VA trip in new upper class suite
May 6, 2013 | 8:46 pm
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 18
VA trip in new upper class suite
Hello everyone,
figured I would attempt my 1st trip report and trying out the new upper class suite seemed like a good opportunity to do so.
Just flew Upper Class on VA from IAD to LHR and Back late last week so here are a few things that I noticed.
arrival at the lounge in Dulles:
friendly staff but the lounge was packed like crazy in space that is way too small. No food on display, not even snacks, but a bowl of chips and salsa/guacamole not really what I was expecting but when one is hungry one will eat about anything. Now having said there is a menu you can order from but since my flight to Dulles was delayed by 2 hours my lounge adventure was cut short. I did get however a nice glass of Pinot Grigio.
Boarding process:
nothing special but I don't need to be treated like royalty so I boarded easily then got to my "suite". Some rather frustrating passenger then refused to switch from his beloved 1A seat to accommodate a family of 4. He finally gave in after a while.
All I had with me was a carry on and boy was space cramped. One must know that the A330 has ZERO overhead luggage space over the middle row (section) of the upper class cabin. Rather silly when everyone has a carry on these days. The crew was very accommodating to everyone. My bag disappeared for the duration of the flight but I was reunited w it on arrival at LHR so no issue in my book but could be frustrating if you need to get stuff out of your bag during the flight.
the very annoying part
VA please turn the darn music down for boarding. Felt like I was going to a club on a Friday night. Just loud and really not good music (think Yanni meet Euro techno). May be I am just getting old but when you board, at least I do, I want to hear something calming, peaceful that does not get me in a state of frenzy.
Now the fun part I did manage to get stuck in the suite on the ground for 3 hours due to a rather large thunderstorm so I sure had time to look at every nook and cranny of the suite.
So here is in the nut shell my feelings about the suite: the seat is rather comfortable but does not recline very much compared to regular non flip over seats but they will let you recline when taking off which you then wonder why the other airlines force you do get your set in the upright position. I could be wrong but it felt like it reclined less than the BA club seat.
The somewhat transparent sides of the suite are nice for light coming through your pod but really are annoying when it comes down to privacy. I liked the old white walls on the regular/old suite but could see how some felt claustrophobic.
There is also very limited storage space, the spot where you put your feet lifts up and you can put your toothbrush in there and phone but that is about it. on your sides there is no room, there is a pull out elbow rest thing on one side but not the other side (would be nice to have it on both sides but i am being picky here).
For the record I am 5.11 and 180lbs but I felt cramped in the space and the lack of privacy is quite annoying.
the food
After take off we were finally served something to eat. I had some beef thing. Not sure why I ever get the beef it is never good in airplanes and this was no exception. Tough over cooked no flavor and the rest of the meal was pretty much on par w the beef. Boring but again I was hungry so it did the trick. However the BA dinner I had was 10 times better.
on the flight back food was slightly better but the "tea time" with cupcakes and macaroons was the best VA had to offer food wise aside from the vino.
The entertainment center
lots of choices, latest movies, big screen. works well. headset w built in noise cancellation did the trick. However, trying to eat while the screen in front of you can be annoying since the screen will sit right above the middle of the tray. So whomever came up with that idea needs to rethink it.
Sleep time
After finally taking off I had the chance to flip the mattress over and try out the bed.
You literally have to jump on it to lock it in place but once you get the hang of it, it is easy to do. the extra padding provided helps and the duvet is super comfy. When the bed is fully flat you really get to enjoy the entire space the pod has to offer and that is when it pays to be in Upper Class. The flight was super bumpy but 2 glasses of red, an Ambien and being dead tired sure did help. Felt well rested on arrival.
Arrival lounge
The arrival lounge is nice enough with showers, breakfast to order but really nothing special but the good thing is that it was literally empty of any other passenger. The BA arrival lounge at LHR kicks the rear of the VA lounge. However the departure lounge of VA is quite nice with sit down lunch, breakfast, choice of cured meats, cheeses and breads. You can play pool if you ever manage to secure the 1 table or you can just sit and relax.
Overall, it was a good experience, but the VA upper class hype I think is running off. I am starting to feel more inclined to choose BA which may have more "old school" service but I think offers a very equivalent if not better product. The best part of the VA suite is the bed. for me at least with my limited experience that is what will make me hesitate between VA and others.
figured I would attempt my 1st trip report and trying out the new upper class suite seemed like a good opportunity to do so.
