the seat belt sign was put on so everyone went to their seats. It was clear this was more than a drink issue from what was been said.
The rest of the flight she either demanded a glass of wine which was refused, she was out of her seat been rather rude to the crew or finally....sleeping. At one point the FSM was rather assertive and strong with her and by word it was needed...it did the trick in the end.
The crew were having to make statements about what had happened so I offered to support them if needed, this was taken up with the CSS confirming my contact details if needed and she thanked me for my help.
A couple of people from the The Only way is Essex were also on the flight but they were lovely to be honest.
The rest of the flight was uneventful and afternoon tea was finally served just over an hour before landing. It was served from one trolley which started at 17K and it seemed to take ages for the trolley to reach me....I was the last to be served but the sandwiches, cakes and warm scone were welcomed warmly. The same issue with my table existed but a knife sorted it
We touched down into a very breezy LA a little early and were asked to remain in our seats as the flight was been met by the authorities.
True enough several law enforcement officers boarded the aircraft and escorted away my neighbour. We were then allowed to leave and I was thanked again for my support. I was the first one into the immigration hall and was processed quickly. My bag was on the belt and I then went through customs and was out into the chilly LA afternoon without any delays.
A good flight, a friendly crew who worked as one team....no name use or recognition of Au status but I never expect that now if truth be told....nice when it does happen.....
Shame about the antics on the flight but one to add to the list of ones that I really enjoyed.
Jon
Last edited by horburyflyer on 24 Feb 2013, 11:17, edited 2 times in total.
I need to know who it was, though...pleeeeeease 
