This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
We had 3 reward seats - of which 2 were free Amex upgrades.
We have always had P/E in the bubble previously, but could not get it this time even though I looked 90 days before departure (not sure how people managed to secure these before me!)
Also been looking for G's to no avail.
How does this work? found 3 G's for the day before buy Mrs S said no, as she didn't want our daughter in Lower 6th missing a day. ok fair enough. I worked from home on the Friday and was chatting away and was told to keep the noise down. My daughter had a half day, but as it was the last day didn't go in as she had some free periods as well. So - we could have had those G's !!!!!!!!!
Arrived at check-in and it is the first time I have seen the new lay-out. Very nice. No queue
Straight to the U/C & P/E desk and was approached by a VS rep asking if we wanted to downgrade as P/E was overbooked. They were looking for a family of 3. They offered front seats in Economy in the bubble (more leg room?), access to the VS lounge, and £250 in VS vouchers. Now, being an avid reader of this site, Head for Points, and to a lesser extent FlyerTalk I asked 'Is that in addition to what you have to give under EU Reg 261?' They then went into tilt and appeared to know nothing about the regs. Oh well.
I had already done OLCI and got Seq 27 & 28. Again, I still don't know how people beat me to Seq 1.
Next stop was the No 1 Lounge as I have Priority Passes via Amex Platinum (thanks Raffles). This is where it all goes horribly wrong.
They would not allow access as they were full. Er, isn't that why I want access to a lounge? If the airport was empty I don't mind walking around.
Not a happy bunny we went to the Bridge Bar for breakfast. Phoned Amex and asked if they could get me into the VS lounge as I would like something for their £450 per year - bit cheeky and they did try, but I knew the answer.
Anyway, time passed ok and then off to the gate.
Priority boarding (U/C & P/E etc)and then it was a revelation.
Having seen downstairs P/E before the refurb I was not too hopeful. We were in 19AC & 18C. Only downside was you didn't have that cupboard by the window seat like you did in the bubble. We had been in the leather seats a few times on LHR routes but what really made the flight was the entertainment system. All I can say is 'wow'. Absolutely brilliant - made the journey fly by. The versatility / screen size etc etc - incredible (I was lucky enough a few month back to fly Old First on BA and they just gave you an iPad)
Food was nice (Beef Bergin - can't spell it), but they did run out at the back so my daughter had to have an Economy meal.
Not sure I can comment on the cabin staff as I had no need of them all flight - so I guess they were good !
One of the first off the plane so straight to immigration - only one person in front of us. Must be something in the air, but we had a happy, smiling, talkative immigration guy.
Cases off, through Customs point - again no queue and then picked up the car from Alamo. I had done OLCI for Alamo as well so it was a case of just picking the car and showing the documents at the exit. Very easy.
Within 1 hour of touchdown we were on the road - it could have been quicker but I was fannying around picking the car with Mrs S saying 'For.....just pick one !
Now I am off to Epcot to reacquaint myself with Mickey.
All in all - good trip.
New P/E product very good.
Forgot to mention the only downside of the flight. Someone very anti-social kept passing wind
My seat neighbour also noticed it. Maybe VS should hand out corks for long-haul flights !
