This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Security control was ok with not too many people, but a few ditherers holding things up. Once through a nice easy ride to the gates. Given that I have now lost my Au status
we sat down for a late lunch/early dinner of steak and chips at Harrys Tap Room, and very nice it was too. Got to A32 and surfed the free wifi, uploading pictures to facebook etc (why can't all airports have this?!). unfortunately a huge group of American school children descended on the gate and I was wondering whether I was going to be unlucky enough to be sat amongst them all 
Initial boarding was called which included Silver members (not sure have seen that before
) so got up and joined the short queue. The ground staff lady didn't seem to know what to check for as she tried to tell me I couldn't board as i was in Economy. I had to point out I was Ag and what the 008 meant on the boarding card. This seemed to bring her some dawning recognition and she let me through.Got on board, initially sat in 61C, and got comfortable. Sure enough the crowd of teenagers descended to the back and were to the right and behind
and started doing what teenagers do. Turned to the Aussie to the left of me and he remarked, 'it's going to be a long flight!'. Luckily just before pushback I noticed one of the stewardesses passing and looking at my seat number and then she came back and asked if I would like to have one of the purple extra legroom seats as I was Ag....yes please 
so quickly got up and escaped the kindergarten for 55A and no-one sat next to me either! Take-off was on time and once airborne they announced that they would serve food and drinks together (understandable given VS22 is a night flight. Interestingly, while they were serving the special meals the stewardess came round to me and asked what I would like, I chose the Chicken Korma and a glass of red, which was brought promptly to me by hand rather than trolley!
Never had that before (even as an Au) and i can only assume it was because of Ag. Maybe this is a change of VS policy/training, or something that the particular FSM or FSS instigated? Regardless, it was a great +1 and I really wish I knew the name of the crew member in order to be able to thank her properly.The food was ok, not too different to previous trips, the smaller tray not really reducing the quantity. Interetsingly the dessert was on the tray (again presumably because it was a night flight).
Unfortunately there was an entertainment glitch on V-Port and it took a long time to turn on, and when it did it seemed mine was the only one working. So I happily watched 'Senna' much to the annoyance of the American woman in front of me who was discussing the situation with the stewardess. Eventually it was reset for the rest of the cabin though.
Tried to get some sleep but always difficult in Economy and I don't think I really managed it. There seemed to be a fair few drinks runs going and all the crew were very pleasant and enthusiastic.
The new breakfast was ok, in the past I have just not been able to eat the Economy offering but in this case it was fine, a very nice Yoghurt, Croissant, and a rather frozen OJ!
We got into LHR ahead of schedule so had some 10 minutes in the hold before turning onto final to the 09L. Cloud cover was 8/8 sat at 2000' - 1500' so an interesting dive through the cloud before breaking out over windsor.
So to summarise, a nice flight with a great crew, decent entertainment, and few very nice +1s. The new service was perhaps less evident given the night flight. All in all given it's economy i can't really find too much at fault, hopefully any future Econ flight are like this.
Dave
