This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
On arrival at the airport we passed through security to the check in area (1st belt removal...)
Check in was OK - slightly time consuming, the Dnata agents which handle VS at DXB didn't have the greatest handle of the English language - not a critiscism, but it did slow things. I was 297th to check in and was immediately offered the opportunity to upgrade....so did!
Passports were checked next, and the female agent didn't even look up at me - this I found odd. Anyway, another nice stamp in my passport and another set of security to follow (2nd belt removal).
By now time the departure time was looming so I went straight to the gate just in case they'd managed to turn the plane round quickly - with Dubai having a remote gate you really need to be at the gate a good 30 min before departure.
Another passport check, and another security check (3rd belt removal) and we were advised by tannoy that the flight would be delayed by around 25-30 minutes. Not a problem, but I was thirsty and there was no drink vending machine / shop at this part of the airport. [n]
Coaches bussed us to the plane, and up the steps we went to 2L. No personal welcome but smiling faces, and two staff directing me to my seat.
I found my seat - 18K - with no-one beside me again [:D] and had a glass of juice handed to me very promptly. Soon after, a choice of 5 UK papers was offered. With the delay in departure the staff were working hard to speed things up. However, V-port wasn't functioning so a manual safety dem was called - and this clearly annoyed one member of cabin crew who I overheard using some very floral language... [n][n]
We pushed back at 10.30am and taxiid to the other end of the runway to take off out over the Arabian Gulf. Visibilty on the ground was OK by this time but the sky was hazy hindering the view somewhat [:(]
Menu cards had been handed out on the ground so cabin service went straight into the first of 2 rounds of drinks!!!! V-port needed a 45 minute reboot however before starting. The towels before lunch were really hot - maybe I had been the first to be offered one, but these were like lava! Still, better than a soggy damp and slightly cold towel.
Food was served around 2 1/2 hours in - and was great. (will upload the menu shortly). I genuinely think this was better than the UC food I've experienced on trips DXB-LHR [:?]
I watched a couple of episodes of 'peep show' after lunch with a Baileys - anyone who hasn't seen this - it's so funny!! Fancying a cup of tea I pushed the attendand button, and waited......counting....12 seconds, before the FSM came to me. Shortly after a cuppa from UC arrived [y]
At this point I want to say how mature (in approach) the crew were. Aside from the earlier language, they were present, polite and helpful all through the flight. [KEEP THIS UP VS and I will spend lots of my money with you!] This was compunded by regular juice / water runs and an ice cream run mid flight.
Movie choice was good, but I'd love to see some more classics featured, like Bullitt. The TV choice was pretty much spot on though. Around an hour before arrival back in London, Tea/Coffee and snacks were served - I had a cappucino muffin.
After what was a slightly bumpy flight we approached London only marginally behind schedule, landing at 1420, meaning I was at the conveyor (courtesy of a previously acquired fast track coupon) at 1440.
So, 2 great PE flights in a row.....what more can I say!
(Staff only marked down due to language used within earshot of passengers, and entertainment due to the V-port reboot)
