Originally posted by bardgal
The FULL UC MONTY: (hoping this is what happens on our upcoming trip and that by putting this in writing I am not tempting The Three Daughters of Necessity. [:)] )
[**If you're actually paying full price, not upgrading, then you're picked up by limo to make your journey to the airport.]
We arrive at LAX, and the UC desk is staffed so we can check in early (and they let us.) We breeze thru security and on to the ANZ Koru Club which is not packed. We're called on time, turn left at the door, board, and a smiling FA points us to our seats. Another FA comes by with champagne and mimosas. Yes please! We are offered a VSNinjaª sleep suit, extra Cowshed goodies to go with our AMENITY KIT (that has magically morphed from the shoe bag to some VirginUltimateª bag because the FO pulled their heads out of their lower intestines on this one...) and we're shown the ins & outs of our UCS, and the IFE is already switched on. Menus are waiting for us in our UCS.
We change into our VSNinjawearª and our street clothes are stowed away in one of the closets. Our champagne is refilled. We take off as I am comfortably reclined in my lounger.
After the seatbelt sign is turned off new beverages are acquired and dinner orders taken. It's a new fall menu, and all the courses are marvelous! Everyone gets their request.
I sit back and tune into the Gerard Butler Channel on the IFE with a nice glass of single malt (shut up. A girl can dream.)
Ready for some zzzzs my lounger is turned into a bed, and I sleep like a baby. Waking refreshed I have some lovely breakfast, then hang at the bar having some bloody marys. Later it's afternoon tea, and finally we get ready for our descent. The last ten hours have been a joy.
bardgal, I hope your forthcoming trip from LAX is more like your expectation than our reality on the same route.
We arrived at LAX approx 1115 (straight from a cruise, so no real choice but to arrive early) and managed to nab one of the few uncomfortable benches to sit on and wait for check-in to open at 1330. Joined the UC check-in queue at 1330 only for the security lady to come out and swap the UC and PE queues around so everyone had to move. Waited while 3 groups of PE passengers were called forward to the PE desk and checked in before anyone was called to the UC desk.
Quickly through the fast-track security document check downstairs but then up the escalator and joined the throngs waiting for the full security and x-ray where there was no fast-track separation.
Straight into the welcome oasis of the Air New Zealand lounge. No-one at the desk and as soon as we turned the corner, dragon lady came rushing down calling out at us as if we had wandered in off the street. Once she saw our boarding cards she welcomed us, with a grimace. A couple of hours of peace in the very pleasant lounge. Later a member of VS staff came to call UC passengers to the flight, led us downstairs and towards the gate but when she met with the crowds around the boarding area, she simply abandoned us and everyone had to try and fight their way through to board.
Found our seats (5&6K, A340-600) and given a drink. Saw the passengers in the A&D area opposite being offered Ninja suits, and some changed into these before we took off. We were never offered these, and never offered the option of having the bed converted. Crew were friendly but we didn't seem to see the same one twice, with the result that some things (dessert, for example) were offered several times and others not at all (Ninja suits, bed conversion).
It was an okay flight, but for the UC price I think it should be more than okay. By comparison, our UC flights on MAN/LGW 747s have been excellent. And therein lies the issue, for me at least Ð a lack of consistency in the product. Obviously the different aircraft configurations don't help, as 14 passengers in a cabin is always going to seem more exclusive than 40+. But there should be no difference in the service offered onboard; the product should be consistent. It isn't difficult, it just needs someone within VS to be bothered enough to make it happen.
