Virgin Atlantic to London - The Upper Class Experience

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skywalkerLAX

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Liebe Forengemeinde,

ich habe auf einem Forum hier in Australien einen Trip Report fuer meine Reise auf Virgin Atlantic SYD-HKG-LHR-FRA verfasst.

Da dieser Beitrag auf englisch ist moechte ich ihn hier nur verlinken, er enthaelt zudem einige Bilder um sich einen Eindruck zu machen.

Frohes neues Jahr und safe travels,
S. :)

Virgin Atlantic to London - The Upper Class Experience
 

foxyankee

Pilotendompteur
20.04.2009
3.667
736
Großherzogtum
Schade, "wir" können die Bilder nur sehen wenn man dort angemeldet ist.

Aber der Text ist nett geschrieben. Hier verstehen ja die meisten auch Englisch, du könntest also auch........Sie verstehen? ;):)
 
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skywalkerLAX

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Finally finding some time for this TR... The trip was a little different than I expected with mixed feelings along the way.

This was the first time I flew Virgin Atlantic Upper Class. I had some miles left on United Mileage Plus and I discovered Continental pops out award options on VS when I used the search engine so I quickly transferred the miles over to onePass and did the booking online. Easy and uncomplicated, no talking to the CSR, no bitching about my international CC as usual with the US carriers. Always loved CO for it's simplicity 75k for a VS Upper Class Ticket Sydney-Hong Kong-London-Frankfurt, connection on Lufthansa. Only 81$ Taxes, yes I can live with that after being ripped off multiple times by the high YQ that bmi charges. Note: Others report it's difficult to find VS availability and this was booked about 4 days prior to departure.

My expectations and excitement were high, arriving at the airport and entering the hall I discovered that no Upper Class Check-In desk was manned. No big deal... I used the regular line as it was pretty short. I should have maybe picked a different counter as the agent was anything but friendly, later I discovered it didn't matter as her colleague next door wasn't much more motivated than herself. Boarding passes were issued, they only have the regular red boarding passes and actually they look very old. Nothing different for UC passengers. In HKG at the Lounge they keep reprints for every through pax and exchange it on the spot. Comment to that: "Yes we know SYD only has these terrible bp so we reprint them for all our Transit Passengers". If VS knows this then why not shipping fresh stock to SYD?? Just a thought...

They were unable to print my boarding pass for LHR-FRA, ok that's relatively common. Then they were also unable to print me an electronic baggage tag all the way to FRA which I found rather odd. It seems like VS Software is not up to date when it comes to interlining, even if on the same ticket. I intervened as I had terrible experiences with manual tags but even the supervisor couldn't get it to work and came off rather ignorant and disgruntled how I could bother her with this. The first tag they wrote was completely illegible - even I (knowing my destination) could NOT read it and I started to get a little bothered by the staffs attitude. I demanded a new tag with legible letters and a correctly passenger copy of it. Thankfully I did that as of course when I reached FRA the bag was not there and stuck in LHR. I decided to pay it back to the people at check-In and decided to buy extra insurance for my checked baggage. A task that you will find is no fun for agents who are already unable to do proper check-in procedures. It took them roughly 30 minutes to figure out the proceedings while I finished up some last minute mail. I think it wasn't the real price of 60$ because I paid much less before, however their task was done and I declined politely. By now they were pretty friendly and the duty station manager joined them. I think they got the drill after some nice comments I gave them on the way.

Next: Off to the lounge and boarding to HKG !
 
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skywalkerLAX

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Virgin hands out Express Lane passes. There was really no traffic that day at SYD so I just used the regular line. Immigration was ridiculous. It took 10 minutes for a line of about 5 people. They had questions for everyone and I can't really imagine every single passenger in front of me had issues. Anyway I just got my stamp, no questions asked and done. Off to the lounge!

The ways at SYD to the Koru Club that VS contracts are endless. Good thing maybe so I could get some exercise for my journey ahead - and boy I would need it. I think the calorie intake easily reached 5 digits.

The Koru Club was pretty packed but I found a nice empty spot with a view to the Tarmac. There was a United Airlines departure which gives a good opportunity to watch some Americans raiding the mobile hot dog stand. Rather fascinating! There is free internet though you have to look out for the code which is displayed in small signs and they only spread out a few of them in the club. Why not just opening the network?

Boarding should come up soon, it was a little delayed. The lineup was a mess and nothing really surprised me re the ground handling for VS in Sydney anymore. Finally it started. I was looking forward to the seat!! I should not be disappointed!

I really like the leather used as material for the seat. Some friends prefer textile fabric as used with the AC coffins but I found this to be much more comfortable. Also the seat seemed to be a bit more spacious which could be just my impression. I had seat 6A which is right in front of the little curtain. The crew was immediately at service to take care of my jacket and to offer a pre-flight beverage. The planes interior was in top condition and that was very impressive to me. Maybe I just flew United too much as I almost *missed* the sight of duct tape. Virgins reputation of very stylish flight attendants seemed to be confirmed on this flight. And they were friendly as well, not the usual high maintenance. You know what I mean guys!

The load was solid: Only one seat left open in Upper Class on this Airbus. We were soon Hong Kong bound. Shortly after Take Off the service began and I already studied the Menu pre-flight. People have been complaining about the quality declining recently on VS but I found the options very nice. Maybe it was even nicer before? To me it seemed fine and I'm pretty picky in case you haven't noticed already... hehe.

Here are some impressions (I will insert a picture of the menu later):

IMG-20111005-00917.jpg IMG-20111005-00916.jpg IMG-20111005-00915.jpg IMG-20111005-00911.jpg IMG-20111005-00919.jpg
 

skywalkerLAX

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After the nice lunch it was time to finish a little work. Which place could be better than the Upper Class Bar. I found the crowd on board rather comfortable and chatty. Very nice!

