This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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There were five of us on this flight, all booked in PE. Four of us had S fares and one had a K (he had booked slightly earlier than us).
We knew getting to the airport would be interesting if we relied on public transport/a cab firm so we drove in two cars and parked at the long stay car park at Gatwick's south terminal. Other people must have had similar concerns, as it was crowded at the car park and we had to wait a fair while for an empty bus to the terminal.
Once inside, the terminal was packed out. All VS queues were horrific by normal standards - the Economy queue was snaking backwards and forwards and getting very close to the queues for the checkin desks on the opposite side. PE and UC had long queues and weren't moving fast.
Three of us - uncle, sister and myself - went to the ticket desk and waited to see if uncle could upgrade his K. He did, with cash (879), to a Z fare. As he paid for our tickets, my sister and I didn't want to abandon him in PE and upgrade to UC. But since he managed the upgrade, we went for a mileage upgrade and secured our own UC seats.
It took the ticket agent a fair while to sort our mileage upgrade out. We had paper tickets, so once upgraded, the agent stuck labels over the top of the fare basis (I think, from memory). Meanwhile, my parents had checked in at PE and my uncle at UC.
My sister and I began queuing for UC checkin and had to wait a least 20 minutes to get to a desk. At the desk, there was obviously some issue as the agent left her seat, jumped over the wall and went to the ticket desk for about 10 minutes. Perhaps it was during this discussion that our FC accounts were debited a SECOND time for the 20k miles - a fault I noticed while in LAS and which FC sorted out quickly to their credit.
We were finally checked in, and given 11A and 11K - uncle was in 10K so sat just in front of sister. We used the Fastrack security line which was slower than the normal one, and on the other side made our way to the duty free shop so I could grab a bottle of Remy Martin XO Excellence for 45 - bargain! Also had a voucher for 5 off when spending 50, so got a Paddington Bear for another 99p.
The queuing for the ticket agent and checkin had really eaten into the time we had left, so up to the Clubhouse for my shortest time in there ever! Ordered the Xmas version of the signature dish (exactly the same as the normal version, I thought) and a hot chocolate and apple juice. The hot choc was bizarre - the best description I can give is it was made like an espresso - small cup, small amount of intense liquid. When the server put it down, I actually thought it was an espresso and said 'Sorry, that was supposed to be a hot chocolate..' to which he confirmed it was. Needless to say, it was awful!
Rushed out of there in under 30 mins, made our way to gate 31, and saw straight away it was Ladybird G-VAST, so finally got Odyssey entertainment on a LGW plane!
Saw the Priority Boarding sign was sideways on, over to one side, doing no good whatsoever! WHY DON'T YOU USE IT AND PROVIDE PRIORITY BOARDING, VS?? Crazy.
Boarding had begun and there were large queues, which we joined and finally boarded. Had a glass of the new champagne and settled right in. Flight time was 10 hours 15 mins.
The usual FSM speech - 'drink alcohol in moderation...' - was extended to include a warning of what would happen if you DIDN'T drink in moderation which sounded a bit stern. This seems to be a problem on this route, as evidenced by the flight I took with mitchja in November, when the bar was shut in economy. Later on this flight, another warning was given when someone was caught smoking in one of the toilets.
No headsets were handed out until my sister requested one, at which point they handed them out to the whole cabin. Whoops, looks like someone forgot! Still, the crew were very nice and did a good job.
The freedom menu was a special Xmas version. Last year I flew on Xmas eve, and there was an insert in the normal menu with additional Xmas options. This time, a menu had been specially printed with additional Xmas graphics and seasonal choices.
The starters didn't look appealing, so I went straight for roast turkey and all the usual trimmings. (Brussel sprouts on an aircraft - is that wise?). This was nicely presented, was a very good size portion and tasted great. Top marks.
For dessert I again had the Xmas option which was Cranberry bread and butter pudding. This was more than acceptable, but not outstanding. With the meal I had the Shiraz which has been discussed recently on this board and noted as the only worthy choice. I certainly enjoyed it.
After dinner, I asked for a sleepsuit and an amenity kit. Whoops! Someone had forgotten to hand them out as well! Out came the tray of kits and they were handed out to the cabin. Mine had christmassy cuff links as the gift which were appreciated.
I was very tired indeed - had only had a couple of hours sleep the night before, so i was instantly snoozing away. Strangely I always, without fail, sleep on the way over to the west coast, but often can't on the night flight back. I think i'm generally a nocturnal animal.
I awoke in perfect timing for tea. When it was served, I happened to be sitting on my sister's ottoman so had tea with her, which also allowed me to chat with my uncle in the seat in front. It's way too easy to knock the seat controls whilst seated there.
I had a scone with cream and jam and a couple of cups of tea - all very good. Sister had the salmon sandwich. She tried a bit of the buffalo mozarella in the other sandwich and found it rather unpleasant.
Landing was upon us, leaving me just enough time to change back and avoid facing US immigration in my sleepsuit. Speaking of which, this was the quickest I have ever got through, with no questions asked at all.
Even more appealing, was the sight of a gentleman at the exit of the airport, holding up a sign with my uncle's name on it. Your limo awaits, ladies and gentlemen! Marvellous!
