part 1 Virgin Atlantic Club House & Virgin Atlantic JFK-LHR
part 2 Air France LHR-CDG
part 3 Air France CDG-VIE
part 4 Le Meriden Vienna
part 5 KLM VIE-AMS
part 6 KLM AMS-HEL
part 7 Helsinki
part 8 Finnair HEL-CDG
part 9 Paris Sheraton CDG
part 10 Paris, France
part 11 Air France CDG-LHR
part 12 Virgin Clubhouse LHR & Virgin Atlantic LHR-JFK


VIRGIN ATLANTIC
VS 004
Aircraft: A340-600
Actual seat: 17K
Depart: JFK John F Kennedy airport
Arrive: LHR London Heathrow
Sched.Departure: 6:00pm Actual Departure : 7:15pm
Sched.Arrival: 6:20am Actual arrival: 6:10am

BACK STORY
When I began thinking about this trip, it started off simple enough, fly from New York to Helsinki, Finland to visit some friends. My first thought was to buy a revenue ticket but since tickets were high and I could only fly mostly with KLM I thought it would be better to use miles so I could try out other airlines up front. However I did not want to spend more than 100,000 miles to fly to Helsinki. Then I started thinking about my last trip to Europe in December for christmas, when I flew with Delta to London then AF to paris and finally arriving in Basel, Switzerland (some family live in Freiburg Germany) on a BE ticket which surprisingly was around $2300 compared to $1900 in coach!!!
Since Delta have the new partnership with Virgin Atlantic and as a Delta Diamond (and BE ticket) I had the chance to experience the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge. It was pretty 'Brilliant' compared to anything I have ever been in, so I was determined to actually try Virgin Atlantic crossing the pond one day.
What was a simple tirp became much more complex and I had started tacking on a side trip to Vienna and to Paris. I really didn't want to spend over 100,000 miles but I found space on VS in upper class on the way to LHR and back to JFK. So all in I spent 130,000miles to add on the Virgin Atlantic flight, but then again when would I get to try out their product. After multiple trials and cancelation to get the right flights I wanted I finally set on JFK-LHR-CDG-VIE Then VIE-AMS-HEL a few days in Helsinki then HEL-CDG with a day and night in Paris then CDG-LHR-JFK. It seems quite involved but I am getting to get the best of my buck. The taxes and charges came to around $312.

FLIGHT JFK-LHR
Since my flight was in the evening and I was only taking carry on luggage, I decide to take the subway to the LIRR (long Island Railroad) which is about 20mins from Midtown Manhattan to Jamaica, Queen and then an 8 minute ride on the air train. One great thing is the airtrain arrives right in terminal 4 for easy access. The Virgin Atlantic Upper class check in desk is right in front of the doors. There was only one person working the desk, but soon as I stood in line, there was another agent opened up to help. I few minutes later I was checked and boarding pass in hand, I headed to security. First and Business class lanes were quite empty and I was the 2nd person in line, however the regular line was long...real long. The walk to the lounge was not far. As I walked up to desk I was warmly greeted by the agent who I met the last time I entered the lounge. The entrance to the lounge is beautiful and the ladies at the desk were smartly dressed. Since this was my second time in the lounge, there was no need for them to give me a tour. The staff in the lounge are great and truly look like they love working in the lounge. I took a seat at the window over looking the apron, in the dining room. A few moments later, a lovely waitress came over to hand me the menu, and told me the code for the wifi and if I cared to start off with a cocktail or perhaps a glass of champagne. The way the staff in the clubhouse speak is quite eloquent, and remincient of a fine dining restaurant. I of course as I always do, I ordered champagne, lots of it, ha.

I had a some breakfast at home and by the time I arrived at the airport, I was famished, I could eat a cow. I had read that the pizza was quite good (thanks to blogger lucky), So I ordered the pizza as a starter and then the Hamburger as my main.


pizza


The flatbread pizza was wonderful and had a great texture and bountiful flavors. I highly recommend the pizza as an appetizer but definitely not a main course.

