This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
We went straight to the restaurant and recognised the lady on the table next to us as a blond GMTV news reader / anchor. I had my usual Clubhouse Burger and Sue had the Sea Bass - we washed it down with a couple of glasses of very nice Moet Champagne. I have never really been anything other than a beer man, but am acquiring a taste for Champagne quite late in life! I firmly blame certain V-Flyer mods for this!
After we had eaten we set up camp in the main area next to a large group of about ten obviously very well to do, New York ladies they were all of mature years and I couldnt help think about The Sopranos, as I watched them. They were clearly returning from a London shopping excursion and many were clutching their Chanel / Dior shopping bags and their expensive handbags.
The Clubhouse was very busy when we arrived, but the Tokyo, New York, Shanghai and Bridgetown flights were called and it has thinned out considerably. Sue went for her treatment and I sat typing the CH menu. [:w]
The time to board fast approached and we were soon heading down to Gate 30, which is a good walk from the Clubhouse. When we got to the gate, everyone had boarded and we walked straight on to the Airbus A340 Plane Sailing. We took our seats 21A and 21 C in the Premium Economy section we have the newly fitted leather seats, but still the old Odyssey IFE. We were offered OJ and champagne before take off.
The Captain said our flight time today would be 7 hours and 5 minutes this is a bit longer than normal, because of strong headwinds. There are 229 passengers on board and he had been told to hold off starting his engines for 10 minutes, as there is a long queue for take off. Push back was at 2.45pm and we taxied towards 27R in absolutely glorious sunshine. After getting into a queue behind a few BA planes we finally had wheels up at 3.06pm. We got great views of the new T5 the very congested M25 as we climbed then, according to the sky map we just carried on west towards Ireland. Instead of taking the route down to the south coast or up towards Scotland.
Drinks were served as soon as we levelled out, then the IFE was switched on. The meal was served shortly afterwards:
The main meal is:
Italian salad with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, seasonal leaves and Italian Dressing.
Mains:
Roast chicken with mashed potato, broccoli, carrots and grain mustard sauce.
Beef & Rioja stew served with potato wedges and green beans.
Vegetable cottage pie with broccoli.
Sue and I both had the chicken, which was served with a warm bread roll and a choice of wines.
There was a Gu cheeky pot au chocolat and cheese and biscuits to follow, and then tea or coffee followed by a choice of brandy or Baileys.
The film selection isnt great I have seen the films I want to watch, but there is a choice of:
Rendition
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Underdog
You Kill Me
The Brave One
The Heartbreak Kid
The Bourne Ultimatum
Ratatouille
Stardust
The Darjeeling Limited.
Looking round PE is almost full and the load down the back looks quite good, as well. There are quite a few school half term skiing trips that have boosted loads.
Service through the flight was good, we got an ice cream round, then a OJ / water round, then a big bowl of fresh fruit was brought round. A couple of hours out, what used to be the second meal service has been reduced to a choice of a cookie or a bar of chocolate, with a choice of tea, coffee, juice or water.
When the pilot announced his descent he said we would be stacked over Logan, as it was very busy, but then said a few minutes later that he had been given clearance to go straight into the airport, which is currently minus 1 with a few snow showers about.
It was dark by the time we landed at 5.35pm, (ET) and we saw that there were two Aer Lingus, a BA, an Al Italia and a Sabena all parked in the E terminal area fearing the worst for Immigration we disembarked and walked down to a completely empty hall!! We were seen inside a minute and, to make matters even better we got a very pleasant chatty Immigration Agent. He said that some of the booths were already fitted with fingerprint readers that do all of your fingers, and it is just pot luck which you get.
Down in baggage reclaim, we grabbed the bags when they were among the first up. Out into a cold Boston evening to get the 33 shuttle to the T station. It has clearly snowed fairly recently, as the cars are covered, but only with a sprinkling. The shuttle took us to the T station where we bought week long T passes, even though we are only here for 4 days the passes cost $9 for a day and $15 for the week, this includes buses and the T system and has to be one of the best public transport bargains in the US.
After last week, I was fearing that this TR would be a moan about how SQ service is better, but I have to say that VS certainly held their own; and it was another excellent experience from start to finish. When VS get it right, it is great!
Nick
