This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
)I kept an eye on the time, as well as the airside operator who was driving a golf buggy type vehicle in circles around an Air France plane to pick up two cones in order to move them about 10 metres.. That amusement over and with refreshments finished, I quickly scooted down to gate 18 so I was not the lost lamb wandering the halls of MAN this time around. From the sounds of things there was a transfer pax that had gone AWOL though and a rather hysterical woman being comforted by airport staff... Hopefully all worked out for them in the end. I sometimes forget what a stressful experience travelling can be for some people and really do appreciate the experiences that I have thus far had.
Upon boarding I was given a friendly greeting and on filing down the aisle I noticed a very familiar luggage tag hanging on one of the crew bags. Yep a V-Flyer member of crew ... Anyone want to raise their hand?
Boarding was well handled and with everyone accounted for, the doors closed, away we go. Short hold on the ground and we were in the air an entire minute early back to London Heathrow.
Welcome aboard spiel and the bar service marched into action. Tried for a Jack Daniels but none aboard.. Dewars will be fine though, a shame that I did not get a stirrer and that I was given diet as opposed to regular Pepsi but to be fair there are far more terrible things in this world.
Munched through my crisps and sweets whilst watching a couple of TV eps on the iPad and writing this TR.
I was sat in 3A this leg and whilst it appeared fuller than the outbound, (I even had a row mate in 3c) it was still pretty empty. A shame but I'm sure that the objective of snagging feeder pax onto the long haul routes will make it all worth while. One thing that slightly annoyed me was the clicking noise my seat kept making... With that and the roar of the engines I was glad I packed my noise cancelling headphones
Like the outbound, I did not really notice the time literally fly by. Cabin prepped for landing and we begun our decent into LHR.
Only comment I really have on this flight is the smell of hot food that kept wafting through the cabin. I know there are only certain flights that LR serve a hot offering, but this is just torture to the other pax that might not have eaten any solid food yet. The service also felt a little rushed, but with such a short flight time I cannot be surprised - watching BA handle the short service turnarounds on the continent are quite amusing.. At least the LR staff do not figuratively throw your order at you as they sprint past not unlike a baton being shoved your way in a relay race.
With the clicking chair, the resolute stare of my row mate at his book and the odd noise of what sounded like someone tearing up a newspaper behind me we bounced back into LHR.
A sound landing and a short hold on the tarmac, due to our slightly early arrival, before we were disembarked and I once again braved the London underground filled with depressed holiday makers just returned from their travels and eager tourists stopping to take photos next to everything they consider an example of British society.
My views on LR are pretty straight forward. A good product with a swift, yet polite service. I would be keen to fly them again and indeed will next Monday. Lounges provided at both ends were good and actually a welcome respite for such a short domestic hop.
