This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Other than an enquiring stance by the Security Agent (Is it too early to check in for Boston? clearly unaware of the V-flyer Code)[}:)], check in was extremely efficient with the bag tagged with a UC tag (not much help really as it turned out) and after picking up some pre-ordered currency I was quickly through Fast Track and in the Clubhouse.
I arrived shortly after 11am to find Richard Mannion and Highflyer already encamped and shortly afterwards Mr & Mrs D joined us. At first, service was a bit slow but this soon picked up with soft drinks and coffee to wash down the orders of breakfast for Highflyer, Richard and myself whilst Mr & Mrs D made their way to the cowshed for their pre-booked treatments. I meanwhile made sure the offer of a shoeshine was accepted and booked a floaty cow massage for 1.30. Around 12, Nottingham Nick joined us for a brief time before he went off for his pre-booked Rhinestone Cowboy.
One should not forget that the purpose of the trip was to ensure we all availed ourselves of all the Clubhouse had to offer this meant that by the end of our Clubhouse visit we had all received a treatment, had something to eat and (after the sun had passed the Yardarm) made visits to the Bar. Nottingham Nick and I received some good news whilst in the Clubhouse due to a full Y cabin we had been upgraded to PE and were now in row 23[y][y].
The things I have noticed when sharing time in the Clubhouse with fellow V-flyers are:
1. How the time there is far more pleasurable
2. You sometimes dont get the opportunity to visit everything.
The second was certainly the case as I did not get chance to see the Jag on the roof nor the Guitar exhibition.
All too quickly our flight was called and as we bade farewell to the Clubhouse and made our way back into normality we spotted the Reporter from Airport. For some reason he failed to notice us prominent people leaving the Clubhouse (or it could have been there was someone famous in there who we had not spotted)[:w].
The trek to Gate 1 was long enough and by the time we arrived, most pax had boarded the 343 Jetstreamer. Before too long we were on board and ready for the flight to push back. Although this was a little behind schedule, as take offs were from 27L we had soon made up time and were airborne.
As I have previously mentioned, Y was full, PE had only 2 seats free, yet US was only half full. I personally like the older style of PE seat to be found on the 343 although I have yet to see the new leather version. Nick and I were in the centre section, but given this was a gratefully received Op-Up due to the loads neither of us complained.
The drinks service was prompt and a second order was taken prior to being offered either, Beef Stew, Chicken Pasta or Mushroom Risotto. Nick opted for the Chicken and I the Risotto which I found very tasty. The crew were attentive and were making everyone in PE was being looked after. This extended to the FSM helping out with the wine service.
Being a 343, the IFE was Odyssey, but I was still content to watch Pirates 2, before having a further drink and then catching 40 winks. One smallbit of light relief was the gentlemen who attempted to enter the small cupboard at the end of the PE section on the mistaken belief that it was the toilet. A small prompt from me directed him further back down the aircraft (to the benefit of us all[:w]).
The PE tea service currently consists of a hot drink and a paper cup and a cereal bar or piece of cake the new PE service cannot be too quick in coming[:(!].
Some headwinds meant that our scheduled arrival time was delayed by about 20 minutes and after awaiting an Alitalia aircraft to leave the stand we were alongside and disembarkation was smooth to a virtually empty arrivals hall.
It would appear the US Immigration people here are a little hotter than elsewhere and I found I was not the only one of our party to be grilled as to my intentions for visiting the US.
As I mentioned at the start of this TR, my bag was tagged UC but it was very clear that this was anything but priority as Nick also had the same problem. Richards, Highflyers and Mr & Mrs Ds had been flying in PE so their bags were off first as one would have expected.
After clearing Customs, we got a number of cabs and after a bit of a kamikaze journey we arrived for what was to be a very pleasurable stay in Boston.
Thanks to Richard for suggesting the idea in the first place, and to everyone else for making the journey so memorable.
Return TR to follow.
