Trip Reports - LAX-LHR-BOS-IAD-LAX, VS and UA Business

First trip report for me.

VS #8, LAX-LHR, Upper Class.

After months of problems with CO, we finally secured 2 Upper Class seats on this flight. It was well worth it, as VS economy has much to be desired in terms of seat comfort. Check in at LAX was very quick, and we were invited to the Maple Leaf Lounge, which had a nice supply of fruit, chocolates, cheese, and cookies. We had no problem stuffing our faces, and all too soon, we were escorted to the gate.

The plane was a 747-400, and we were on the lower deck. A CO agent came to us, asked if we had business cards so she could make luggage tags. She also informed me that my FF number was not in the record. So I gave it to her. Very nice of her to take the time to do that. Two amenity kits were given. Very nice. One contained the usual toiletries. The other was a smaller cell-phone case, which contained a nifty silver pen, a pad of paper, mints, tissues, and ear plugs. Very nice. The in-flight therapist took orders. I chose a scalp massage.

Unfortunately, the seats were not as comfy as I would have liked. (But then again, I am comparing to my last trans-atlantic in first on SQ).

"Freedom Menus" were delivered. It was really restaurante style. There were many choices for each course. I chose a house salad, a vegatable torte, and strudel. I'd eard great things about Virgin Food, but I really was not that impressed.

Entertainment was wonderful. Attendants were fantastic. We landed early, bags were on the belt, and were through customs in no time.

Return flights on next page.

LHR-BOS, UA #999 Business.

Check in was slow, even through only a few people in line. Heathrow Terminal three needs improvements. We went to the RCC, where there were a few muffins, drinks, etc. It was a full club, and it felt rather run down. Nevertheless, it beat not being in the club!

We had bulkead seats in the 767-300. I must say that I like the UA seats better than VS. While there was less room, the back support was far superior. Small amenity kits were given, followed by menus. I chose a delicous lamb chop. My friend ordered the fish. But when we were served, he looked at his fish, and then at my lamb and stared! The FA saw his galnce, and said, "You look like you'd be happier with the lamb, let me get you that instead." She was really very sweet. Salad, bread, and dessert were all well laid out.

Entertainment was good. Snack later on was either a philly cheese steak or a cheese and fruit plate.

We landed early, and we got through immigration quickly. But with all the construction at Logan's Terminal E, and with the 3 747's which arrived at the same time as our flight, it took 45 minutes for the bags to arrive. (They were among the first on the belt from our flight). My problem was that I really had to use the bathroom, and there were no facilities in the baggage area. I had to get permission to go back through customs.

Logan is really srpucing up. Lots going on there.

Final leg on next post.

I spent three hours at Logan taking pictures and comparing VIP lounges. Conclusions: US (which I just purchased a life-membership in) is the newest and nicest. UA, which is in TW's old spot, had the most helpful agents. NW has the best snacks. CO had the best magazines. And TW had free OAG pocket guides! How did I get entry into all these? My HP card got me into CO and NW. My DL card got me to UA. My TW card got me to TW.

BOS-IAD-LAX, First

I originally had a ns BOS-LAX, but I wanted the segments, and I preferred flying the 747 as opposed to the 767 transcon.

Flight to IAD was short and sweet. Snack service consisted of a club sandwich and a square of chocolate. Not a great sandwich, but the flight was only an hour.

IAD-LAX, Business

I was in 11H, which is bulhead window upper deck. Good seat, until the end of the full flight when it took forever to get out! FA's looked tired, and I empathised, as it was the end of a three day weekend. Menus included choices of turky, beef, or fish. Fish was not available by the time my order was taken. I ordered the turkey, which was awful. It had rice and veggies in a sauce that all tasted sour and almost spoiled. The salad, however was great.

There were pre-dinner drinks with packaged pretzels. No before landing cookies.

Does AA still do warm nuts and cookies in F and C on longer flights?

We landed early, and I hadn't checked bags, so as soon as i got off the plane, I was on my way.

In all, it was a great trip with wonderful service. Only real dissapointement was the domestic UA food. But all the agents were wonderful and pleasant.

My g'f flew VS in Upper Class when she came to meet me in London. She gave it very high ratings, which is impressive considering the high expectations she has (let's hope she doesn't read this http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif). She rated it equal to BizElite, better than AA or UA Biz.

I agree with your analysis of Logan lounges. US Airways has been recently renovated, IIRC. I've never been to the TWA or NWA lounges. Continental's is kind of small, but they don't have many flights.

Great trip report.

Yes, AA still does warm nuts and cookies on the transcon and some mid-haul flights as well.

re lounges at BOS: The RCC is incredibly hideous and overcrowded: they lost out on the lounge swap if not on the gate swap. They've opened the former international lounge as a somewhat nicer annex (just past security on the left). All this until they complete the new club, which will be opposite gate 15 or so, as I recall. The RCC staff in BOS are very helpful, I agree.
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re lounges at LHR: *G and RCC members have a number of choices. The SK lounge is pleasant in a sterile sort of way, with a long snack counter that looks like a cafeteria; my favorite is the little, cozy TG one upstairs.

Originally posted by violist:
re lounges at BOS:
The RCC is incredibly hideous and overcrowded: they lost out on the lounge swap if not on the gate swap. They've opened the former international lounge as a somewhat nicer annex (just past security on the left). All this until they complete the new club, which will be opposite gate 15 or so, as I recall. The RCC staff in BOS are very helpful, I agree.

First off, yes, the BOS RCC can get mighty crowded especially during delays with people fighting for phones. I also really like the RCC staff that I see alot (Kate, Patricia, Beverly) and they treat me well. If I'm not mistaken, though, the new RCC will be opposite gate 19 not 15 (I think opposite gate 15 is still a Delta gate). As for the annex lounge...shhhh! Not too many people know about that one! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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Regards,
- Anna

[This message has been edited by AnnaS (edited 05-31-2000).]

Originally posted by AnnaS:
If I'm not mistaken, though, the new RCC will be opposite gate 19 not 15 (I think opposite gate 15 is still a Delta gate).

Duh http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif, just goes to show I shouldn't post after all-nighters. Been doing Student Prince at North Shore Music Theatre (if you happen to be north of Boston this week), but have publishing deadlines as well; two nights ago I pulled an all-nighter to get a couple projects wrapped up, so had to have caffeine (in the form of IBC Root Beer) to keep me going for the show, which led to an involuntary white night last night (during which I tried to work but with zero efficiency). Thank goodness there's 3.5 hr between services today, when I can get some shut-eye. All of this pointless activity to save up for the next couple months, which will be a work-and-pleasure marathon (39K miles on UA and US in June and July). Even I should have remembered, as the 15-16 area holds many memories for me, the most notable being the inaugural of 998, on the plus side [a great flight], and the time ACA was using the gates and they failed to tell passengers they had to emplane via the emergency exit - which resulted in a whole
passel of people being left behind.
What was I saying. Oh, the BOS RCC and tix staff have been good to me for years: BOS wasn't a big UA market. Since the expansion, I find that the RCC staff are still great, but the counter people are a mixed bag, lots of new hires, I suppose - I periodically go off here and elsewhere on how you should look for an agent with gray hairs, the more the better! Another thing about the expansion: the 1K line sometimes has as many customers as the Premier line used to in the good old days.

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Cheers
Michael *G