Upper Class Improvements

Ok a simple question but maybe atopic all would like to add their own comments too. How can Upper Class be improved? Can the seats be made more comfortable? Can the IFE be improved? How can the food be improved to give it the edge with its competitors ? OK we know the Club House is fantastic and the kits are a joke , but for VS to maintain and improve what ideas would you guys think make it a better airline by simple changes that would not push the prices up too much.- keith

I would like to see the IFE start as soon as the safety cartoon has finished. i.e. before take off. This doesn't just have to be for UC though. Also want the option for external camera views throughout the flight.

Priority boarding that actually occurs in all airports.

Vegetarian main meals that are edible.

Two pillows per passenger

Wi-fi, but no internet phone/chat use allowed (maybe allowed if they go to the bar area)

To mention a complete rethink about the ameanity kits is too obvious a comment to make.

I've been sad to read the "freedom" menu isn't what it's advertised to be. Supposedly, according to the hype, I get to order food whenever I want, but doesn't appear to be so. I know the lounges have been made to encourage us to eat in them, but I like to snack around during long flights, and dang it, at this point in time, I'm not allowed to bring anything onboard to eat if I wanted to. I will say, in UC, I shouldn't have to bring extra food anyway. Should be tons of stuff to choose from and eat when I feel like it - right?

betsy

You can ask for a bcaon roll, for example, or help yourself to fruit, nuts, chocltae, crisps from the bar.

VS.

[Neil]

Originally posted by betsy06
Should be tons of stuff to choose from and eat when I feel like it - right?

Lets be fair, its an aircraft we are talking about here, catering for max 8-40odd pax in UC, it would be impossible to cater for everybody's own indivual tastes and wants, as with any food eatery, there is a Menu from which you choose if it aint on the menu you can't have it, its still way better than W & Y offerings.

Neil

[mitchja]

Originally posted by Attitude23

Originally posted by betsy06
Should be tons of stuff to choose from and eat when I feel like it - right?

its still way better than W & Y offerings.

Neil

Not necessarlly the case all the time. I've had a bad meal in J on VS (all be it a few years ago now) and yet I had the best ever airline Y meal this year flying back from SYD on VS. There wasn't a scrap left on my tray when I'd finished and I nearly asked for seconds. Those warm big sausage rolls you get as the second Y meal service are also fab too.

In terms of improvement, I've said it before and I'll say it again - nose + belly cams please oh and V:Port across the entire fleet.

Regards

[Neil]

James, when I was comparing the Freedom menu to the W&Y offerings, i wasn' talking about quality purely choice and options of what to eat. Betsy was saying that there should be "tons of stuff to choose from" I was pointing out that the choice is HUGE compared to the other classes.

Neil

ashtrays & free marlboro lights

Windows that open to let some fresh air in[:o)]

OK, guess I exaggerated when I said "tons of stuff" to choose from to eat onboard. My point was I was hoping I could have a real meal, maybe a sandwich sometime, some crisps, a dessert if and when I wanted it...stuff like that. If that's the way it is, I'm happy. I've read, however, some accounts from passengers saying they were "encouraged" to eat when everyone else was eating and not really offered anything else. Guess the truth lies somewhere in-between.

betsy

They do imply/encourage people to eat at a set time, however you are able to ASK for anything on the menu whenever you want assuming they have got it.

I managed to try a little bit of everything once and they were very helpfull.

Whenever I'd declined food at the first meal time I've always been told I can request anything at any time if its available.

My one big improvement would be to get the crew to use passengers names in Upper more.

Its pretty easy to do (just needs mini manifests printing for each section) and some airlines do train crew in basic memory skills to help. Whenever its happened to me (and it sometimes has on VS) it just seems to raise the service to another level.

Oh and the FSM walk round should always happen in Upper along with Elite tier recognition in other cabins.

None of this costs money!

ashtrays & free marlboro lights

I can remember when the SAA First lounge at LHR approx 12 years ago did have free smokes and lighters, think they were Peter Stuyvesant took a few packs for mrs jag who smoked at the time.

Originally posted by jaguarpig

ashtrays & free marlboro lights

I can remember when the SAA First lounge at LHR approx 12 years ago did have free smokes and lighters, think they were Peter Stuyvesant took a few packs for mrs jag who smoked at the time.

My parents, and by default me[}:)] used to smoke Peter Stuyvesant... Can you still get them? (Not that I smoke anymore, but it brings back happy adolescent memories).

Using the Passengers Name, and remembering it without looking at a list is priceless, and costless. The are pretty good at it on KLM, and is a nice touch.

[preiffer]

The remembering of names is the one (and only) thing that Air Canada do well. It does make a huge difference.

Yes, getting spoken to by name is a great touch!:D Maybe VS should hire some people from Asiana or the like to help with training?

VS.

Originally posted by PVGSLF
[Using the Passengers Name, and remembering it without looking at a list is priceless, and costless.

..and could be rolled out across a fleet almost instantaneously giving the same experience ex LHR, ex MAN, ex LGW, ex wherever without being dependent upon refit schedules...

Paul

I think put a window in the loo, like on BA F class and totally agree with getting crew to use the pax name more. It makes it so much more personal.

[HighFlyer]

Too funny GJ

Incidentally i am the opposite, can't stand the formalities and will always ask people to just call me Sarah ... unless they are serfs of course such as our dear Jason.

Thanks,
Sarah

Agree with GJ on the names, but with Sarah also, if that is preferred - definitely the formal as default though.

As per my recent TR, matches in the LHR CH would be nice...

Cocktail waiter at the bar, with a pianist nearby

Would being tucked into bed with a lullaby be going to far do you think? [|)][?]

(OK, the last two are not that serious )

Maybe formal at first and then the CC should ask what would you would like to be addressed as?[:?]

VS.

[HighFlyer]

As much as i was jesting earlier, i too agree that being called by name by CC is a real bonus that does not cost a penny. Richard and I were both welcomed aboard by name on our Y flight with BA to EDI. We are both bottom rung Blue in the Exec Club but they still took the time to recognise us. I would greatly welcome this change from VS for Ag and Au passengers. Similarly, as said by others, all FC Au travellers in Y should also be greeted personally by the FSM.

VS045, i flew out to SFO last year and that is exactly how the conversation went with the FSM, asking me how i'd like to be addressed. Most polite, welcoming and raising my opinions of VS crew.

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by radar
Would being tucked into bed with a lullaby be going to far do you think? [|)][?]

I once did get tucked into bed in NZ First... a pleasant experience from a delightful member of the cabin crew.

I do like being spoken to by name: on VS I don't mind first name (some of the VS CC I have met will usually use it) but on BA or SQ then it has to be surname given the more formal nature of the cabin.

BC

Now if we can get that on every flight, Sarah:D

VS.

[Darren Wheeler]

My £0.02 worth..

Names - Good customer service skill suggest you ask said customer how they wish to be addressed. I hate Sir, Mr, etc. especially coming from someone similar age or older.

Luggage that is first off for UC, second off for PE along with a similar disenbark for passengers.

A little more crew/passenger interaction perhaps. Now flightdeck visits are banned, how about a camera view and the flight crew visiting the cabins as duties permit.

Better manners for the the UC check-in bouncers. Some are very abrupt with passengers.

Review the state of the UCS more often. Some are looking tatty now and not what you expect for the time in service.