VS005 LHR-MIA 25 SEP 10 (Premium Economy)
Posted: 03 Jan 2011, 22:29This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
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This is my first trip report, so please let me have any feedback on anything that should/could have been included.
This was my first VS flight in 5 years (previously chosen to fly BA and other airlines), first time in PE.
Completed online checkin the day before online, liked receiving the emailed PDF.
Arrived at T3 nice and early around 8am for the 11:15 departure, really like the new Virgin section of T3 at departures. I was welcomed on approach to the checkin area by a very pleasant lady who asked which cabin I would be travelling in and directed me towards the PE desks. Only 1 family in front of me. There were 3 of them but enough luggage for 15. The kid was screaming and I was praying they weren't checking in for the MIA flight.
It was clear that the family were going to faff around for ages - decided to fill in luggage tags for all their items at the desk whilst trying to feed the child at the same time - very odd, felt sorry for the checkin in assistant who just smiled at me in an apologetic way. The "co-ordinator" quickly noticed that the family would take some time and directed me to an available UC checkin desk. A very pleasant lady said good morning to me and asked where I was flying. Really got a great feel from her and was extremely impressed. Made small talk about how light the cases were (4 cases around 11-12 kg each) - yes it was a shopping trip and she knew it!!! Anyway processed in no time and off to security.
Was through security fairly quickly for this time in the morning. The economy check in desks for VS had been very busy. Was through security in probably 10 minutes. I'd booked the Servisair lounge and was using it for the first time, never again though. It was HEAVING to say the least, I wasn't expecting much, but a seat would have been nice! They had decided to cordon off the area with the nice comfortable seating for "cleaning" although no cleaning was taking place and it was a busy time of the morning. By the time I'd grabbed a drink, a few passengers had complained and it was opened. Chilled out here for a while, did some shopping and waiting for the gate to open.
I'm not one of these people who arrives at the gate really early but I was excited about flying Virgin again and especially with it being my first time in PE. Once the gate had been open a while, took a short walk down expecting mayhem! It was so chilled and empty I wondered where everyone was! Priority boarding was in operation, but not needed as no queue. The gate itself was empty. A pleasant gentleman directly me through to the lounge, checked out the aircraft for today and found i’d be flying “Sleeping Beauty” very fitting considering this trip would involve a visit to Disney! After a few minutes finding a seat, I realised that people were just walking straight onto the flight, it seems the nice gentleman who welcoming me into the gate had failed to tell me the flight was boarding so headed on.
Welcomed by the crew with smiling faces and directed *right*, although had a little peek left (one day!). Found our seats. Was a little apprehensive as we had 22 A and C which are directly in front of the toilet. Actually not too bad and as it was a day flight really didn’t get distracted by this – although if choice available would sit elsewhere. Got settled in the nice comfy seats and had a little peak in the amenity pack – went to put my flight socks on to find a big hole in them!! May seem a little minor but it would annoy me to have half a sock the whole flight so had a quick word with a lovely member of the cabin crew who quickly changed them for me. Sparking wine in hand, had a quick check of the menu and relaxed. The one thing I noticed is a very strong crew on hand to assist everyone in PE cabin, efficient probably being the best word to describe.
Cabin was full and there were a few issues with seating – someone sat in the wrong seat and wouldn’t move so FSM had to come to sort the situation then another couple wanted to swap and so on! Finally ended up with 1 couple getting moved to UC, for whatever reason and someone else ended up filling their seats – very odd but the couples were not related. Also noticed an older gentlemen get the “tap” and asking if he was travelling alone, then invited to UC – another grr in envy!!
Cabin secured and off we went. First Officer advised of slight delay leaving LHR and had to wait on the runway for a good 45 minutes before we snuck in front of a couple of BA planes and off we went. IFE was started and we both checked out what was playing. My partner quickly released that the sound on the seat was not working correctly, cutting out all the time. Initially we thought it may be the headphones and tried another set but no such luck. I called the cabin crew over to ask if there was anything they could do – flight had just started and without IFE would be very long. I’d not seen this lady as yet but she was definitely not the friendliest. She simply said “You’ll have to just hold the plug in place while you watch” I really was surprised by this, 8 hours holding a plug in place? You don’t pay all that money for that. She then suggested she would bring some tape over, we tried to tape but didn’t work and then offered a DVD solution.
The drinks service quickly commenced with some really spicy pretzels, very nice. I liked the fact that the CC took the orders, felt more personal. I had the vegetarian option for lunch and partner had the beef, both enjoyed very much. Really didn’t see too much of the cabin crew after this point, occasionally walking through the cabin, smiling but a smooth operation in play. Quite a few passengers in PE were complaining about the IFE and a number of dvd players were distributed. The attitude in general to this was to shake it off, but it’s so important .
Afternoon ice cream, very yummy = I was even offered a 2nd ice cream but felt this would be a little bit greedy
Afternoon sandwiches offered too and another drinks round. Also really liked the touch with the love hearts handed out before landing. I must also applaud the crew for keeping back the economy passengers from the PE toilets. At one point a few had crowded round, the FSM politely but firmly instructed them to the back and ensured the curtain divide was secured.Landed in Miami to be advised that a plane was currently on our stand and would have a slight 10 minute delay. 45 minutes later we were still stuck on the plane, water was offered. Finally got to the stand, although some further confusion from the CC with the ground staff as they were both signalling to each other through the window but no doors opening!!
Finally into the terminal and to the joy that is Miami Immigration.I must say, this was the worst experience I have ever had! It was my partners first time into the states and the immigration offer just went all out to scare the living daylights out of us! Asking job information, salary, asking we had been to the Dominican Republic in the last year etc etc. Really unnecessary. I felt like I was being interrogated by the FBI. I appreciate their need to do this but the manner in which it was done was extremely nerve racking on not on the scale I have ever experienced in all the times I have been to the US.
That over, out to the sauna and off to Alamo to get the car....
Overall, very pleased with the quality of service.
Ultimately, PE is absolutely worth it with VS in my opinion. Pleased to say I am back to being a VS addict!
(I hope my TR is of interesting reading to all your experienced travellers, any feedbsck would be great!
and glad you had a good flight.
