This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
I literally sat with the VS app and searched every destination to see which was the cheapest for the date range I wanted and sure enough, three weeks out found a fantastic Z fare to DXB and a hotel deal with some Hilton points that was just too good to be true.
Flash forward, out of office on and I was at the T5 Hilton, a wonderful property that has now become my go-to hotel for staying around Heathrow, despite it being a bit of a pain in the arse to get to/from unless you taxi. (I despise with intensity the Hotel Hoppa prices and concept and would actually rather get a taxi than use their service)
Limo was booked to pick me up at 10:30 from the hotel and as always with London Heathrow Cars, they were prompt and the driver was as usual fantastic.
DTCI now no longer need you to register in advance, so 15 mins on the phone after getting the car details, I had a wasted call. DTCI was prompt and the girls couldn't quite believe that I was there 12 hours before my flight.
Private security was okay, but I was really annoyed by a member of the security staff who told me to join the queue at a certain point ahead of others, I found it odd but since I was ready to go through I didn't question it and still don't understand why she told me to do it, for whatever reason it then totally pissed off two DL Medallion's who rather than take it up with her, took it OUT on me! I give as good as I got, talk about reinforcing a stereotype! The rest of security went smoothly and I was cleared airside by 10:45.
I have recently got a Free Dragon Pass and fancy myself as an amateur YouTuber, so I spend some time in both the Number 1 lounge and the Club Aspire lounge getting footage to make some review videos on YouTube. I will save the analysis for later, but Number 1...good but busy, Aspire...yeah just don't bother!
Shopping and Duty Free done, new sunglasses obtained and it was time for the Clubhouse! I went in about 12:45...for 22:30 flight.
I came across many of the staff I encountered in December, and was warmly welcomed back, I remember the days when I thought my Clubhouse visit was a one time thing, never that I would be there often enough to be remembered. Treatments booked for 18:30 and I had the same therapist I had in December. Now myself and a few friends have been taking about doing a Vegas trip, and things seemed to be coming to a head with it and the two friends I was going with had their leave approved in the afternoon, so whilst I was in the Clubhouse I booked all of our flights (me in Premium, them in Y) and sorted out our hotels. A VS 747 was my first ever flight so getting to go back on one has been a big thing for a while and I loved the novelty of booking a flight whilst in the Clubhouse!
As discussed elsewhere, the HVAC was still dodgy, but they had industrial AC units dotted around, so as long as you were close to them you were okay. I was a little annoyed by one of the staff in the brasserie having an argument with a member of the waiting staff, it just seamed unprofessional and unneeded in-front of pax. I got the impression her fellow teammates weren't impressed with her behavior either!
Boarding onto G-VGEM was on time, I went down a little early, so glad to see a Jet bridge attached to L1 door, I do love having my own jet bridge for J! FSM was welcoming and the new J cabin on the 330 is stunning on a level with the 787 and nice to see such consistency.
Welcome drink offered, no refill though! Little bit of a ground delay as LHR was busy, but we were soon in the air. Personalised welcome from the FSM and acknowledged status (only Silver!). Seemed to take a while to sort out the cabin and get those who wanted to sleep into bed. Menu has been shown elsewhere so I won't reiterate it for this cycle, but I had the Pea and Mint Soup, and the Vegetable curry. Both were tasting and filling. As usual I took a seat at the bar for dessert and cheese and a chinwag with the crew.
I must state that the FSM, and the two main crew working Upper, including a northerner, a lass from Leeds were incredible, heavily personalized service delivered all around and it didn't go unnoticed. The FSM was always active in the cabin.
I got about 2 hours sleep and woke to my breakky, scrambled eggs and hashbrowns with a lovely side of porridge. Immigration at DXB was quick and my limo met me at arrivals and I was in my hotel room at the Conrad within an hour of stepping off the plane!
One of my favorite flights with VS thanks to an absolutely amazing crew!
Luxury & Boutique | Miles & Points Usage | Long Haul
TravelLessOrdinary | [email protected]
TravelLessOrdinary | [email protected]