This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
There were three agents on duty and it took us about 35 mins from entering the queue to ditching the luggage. Check in lady was of the firm but very efficient type! We were then off to the the Hilton for a bite to eat, a few beers and an early night.
Departed the hotel with hand (wheely) bags only next morning and thought what a good idea twilight check in was! Quickly through security to find a very busy south terminal. Could hardly get a seat anywhere. Gate 36 appeared on the screens shortly after 0830 so we toddled off to the sattelite via the walkway insted of that shuttle thing that I always found to be a real pain for such a short journey.
Ladybird was looking good as ever through the glass and priority boarding was clearly signed. Boarding commenced about 0900 with special assistance & children under 2 being called first. Upper and Premium very shortly afterwards with a stern message for the good folks in economy to stand away from the gate!
Breezed aboard and climbed the stairs to my favourite row 80 where me and father were with Shirley & Ellie in 79 H&K ahead of us.
Flight was under the command of Capt Pain (not a typo!) and we were off with a flight time of 8 hours 4 mins shortly after 1000. We were advised that the weather was predicted to be thundery in the Bahamas.
Now, this was my dad's second time on an aircraft (his first was the day before!) and after his initial reaction on takeoff from Glasgow on BA's 737 I was watching him like a hawk today. I didn't really want another repetition of 'f*@k this for a carry on' out loud on Virgin metal! He settled in nicely and commented on the space and nice seats. As we took off only the way a 744 does he hardly noticed and for the next 8 hours thoroughly enjoyed it.
Having had the pre flight champers I opted for a G&T on the first drinks round. Food followed shortly after with Ellie having the kids meal of chicked dynosaur shape thingys along with the usual extras
Myself and dad had the braised beef which was fine and Mrs had the mushroom risotto which she said was OK.
When we'd all finished we tried a bit of IFE and this was my first look at enhanced Nova (the seatback guide said it was Oddessy). Dad's headphone socket was U/S so he was immediately offered a DVD player which he used instead.
The cabin crew on this flight were the best I've ever had. Stephen - you're a complete star and looked after everyone (not just us) with a big smile and genuine affection. We had a chat about various things and spoke about how the new routes were doing. There were a few spare seats down the back
but PE and UCS were quite busy with only one empty seat on the top deck.
I managed to grab 30-40 mins kip during the uneventful flight and soon we were approaching Nassau.
Capt Pain came on to advise us that T-Storms were still in the vicinity and that NAS was currently closed as a front was passing through. He told us that we'd be on the ground at 1320 local if we got straight in but to expect a possible delay. I'm glad to say we were indeed on the ground with a bit of a thump at 1320 so everyone was happy.
We got off the plane quickly and were through immigration, grabbed the bags and were in the hotel about an hour.
A great flight with a great crew!
Regards
John
