VS010 JFK-LHR 4 AUG 10 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Quite unlike me but I refused to tip the limo (CarMEL) driver who did his level best to kill me and others on the way to JFK despite my repeated comments that I was in no hurry. Honestly what an A*rs! Worse than every yellow cab driver I’ve ever had (except possibly the one who swore at every woman driver he saw – seemingly “they should never be allowed to drive!” ). It was with some relief that I walked into the terminal at JFK.

Check in was painless although slightly amused when the lady on the desk seemed to have trouble finding my booking. “Was that the 6 of 7:30pm flight sir?”. Having time on my hands I was actually there for the 10:30 flight but had elected to leave the city before rush hour got underway. Well that is what club houses are for is it not?

I failed to locate the tax refund office in the terminal(the expected presence of which had made me feel better about the jewelry purchase I had made for my wife) although it seems that was removed some time ago. I will be speaking with the retailer in question on my next visit as I feel the bum-steer should be worth subsequent discount.

This was my first visit to the JFK clubhouse (I more often fly out of Newark). It is in my opinion much nicer than Newark as is bright with lots of windows and a view of the gates. Neither is a patch on LHR though. For a while I seemed to be invisible to the staff while others around me were served although eventually I did attract attention and consumed the fruit plate, the club house burger and a Mojito or three. I will also admit to three cookies from the jar and a bag of cheese popcorn (I did have a few hours to fill after all).

I made use of the showers to freshen up and change in the lounge. The provision of showers is definitely something of a plus (don’t think you get these at Newark – although maybe I have not looked hard enough).

We were called to the gate on time and endured the joys of JFK security screening (club house is land side at JFK and Newark). There was an amount of queue jumping occurring making a few fellow passengers quite irate but I reached the gate without undue delay and walked straight onto VBUG (It surprises me that Virgin fly a Lady Bird – VBUG AND Ladybird VAST not V original is it? ).

The plane is filled with smoky-mist as we board - from the AC I assume. Is this a humidifier function or to make you feel like you are a rock star?

I sit down and make myself comfy and note that PJs are being donned rather rapidly by my fellow passengers. I am pleased to see I do have a snooze pack this leg (what WOULD I do without it… ho-hum ). I am offered food and elect for only the Hot Choc and biscuit and straight to bed. I am also asked if I wish to be woken for breakfast and say that I would.

The late night taxi at JFK is short. I think likely a result of the late hour of departure since from experience earlier flights can taxi around for a couple of days before getting airborne.

Once in the air we are told the flight will be a speedy 6 ½ hours so I decide to try for sleep as soon as possible. I sleep reasonably well although I note I was not woken for breakfast as we are now well in our decent. Maybe they tried to wake me and decided I should be left? Mind you having requested that I should be woken clearly something did not happen as it ought.

As seems to happen to me quite frequently I find I have a customer survey to complete which I do so giving a fairly positive response.

I imagine due in part to my very early check in my bags are about the first ones off. Yay!

I ask to be reminded where the Revivals lounge is (shouldn’t the crew remind passengers about this before they leave?) and wander off for much needed refreshment. A decent shower is followed by a quality farmhouse breakfast, tea and a smoothie. Once I have finished chewing the tea leaves (one must admit to being more used to the bagged variety of tea) I depart for my taxi home.

The New York to London flight is a little too quick to enjoy the upper class experience I feel. Yes I got some sleep, but is it worth the money over premium? Or even economy? The showers and lounges are nice I'll admit, but if you have a choice over a leg to upgrade on this flight I’d always go for the outbound one every time!

The plane is filled with smoky-mist as we board - from the AC I assume. Is this a humidifier function or to make you feel like you are a rock star?

Yes from the AC as the mist only happens when it's hot outside. And it's to make you feel like you're on Stars in Their Eyes!

Once in the air we are told the flight will be a speedy 6 ½ hours so I decide to try for sleep as soon as possible. I sleep reasonably well although I note I was not woken for breakfast as we are now well in our decent. Maybe they tried to wake me and decided I should be left? Mind you having requested that I should be woken clearly something did not happen as it ought.

I often find that sometimes when we try to wake someone - they go straight back to sleep! It happens all the time. I'll try to wake them again and will often leave a glass of OJ on their drinks table for them. They often acknowledge it again and next minute when you go back to them to take their breakfast order thinking that they have woken up, they are back asleep - you can't win!

Thank you for the great TR.

Thanks for the TR. I dont why they called two planes the same name, seems very strange, I'm sure they could have come up with something else.
As for revivals, i'm afraid that the majority of us crew dont know where it is as we've never been there I'm afraid, we dont get shown where it is or what it looks like. I think you should get invites from the JFK groundstaff for this? And LHR groundstaff can direct you when you exit the a/c.