VS046 JFK-LHR 20 AUG 11 (Economy)
Posted: 21 Aug 2011, 13:12This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
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I arrived at JFK at 1620 and waited in the PE queue (had to make use of my Ag card of course!). As I walked up, Economy was almost empty, but about 30 seconds after I arrived, it began to get much longer. I waited behind a large group checking in, who took up an entire counter or two. As I was waiting, someone else sneaked in front of me, but I held my breath and didn't say anything. A minute or two later a member of staff noticed me and called me over to wait in the UC queue where I was checked in about 30 seconds later. I was offered an upgrade to PE for $315 (from an O!) They also offered to waive my overweight bag fees ($100 total) if I upgraded. Even though it would have been a net $215 (£130) upgrade, I decided to skip it, and save some money. (And I'm glad I did, but more on that later.) They let one overweight fee go, so only an extra $50. I dropped my bags at the x-ray scanner and went to ticketing to pay my fee. That was extremely quick, and I made my way to the CH for the first time ever.
Jfenney
offered me a CH invite but he was stuck on a horribly delayed JetBlue flight, and so would not be able to give my name at the door. He still managed to sort me out an invite by calling FC and letting them know! (And probably pulling some magical strings.) When I arrived at the CH, I explained it all to them and they said it was not a problem. Now 1640, I managed to find a window seat in a somewhat busy CH and was quickly handed a menu. Pretty good view!
I ordered the CH burger and a corona to start things off. Both arrived very quickly and were excellent. For dessert I had the mango sorbet, very tasty (is it Haagen Daz? It certainly tasted like it). And what is the best way to top things off?? A glass (or three
) of champagne of course! Top ups were offered and of course accepted, it would be impolite to refuse .Glass number 3!
I met and had a nice chat with the president of a major software company (won't say who
) who sat at my table with his wife and cute two year old daughter who loved playing with the salt and pepper shakers and the iPhones sitting on the table.The flight was called a 6:35, had one last sip of champagne and made my way though security at 6:45. Security looked rammed, but it only took 5 or 10 minutes. (Maybe that's because they weren't doing a good job. I accidentally left a set of keys with a flash drive in my pocket and the metal detector didn't go off!!)
Economy boarding was called at 7:10. As I was on the upper deck, I was in the first group to board and was wished a pleasant flight by name. As I made my way to the jetway I had to pause to take this photograph:
There was a small queue on the jetway but was quickly onboard. Now the the point of why I was happy I didn't upgrade: I had a WHOLE ROW to myself!! You could make PE practically free, but if I can have a whole Y row to myself, I'd still take that.
1922 - advised a flight time of only 6hr and 4min!
1934 - door closed, 334pax, 17 cabin crew and an announcement to turn off all your computers, ebooks, and walkmans. Yes, walkmans!!! Those still exist??!?
1937 - pushback
2007 - wheels up
Yes you read that right! A half hour from pushback to take off on an evening flight out of JFK. I almost couldn't believe it when I heard the engines begin to spool up.
2047 - dinner and drinks are served. Choices of salmon pasta, beef with potatoes, or veggie curry with rice. I had the beef and a pepsi. It was good, actually quite good for an economy meal. The string beans weren't overcooked, the potatoes fairly crispy, and the beef in a pretty good sauce. Even though I ate in the CH, I almost always eat when offered a meal as it gives me something to do.
After dinner I began watching The Fast and Furious, but felt pretty tired, so I decided to retire to my 5.5' bed. Three seats plus the shelf works out to about 5.5'. I'm 5'7", so I was able to almost stretch out, all for the price of Y ticket! I got a good two hours of sleep plus bits here and there. The most sleep I've gotten on an overnight economy flight in a while.
1:20min to go - lights on and breakfast served. Choice of the usual inadequate danish or muffin top. I had the danish with orange juice and some water.
The sunrise over Ireland. (The iPhone photo doesn't do it justice)
0650 - holding over RAF Oldiham for 10 minutes
We took a great route over London - over the southern part, out to Canary Wharf, then turned back and followed the Thames giving everyone on the K side a great view of London, and me on the A side a view of....Waterloo, but also the house I lived in last year!
0710: Touchdown! 40 minutes early!
0714: Gate
0720: Off the plane
I arrived at passport control behind a flight from Japan, an Emirates flight from Dubai, and a Quantas flight from Sydney!! It was rammed, but still took about 30 minutes. One bag was waiting for me and then the belt stopped. But magically the second was was right there, so I grabbed it and was off.
All in all a great flight. But seriously, first the CH, then an on time JFK pushback and take off, plus a decent plane meal, and a whole row to myself, not to mention a 40 minute EARLY arrival into LHR! Someone slap me awake! This has to be a dream because stuff like that never happens. Oh wait, it just did!
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