This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
The general VS check-in area appeared to be relatively quiet as we approached the UC desk. There were two pax checking in ahead of us while we were asked the usual questions by security. I had noticed that there was only one check in agent for UC[:(] Within minutes the UC queue started to grow and we waited! Soon it was our turn and the agent apologised for the wait. To be fair to him he was on his own but he also wasn't the most efficient check-in agent I've come across.
At this time the two pax standing behind us decided to invade our personal space by standing beside myself and MrG![V] Obviously MrG's Ralph Lauren Polo aftershave must have been having its usual magnetic affect[;)] At this time a VS staffer was calling for anyone on the 2pm to JFK (I think)flight. Turns out our friendly chums behind us were on this flight[xx(] If only they had told us that they were late checking in for their flight we would have certainly let them go ahead of us, but they didn't so tough!![}:)] The VS staff member could see that there was only one check-in agent but did not appear to care about this[V]
We had wanted to check that my FC no was accredited to this flight as it had been booked through MrG's company travel agent in Bermuda and they are next to useless. Also we wanted to bag the bulkhead seats 18A and C. However we decided that we would sort this out in the Clubhouse as the queue was growing longer behind us. We headed to security armed with our fast track passes and here things improved. We were through in around 5 minutes and straight to the clubhouse by 1.15pm.
Today it was fairly busy. We went to the desk where the helpful lady took my FC details and also fulfilled our seat change request. We had a chat to her for a few minutes and told her about the mess at check-in 'oh, sounds really bad down there' was her response.
Now it was time to eat![y] We had to wait for a table to be cleared before we could dine. As it was lunchtime most of the tables were occupied so we sat and had a drink while we waited. We were soon taken to our seat by a lovely lady who took took our order for food and more drinks. We both went for the cornish crab cake for starters, MrG the sheperds pie and me the clubhouse burger. This was washed down with some champagne by myself and a few stellas for MrG.
The food was excellent and the lady who looked after us was charming and attentive. Even though I was full I still found some space for some rice pudding,yum [y]
I eventually managed to haul my girth from the chair and went to check out my favourite website (V-flyer of course![:D])for a bit of a catch up. While tapping away I became distracted by a very handsome chap working behind the bar ([;)][;)] Highflyer knows who I mean!) Eventually I was woken from my dreamy state by MrG who wanted to know why I was taking so long[:w]
The call for boarding came around 3.15pm and we were to depart from Gate 55. There was no mention of priority boarding at this stage.It would soon become clear why. When we got to the gate our passports and tickets were checked. We were told by the security chap to enjoy our flight as there were only 85 pax aboard[:0][:0] We were then taken to the aircraft by bus which was a first for us with VS. We went through some tunnels and I really have no idea where we were headed to[?] I think it may have been somewhere near the new T5?
We boarded up the stairs to the aircraft and were greeted by the CC. As we headed towards the PE section, we were confronted with a vision of purple leather loveliness, the new PE/Wcl seats[^][^] I had to admit at being excited at the prospect of this. MrG just rolled his eyes at me, he doesn't understand[;)] We settled down into 18A and C and were quickly given a welcome glass of champagne. I counted 10 pax in PE. I really cannot remember the last time I was in such an empty PE cabin. Are the loads for VS9 always this low? Potentially this was gearing up to be a good flight with the new seats and quiet cabin etc.
Our scheduled departure time of 4.00pm came and went. The stairs to the aircraft were still attached but I was sure all the pax were aboard[?] Then an announcement from the captain. A VS flight from Shanghai had been diverted to St Petersburg because of a medical emergency. This aircraft was to be used for the 6pm flight to JFK, so the pax checking in for that flight had no plane to take them to the States. He was waiting comfirmation that VS9 would be taking these pax instead. While we waited to hear the outcome the CC came around with juice and water. A EC pax decide to voice his displeasure at this turn of events and proceeded to interrogate the CC in the galley near our seats as to the reason for the delay[xx(] I did feel sorry for the CC as it wasn't their fault. They did manage to calm him down after 10 minutes or so and he quietly walked back to his seat. Soon after an announcement by the Captain told us that the decision had been made not to pick up these additional pax and that we would soon be on our way.
Before we departed, we were joined by an additional 3 pax who had come from EC and were seated in 18 D F and G by a CC member who obviously knew them. Our quiet cabin became not so quiet as all three of them proceeded to talk at the top of their voices![:(!]
Eventually we were airborne around 5.15pm. Seatbelt signs were switched off soon afterwards and so I started to play with the new seats. The leather seats are softer on your bottom than the previous ones[:D] The wings on the side of the headrest are good for stopping that nodding dog thing you do when trying to sleep in a chair. Though MrG's headrest would not stay up when pushed. Previously I have always used the pillow provided for extra lumbar support but found the support on this seat to be fine without it. If sitting in a bulkhead seat there is a cushion provided for you to put your feet on. I thought it was a bit twee but it did the job. Another improvement is that the table space between the seats has been improved, you really do need it to help house your brandy and baileys[:p]
I was impressed with the overall PE cabin re-fit. The lighting has the same ambiance as UC and the wc's also had what I would call 'mood' lighting. PE has now been set well apart from EC in my view and a small bit closer to UC. You could describe it as the UCS's younger cousin, they come from the same family but one is slighty older and a touch more sosphisticated (strange analogy I know!)
CC on this flight were good. Because of the low pax numbers we were never short of drinks throughout the flight(soft and alcoholic!)
One CC member decided to give his friends in 18 DFG UC champagne, snacks, desserts and large bottles of water[V] Perhaps they were Au Cards holders? Mind you MrG is and he didn't get any special treatment. If CC are going to do this then they should be a tad more discreet about it[n]
I had the mushroom risotto to eat which was gloopy and tasteless(too much Clubhouse food can spoil a girl!) though the Gu pud saved the day. More wine was offered after the meal, followed by large measures of brandy and baileys.
We eventually landed around 7.50 local time and then we taxied for another 20 mins before we disembarked. Our luggage had not been tagged PE but we didn't have long to wait to collect it.
This was a good flight, but not the best PE flight I've had. A great chance to try out the new PE seats. Overall I would give the new PE seats/cabin a 7/10[y]
