VS008 LAX-LHR 17 Sep 06 (PE)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

I was first at the check in. I had time to go downstairs for a Java Chip from Starbucks. Perfect.

Check in was fast and painless using the Upper Class Checkin as I am now Au.

Through to the lounge. Last time I used the Priority Pass lounge at Northwest. This time I get to use Air New Zealand. Its very nice. Great seats, well stocked cold food and well stocked bar.

Free Internet access at the business center at the far end.

I while away the time waiting to board. Upstairs in PE. I havent been upstairs for years!

Boarding is called and I pick up my duty free at the gate and head to the seat. Older style PE seating. But I dont care because Im upstairs and its lovely. I shove all my stuff in the side pockets and am given a glass of bubbly. I get read to enjoy the flight.

A few minutes pass and a flight attendant asks for my ticket and disappears. She comes back a few minutes later.

'could you come with us and bring all your stuff'

I can hardly believe it but soon I realise that yes indeed its an operational upgrade - the holy grail of the frequent flyer. My long comparison of the old to new Premium Economy Seat will have to wait as Im shown to a lovely Upper Class Suite on the lower deck.

Im in heaven. First time in UCS. On a K ticket too. I just turned back to Gold after about 5 years off and if this is a reward for that then I will repay it by booking VS for everything I can for ever!

Needless to say I had a blast. I sat at the bar after takeoff. I love the bar. Its the last refuge of magic in business travel and I hope it never ever goes. No 10 Gin and Tonic too. My favourite!

The flight attendants were all charming and so pleased that I was (obviously) pleased to have been bumped.

I even had a shoulder back and head massage which was sorely needed I can tell you and made me feel absolutely wonderful.

The amenity kit is indeed on the modest side but plenty of extra bits and pieces were available at the bar. A sleep suit was issued. the suite came with a nice duvet and pillows. I was given a tutorial by the very sweet and jolly flight attendant.

The Roast Lamb was in truth a little tough but the rest of the food service was superb. Very nice Italian Bardolino to go with it. Great cheese board.

I watched the Doctor Who episode with Billie Piper and Elisabeth Sladen in it and K9.

Then I opened out the bed and went to sleep for hours. I was woken only on approach to LHR and the flight attendant seemed very sad to have woken me up. I had missed breakfast.

All too soon we were down. I headed to the arrivals lounge but I really cant say anything about it apart from they serve Diet Coke as I sat in front of the TV there and slept until 1:30 when they prodded me gently and told me it was closing time. I was the only person left. I had missed 2 conference calls but they can wait. They left me alone as long as they could I think. Fair play!

Now though my illusions shattered I trudge off to the X26 express bus and for 1.50 head home.

What an amazing day.
What a super crew of flight attendants who showed me the best of VS
I count myself very lucky.
When I got home my Gold Card was waiting for me. Im already trying to plan some more trips.

Thanks for the Op-Up Virgin. It really made my day and was totally unexpected. They are always best like that.

Re-sult. Congratulations on the upgrade and the TR. Something about way you worded the whole thing made me feel the excitement. [^]

Paul

[preiffer]

So, my guess is you did a LOT of Y/W flying this year to get to gold if this was your first ever time in UCS? [:0]

Nice one on the upgrade [y]

Originally posted by mysteryflyer

When I got home my Gold Card was waiting for me. Im already trying to plan some more trips.

This is the bit I am most interested in. This means you did not have your gold card with you. How then did you get into the ANZ lounge? (did you have the crab salad that I helped myself to 3 bowls of last time?)

I ask this because I am going to be achieving gold status in a couple of weeks whilst passing through SIN. What did you have to do to get recognised as gold when you were only carrying silver?

Congratulations, on the upgrade and thank you for the TR. [y] [:)]

Originally posted by mysteryflyer
I headed to the arrivals lounge but I really cant say anything about it apart from they serve Diet Coke as I sat in front of the TV there and slept until 1:30 when they prodded me gently and told me it was closing time. I was the only person left.

Oh, the sleeper was you was it? [:D] (I was trying much the same up by the bar area!) I left just before 1.30 when my taxi turned up, but we were definitely the last 2 in there!

Cheers

Michael

Originally posted by G_NEUS

Originally posted by mysteryflyer

When I got home my Gold Card was waiting for me. Im already trying to plan some more trips.

This is the bit I am most interested in. This means you did not have your gold card with you. How then did you get into the ANZ lounge? (did you have the crab salad that I helped myself to 3 bowls of last time?)

I ask this because I am going to be achieving gold status in a couple of weeks whilst passing through SIN. What did you have to do to get recognised as gold when you were only carrying silver?

