This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
The first sector SYD-HKG (9th July) was a full aircraft in all cabins, except for U Class which had less than a dozen passengers. Great crew were let down by the aweful food. It took a while to settle into the VS cabin service as I was unfamiliar with it - its good but sadly no where near as professional and slick as the trusted QF routine.
The Lounge at HKG - well its ok, but again could not even begin to compare to the CX 1st class lounge, which as a QF Platinum card holder I have access to regardless of the class of travel. Food was better than that offered on the plane, but it was not a calm oasis, rather a busy buzzy lounge - jury is out on that one.
The second and longest sector was full to LHR - the bed really does become the selling point for VS - privacy, room, aisle access - only problem I had was the cabin temperature - I learnt not to get the centre seat on the A340-600 as it does not have any fresh air vents to cool you down. Otherwise, I have to say the seat/bed is as good if not better than BA/QF 1st.
Into LHR and looking forward to the revivals lounge - sadly not - it had been flooded and was closed and the alternative to be taken to the Crowne Plaza hotel was not an attractive one for me as I whad a connecting flight onto Berlin.
Hoeward bound I left LHR for HGK on 18th July - check in was aweful as she had no idea how to change my seat. The lounge was packed - no where to sit quietly - the showers (4 - come on you are having a laugh to service 100+ passengers) were down to 1 (3 broken) - once I did get to take a shower the room had not been cleaned, dirty towels etc and it resembled a steamroom - I was hot, bothered and not happy...but looking forward to the clam and privacy of the U Class cabin. Well, I did say I was a Virgin to these flights, but I am begining to see a pattern. LHR-HKG is a busy route, and popular for cashed up Executive Ex pats with FAMILIES. Not your fault VS, I know a passenger is a passenger, but 14 kids below the age of 4 on our flight made for a very loud cabin. I did get some sleep (I was already exhausted having taken x2 connecting flights in LHR that day) and thankfully the high cabin walls sheald out some of the noise, but I have to seriously consider this on my next trip - rarely on the BA/QF B747 upper deck do you see anyone under the age of 20.
A week later and the best flight - HKG-SYD again a full flight but with no children, and a truely superb crew - professional, friendly, fun and all at the right time during the 9 hour flight.
Overall will I fly VS again - most probably I just cannot get past the Seat abd V-Port. The rest, well food and service I can live without. As for the kids, well I will 'live and let live' and ask for a seat as far forward as possible next time.
Happy flying[:)]