This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
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Once we arrived at LHR we set about walking to T3. We had already stuffed our winter coats into our suitcases. We did not realize that with the new configuration you need to walk outside to get from the HEX to check-in. I practically ran through the forecourt to avoid freezing! We headed over to UC check-in to drop off our bags (we had done OLCI). There was no one checking e-tickets/asking questions - just a clear path to the counter. The woman who checked us in was pleasant and efficient. She directed us to the elevator for the special security line. It was a dream. We scanned the barcode and walked on in. There was not a single person ahead of us it was as though all of the security people were just waiting for us to arrive. MrStars was thrilled and finally admitted the TP run flying J to Dublin on bmi in August was worth it!
After we breezed through security we almost got caught in the shoe carousel but I told the person directing the line that we had just put our shoes through in the VS private security line (which we had) so he ushered us past the line. Then it was straight to the lounge. As we had changed our flights at the last minute we didnt have pre-booked treatments and there was nothing available. After MrStars dropped off his shoes for a shine we decided to get something to eat. We both had starters from the deli bar and then I had pasta and MrStars had sea bass. Its been too long now to remember the preparations of those dishes, but we each enjoyed our meal.
After dinner we checked e-mail, checked V-Flyer for any additional news on the strike, and I just might have left the V-Flyer homepage up on the screen! Then it was time to board. We headed out to gate 42. I cant remember if any priority boarding was in place, but I dont recall more than 2 to 3 people in front of us for the boarding pass check, and from there it was straight through the waiting area onto the plane.
Now, I know this next statement is going to sound a bit ridiculous it really isnt meant to be offensive/elitist in any way... I was kind of dreading turning right and sitting in PE. Since April I have taken 7 flights with VS, all of them in UC. With the exception of one trip on BA in CW and the aforementioned short hop in bmi J (glorified Y), all my other flights during that period of time had been BA Y within Europe, which can be a bit shabby. I guess my memory had gone a bit short in terms of the VS PE experience. I have to say PE was much more pleasant than I remembered, and was more than adequate. I think we will continue our trend of flying PE out and upgrading with miles to fly UC back, for our trips to the east coast of the US. We sat in seats 19 D and 19G. I took a chance when selecting our seats as it was just two days before the flight and the middle section was pretty empty. There were no pairs of two available on the sides so we took the two aisles of a middle row, leaving the middle seat empty. I figured if someone did happen to sit there, they probably would not mind switching from the middle to an aisle (does anyone really want to sit in a middle seat?). As it turned out, no one sat there so we had extra space to stash pillows, blankets, & books.
Timing is a little sketchy as I wasnt paying careful attention, but we were scheduled to leave at 8:10pm. At 8:10pm the captain announced that we were going to be delayed as we were waiting for a few passengers connecting from a Bombay flight. He emphasized that it was not these passengers fault as their flight had landed much earlier but had been stuck on the tarmac for 1 hour waiting for a gate. He also indicated that there was a queue for take-off so we would be delayed 25-30 minutes by that anyway. I seem to remember we were wheels up an hour late, significant only in that we landed right on time, which just goes to show how much padding is in the flight times.
As far as I can remember, everything went as it should have, service-wise. I guess the only thing of note was that not surprisingly; our AU status was not noted by anyone. I was not hungry, having eaten in the CH, so skipped the meal and dont remember the choices. Amusing sidenote: shortly after take-off MrStars turned to me and said Now remember, on this flight we should try not to sleep at all, because we are headed west, after which he promptly passed out and slept for the next 6 hours! He had been having such a busy time at work that I didnt have the heart to wake him, despite his proclamation.
I entertained myself reading a magazine, playing Tetris & Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, watching the movie No Reservations and two episodes of King of Queens (finally, new episodes!). By the end of the flight I started to get tired, but soon enough we had landed in EWR. The line for immigration was non-existent but the wait for bags was very long. Finally we had our bags and headed out to find the car that was picking us up.
