This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
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We set off for out 2pm flight to JFK at 5.00am, now I know that might sound a little keen but we live in Guernsey and have to get a connecting flight to LGW and then make our way to LHR. Unfortunately the LHR link with GSY was lost a few years back so we have no choice but to do it this way.
The flight from GSY took off on time at 7.00am and thirty five minutes later we landed at LGW, a short flight aided by a nearly empty BAE146 jet.Got through baggage reclaim fairly quickly and went through customs to see my name on a taxi board and we were then on our way to LHR.
Arrived at T3 and used the self service check in kiosk which was very good and got our boarding cards quickly. We were then directed to the bag drop line where the queue wasn't too bad but it got a lot shorter when one of the check in staff shouted if anyone was going to San Francisco to hurry up as the check in was about to close for that flight and then all of a sudden we were near the front!
While we were in the queue a VS representative asked if we would like to upgrade to UC for a cost of 999 per person. I was just about to reach into my back pocket to get my credit card out and Mrs S said 'Don't you dare, I could spend that on shoes and clothes'!!. So sadly I declined the nice offer and started to wonder if those new shoes and clothes she was getting would be as comfortable for me as an UC suite?!
Off to departures and through security, nobody there so straight through, no hassels and even got to keep my shoes and belt on which was pleasing. I understand the reasons for the removal of such items and don't mind doing it when asked but it's nice not to have to do it if you don't have to!
We had about two and a half hours wait before we were going to be called for boarding so we went to find somewhere to sit, and as luck would have it we manged to end up just behind a familly with three screaming children playing eye-spy. I wouldn't of minded but they hadn't really got to grips with the rules and were saying things like, ' I spy with my little eye, something begining with.....CHAIR!!' Anyway, it must of been amusing enough as the time seemed to pass quick and we were called down to the gate to board.
Priority boarding was in operation and work well, we were on Mustang Sally within fifteen minutes,seated with a glass of champagne waiting for the plane to fill. As it happens we would of been waiting a while as it was half empty with only 172 pax on board!
Pushed back at 2pm and wheels up by 2.10pm. PE was very quiet with only about fifteen people in total so once the seatbelt sighns were turned off people started to spread out a bit. The seats I pre booked were 35H & K. They were very comfortable and as always v-port is much appreciated but my only reservation is the views are very limited dur to the window positioning and the wing. I know the wing is a quite important part of an aircraft so I let it go but for the return flight I booked row 32 which was much better!!
Not long after take off we were given lunch which was excellent, I had the chicken with mash and Mrs S had the beef stew which she seemed to enjoy, in fact she liked it so much she even left a bit on her top for later!! The CC were brilliant and kept asking if there was anything they could do for us to keep them busy as the flight was so quiet so a few more drinks were ordered!
The flight time was to be 7hrs 23 minutes so I fired up v-port, settled back and watched a couple of films and some comedy TV shows. The flight went smoothly and we landed at JFK, fairly quickly through customs, collected our luggage and the transfer was waiting to take us to Manhattan.
So all in all an excellent flight and looking forward to carry my UC suite around the shops...Sorry, I mean the wifes new shoes and clothes!
Thanks for reading and hope you're still awake to read the return leg...
