This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
This is TR 2/2 detailing my flights to and from Antigua this past week.
When I originally bought our tickets there was only Z on the outbound and J on the inbound leg. I eventually went with a PE inbound leg on an 'S' fare. I queried the agent on whether or not I could upgrade inbound to UC at a later time and was told I would be restricted by the Z fare until I had used it but once used and in Antigua I would have an S fare and be able to upgrade it.
While in Antigua Expertflyer showed up 4 free UC seats with 2 days to go. I am not quite sure what happened here are for the last month it only showed up 2 free seats, and then antoher 2 open up with 48 hrs to go. When I spoke to UC reservations I was told I could not upgrade without them repricing the already used outbopund leg from a Z to a J?? In other words it was cheaper to throw away the S return legs and buy a fresh pair of 1-way UC tickets at 1000 each. I decided not to do this and was advised to check at the airport desk to see if I could get a better deal, or use miles. In the end someone bought all four seats on the morning of the flight so it was moot anyway.
When we checked in at ANU, the rep was professional and helpful. We asked for an exit/bulkhead change, but none was available so we stuck with 74h/k. Boarding was the usual mess with everyone creeping towards the ticket gate anticipating the call. I knew from experience that UC and PE get called first though, and they did. The boarding agent caught a few people trying it on with ccon tickets and they got sent to the back. Overall check-in was excellent given the limited facilities at VC Bird.
Check In: + ticket lady ++ boarding agent
We were first onto G-VROY and went upstairs to our seats. The crew were pleasant and chatted to us. They mentioned some operational issues - something to do with a 5hr delay and a passenger and Tobago. I asked the CSS if I could grab a cockpit photo. She asked the Captain/First Officer who obliged and chatted to me about the upcoming flight.
Crew +++ curteous, professional, and obliging
I went to sit in my seat which was really loose and wobbly. The 1st officer was walking past, saw the issue and got the maintenance guy who was also upstairs to look at the seat. He promptly pulled it apart and went medieval on it with his penknife. He tried his best but couldn't really do much with it. Mrs C's seat was similar and so were a few others, most notably the one infront of mine. G-VROY urgently needs refitting.
We took off 20 minutes late so as not to arrive in LGW before 06:00. As soon as we got up high enough the person in the seat in front put his seat back on nearly took my knees out. The seats seem to recline a lot further than they used to, and where mine only went back so far due to the crew seats behind I was limited in room the entire flight.
Seat: -- knackered! Had I had a better seat position, and still had the same experience I would have rated it v.poor. As it stands I think part of the issue was my seat choice
There was a family group up at the front with a child and a baby. While the baby was faily secure (if a little loud) the toddler in 71h did not want to site down and kept going to see grandad in 74a. Now I am not against kids on planes but the parents need to keep them under control for their own and everyone elses safety. Unfortunately the baby didn't settle for much of the flight so the upper deck got to hear what a great set of lungs it had!
Food came round soon after take off. I had the beef stroganoff and it was some of the best food I have had on recent flights, way better than the previous week's chicken. The rest of the meal was equally good too.
Food: + tasted good!
I tried, unsuccessfully, to get some sleep and I didn't use the IFE as there wasn't anything I felt worth watching.
Ent: - old and past it. No longer sufficient for PE/UC fare prices
The flight was pretty bumpy for a fair part of the flight but the 06:15 landing was smooth and brought an end to an otherwise uneventful flight.
Given the choice I would have gone out PE and back UC. I am a little peeved regarding the advice I got an my flight tickets, but to be honest wasn't really in the mood or willing to argue fare conditions via a mobile phone in Antigua.
In conclusion, I will travel VS again but will pay closer attention to my fare type and rules (and the agent's name/details). I will also make extra effor to get bulkhead/exit rows.
