This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
A few highlights were a fantastic upgrade by Disney. I had originally booked 9 nights in a studio and then 9 nights in a one bedroom but on arrival we found out that the first half of the stay had been upgraded to a 1 bedroom and we were in the same room for the whole 18 nights.
The monster truck from Hertz, a Ford Explorer Max which was absolutely huge and some fantastic weather with little rain and an only a bit of humidity.
The lowlights being the prices of everything, food, drinks and shopping which just seem to be out of control.
Anyways, the last day as ever was a bit frantic with no need for extra cases this trip. A fantastic last lunch at D-Luxe burger at Disney Springs and then a calculation to try and not leave the resort too early to drive the 14 mins to Orlando International.
The car was handed back without any issues and check in was done very easily although I have mentioned the issues with the Virgin boarding pass not showing TSA pre in the Apple wallet. This was dealt with by the check in lady without me having to ask.
Onwards through a very quick security (the TSA lines are now at the very left hand side) and soon into the Delta lounge for the last few hours.
The food has improved again, with more choice although it’s certainly not a clubhouse by any standards but it’s much better than it used to be a few years back. The tipping at the bar for a beer or two still feels a little strange.
The time passed very quickly and before long “a virgin representative is at the door to escort you to the gate”. This is a very nice touch and adds a little sparkle to your departure.
So far so good but for how long.
The plane was an A350-1000 leisure version with the small upper cabin.
Mmmm.
As much as I really wanted to like the new plane, I struggled. As along time leisure flyer, you always got the feeling that the fleet was just a little bit behind the Heathrow fleet. The 747’s with the older seats, the older IFE, no IFBT, smaller bar and older equipment and latterly the A330’s that were ok, the thought of the brand new halo product was exciting.
So where do we start. The cabin is strange with only 1 toilet on the right hand side meaning that exactly half the cabin has to walk through the front galley to get to the facilities feels like your intruding (although the staff seem to be fine about it). The strange social space in front of 1A which is just weird and should really be another toilet. The quality of the fitments which seem to be poor and not holding up to any use but the mood lighting is very nice especially on a night flight.
The seat. No storage. A TV that either doesn’t want to stay in or doesn’t want to come out. Blinds that need a hydraulic jack to move them. An armrest that wants to stay in the down position. A recline that seems to move in all sorts of funny ways to just recline (once you find out the bed button is actually the recline button as well.) A seat that’s extremely difficult to get out when reclined. A weird lap seat belt that felt really loose (might have just been mine). A bed that I just could get comfortable in and all in all a real disappointment.
It should have been so good.
It wasn’t.
So the food. Oh dear. The standard menu is just yuck. The pre order not much better. I’d opted for the sausage and mash. You can decide.
Do you think that was a kids portion ?
The breakfast I passed on and stuck with a nice mug of tea.
The crew were fantastic however and I had a feeling they were aware of the shortcomings. Nothing was an issue and infact 3 of them joined me on the flight back up to Edinburgh which was nice to see.
The flight was an hour or so late leaving so that ate into the slack time between landing and the BA shuttle from T5 so unfortunately meant no arrivals lounge. Infact it was a sprint from getting out the plane to arriving at the gate as boarding started at T5.
So, the A350. Could, should be so much better and with a little thought will be. Who signs these things off ? Is there no customer input ? Not having tried the A300-900 yet , would I choose the A350 again over the older A330-300 if there was a choice available ? Do you know what, probably not. I like the flip over seat. I like the bigger cabin which feels more spacious and I like the bar compared to the new social spaces.
Thanks for reading
David.