This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Arrived at check in 4 1/2 hours early, went straight to PE check in line. There was one couple in front of us so we were called over to the bag drop counter to save us waiting (UC had a que with about 15 in!) We had already checked in online and were hoping to change our seats to row 18. I requested these and the check in assistant informed me that these seats were being held for downgrades. So we stuck with row 19 D & F.
Security was nowhere near as busy as i would have expected for a Friday evening & it took only around 10 mins to get through it all.
Boarding was on time, from the furthest gate from the terminal (i have forgotten the number) We were one of the first to board as i was eager to see if we had the new W class seats. Which we did! The aircraft was Bubbles only 4 months old, so i was impressed straight away.
Once on board welcome drinks were passed around one half of the cabin meaning my friend got his but i had to wait another twenty minutes until i got mine. The same problem occured with the amenity packs but this time they only gave them out to one side of the aircraft. A few passengers prompted the crew when the first drinks trolley went around, but then only they recieved them. The crew seemed to struggle dealing with both PE and economy passengers. After saying that, i must comment on the crew further, apart from those couple of minor things the crew were EXCELLENT, they could not do enough for us and every request was fufilled promptly. I can not praise them enough! The aircraft was full.
I can only assume that they had to downgrade quite a few people as there was a steady flow of people moving backwards and forwards from economy to UC being escorted by crew, so that they could use the bar.
We had some major problems with the IFE, it had to be completley re-booted 4 times. When it did work it was excellent.
The drinks trolley came round twice before dinner was served.
Dinners was the usual choice of 2 meat dishes served in the plastic containers. Average quality.
Regular drinks through out the night. Breakfast was good, choice of two meals.
I found the new seats very comfortable with good leg room (but i am only 5' 9). I didn' find the foot stool of much use. The IFE handset in the rear of the seat in front is a good improvement. The only complaint i have is that as soon as the person in front reclines their seat, you need to do the same with yours so you can see the screen. My friend who sat next to me had no room to stretch his legs as there was some sort of box under the seat in front of him, seat 18F, i think.
Landed slightly late, but only by about twenty minutes. Imigration in CPT was the worst i have ever seen, 3 flights from the uk landed within twenty minutes of each other, and 1 more from Germany came in shortly after. It took us around 1 hour to get through, so obviously no waiting around for bags to emerge.
Return trip:
We arrived 4 hours before departure, again hoping to try and get row 18 seats. The PE check in was having computer problems, so we were directed to the UC desk. I asked if we could have seats in row 18 and after a lot of tuting and shaking of the head, we were given row 18 A & C, great!
As CPT is only a small airport the gates are right in front of the shops and bars, so, as soon as we entered, i could see the aircraft, and it was Scarlet Lady (if only i had known about the competition to snap her!)so i knew we would be lucky enough to get the new W class seats again. On boarding, i was pleasantly surprised to see that we had bottles of water at the seat and different blankets. I guessed imediatley that we would be getting the new service as well.
Pre flight drinks were handed out promptly along with amenity packs by our dedicated crew who were introduced to us on boarding.
Once airborne we were spoken to by our dedicated crew whoe explained the service we would be recieving. The cabin had around 5 seats, not taken. As on the flight out the drinks trolley came around twice before dinner. Dinner was a choice of three dishes, which we had the chance to choose before hand, out of the menus. I had roast beef, which was vey good. All served on crockery with metal cutlery with the drinks being in proper glasses as well. The baileys and brandy service was also good.
Regular drinks and fruit throughout the night (or so i have been told). The new blankets were ok but the pillows are the same as before.
Breakfast was a little dissapointing. It was exactly the same as before, served in plastic trays with plastic cups for drinks. They seem to have got it right for the dinner service then let themselves down with breakfast, most dissapointing!
Crew were once again excellent and all request were fufilled quickly and nothing seemed to be a problem for them.
Landed early but we were held up as the police were carrying out some sort of operation, i think they may have been looking for someone on our flight as they were checking everyones passport before we could leave the aircraft. Bags were waiting for us when we got to the reclaim hall.
All in all i was very impressed with both flights and i thought the service was excellent. Well done to both crews!
My only gripe is that they have gone to the effort to upgrade evening meals and add dedicated crew then serve the old style breakfasts.
Sorry if that went on a bit
