VS043 LGW-LAS 2 Sep 06 (PE)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

After spending the night at the Heathrow Marriott (very nice hotel) we were taken by a pre-arranged taxi to Gatwick (flying back to Heathrow from LAX) Gatwick was very busy and the line to check-in for economy was huge! So we appreciated the red carpet and no line at the PE check-in. The guy checking us in wasnt very friendly no hello or anything! Went through to screening another big line!

After check-in we had a quick look around duty free and then off to the Servisair lounge we had booked. It wasnt bad but im sure its not a patch on the clubhouse! The lady on the desk came round to us after a while to inform us that Virgin were now calling for you to go to gate up to 2 hours before the flight due to the added security measures. We decided to wait until about an hour before. When we got there large line at the gate, all bags were being checked thoroughly. It didnt bother me I would rather they did that than us all go up in a puff of smoke over the atlantic! (especially when I have paid for PE)

We were seated upstairs think it was row 74 (no seats behind us). Crew came round with our Champagne (very nice and relaxing). Not long after a guy sat down in the seat in front off us, all I can say is he may as well have taken a run and jump into it with the force he sat in it. He then was adament it was broke and complained to various cabin crew (there was nothing wrong with the seat amazingly even after he dive bombed on it!) he shamelessly was trying to blag and upgrade. The cabin crew firmly advised him he could either kepp the seat he had, sit downstairs, have a seat in economy or PAY for an upgrade. He stayed where he was. I caught a few raised eyebrows from some fo the crew which was amusing.

Shortly after take off drinks came round, I had white wine not bad. Then a meal I had chicken pasta not bad too along with another glass of wine and a baileys.

Entertainment system not great, you couldnt choose when to watch the films and there wasnt much choice.

I think next was some ice cream which was so hard it took 30 mins to be able to get a spoon in it.

Following that we had a toasted chicken panni that was lovely and another glass of wine which was beginning to taste even nicer!

We had pre-ordered some champagne (the 4 little bottles) had one each of those which sent me to sleep for an hour.

Next was afternoon tea I had a cream cheese sandwich surprisingly nice! followed by another bottle of champers!

Coming into land we had a great view of Vegas, and landing was smooth. We were allowed off the plane quickly and we were near the front for immigration which is a big bonus! suitcases came off quick too.

Overall I thought it was a great flight. I did watch a few films and some comedy programmes but prefer the system we had flying back to Heathrow. The service by the crew was great, very friendly and nice. The flight itself seemed to go very fast probably due to having something to eat and drink every couple of hours! I have to confess after all the drinks I practically floated off the plane!

I think PE makes the flight so enjoyable, that feeling was definitely confirmed when we flew back economy!

Juulz, Good TR, thank you. [y] [:)]

Juulz

A good read, thanks. I especially like the bit about the upgrade blagger (failed).

Paul

[Neil]

Thanks for the TR[y] - you are right about the IFE , the a/c ex LHR only are fitted with the V-Port system (which is on demand) were as the LGW a/c have either Odyseey or Nova (not on demand and nowhere near as much choice etc).

Neil[:)]

Cool TR Juulz - are you gonna do a longer TR for the return - I guess on balance I would rather have a PE seat and the Nova IFE rather than a Y seat and V-port - what do you think?

I guess on balance I would rather have a PE seat and the Nova IFE rather than a Y seat and V-port - what do you think?

Exactly MarkJ! The whole PE service makes up for the Nova IFE

Cool TR Juulz - are you gonna do a longer TR for the return

Yep I will do a longer report for the return (not so many drinks rounds on the return so i'll be able to remember more of that flight!) will post it soon

Glad you liked the panini - I cant stand them but it goes to show that people have different tastes. I'm on this flight in a couple of weeks so thanks for the current TR.

Originally posted by MarkJ
Cool TR Juulz - are you gonna do a longer TR for the return - I guess on balance I would rather have a PE seat and the Nova IFE rather than a Y seat and V-port - what do you think?

Me too but my son disagrees....tsch, youth, what can you do ?

Paul

[buns]

juulz

Thanks for the TR[y][y]

Nice one on the seat episode - and full marks for the foresight to get the mini champagne. Must rember that idea[:w]


buns

[Neil]

Originally posted by MarkJ
I guess on balance I would rather have a PE seat and the Nova IFE rather than a Y seat and V-port - what do you think?

I'd rather have both, and that is the reason why we are flying in/out of SFO when we go to Vegas next year, only done 1 Odyseey flight and although it was Upper Deck PE I hated it[:(!], V-Port only for me.