Champagne


The Champagne - is wonderful, though I generally like a sweeter champagne but definitely still a great blend and of course I would drink a bottle of it .

Menu


Excellent assortment of food and drinks to choose from.

Menu 2


Burger


This is the second time I have had the burger and once again it, is scrumptious with awesome 'Hot Chips" (fries)

Apple cobbler


cappuccino


View Tarmac


After eating a fab sit down lunch/dinner I was full and ready to relax. I was running a little behind schedule so I didn't have time for a complimentary massage. I did however try it back in December and it was fantastic. I also added on a treatment which was quite cheap, I think around $40. If you want to get your haircut, you also have the option with a salon right in the lounge. Just as I sat down, They called for the flight. Then about 5 minutes later they called last call. It was only 5:30, the flight didn't depart for another 30 mins, so I collected my things and headed down to the gate which wasn't far. As I came to the gate, I realized they had boarded everyone already and I was actually the last person to board. Oops!
Today's flight would be on the older A340-600. I haven't been on one of these in about 15 years when I was a little twink. I was warmly greeted at the door and turned left to seat 15A. As I looked around, the the flight was quite empty and as I looked back down the plane, it was really empty. As I took my seat I thought about moving to the other side of the aircraft to the last row next to the bar. I chose the back left since there is a wall in front of the seats but since there was no one on the other side I asked if I could move. I was told I could once the door had been closed. In a few moments, a glass or goblet of champagne was handed to me. Now thats what I call a pre-departure drink. That was a good serving, and the serving on Air France and Delta, well lets say they are extremely stingy compared to the old hollywood glamour of the champagne served on board Virgin Atlantic. I think I was going to like it... a lot!

A340-600


Cabin


Champagne anyone?


Foot well


A few moments later, I was handed my sleep suit aka pajamas. She handed me a large. I decided to wait till we took off to change, though all most all of the upper class had already changed. Almost finished with my champagne the captain came on the PA announcing that we would be moving to remote stand since we wouldn't be able to leave for an hour since we could not land in London before 6am. There were very strong headwinds which would make it an extremely short crossing. Doors closed, I moved my belongs to the last row of the right side of the upper class cabin. When I was sitting in 15A, it actually felt a little cramped but when I moved to 17K I felt like I had a bit more space, perhaps it was because of the extra shelf area. It reminds me of Delta's 777 seat 7A (my favorite seat).

There is no electrical outlet and you have to ask for an adapter to plug in your electronics. The seat itself is quite padded, and there is a remote for the Inflight entertainment system. There is a seat/stool for passenger to dine with you, which I found awesome. The table is large and sturdy plenty of space for 2 people to dine. Right behind me was a bar area which I was warned might get loud but since this was a quick overnight flight they thought nobody would enjoy cocktail hour.
They started the inflight entertainment system, but the screens were small and old. The choice of movies, were slim and not a lot of new movies. Nevertheless I hadn't finished Thor (the second installment) on my last flight so I decided to finish the last of it.
Since we were not going to move for an hour, I decided to chang into my sleep suit. Now I am not a massive guy but I do have footballer legs so the pants were TIGHT on me. I felt like I was wearing tights. The top fit fine, but the one time my legs (which I get many compliments on) don't do a thing for me in Virgin's Sleep Suits. The sleep suits are black and basic, but hey pretty impressed that they give out PJ in business class. Hear that Delta! The flight crew were friendly, young and attractive. I am kinda shocked since I am used to grumpy grandma serving me on Delta flights, ok not all of them are grumpy but I do a lot of international flight (on Delta) they tend to be very very senior flight attendants. I actually flew with the oldest Delta flight attendant from DTW-HKG who was around 80. He sure was grumpy and sluggish, but I guess good for him for still working...The purser was actually sincere and friendly, she came over to have a chat and when I told her that that I was a virgin...on VS she quickly said well then we'll be gently and hope you'll enjoy every second of it! lol

It's all so amazing to know how much we multitask these days, I was watching a move, while simultaneously tweeting, texting, instagraming, facebooking.... What seemed like 15mins was actually 1hour and 15mins of being on the ground. Finally we taxied to the runway and were first in line for take off. Right away I feel such a different vibe on Virgin, almost back to the days of flying was enjoyable, fun, fancy and free. As per other non US airlines, the seatbelt sign was switched off about 5 minutes after take off. Most people were getting their beds made by the flight crew, I decided of course to have dinner and report back, but boy was I NOT hungry.

