This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Some of you know im crew for VS so was interesting to experience one of our flights as a passanger.
Checked in at LGW in the morning, had tried OLCI the previous day however would only allow one of us to check in so that process was pointless, although API was done so atleast thats somethng. There were no queues so straight to the desk. The agent was reasonably friendly and assigned seats in Y however when i asked about my PE upgrade was told that i had to speak to virgin about upgrading. Im aware that they are handeling agents at LGW but dont think they are ment to act like they had nothing to do with the airline - they are in VS uniform and most pax would think they worked for us. Anyway i explained that our tickets (as crew) had space upgrades on them, so she had to get assistance from a few colleauges to find out how to do this. I then had to ask to have bags tagges PE as she wasnt going to do that either. In the end it was ok but there is a clear difference between VS groundstaff and agents.
Security was very quiet so got airside in 5 mins or so, although its amazing how mony folk still gtry to take liquids over 100ml thru!
Got some food and snacks in boots the headed to the gate, boarding on time and priority boarding was called first and was clearly signed.
Took our assigned seats on the upperdeck and settled in with champagne and checked out what movies were on NOVA - was hoping for an oddesy ac but no luck there!
We pushed back on time and were airborn in 20 mins or so which is good for LGW in the morning. Got the usual hot towels, kits and headsets hawever menus were missing think they were not loaded as the upper deck crew made a PA informing us of the meal choices. A meal order was then taken from everyone before the drinks service. Had 2 drinks rounds then our requested meals - which was good as we were in the last row so thought that they might have run out. Service was quick and everythin was cleard away in a good amount of time. Brandy & Bailies was then offered verbally - rather than taking them thru the cabin, not sure why they did this but think more people would have taken it if it was offered, as you feel more tempted if its infront of you! Flight was uneventful, Of the 2 crew members one was much better than the other as we saw no crew durigng the female crews break but when she was on duty she made OJ rounds and even did a full drinks service by hand for all PAX[^]. Got usual ice cream and then later on afternoon tea all of wich was nice. Really think the new service makes a big differnce in the look of the product and the main meal was very tasty (although i have eaten about a million PE meals before so not a shock!)
Landed on time and Y was held back whilst upper and PE got off. quickly through immigration and prioroty bags kind of worked not off first but before the majority of Y pax so not bad.
All in all good flight, few bits missing from the service but nothing major and crew were proffesional at all times. Had great week in Orlando, managed to miss Spring break so parks were very quiet! Ate & drunk far too much and spent loads but thats what holidays are for right!
