VS022 IAD-LHR 26 OCT 13 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

I have to say that our trip to DC,PA,DE & VA blossomed into the most phenomenal experience including time in the City, an amazing charity rock gig in Philly with Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden drummer), sweet Annapolis, truly beautiful Shenandoah NP in a rustic cabin in the Fall and then time in another luxury cabin in the mountains prior to some final shopping on day of departure!

After bagging seq 1&2 :-) for our flight to LHR we approached IAD with enthusiasm for a miles upgrade. We returned our rental swiftly as always with Alamo. Got to the terminal by coach transfer (a bit rubbish! :-( ) and then got the elevator to checkin as we maxed our luggage out for our PE trip. We were told that there were no miles upgrade at check in and after continuously checking online for 2 months was disappointed but the agent was polite, attentive and courteous, not their fault!

Not too impressed with IAD as everything seemed a distance away - going up 3 floors to departures, rubbish organisation at immigration, then a ride and a walk from the gate - It's time like these you learn to love LGW/LHR!!

Delay on boarding due to the LHR arrival embargo as the flight time of 6hr 11mins (&-1hr time change) meant we would've been too early! That meant that we could do Joey proud and have 4 Long Island Ice Teas and a double southern comfort whilst we waited to board!! :-). No announcements were made about the reason for delay so people were getting a little agitated!

I had a quick look to see we were flying on an A330 and it was to be Lady Love to take us home.

Priority boarding was in place and we were welcomed at the door by the PE CSS who was very friendly (no name used). As this was our first time on a A330 I was interested to see what the PE cabin liked like. First impressions were positive-plenty of room, comfortable seats, a separate menu and a nifty little new pouch for the standard amenities!...not quite what the UC upgrade would've given us but actually totally adequate!

It was announced that 257 pax 12 CC 2 flight crew were on board but we would watch the required safety video and still hold at the gate due to the timings!

Up in the air and away we go...Mrs P asleep in seconds...me awaiting food & drink- only 5hrs 50 mins to go. Can't comment on the food as Mrs P was across my table so decided for a liquid dinner. The ravioli, which would've been my choice, looked well presented on the guy next doors tray! French Sauvignon blanc was offered which was very palatable....
...service was very good around me and our crew member was excellent, friendly & polite & nothing too much trouble...perfect in PE!
....now must sleep.....or have another drink? Joey/Blacky over to you.....

DAMN it boys, your influence means another white wine, served with grace and utmost politeness, cheers

Unsurprisingly after that last drink I fell asleep and was woken by Mrs P just before we were going to touchdown at LHR

Swift taxi to the gate, exit from the plane and through immigration in 15 mins Had to wait another 20 mins for bags but then out and in the car within minutes.

In summary, I don't like IAD much, love PE on the A330, Crew was great and had a decent sleep. I would say well done VS

Brilliant TR, thank you for posting!

Seems like a great end to what sounded like a pleasant holiday.

Ah I've been looking forward to this TR PM and your views on PE on a 333 .
I've not had the pleasure of a flight in this cabin yet but have sat in a few empty seats during a few walks round this plane and always thought it looked like a smashing little cabin and particularly cosy on a night flight .
Glad it didn't disappoint and as you say totally adequate especially for a short hop home from the east coast .
Top marks on the wine front aswell !

Just returned on the VS22 over night and I do agree about Dulles and the distances, poor security layout etc. but I do find the A gates 'terminal' to be really pleasant compared to most US airports. It's spacious and airy, rarely gets crowded, has good shops and bars and other facilities too. So once you're through security and off the bus, it can be great. Then there's the architecture of the main terminal building to eyeball, and the free bus to the air and space museum! Yes it's miles from DC and not always customer friendly, but Dulles has some joys.

Just returned on the VS22 over night and I do agree about Dulles and the distances, poor security layout etc. but I do find the A gates 'terminal' to be really pleasant compared to most US airports. It's spacious and airy, rarely gets crowded, has good shops and bars and other facilities too. So once you're through security and off the bus, it can be great. Then there's the architecture of the main terminal building to eyeball, and the free bus to the air and space museum! Yes it's miles from DC and not always customer friendly, but Dulles has some joys.

Good points, as always, Slinky You were very right as the airside terminal A was very spacious even though there were a number of international flights leaving at similar times to the 22

Ah I've been looking forward to this TR PM and your views on PE on a 333 .
I've not had the pleasure of a flight in this cabin yet but have sat in a few empty seats during a few walks round this plane and always thought it looked like a smashing little cabin and particularly cosy on a night flight .
Glad it didn't disappoint and as you say totally adequate especially for a short hop home from the east coast .
Top marks on the wine front aswell !

I have to say that your observations are spot on Blacky The cabin was very cosy somewhat due to the wonderful lighting and extremely comfortable seat Oh the wine also helped

Oooo Long Island Iced Tea what a good idea (orders one whilst reading in the JFK CH) - My favourite cocktail, so def done me proud there Mark. Cheers for thinking of me in your TR btw, good to know my alcohol prone influence breaches the confines of the net and I do hope you guys had an awesome time. A shame on the upgrade - were there no UC seats available at all??

Ahh a liquid dinner, been there too - rarely ends well

PE looks awesome on paper on the A333 (like Blacky I have not flown it yet), not quite sure on my feelings about IAD though.. I like the place for the most part, aside from their inability to make a mojito that is.

Cheers for posting Mark