VS046 JFK-LHR 6 DEC 10 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

After a few days in New York, which unusually was warmer than it was in the UK, it was time to head out to JFK. We were stopping near the E line at the Waldorf Towers, so we headed out on the subway - it is so quick and much easier than a taxi at the time we headed out. Transfer to the airtrain and we were in Terminal 4 at JFK. The VS check-in area was empty, so the five of us were rapidly checked. Two gold cards, means two free quests - we had three. No luck on finding someone on here, so the question was what was going to happen.......shouldn't have worried as the check-in agent said we could buy an additional entry for only $40 - bargain compared to LHR/LGW. So off we headed to a rather busy Club House. We managed to find the last group of seats by the window and champagne followed soon after. Shower for me, little bit of duty free shopping and then time to think about food (don't worry, we had had several cocktails as well as the initial champagne by now). Our serve kindly offered to take our order, lay up a table and then once the food was ready, we could go over to our table - very good service indeed. The food was very good, served with some cocktails of course.

All too soon boarding was called, so we headed off to a busy but not too busy security. By the time we were through, the flight was being "final called". We didn't think that this would be the case, but when we got to the gate, there was no one left. This also meant no one on the jetty either. Got on board to find someone in 21K - one of our seats. When I questioned if they were in 21K they said that they were......then the gentleman's wife said would I move from 21H to 21G as they had been separated. Luckily the CC stepped in and it became apparent the gentleman should have been in 20K - I think that they were trying their luck on to see if we would move around. There seemed to be two large groups of people on holidays (possibly Virgin Holidays) dotted around the cabin - we had booked in July 2010 and taken the best seats available at the time (and one was on the other side of the plane anyway).

Once settled in with everyone in their right seats, we got our sparkling wine. The Captain came on to explain that although we were all on board, our departure slot was 20:45 (instead of 19:30) and we would be parked off stand for the wait. Luckily vPort was turned on, so those who had earphones could watch some films (although after take-off, it was rebooted to the start). Once we got to 20:30, we could start engines and then it was a shortish taxi (so now you wait somewhere rather than taxiing for the same amount of time).

Once in the air, there was quiet a wait for food.

The resounding response to the menu from all 5 of us was that it was slightly odd.

Starter:
Smoked salmon with rocket

Mains:
Roasted chicken thigh with creole sauce, white rice, peas and carrots.

Lamb biryani with darkous sauce and fried onions

White truffle rigatoni with mushroom sauce and shredded parmesan

Desert:
Apple crisp with creme anglaise

The smoked salmon looked like the left over cut offs from salmon fillets, but tasted ok. The lamb smelled very good and tasted very good (the darkous sauce) was very spicy). Once this was eaten and cleared away, my film had finished and so it was time to get some sleep.

Managed a few hours or so and then it was time for pre-landing snack. The options today were creme cheese roll or apple museli muffin top. Not that hungry, I opted for the muffin top - it is still on the side at home having not been eaten. We were given the warning about seat belts coming and using toilets etc - some people from economy kept on trying to get through the curtains, and when we wouldn't move out of the way there was lots of tutting coming through. If you want to use the premium economy toilets, then pay for the extra fare and taxes!!

The airport was relatively quiet on arrival and the bags were off very quickly. There was some stress as the bags appeared - there was a limited edition Brooklyn Absolute vodka on sale. As we correctly guessed this wouldn't be on sale at the airport, so we had packaged a bottle into a suitcase (very well wrapped!). The stress was for nothing as there was no smell of vodka and on arrival home, the bottle was intact - phew!

A good trip home, and the staff in the clubhouse were really attentive and looked after us all very well!

Really annoys when people move between areas to use the loos; last PE trip ex LGW I was dowbstairs just behind the UC cabin, UC loo right in front of me. However, I ulwent all the way up stairs, to the front to use the PE loo there. Its just courtesy not to intrude. Why should UC fare payers compromise - its bloody expensive! The seat chancers get my goat, nothing worse that telling someone to move - embarrassing. I've seen people refuse to move until told by CC. Chuck 'em off - if you can't find your seat - you shouldn't be on a plane.