Just flew Upper Class on VA from IAD to LHR and Back late last week so here are a few things that I noticed.
arrival at the lounge in Dulles:
friendly staff but the lounge was packed like crazy in space that is way too small. No food on display, not even snacks, but a bowl of chips and salsa/guacamole not really what I was expecting but when one is hungry one will eat about anything. Now having said there is a menu you can order from but since my flight to Dulles was delayed by 2 hours my lounge adventure was cut short. I did get however a nice glass of Pinot Grigio.
Boarding process:
nothing special but I don't need to be treated like royalty so I boarded easily then got to my "suite". Some rather frustrating passenger then refused to switch from his beloved 1A seat to accommodate a family of 4. He finally gave in after a while.
All I had with me was a carry on and boy was space cramped. One must know that the A330 has ZERO overhead luggage space over the middle row (section) of the upper class cabin. Rather silly when everyone has a carry on these days. The crew was very accommodating to everyone. My bag disappeared for the duration of the flight but I was reunited w it on arrival at LHR so no issue in my book but could be frustrating if you need to get stuff out of your bag during the flight.
the very annoying part
VA please turn the darn music down for boarding. Felt like I was going to a club on a Friday night. Just loud and really not good music (think Yanni meet Euro techno). May be I am just getting old but when you board, at least I do, I want to hear something calming, peaceful that does not get me in a state of frenzy.
Now the fun part I did manage to get stuck in the suite on the ground for 3 hours due to a rather large thunderstorm so I sure had time to look at every nook and cranny of the suite.
So here is in the nut shell my feelings about the suite: the seat is rather comfortable but does not recline very much compared to regular non flip over seats but they will let you recline when taking off which you then wonder why the other airlines force you do get your set in the upright position. I could be wrong but it felt like it reclined less than the BA club seat.
The somewhat transparent sides of the suite are nice for light coming through your pod but really are annoying when it comes down to privacy. I liked the old white walls on the regular/old suite but could see how some felt claustrophobic.
There is also very limited storage space, the spot where you put your feet lifts up and you can put your toothbrush in there and phone but that is about it. on your sides there is no room, there is a pull out elbow rest thing on one side but not the other side (would be nice to have it on both sides but i am being picky here).
For the record I am 5.11 and 180lbs but I felt cramped in the space and the lack of privacy is quite annoying.
the food
After take off we were finally served something to eat. I had some beef thing. Not sure why I ever get the beef it is never good in airplanes and this was no exception. Tough over cooked no flavor and the rest of the meal was pretty much on par w the beef. Boring but again I was hungry so it did the trick. However the BA dinner I had was 10 times better.
on the flight back food was slightly better but the "tea time" with cupcakes and macaroons was the best VA had to offer food wise aside from the vino.
The entertainment center
lots of choices, latest movies, big screen. works well. headset w built in noise cancellation did the trick. However, trying to eat while the screen in front of you can be annoying since the screen will sit right above the middle of the tray. So whomever came up with that idea needs to rethink it.
Sleep time
After finally taking off I had the chance to flip the mattress over and try out the bed.
You literally have to jump on it to lock it in place but once you get the hang of it, it is easy to do. the extra padding provided helps and the duvet is super comfy. When the bed is fully flat you really get to enjoy the entire space the pod has to offer and that is when it pays to be in Upper Class. The flight was super bumpy but 2 glasses of red, an Ambien and being dead tired sure did help. Felt well rested on arrival.
Arrival lounge
The arrival lounge is nice enough with showers, breakfast to order but really nothing special but the good thing is that it was literally empty of any other passenger. The BA arrival lounge at LHR kicks the rear of the VA lounge. However the departure lounge of VA is quite nice with sit down lunch, breakfast, choice of cured meats, cheeses and breads. You can play pool if you ever manage to secure the 1 table or you can just sit and relax.
Overall, it was a good experience, but the VA upper class hype I think is running off. I am starting to feel more inclined to choose BA which may have more "old school" service but I think offers a very equivalent if not better product. The best part of the VA suite is the bed. for me at least with my limited experience that is what will make me hesitate between VA and others.