Don't worry - ask FC to email/fax a letter to you confirming your status - it helps to get you into the lounges but since your number will change and it will be on your boarding pass, they should know anyway.



Great TR bubbling through with a good experience!

[Neil]

Good TR, thanks, how bad though, you were all excited about your upstairs seat and side bin and then they op-up you, terrible[:D]. Seriously though, congrats on the upgrade, glad you enjoyed it[y]

Yes, I got to gold the hard way I think:-
Sep 2005 VS, LHR-SFO Economy 6,698 2
Sep 2005 VS, SFO-LHR Economy 6,698 2
09 Oct 2005 VS, LGW-LAS Economy 6,530 2
12 Oct 2005 VS, LAS-LGW Economy 6,530 2
28 Nov 2005 VS, LHR-SFO Economy 6,698 2
02 Dec 2005 VS, SFO-LHR Economy 6,698 2
31 Jan 2006 VS, LHR-SFO Economy 6,698 2
03 Feb 2006 VS, SFO-LHR Economy 6,698 2
25 Mar 2006 VS, LHR-SYD Premium Economy 15,833 6
07 Apr 2006 VS, LAS-LGW Premium Economy 7,836 3
31 May 2006 VS, LHR-LAX Premium Economy 8,163 3
02 Jun 2006 HP, LAS-SEA First Class 1,299 1
02 Jun 2006 HP, SAN-LAS First Class 750 1
07 Jun 2006 VS, LAX-LHR Premium Economy 8,163 3
07 Jun 2006 HP, LAS-LAX First Class 750 1
07 Jun 2006 HP, SEA-LAS First Class 1,299 1
10 Jul 2006 VS, LHR-SFO Economy 5,358 2
14 Jul 2006 VS, SFO-LHR Economy 5,358 2
10 Sep 2006 VS, LHR-LAX Premium Economy 3

Its tough to get 40 TP's in Y and W.

It would have been impossible but for a side trip to Australia (and back via Las Vegas) which got me 9 TP's in one go - thats when I felt it might be achievable and took the America West Side trips in First to get 4 TP's

Its just possible to see a way to get 30 to renew :-)

Originally posted by mysteryflyer
Yes, I got to gold the hard way I think:-
Sep 2005 VS, LHR-SFO Economy 6,698 2
Sep 2005 VS, SFO-LHR Economy 6,698 2
09 Oct 2005 VS, LGW-LAS Economy 6,530 2
12 Oct 2005 VS, LAS-LGW Economy 6,530 2
28 Nov 2005 VS, LHR-SFO Economy 6,698 2
02 Dec 2005 VS, SFO-LHR Economy 6,698 2
31 Jan 2006 VS, LHR-SFO Economy 6,698 2
03 Feb 2006 VS, SFO-LHR Economy 6,698 2
25 Mar 2006 VS, LHR-SYD Premium Economy 15,833 6
07 Apr 2006 VS, LAS-LGW Premium Economy 7,836 3
31 May 2006 VS, LHR-LAX Premium Economy 8,163 3
02 Jun 2006 HP, LAS-SEA First Class 1,299 1
02 Jun 2006 HP, SAN-LAS First Class 750 1
07 Jun 2006 VS, LAX-LHR Premium Economy 8,163 3
07 Jun 2006 HP, LAS-LAX First Class 750 1
07 Jun 2006 HP, SEA-LAS First Class 1,299 1
10 Jul 2006 VS, LHR-SFO Economy 5,358 2
14 Jul 2006 VS, SFO-LHR Economy 5,358 2
10 Sep 2006 VS, LHR-LAX Premium Economy 3

Its tough to get 40 TP's in Y and W.

It would have been impossible but for a side trip to Australia (and back via Las Vegas) which got me 9 TP's in one go - thats when I felt it might be achievable and took the America West Side trips in First to get 4 TP's

Its just possible to see a way to get 30 to renew :-)

[^] Respect. Though did you spend *any* time at home ?

Paul

I wrote to customer services to say thanks for the op-up. Its always easy to write complaining so I thought I would redress the balance...

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.

We were very pleased to read how much you enjoyed travelling with us, and would like to thank you for letting us know how impressed you were with the service you received.

It is always our intention to deliver a memorable and enjoyable experience for our passengers and we are pleased that our groundstaff were able to upgrade you into the Upper Class cabin on your flight back from Los Angeles. We are glad that this ended your trip on such a positive note.

In closing, we would once again thank you for having taken the time to contact us and do hope that we will have the pleasure of welcoming you on-board again in the very near future.