This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
We arrived at JFK in good time after a very dodgy taxi ride back, I swear the yellow cab chaps have no idea how scary they drive..! Pulling up outside Terminal 4 and the Virgin area it is evident that there could be some improvements. When you arrive at T3 Heathrow it’s almost like its VS own airport – big sign and that familiar red / purple hue – at JFK it’s simply a desk which is a little underwhelming. However, it serves the purpose I guess...
Check in was actually very busy, I guess with two flights almost on top of each other returning to the UK this may always be the case – alas no queue for PE so I was lucky enough to stroll straight up. Now, I am a fan of the ground crew in most cases but they seemed off their game, hence a point or two taken off them... I was asked twice if I was PE through the check in process, so it came across that they were paying almost no attention to what was happening at the time. After a somewhat awkward chat due to this I enquired as to the number of PAX on board, being told it was a very quiet flight – prompting me to ask about upgrades. I was quickly shown the laminated paper with a response of $1,800 from EC to UC each – I did again explain that I was PE – and the trusty laminated paper was then examined again, stating it was $600 to go PE from EC... Hummmmm.... Personally I think it’s a poor show to have a piece of paper on the counter to show prices, it smacks of ‘don’t ask about upgrades’ which is a bad attitude to have – I am sure this is not the right idea or indeed the VS way. It looks cheap and really makes you feel like a cash machine not a pax who is valued – on top of that who the hell pays that kind of money on the day?! If i had $3,600 swilling about I would have purchased it in the offset – not at the gate! Also, should this not vary depending on the flight and the number of people in UC on the day? We were however asked if we wanted to change seats as there was lots of room in PE, I did however decline this as I like seats at the back of PE for the guilt free recline (I am sure however EC had a good seat for me as that’s where she thought I was sitting).
Aside from that T4 is still a decent terminal – a massive expanse with lots of shops, most of the shops are the same shops, but lots of them. I was planning on checking the CH out for access on the day however I could not see any signs directing me to this for love nor money! I decided it would have to be a shake shack and glass of wine at the Pine bar. Both were nice, but nothing on the CH but with time running short after this I decided to mosey on to the gate – and what seemed like immediate boarding.
Tubular Belle was to be our 747 back, and this is possibly my favourite named plane as this was in essence what allowed Sir Richard to start the brand off (from what I know!) with a great record. I would like to think this is also a special plane for him.
We were seated first, with a nice glass of champagne and some of the friendliest flight crew I have ever seen, I am a little gutted I didn’t get their names to send VS an email as they were brilliant. Massive smiles and time to have a chat before we took off asking how we were and if we had a good time – with a little story about a visit the Vegas last month and how she had put on lots of weight – leading to some sort of conversation with the wife that went straight over my head... The captain came on to say we would be off shortly as we had been given a great slot for take off and a good flight path that would get us back early so it was a brief hello – he also mentioned there were all of 186 pax on this flight.
Now this goes back to my earlier point, with a potential 370 seats on this aircraft there must have been scope for upgrades? PE had almost 10 seats free from what I could see – so 50 pax there leaving 130 remaining. EC was actually very busy I noticed on a trip around the plane to stretch the legs so UC must have had a few seats available – more that needed and this was perhaps a chance to make some extra cash or make someone’s day. If the upgrade was offered at a better rate then I may have been tempted – or even if there was a bit of key tapping before coming back with a price it could have looked a bit better.
Also, it sucks that PE is not in the bubble anymore! I am not sure why this was changed (I recall it used to be?) as I am sure if you ask most people where they would like to be seated all things being equal we would love a trip upstairs. Before the massive airbus the second floor in a plane was seen as a real novelty and for many like me it still is – perhaps this whole area could be PE..? They could even really impress and exceed by having a small bar at the top as well as the seating – size wise this would be as big if not bigger than the current PE area, now this really would separate VS from the crowd...
Anyway – back to the flight...
Dinner was served before any drinks came through – and they had ran out of beef. With such a small number of people on board it did amaze me how this happened, also EC got first dibs as they worked backward it seemed. This was a bit of bad form, so it was Chicken for the wife and the vegi pasta for me. Both very nice to be honest, but nothing special and nothing on the meals on the outbound flight – it did seem like there were 2 menu’s and the first was no doubt better... Wine went down with a nice brandy and vera on for some movies before a bit of shut eye... Again, it has to be pointed out the CC were great with the after diner drinks and food service despite not having the meal we wanted – very apologetic and smiley and did really make it seem like we were valued customers...
After a bit of turbulence and the seatbelt light coming on the CC made an announcement followed by the captain about this – nothing to worry about and was to be expected, however we could be up to 1 hour early LHR landing slot permitting... I then slept right through until landing – so I cannot comment on the breakfast (it did smell good...) or any drinks. It was actually nice not to be woken for anything – but when we did awake the crew popped over to ask if we wanted a soft drink before landing, they came only to us so it was clear they were paying attention to all the guests on this flight and again this was fantastic.
A very smooth landing and quick disembark was had by all...
I guess its hard to look past the ground crew on this one for me, and the lack of food options on such an empty flight – but you cut your cloth accordingly I would guess and take only what is needed food wise... The crew more than made up for the efforts by their counterparts and the early landing was a bit of a blessing so all in all a decent flight.
I would however like to think that VS could really improve their service and the PE offering if they simply took the ‘low hanging fruit’ that is available – a cabin change, a bar, better upgrade prices and enough of each dish to serve would go a long way to make this the best class available. They are so close to making this untouchable – they have the crew to do this, it just feels like it could be a bit better. Perhaps the outbound flight was so good anything would seem worse..? Don't get me wrong, the flight and the PE product is a great one and I will now never go back to EC after 2 great flights – but after this one it seemed like they were on the cusp of something really special.
For anyone on this flight in PE I would recommend seats 37 A & C as they are very nice – guilt free recline and not really near the toilets (this is separated by a massive cupboard and curtain).
Dan
