VS065 LGW-MBJ 17 JAN 12 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

We booked Purple Parking meet & greet but it was still a long walk to the check in desk because of all the building work. Upper class check in was empty so we were checked in straight away by smiling helpful ground staff. Sercurity was also empty so we were through in minutes. We made our way to the clubhouse and booked a shave for Mr D and a facial for myself, both were excellent. We both had the full breakfast ( which seemed larger than normal ) and a few glasses of champagne. all the staff were friendly and attentive. Boarding was called on time and we settled down in seats 79A & 79C. Pre flight drinks were offered very quickly. The flight wasn't full I think they said approximately 257 passengers with 2 empty seats in PE.
Headphones and amenity kits were handed out followed by the drinks service. The meal service started about 2 hours into the flight, a mediterranean couscous, braised beef brisket in red wine or plantation chicken or ricotta ravioli, followed by chocolate caramel mousse and cheese and biscuits. We both choose the beef which was very tasty in fact better than the stir fried beef I had had in Upper Class the previous month! Small bottles of wine were served which is an improvement on the thimble size glasses. Coffee, tea, brandy and Baileys were served shortly after.
The seat felt like a comfortable old armchair and the people in front only reclined their seats for a short time. The IFE was the old Nova system and I had already seen the two best films showing so settled for the Inbetweeners which was quite funny in parts. During the flight ice-cream and a hot pasty were served followed by sandwiches and a scone before landing.
We had two dedicated very hard working cabin crew looking after us who were a credit to Virgin, even the pilot asked if I was having a good flight whilst we were both in the galley getting a drink.
We landed a few minutes ahead of schedule to a warm sunny Jamaica. The only let down was priority baggage was certainly not working, all of the crews bags were off first and ours was one of the last off the belt.

Thanks for the TR, sounds like a good flight, and nice to hear positive reports on the food.

[buns]

Daffodil

Thanks for the TR

Whilst the "obstacle course" at Gatwick is geting a little better with the introduction of lifts, I agree that a meet and greet service is not doing its job if you are left anywhere other than the front door.

Your Clubhouse experience has now got me longing to go through there again

The seat felt like a comfortable old armchair and the people in front only reclined their seats for a short time.

I will miss thier passing when the refurbs take place later this year

Thanks once again

buns

Super TR, thanks Sounds like a great experience all the way through the flight. Makes a huge difference when the CC are attentive and the food good (which was nice to hear )

Thanks for the TR, pleased to hear all was good on the flight. I do like the galley at the back of the bubble as a social area to stretch your legs and have an opportunity to chat to the crew and occasionally the pilot!

Thank you for the great TR.