VS008 LAX-LHR 2 Oct 06 (PE)

After our excellent 1st trip in Premium on the way out we were quite looking forward to our return trip as husband & wifey in premium again. We had pre-selected upper deck seats but couldn't move around on OLCI as the seat map wasn't working but no worries.

Check in was fast as there was no queue and boarding was smooth as we made our way onto Lady Penelope.

But what the hell, the seats were much smaller! On the way out on VS044 I couldn't reach the seat in front, this one my knees were just about touching it. Are these the newer seats, if so they suck!

Both bins next to the window didn't have bottoms in and the catches were broke so they didn't lock shut. My tray table was broken so it wobbled in use quite a lot.

But the TV is what sucked the most. As soon as the person in front put there seat back you couldn't see the screen! It just wouldn't tilt enough back to make it viewable unless we basically put our seat right back and almost lay down which was seriously uncomfortable.

We asked the cabin crew if this was correct to which the response was 'sorry nothing I can do about it'. I understand that but judging by people cranking there necks to one side, we were not the only ones having the problem.

I watched Click but then gave up half way thru Cars and just sat up and watched the back the persons head in front for 6 hours.

When we landed again we got of 1st which is great, 3 out of 4 bags comes straight through..........30 minutes pass........out comes my last bag all scuffed and crumpled. Great!

Anyway, this experience of PE really did blow. Are these the newer none leather seats as if so I'll only fly PE from LGW. They really are shoddy as the TV screen tilt it pointless and wasn't a problem on the LGW flight.

Overall this flight scored a 2/10 but the previous LGW-LAS flight scored 10/10 and sold me on PE. Have to think again though after this one [:#]

[Neil]

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your return PE flight Andy, the LGW seats are the older sytle PE seats and although only flown them once they are much more comfy than the seats on the LHR a/c, although the 744 LHR a/c seats are better than the A346 IMO. Can't say I've ever had the same problem with the screens and have always found the tilt good enough[:?].

Seems still that Priority baggage isn't working as it should and has been mentioned a few times recently, something it seems VS need to sort out[n].

Just one question, I know you didn't like the tv screens but did you prefer V-Port to Odyseey?

Thanks for the TR[y]
Neil[:)]

You encountered the plastic backed 2nd generation PE seat,yep there is no room and you can't see the screen unless you crank up the brightness to max and are less than 6'2'.Hopefully these will all be upgraded to the new 3rd gen PE seat shortly.

Andy

Interesting compare / contrast to your outward leg. Shame that it happened at all but I'm glad for you that it was this way round and that it therefore didn't set a down tone for the wedding and trips in between.

Any experiences you're willing to share about the whole Grand Canyon wedding event ?

Paul

Thanks for the comments guys.

I've had V:Port before and do agree it is superb, prefer it over anything. The only thing that hampered it this time was the problem with viewing the TV screen. I'm 5ft 9' and had problems seeing it. My wife though is only 5ft 1' and still had problems. Her screen didn't seem to go as bright but the seat in front came back so far it was silly, we had to basically push it to get out the seats.

I would still fly PE again though, would never want to go back to econ and I can see why people pay the extra now. I've never felt so awake when getting of a flight at both ends since that PE trips. Think I'll be using my miles plus money to do PE for a while now.

The Grand Canyon wedding was awesome! We got picked up by a limo at the hotel and taken to the heliport. It was a 45 minute flight to the canyon where landed quite a way down near the Colorado river. The cermony only took about 8 minutes but it was brilliant and we had tons of photos taken. Then we had a 45 minutes flight back (inc fuel stop) but this was very bumpy + very hot. Got a bit [:$] back at the heliport but was still good.

The photos we got were awesome. The photographer just kept snapping away the whole time and we ended up with 150+ 8megapixal photos on DVD which look awesome. I can post some on here if anyone is interested?

I would 100% recommend it to anyone! [:D]

Originally posted by AndyR
The Grand Canyon wedding was awesome! We got picked up by a limo at the hotel and taken to the heliport. It was a 45 minute flight to the canyon where landed quite a way down near the Colorado river. The cermony only took about 8 minutes but it was brilliant and we had tons of photos taken. Then we had a 45 minutes flight back (inc fuel stop) but this was very bumpy + very hot. Got a bit [:$] back at the heliport but was still good.

The photos we got were awesome. The photographer just kept snapping away the whole time and we ended up with 150+ 8megapixal photos on DVD which look awesome. I can post some on here if anyone is interested?

Sounds a tad better than Woking Registry Office [:D].

Go on, post some pictures.

Paul

Firstly Andy Congratulations on your wedding & becoming mr & mrs. i hope the day went really well & you had a gr8t time!

I want to do that trip to Grand Canyon / LAX / LAS with my husband hopefully next year.

Your trip report was very interesting and gave me an insight into what to expect as i am flying PE from LGW in December.

If you have any photos please put them on!

As requested here is a link to the photos. Thought it best if I didn't repost a load of them on here when they are already elsewhere on the web. Hope thats OK.

http://flickr.com/photos/andy_roberts/sets/72157594315438319/

Great photos Andy - the wedding looks ace! Congrats

Originally posted by AndyR
As requested here is a link to the photos. Thought it best if I didn't repost a load of them on here when they are already elsewhere on the web. Hope thats OK.
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Great pictures of what was evidently a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Paul

[HighFlyer]

Andy, many congratulations to you and the (new) missus!

If you are used to LGW/MAN 744 PE then switching to the plastic airbus offerings at LHR can be a real shock. I know i had the same opinion when i first flew on them - hated them then and still hate them now. I do hope that the change to the new Echo seating will be a marked improvement.

Hope you had a lovely trip away and a wonderful wedding, despite the flight, and thank-you for sharing the pictures and experiences with us.

Thanks,
Sarah

Congratulations fantasic pictures,it beats a wet Tuesday at Mansfield reg office[:D]

Fantastic! Looked a great day