This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
I arrived from a BA EDN-LGW flight - trip report on the other forum but needless to say it was late getting in therefore I had to rush between terminals as i was worried I would miss the 1 hr cut off for bag drop.
I had used the OLCI very successfully so when I arrived I just had to drop bags off. There queue was huge for Economy but once i had been pointed in the right direction for PE I was happy to see there were only 2 in fron of me. (point of note - my boarding card states check in Zone A when PE check is Zone C - although together I could quite easily see folk getting confused!). I was called to a free Upper desk and was dealt with swifly and efficiently. My bags were tagged Upper Class so I hoped this was a good sign for the other end! I was also given a fast track through security (not sure if this is normal for PE) but was delighted to be in the terminal about 5 mins after arriving at the bag drop desk. [y]
Unfortunately because of the delay from my previous flight I did not really get a chance to look round duty free (BA [V] ). Although I saw that the gate was boarding, when I got there they were just doing security checks before you get into the cramped and very busy waiting area. The flight appeared full.
Once on board all the stress of my rushing disappeared! The cabin crew were brilliant [:D] I was given a glass of champagne within 3 mins of arriving at my seat and the crew were visible and helpful throughtout the lead up to take off.
Once airborne (20 mins late due to a bag/passenger recount) we were given our menus. Now at this stage of the flight I was dreading how I would get through 10 hrs 30 mins without dying of boredom however the cabin crew appeared to space out all the meals and drinks throughout the flight so that there was never any real long periods where you were looking for a drink/food - great service.
Now onto the seat firstly - I have to say I am dissappointed with the PE economy seats on this flight (I know they are old ones but I still have to pay a premium for them!!). About 3 mins after TO the person in front reclined his seat back fully - and to be honest I felt as if I had less room than economy as the seat went back really far. I even asked the crew if that was normal and she said it would be evened out by my seat going back! I can see her logic but I don't actually like my seat totally back when reading/eating so was pretty cramped. Also - in the pocket there was still a half bottle of someone else's moisturisor - YUCK [:(!] and some boarding cards stubs from about 3 flights - I am afraid this is not acceptable as it makes you feel dirty!!! So overall not impressed with the seat - although I realise they are being changed.
On to food/service - well this was where I really WAS glad I had paid the extra. The crew were round with the menu pretty quickly so that I could choose - then they came round with a drinks bar - I had a white wine which was perfectly plesant. A nice touch (IMHO) was the senior man upstairs came round and asked us individually what we wanted - therby making us feel like we were definately not in economy. That way when the meal did arrive I felt the service was more personal [y]. Another wine with dinner and then a further drinks round after the plates had been cleared. We then got a omlette/fajita type thing - not sure what it was but I know it had mustard and chicken in it - although I could only really taste the mustard! And to be honest I thought it was a little early for a pre landing snack as it was served 3 1/2 hours from touchdown. However to my pleasant surprise this was just a mid flight snack and we got a sarnie (I declined as too full) before landing. Throughout the flight the main man was bringing water/apple/orange juice round - I would guesss at least 6-7 times so you always felt a presence - but not too obtrusive - very similar to upper.
The 2 cabin crew were lovely - however I will be writing a letter of thanks, through Virgin, to the main cabin crew chap upstairs (I won't name him here) but he was thoroughly professional, curteous, always seeing what he could do and when the turbulence and seatbelt signs came he was quick as a flash looking after his 'customers' - I would rate him as one of the best cabin crew I have ever seen [y] - and I have done some flights I can tell you! PS anyone know how I can praise him to Virgin?
IFE - well this time the IFE entertainment on my seat worked well - I watched 3 movies - and everything seemed fine. Albeit the TVs and controls are looking very tired.
On landing Las Vegas wanted the cabin crew to individually check everyones immigration and customs form - well you could imagine how long that would take with a full flight. Luckily the crew took the sensible decision to keep on at us over the intercome whilst taxing in so that we had everything right ourtselves without the long delay a check would have taken - a good decision in my mind and I hope no-one let them down! That said the crew upstairs were round all of us to check if we required them to look at our forms - another example of the great personal touch. The main man again, just before landing went round and pretty much thanked by row all the passengers for choosing Virgin - after the bog standard tannoy that was another nice touch IMHO as he really seemed genuinly happy.
The queue was not too long and my bags came out not long after the crew ones [y] (thank you check in crew for putting upper tags on my bags)so half an hour after touchdown I was in a taxi heading home.
Overall a great trip - made by the cabin crew. I think I would have been less happy with this trip had they and their service not been first class. The seat thing would have put a dampner on my mood I feel [:I]
What a joy and I hope the crew on board read this because they really really did make the flight for me[y]
Regards
AKS120
