VS016 MCO-LGW 18 NOV 13 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

After three weeks in the sunshine state it's time to return home. OLCI went without a hitch, a few minutes late so only managed seq 5 and 7. We followed our usual routine, downtown Disney check in. With all the work going on in the car park areas, looks like they might be going multi story for the middle section, and the new (for us) valet parking area by Disney quest made getting to the check in area more difficult. As we we flying PE we used what is laughingly called the priority queue. Made no difference as there was only one person extracting the cash $10 pp and only one set of scales to weigh the luggage. Same feeling as last May, lack lustre service with indifferent staff just going through the motions. We had a two family group in front of us with 10 bags between them and some were over weight so took ages to actually get to the check in agent. Tried to engage in conversation, forget it not interested. Anyway, got our boarding cards for 24H-K. Spent some time in the marketplace watching the demolition of Captain Jacks and the docks used for the now defunct boat hire business. Had lunch at the Olive Garden near Florida Mall and arrived, as planned, at the airport by 4.30 for our 19.50 flight. Alamo car return went like clockwork as usual and we had a quick wander around the shops and eateries before security. Nothing much new so we joined the queue for security. I have run out of words and patience to describe this process. Needless to say it was a shambles and took nearly an hour to get through. We had hoped to eat at the Outback but not enough time so it was a surprising good burger at Burger King and a quick trip to duty free for some Gentleman Jack it was nearly time to start boarding.

Familiar scrum around gate 85 but we managed to get aboard ahead of the main PE boarding rush. First time in the split upper deck so interested in how things would go. 24H-K very good with guilt free recline as a plus. Took a while for the welcome aboard drink to arrive but with two cc covering the whole upper deck that was fine. Lots of announcements about this and that with push back just ahead of schedule. The curtains dividing the cabins did give the PE part some privacy but still very aware of the Y cabin behind. Seeing the 3-3 vs 2-2 layout just made it clear how wide the aisle used to be with all PE upstairs and seemed to us anyway made the Y seats look even narrower than I remember (sure its and optical illusion) anyway seemed noisier in the Y section, more people I guess but apart from that not an issue. New to us was the way in which dinner was served. The very friendly and chatty cc came around asking everyone in PE what they wanted and then each meal was delivered complete to each person, worked well. The service level in the PE section was very good and we were happy. The food was good. Not something I normally say about airline food, but smoked salmon beef Provençal with mustard mash and cabbage and vanilla mousse was good. Individual little bottles of wine as well, not poured from a large bottle. Managed to get some sleep after dinner, declined breakfast and we landed at a very cold but sunny Gatwick on time. No delay exiting the aircraft. The whole upper deck and PE/UC downstairs first with Y downstairs held back worked well, for us anyway. No lines at immigration and cases through very quickly. Wandered through customs a few people stopped but not us . So another trip over. As we flew out in UC I had expected some disappointment flying back in PE. While nothing like flying UC this PE flight was actually very good. Upstairs cabin fine cc on this flight vvg. Well done virgin.

Forgot to mention. At several points during the flight the queue for the toilets did build up and the cc did ask everyone queuing to back up into the Y section of the cabin. Did not not bother us but it did make us feel as though they were thinking about the people who had paid extra for PE.

Thanks for the TR mac , glad all went well , the PE product is very good IMO but sometimes the food can be a let down but happy to hear this was not the case for you

Thank you for the TR. Nice to hear it was a good flight. We have the same seats requested (24H&K) for our return flight in two weeks time. I hope our flight experience will be as good as yours!

Nice TR, thanks. Shame about not making the Outback, we had a surprisingly nice steak and a beer (or 3 ) there last time we came back through MCO.

As we were flying PE we used what is laughingly called the priority queue. Made no difference as there was only one person extracting the cash $10 pp and only one set of scales to weigh the luggage. Same feeling as last May, lack lustre service with indifferent staff just going through the motions. We had a two family group in front of us with 10 bags between them and some were over weight so took ages to actually get to the check in agent. Tried to engage in conversation, forget it not interested.

This is the total opposite of our usual experience at DTD. We invariably fly PE (can't justify the extra ££££££s for UC) and try to get there soon after opening time. Queues are mostly light and we have normally dropped our bags and got on our way in around 15 mins or so. Maybe you just had bad luck, but I'm sure you'll agree that it much better to use the facility rather than haul luggage around all day prior to your flight.

Nice TR, thanks. Shame about not making the Outback, we had a surprisingly nice steak and a beer (or 3 ) there last time we came back through MCO.

As we were flying PE we used what is laughingly called the priority queue. Made no difference as there was only one person extracting the cash $10 pp and only one set of scales to weigh the luggage. Same feeling as last May, lack lustre service with indifferent staff just going through the motions. We had a two family group in front of us with 10 bags between them and some were over weight so took ages to actually get to the check in agent. Tried to engage in conversation, forget it not interested.

This is the total opposite of our usual experience at DTD. We invariably fly PE (can't justify the extra ££££££s for UC) and try to get there soon after opening time. Queues are mostly light and we have normally dropped our bags and got on our way in around 15 mins or so. Maybe you just had bad luck, but I'm sure you'll agree that it much better to use the facility rather than haul luggage around all day prior to your flight.

Could not agree more getting rid of the cases at DTD is much more convenient. Probably me just being grumpy because we were on our way home

Super TR thanks for posting The VS PE product is very good, love the seats and the lighting but never been upstairs yet so I was interested to hear your favourable reviews