This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Did the twilight checkin at around 5:00pm, with a queue of about 20 people ahead of us, which took about 15 mins - no big deal, but I am surprised they don't expedite UCS and PE through there. Changed seats from 79A/C to 74A/C, the exit row.
Stayed at the Hilton, which was OK. Easy trip through security at around 07:15 the next morning; pottered round the shops, and then off to the gate, where priority loading was in place. Got on easily, and the pre-departure drinks came round. PE was only 2/3 full, and economy only half full.
Take off delayed by about 30 minutes, with a slow roll down to the runway and another short delay before we eventually left. Flight was standard and uneventful, with food and drink as expected. Only a couple of drinks runs, but upstairs in the 747 they always had a drinks tray available at the top of the stairs.
Landed on time, and economy were held back, so PE from upstairs were among the first off, so through immigration quickly. One bag came through quickly, but the other didn't appear for a long time....
The return a week later was no more than OK; did the check in/chill out service, and used the helicopter transfer back, which was much more comfortable than the 90 minute bus transfer (there are lots of road works as they prepare for the Cricket World cup next spring).
Priority boarding worked fine, and we were ready to go on time, but they had some sort of problem with a fluid spillage on the ground behind us that needed to be cleaned up first, so we left about 30 minutes late.
We were in 79A/C, and the pre-take off drinks were very slow at the rear of the cabin; there were some passengers being reseated between PE and downstairs (at least one was staff), and the front of the cabin had been offered 2 drinks before we got ours - this happened later as well...
After take off, the normal service started - but by the time we had been served our meal, and a drink, the drinks refill came back almost straightaway, so we could't avail ourselves. Same thing happened with the tea and coffee, so when I had to ask for a coffee refill I was told I'd have to wait and they would make me a special one, as they were starting to clear the front of the cabin. At least brandy or baileys was offered!
No drinks runs were done. After circling Gatwick a couple of times we landed about 30 minutes late; by the time we were through mid-size queues at immigration the UCS and PE bags were coming through, so we were out quickly.
Overall - as expected. I wonder if my expectations of PE service are too high, as both my Delhi and St Lucia trips left me feeling as if I got a low level of service.... It certainly didn't match my recent BA WTP experiences.