The way the flight attendant presented the champagne, sparkling water and then some 'crisp" was elegant. I really think I was going to enjoy this! About 5-8 minutes later my table was set with nice linen and charming salt and pepper shakers.
The flight crew were attentive and never let my champagne glass be empty. Warm bread rolls were offered and I went with my favorite, Pretzel roll, ok so I had 3... I will hit the gym when I get to Vienna! Ha!

STARTERS
Carrot and Coriander Soup
topped with creamy creme friache
Spicy Maryland Crab
Blue crab native to Chesapeak bay,
served with pickled mango salsa

Warm Breads
your choice of Artisan breads from our bread basket

MAINS
Parmesan-crumbed fillet of beef
with creamy dauphinoise potatoes,
glazed carrots and red wine sauce

Chicken Breast
wrapped in proscuitto, a sweet, delicate
Italian ham, filled with mozzarella and
served with mashed potatoes, asparagus
and balsamic glaze

Thai vegetable curry (v)
An authentic, warming dish with
steamed jasmine rice

Pudding*
Honey Cheesecake
with graham cracker crust. Creamy with
the sweetness of honey and an extra crunch

To begin I decided to go with the Carrot and coriander Soup, well I had to since I am allergic to shellfish (Spicy Maryland crab). My main was the Beef, which was absolutely delicious and thankfully not rubbery. I wanted to try the curry but again thanks to blogger Lucky who said it was not so flavorful, I went with the beef. Dessert was also scrumptious. I was again completely full though perhaps since I only just ate a major meal 3 hours before... Well they do say you should eat every 3 hours, I just forget that it's small meals every 3..eeek. I think having a full dining in the lounge is great and if I flew this route a lot, I would mostly eat in the lounge then go right to sleep, but of course since I am a virgin I have to try everything like I was visiting the little best whore house in Texas aka its a movie!
Once dinner was complete, I asked to have my turndown service, The flight attendant set up my bed while I freshened up for bed. The linen is not as nice as Delta's heavenly westin bedding but the actualy bed was great! A far better sleep.
Night shades on, ear plugs in, it was time for sleep. When I thought I had finally passed out, I was woken to Breakfast! Are you kidding me, I had only been 2 hours! lol When you board they had you a breakfast menu to fill out and they serve it 1.5hrs before landing. Argh I was still full from dinner, but again I had to try the breakfast. Bed back into a chair, I was served Breakfast. Now I know what it's like entering an all you can eat competition. I think I was going to barf, but I had to soldier on and try it. This time I only took a few bites of each thing and ate the croissant. The English breakfast was delicious and so was the croissant but again, I only took a sample.


starters


Take off


table set up


Salt and pepper shakers


Soup


Beef


Cheesecake


Bed


Bar


Breakfast


As usual we entered a holding pattern over London, but it was only 10 mins which still got us in 10 mins early. Finally we made our approach, and as we were heading to the gate, I had yet to receive my coat, which actually made me a little anxious. Then as we began taxiing they handed out our coats. It was a short taxi and we were at the Gate.

London


Door 1lL and 2L were opened and I headed to as quick as I could to transfer to terminal 4. I had never transferred here before and was a little worried that it would take 1.5hrs but soon as I got to the ground floor to take the bus it was already there. The journey time was 8 minutes and with only 3 other passengers it was a quick departure. Driving right up next to the A380 was pretty cool. Security at terminal 4 was dead so I was through there in a heartbeat and headed to the transfer desk to pick up my Air France boarding pass. From Plane to the Skyteam Lounge was about 30mins, not bad at all. Transiting at LHR is not too bad and with that said either is CDG. Transiting these two airports are straightforward and easy! Now that I am sitting in the lounge early, what should I do....Eat.... argh. lol