VS046 JFK-LHR 20 MAY 10 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

The return trip from New York started by catching the Bus from Grand Central to JFK. This time it took over an hour with all the traffic so we always allow plenty of time. Once at JFK we headed to check in and only waited here in a small queue for a couple of minutes. Check in was quick, although it was not until later that I noticed that our seats had changed from 19 A&B to 23 D&F - no mention of this at check in. We had time to do some shopping and look round before we went through security. Although security is very thorough at JFK it was much quicker than at LHR on the outward.
Once through security there are some more shops inc duty free and some food & drink outlets. You collect your duty free as you board the plane.
Boarding had started about 1845 and it did not take long to get on the plane. Our "new" seats were in the middle at the rear of the PE cabin. The problem with these seats is that you can't see out of any window, but as it was an overnight flight that was not too much of a problem - we just prefer to be able to look out of a window for take off and landing. Compared to the 747 on the outward, the Airbus is just as comfortable and perhaps because its a smaller cabin it seemed quieter.
The glass of bubbly appeared shortly after we sat down. The captain explained a slight delay - due to Air Traffic and we pushed back shortly before 2000. within about half an hour we were taking off.
Shortly after take off the service of drinks and the meal began. The meal choice was Beef Brisket, Chicken Breast pasta or Thai Veg curry. We both opted for the Chicken which was really great. After the meal there was tea, coffee, brandy or baileys. After that it was time to watch a film on V-Port before getting some sleep. I don't normallly get much sleep when I'm flying but found PE seat very comfortable and I managed to get some sleep.
I woke up as they were serving breakfast - tea, coffee, orange juice and a breakfast bar, which was ok.
Shortly after breakfast cabin was secured for landing and we arrived in LHR only 6 1/2 hours after leaving JFK.

In summary, a great flight despite the lack of a window to look out of! As with the outward flight, the good Cabin Crew help to make the flight a good experience. Will definately fly PE again.

Thanks for the TR

Thanks for both the TRs. Sounds like VS got the service and offering just right and now have another satisfied, and likely repeat, customer.

I agree with you about the window seats - even on night flights or flying to the caribbean where there's not much to see but sea and sky I prefer to be able to see outside. Had you done OLCI on this leg or was the change from your pre trip seat requests?

Pleased you enjoyed your flight and thanks for the TR.

Many thanks

Alex

[buns]

Thanks for the brace of TRs

bit bad form of your seats being changed on the way back though

buns

Glad to hear you enjoyed your flight.

Thanks for all the comments.

Regarding OLCI, we did not do it this time - it's not always possible even if you have a laptop, to use the wi-fi at the hotel would have cost as much as a months broadband at home!
We booked the flights back in January and the seats were allocated at time of booking. I just thought that's what we would get! Will make sure we try OLCI next trip!

[honey lamb]

Thanks for all the comments.

Regarding OLCI, we did not do it this time - it's not always possible even if you have a laptop, to use the wi-fi at the hotel would have cost as much as a months broadband at home!
We booked the flights back in January and the seats were allocated at time of booking. I just thought that's what we would get! Will make sure we try OLCI next trip!

VS says on its website that you must to OLCI at least 13 hours before the flight to have your seat requests honoured - though I do know what you mean about hotel wi-fi charges

Thank you for the great TR, sorry to hear about the seat movement but I hope you had a great time in NY.