This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Well it all actually began on the Monday when we traveled down to Gatwick to stay at the Sofitel at the north terminal. Good stroke of luck for us it was both 20 cheaper than I thought it was going to be (including 15 days parking) and they gave us airside views. So 20 minutes of watching planes take off and land followed!!
Onto the actual trip part of it, we decided to use the twilight check-in. This is obviously a bit more complicated coming from the north terminal, especially when the monorail between the two closes for refurbishment this week. Its going to be shuttle busses from now on!!
As for the check in I was quite impressed. The security lady who checks your passport and tickets wasnt exactly the friendliest lady on planet earth, but she had just spent 10 minutes dealing with what seemed to be a somewhat complicated family. The actual check in was very smooth, very much like checking-in as you would normally. I did ask about upgrades from premium to upper class, but at 899 each it would be nice but not for my budget at the moment! I just bought a house dont you know!
So boarding cards issued we decided to grab something to eat note to self and everyone else who does stays at the north terminal when flying from the south terminalDONT LEAVE THE SOUTH TERMINAL until you have had something to eat because there is pretty much nowhere to eat at the north terminal. So we ate at the hotel. Which was actually very nice, but as with most haute cuisine it was beautiful and tasty but not much of it and therefore not very filling!!
So 6.15 the following morning (stupid 9.40 flight) we made our way back to the south terminal and headed straight towards the security channel. We had fast track stickers but as many of you have mentioned very early in the morning the fast track doesnt really exist, but we were through in about 5 minutes anyway, so no real stress.
Then we made our way to the V-ROOM (yes ladies and gentleman, I am, as someone on here put it in another thread recently, one of the great unwashed who use Virgin Holidays). I was actually pleasantly surprised, plenty of hot breakfast food (I assume they change this during the day so its not always bacon and sausages etc!), plenty of cereals and muffins and other bits and bobs. Overall a very nice space. Absolutely fantastic views of the runway, being situated at one end of it, which for us was the end they took off from. So watched even more planes queuing up and taking off, and watching the 747s coming in after flying all night from all kinds of exotic destinations!
Some time in there later and we were informed the flight was delayed by half an hour. Didnt really bother me at all, I was happy sat where we were. Eventually we were called to the gate, and this was where the only real problem of our experience occurred. There was an issue with one of the upper deck cabin doors so although priority boarding was (kind of) in force we were made to wait as they still sorting it out. So instead of being one of the first on, we were actually the last ones on the aircraft! This meant there wasnt really time for pre-flight drinks as we pushed back from the gate within minutes of boarding, which is a shame, but this was rectified swiftly once we had taken off. The two girls in charge of the upper deck were fantastic, and soon realized thats bucks fizz was what I wanted and kept them provided for me!
So onto the premium economy experience. I am very glad we managed our booking before hand and sorted out seats on the upper deck, despite the earlier issues. It is such a private and secluded space, it really did feel like something special. I did see the downstairs premium section and in all honesty it didnt feel that special with only 2 rows separated from economy by a small divider screen. Also, although I will admit that I didnt try the seats on the lower deck the ones on the upper deck did look more comfortable, even though they are the oldest premium seats in service! We were in 80 H and K so a very nice private space, though people do like to stand by the stairs and chill out, myself included.
As mentioned before the cabin crew was very friendly and attentive. I did see the FSM once or twice in passing, but not being a flying club member of any special standing I wasnt expecting for her to speak to us personally.
The food was an issue for me, but that is only because I am an extremely fussy eater so when the menus were handed out I opted to have the beef option from economy which was actually very nice. My other half had the chicken korma which he said was surprisingly good. Actually eating with real knife and forks etc made a lot of difference to the dining experience, and for the first time on a flight I didnt feel the meal was something I got through but actually enjoyed, though those GU deserts just need to be bigger!
A fresh fruit bowel and OJ and water were left on the ledge by the stairs for people to help themselves to, constantly being refreshed when running out, and the ice-cream was a nice touch an hour or so later. Shame I also wasnt a fan of the sandwich selection either, and seated in 80 h and k they only had one option left for my other half as well, some kind of cheese thing, but he said it was very nice, so not all bad!
Onto entertainment, we had the odyssey system, which although out-dated compared to the V-Port system still worked very well. There was a good selection of films and tv programs. The 20 or so minutes wait between films ending and starting again is a lil frustrating but I used that time to get up, stretch my legs and read the paper. I took the opportunity to do a few laps of economy which on a full flight was difficult. Though with all due respect there were plenty of cabin crew keeping people fed and watered and everyone seemed happy.
So all in all a very good flight experience, and I will definitely be flying premium economy at least from now on. I appreciate this has gone on a bit, but I just thought I would give my bit back after leeching so much information from you guys for the last few months.
Now back to the beach and the St Lucian sun. whenever it comes out!
