Virgin Atlantic (VS)
- Flight: VS901
- Class: Business (Upper Class)
- From: Tokyo (NRT)
- To: London (LHR)
- Aircraft: Airbus A340-600
- Date: April 2014
The final flight of the trip
The crew on this flight was really good. I was welcomed on board by a really friendly and outgoing FA. The CSM then went to each passenger and shook hands and introduced herself.
As soon as we hit cruising altitude the crew sprung into action. I ordered my usual morning drink: double macchiato.
The FA offered to bring me a double espresso with a jug of warm foamed milk on the side, that way I could get it exactly the way I liked. The crew were really on top of their game this day, going the extra mile, adding small personal touches to the service.
The food on this flight was really good. A considerable step up from the last time that I flew VS NRT-LHR, last year.
Lunch started with some delicious, thickly cut pieces of seared salmon tataki served with roast beef. Surf and turf.
Next up I went with another Japanese option: Braised beef with yuzukosho teriyaki sauce.
This is the single best dish I have ever eaten on a plane. The piece of beef was enormous and just fell to pieces the second I touched it with the chopsticks. That’s right, a piece of beef served on a plane that is so tender it does not require a knife to cut. The sauce was absolutely delicious and the rice was perfectly cooked too.
A miso soup on the side
For dessert I stuck with the Japanese option and chose the azuki bean cheesecake… which was great.
At this point I wasn’t exactly ravenous but it is pretty hard to turn down port and cheese when it wheels its way past you.
Onion chutney with blue cheese is a pleasure revealed to me by VS and one which I’ve indulged in at home, ever since my first encounter with it at 35,000 feet.
Given that this was a 12 hour daytime flight, I managed to develop something of a hunger 6 hours in. I asked for a burger without the bun. It was ok. Certainly not of the same standard as the lunch but by no means bad.
VS901 also features an afternoon tea service, replete with multi tiered cake stand:
Given the fact that the flight was on Easter Monday, we also got an added bonus treat.
Conclusion
Overall this was a superb flight and a wonderful end to the trip. The crew were really attentive and had a great sense of humour. The IFE had a decent selection of films. The food was spectacular and the seat was comfortable too.
When VS gets it right it is a fantastic experience.
- Part 1:
- Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – London Heathrow Airport
- Part 2:
- Virgin Atlantic: Upper Class – London to Tokyo
- Part 3:
- Park Hyatt Tokyo
- Part 4:
- ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto
- Part 5:
- JAL Business Lounge – Narita Airport
- Part 6:
- Qantas Business Lounge – Narita Airport
- Part 7:
- Qantas: Business Class – Tokyo to Sydney
- Part 8:
- Qantas: Business Class – Sydney to Melbourne
- Part 9:
- Park Hyatt Melbourne
- Part 10:
- Hilton Cairns
- Part 11:
- Windjana Villa, Mission beach
- Part 12:
- Park Hyatt Sydney
- Part 13:
- Qantas Business Lounge – Sydney Airport
- Part 14:
- Cathay Pacific: Business Class – Sydney to Hong Kong
- Part 15:
- Cathay Pacific The Arrival Lounge – Hong Kong Airport
- Part 16:
- Novotel Century Hong Kong
- Part 17:
- Cathay Pacific The Wing: First Class – Hong Kong Airport
- Part 18:
- Cathay Pacific The Wing: Business Class – Hong Kong Airport
- Part 19:
- Qantas Combined F and J Lounge – Hong Kong Airport
- Part 20:
- Cathay Pacific: First Class – Hong Kong to Tokyo
- Part 21:
- Conrad Tokyo
- Part 22:
- Tokyo sights
- Part 23:
- Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – Tokyo Narita Airport
- Part 24:
- Virgin Atlantic: Upper Class – Tokyo to London
