VS027 LGW-MCO 11 JUN 10 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Having missed the chance to secure 80K and get SEQ/1 via OLCI as the friends who were driving me to LGW arrived 45 minutes early as they wanted to take me to lunch on the way down. I was a little aprehensive about 70A as it is a bulkhead seat and being 6ft 1in+ I like to be able stretch my legs without a wall getting in the way. But anyway I completed OLCI at the Holiday Inn (a freebie using my Priority Points and upgrade to an executive room as well).

Transferred by coach to Gatwick in the morning, which took all of 10 minutes so was at the upper class desk by 6.45am having planned to arrive at the clubhouse for a 7am breakfast Unfortunately I had to battle my way past the mob from easyjet who were checking (and spilling out) at the adjacent desks.

The guy on the desk was "functional" but there was no real chat but he duly stuck a fast track sticker to my PE boarding card....though why he bothered I don't know as Fast Track was closed until "at least 7.30am" acording to the BAA liquids police I assume that VS are paying for this, so maybe they should insist it opens earlier.

Anyway eventually through the security checks and into the "shell suit and football top free" haven of calm that is a Virgin Clubhouse. Now I havent been here for years as I normally fly via Heathrow but the staff were really friendly and joked that at least in the LGW Clubhouse you cant get lost.

Was disappointed that there was no hair cuts (or even trims) available but was offered a back and neck massage which was duly booked for 9am. I did say that I could be flexible if they needed to move me around to allow someone on an earlier flight to get a treatment, which as it turned out they did. But the massage even a little latter was still worth it.

Now I have developed a thing about "Virgin Redheads" so knowing that I was on a flydrive package I couldn't go to mad but I think I held up the V-Flyer side and made a good dent in VS profit margins for the day. The Full English breakfast itself, whilst a little on the small side, was great and they even gave me some extra bacon to make up for the fact I hate eggs.

Anyway before to long and before they ran out of red heads we were called to the gate, where I was pleased to say that priority checking and boarding were in place (much to the disgust of a group of "chavs" who didn't like being asked to wait

Once on board and up in the bubble, the sparkling wine was prompt in arriving and as a bonus the 70C was free next to me as well. Departure was delayed as they had to offload some passengers luggage as I think the ESTA approvals had not come through.

Shortly after take off one of the crew came over and thanked me for flying with them again and as a Au card holder would I like something for the UC bar. A very large glass of Red arrived in short order and I must say that her service throughout the entire flight was impecable and a real credit to the airline. The food was enjoyable and the mushroom pasta with truffle oil was better than some of the food i've had in UC

Arrival into MCO was fine except for the fact that I joined the line for the Immigration Agent from hell - who rather that take everyones picture and finger prints wanted a life history and so was spending about 7 minutes on each person...no kidding I have seen glaciers move faster than this guy and I was near the front of the queue! So a big thanks to the cabin crew for holding back the tide of 270+ Y passengers to allow the UC/PE passengers off first, if they hadn't I am sure I would still be people there now!

All in all a great flight and a great crew. Yes, the seats are looking tired and in need of a refit and a new entertainment system but with a crew like those on this flight I can overlook not having 50 movies to choose from.

[buns]

Thanks for the TR

So, apart from having the seat next to you free during the flight how did you find 70A? Is it something you would recommend for a couple?

Excellent to learn that the service on board was top notch - being offered a drink from the UC Bar ,may not be a published perk, but when it is offered, then it helps to retain your loyalty to VS

Enjoy Florida

buns

Hi Buns

As for 70A & 70C being great for couples, it all depends on what they want to get up too! as being at the front of the bubble and right next to the WC's then there is a regular stream (not sure thats a good word?) of people going past, but not too many to be disturbing.

Being a bulkhead seat I guess that parents with babies would get first shout at it in any case, but if you can get it, I would think it is one of the better seats to get (no one to recline back onto you and food and drinks service seems to start at the front so you've got a better chance of getting your first choice). Of course, in my opinion if there is a baby in PE then 80K would be a good bet

The only slight drawback with being at the front, is that you have to be fairly quick out of the blocks to avoid getting stuck being 40 other PE customers trying to get out of the bubble when you land....and this is a must especially if the US Immigration are on a go slow.

[buns]

Mark

Thanks for the info

Enjoy the rest of your stay in Orlando

buns

Thank you for the great TR.