This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
We started with an overnight at the Marriott with parking and got up bright and early to get a taxi to the South terminal for a 6.30 check in. Tip, the taxi was 5.50 and the bus is 3.00 each so if there's more than 1 traveling, get the taxi.
Arrived at the terminal to find an empty PE check in area so went straight to the counter. Got our pre selected seats (79a & c and 78a) which was great. We also found out the flight was going to be about 30 minutes late leaving so we asked if they were accepting paid access to the CH and to our delight they said yes. We then made our way up to fast track and into the CH. The wife had her hair done and we spent 3 good hours enjoying the delights of Virgin's hospitality before the flight was called. Gatwick CH is a real bargain so it's always worth asking. This is the second trip in a row they have let us pay.
The terminal was jammed solid (half term getaways) so we were very pleased we had got into the CH and didn't have to suffer the madness outside. So we made our way to the gate and surprise surprise there was no priority boarding line so we queued with everyone else. This was the only dissapointment of the day and I'm really surprised VS can't get this sorted out? Anyway we got on board and as I wasn't driving at the other end enjoyed my glass of champagne.
After a little delay (another 30 minutes) we were on our way. Take off was smooth and in no time we were over the Atlantic cruising at 34,000 feet. I managed to watch 2 films (Bourne Ultimatum and Heartbreak Kid) during which I had the chicken for lunch followed by a rather nice brandy.
Overall the service provided by the crew was fantastic, the best I've had from VS in a long long time, frequent drinks rounds and checks to see if everything was OK. If fact I was so impressed that I nominated both of the ladies involved (you know who you are) for On Board Heroes awards.
Overall the flight was fairly smooth and uneventful and all too soon we were on our final approach to Norman Manley International Airport which was quite scary as the runway is on a peninsular and you think you're going to ditch in water up until the last moment. Whew! we made it.
Pulling up to the terminal the seatbelt sign went off after a minute or two and within seconds we said our good buys and made our way downstairs off the plane and through a fairly modern building to immigration. We were about 5th in line and after a few straightforward questions we went though to baggage claim which was a much older building.
After a few false starts the baggage belt eventually started and after about 10 minutes our bags came into view. This raises a question. Why do people insist on standing right next to the belt and refuse to get out of the way when you're trying to get your bags off? I caught one woman's toe with my second bag even though I warned her that the bag was coming off. Needless to say she voiced her opinions loudly until the chap she was with told her she should have got out of the way as she had been warned beforehand.
Smiling, we made our way through customs, glanced back to see her still cursing and came out into the bright Jamaican sunshine where our driver was waiting to whisk us of to a week of all inclusive paradise.
Conclusion - the best VS flight we've had in ages and proof that they can get things right with the right people on board. Return report will be up shortly.
Miopyk[8D]