Short after another Bloody Mary I decided it's time to test the seat for sleep quality. The crew quickly gave me a pyjama. How many airlines still distribute a Pyjama in Business Class? Again, I was impressed. The seat should be very comfortable. Thankfully the only open seat in the cabin should be right behind me so I used that one as a bed and left my original seat as it was. I love the single seating arrangement. The best seatmate if often: No seatmate!

After a 3.5 hour snooze we approached Hong Kong. It was a little bumpy on our way. Short after landing the passengers disembarked and it was time to head to the club house. And it was worth the wait! I walked by it numerous times this year alone and it always looked pretty nice. But what should wait inside exceeded my expectations for HKG. Mind you: VS only operates the SYD & LHR flights here. Attached a few pictures from the inside. Nice feature: EVA Air uses this lounge as contract lounge for their departure. This might be a little gem right there if you always wanted to give EVA a try and you are in HKG.

I decided to have a pre-flight dinner so I can go to sleep quickly. Together with a nice Mojito after I arrived this was a good choice! IMG-20111005-00928.jpg IMG-20111005-00925#1.jpg IMG-20111005-00924.jpg IMG-20111005-00921.jpg
 

skywalkerLAX

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Boarding in HKG was far more civilized than in Sydney. I was happy to be in familiar environment as I have to admit HKG is one of my favorite 5 airports in the world.

The same settling experience than on my previous flight. This one seemed to be completely booked though. I was pretty tired at this point and the 3 Mojito from the Clubhouse might have contributed to that. I fell asleep right away and woke up right before meal service. Even though I planned not to eat I felt hungry all of a sudden so I ordered the steak. It was of excellent quality (almost as good as it get's in the air). After that I quickly changed into the Pyjama and went to sleep - for a full 7.5 hours.

Breakfast was served soon. As usual with breakfast on-board a plane I was not impressed. It was rather dull and hearing good things about the VS Arrivals Lounge I passed and decided to freshen up a little and get changed.

We had a very early arrival into Heathrow airport. I think it was 4:45am and the airport was DESERTED. Never seen Heathrow like this (usually it is a zoo) but I like experiences as this because it always fascinates me how different places look when not a soul is around. I proceeded to Arrivals and Border Patrol. Having a EU Passport makes things very easy at LHR but of course at this time there is no line whatsoever anyway.

Making my way down through the baggage hall (only with carry on baggage at this point) I proceeded to the Arrivals Lounge which was open already. The staff VERY friendly at such an early hour. Very pleasant experience indeed. I hopped into the shower which was a luxury after this long trip. Then it was breakfast time. The selection of breakfast items is pretty good and the quality once again excellent for lounge food.

Here are just 2 impressions of that morning. The food pictures came out too blurred, apologies for that!

Only one piece of the puzzle was missing: The flight to Frankfurt. This became a little bit tricky due to the bad weather in FRA and once again I'm thankful for the privilege of being able to use a lounge in the hustle and bustle of air travel.

First I had to make my way from the VS Arrival Clubhouse to Terminal 3 I believe (?) - It was far and by that I mean FAR. I had a large shopping bag, my heavy laptop-bag and a rollaboard. Arriving at the LH Check-In to get my boarding pass I decided to ditch the Trolley as it was pretty heavy and not really within limits for intra EU travel anyway. Check-In was smooth and friendly. Interesting feature: While being a member of BMI Diamond Club for 6 years now and having earned and burned hundreds of thousands of miles this is the first time I ever held a bmi boarding pass in my hands. And it isn't even a bmi flight.

Making my way through security it was time to encounter the first 'Business Penguins' on my journey. Oh LHR how I love you!

I find the distances at Heathrow horrible, but again it's good exercise so I won't complain at this time. Having about 2.5h time, first I visited the Star Alliance Lounge. Nothing new or exciting here. I proceeded quickly to the bmi Lounge which was also much closer to my departure gate. This was my first time at this lounge and I think it came out very neat! Poor bmi, soon you will probably end in the dark throat of BA. I miss you and your people already! My flight (as mentioned earlier) would be delayed for another 1:30h due to bad weather in FRA. I happily spent the time in the lounge. The connection to FRA was in Business Class which translated into Lufthansa Language: Economy Class with a curtain to part the cabin and a shrimp cocktail for breakfast. May I say: YUCK! Thankfully it was only a 1:10h flight.

Arrived in Frankfurt, I received my bag that I checked in LHR. Not that one I gave to VS in SYD. What a surprise... Being LH Senator and not living in germany one is entitled to a 'On the Spot' cash compensation - in this case the CSR gave me 200 EUR cash. This is one of the nicer features of the program. [The bag reached me the next day around 3PM]. It was time to pick up my rental car. In Germany that means for me: Sixt. All other companies are horrible, especially AVIS. Hertz is so-so but in FRA I do not recommend them at all.

I hope you enjoyed coming with me on this journey!

Cheers
S. IMG-20111006-00936.jpg IMG-20111006-00931.jpg
 

NCC1701DATA

WM-Tippgott 2010
07.03.2009
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Some friends prefer textile fabric as used with the AC coffins but I found this to be much more comfortable. Also the seat seemed to be a bit more spacious which could be just my impression.

Es sind auch definitiv nicht die gleichen Sitze, obwohl sie sich tatsächlich sehr ähnlich sind. Wenn es aber einen Breitenunterschied gibt, ist er m.E. marginal. Allerdings sind die Sitze bei VS und NZ die gleichen.
 
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