This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Rapid check-in, through the private security and reminded to show stamped boarding card to escape the shoe hassle outside. A very brief shopping, then straight to the lounge. Decided on some lunch before treatments (well late lunch / early dinner!). Had the salmon and spinach fishcakes, followed by the duck with garlic mash. The starter was very good, and the main course was also good - the duck initially looked like it was very small, but having finished I couldn't manage a desert (one of these days!).
Then it was time for a quick shower and change before the pre-booked facial. Very relaxing and a nice way to spend the time before the flight. Then it was time for some phone calls and pre-boarding drinks. The only comment is that I was sitting out in the old smoking area, and service seemed very slow down there.
Boarding was called, and we trotted off for the flight. Almost full in PE. Once we had sat down and been served our pre-flight glass of sparkling wine, the seating issues started to arise in the cabin. They had double allocated 18H and for some reason the person in 18 had swappped with 18G which made it all the more confusing. However the FSM did the best thing, and gave the original holder of 18H the free upgrade, so sorting out that problem. Then the person in 18G was moved to upper (friends and family benefit), then 18A was moved to Upper, 18D moved to 18A and finally two Econonmy moved to 18D and 18G - very confusing!! We were nearly an hour an half late leaving - 2 no shows, meaning luggage to be removed and then the need for de-icing as it was cold. Luckily they used this time to show the RB video, so move vPORT after take-off. For some reason today they decided that annoucements should be done in English and French - a different approach to inflight annoucements, luckily not done in flight otherwise would never have got anything watched. We had a manual safety demo, as the engines were off for the deicing procedure. Obviously the cabin crew don't like this, since as the annoucement was made to prepare for a manual safety demo one of the CC came out of the Upper/Prem galley and loudly said 'Oh NO!!' - not that appropriate.
Once in the air, drinks served fairly quickly - only one round yet again. However I nipped to the galley to get a second one (which came out so strong it was unbelievable). The food trays were then served to 'allow people to have the starter' first before the main course. They luckily just about managed to bring the mains out in a suitable time after the trays - reckon they hadn't put them on early enough. Food consisted of mozarella salad, warmed bread roll, spicy beef ragu type thing with potato wedges and beans (really good) and then chocolate orange Gu pot (I love these!!). Plenty of wine served with dinner, then the coffee and baileys/brandy rounds. Only other comment is that they came to collect the trays very qucikly - still finishing Gu pot and not had the cheese yet!
After dinner made myself comfortable and managed to almost watch 4 films on the flight (it was over 8 hour flight over). Loads of water and juice rounds during the flight. Then the hot drink / snack round with the fruit bowl before landing.
Landing was ok, then taxi off to an almost deserted airport. Only problem is that it was slow as only 2 security guys for International arrivals. However no questions asked and processed very rapidly, with a 'Have a nice stay' at the end. Luggage already going around, so off on the transit and hotel shuttle to the Hilton for our overnight stay.
Overall a good flight with good service. Annoying about the delay, but nothing that can be done with no shows with checked baggage. What was odd was all the seat moving around to move what appeared to be ensure that friends and family were moved to Upper, and at times not that sutbley (and amazing that the bulk head rows were unusable despite at least one person havign checked in on line into these seats (indicated by their home printed boarding card)) - I suppose one of the perks of the job!
