V-Flyer

Checked in online - sadly only got SEQ7, must be quicker next time! got caught in the 'unable to select seats due to upgrades' fiasco, but was allocated 17H&K - not too bad, just as well because there were only two vacant seats to swap.At least we had English Rose, a refitted A/C. Checked in overnight bag drop at Gatwick smoothly and retreated to the Hilton to have my debit card molested for dinner. Good nights sleep and into security with a lovely silver sticker on our passes. I got through in seconds, but Mrs Bob got stopped with an 'illegal' bottle of liquid in her bag. Took 5 mins to find, but the security staff were gracious about it and we were soon on our way to the V Room.
V Room was much busier than we had seen it in the past, but still plenty of seats and we soon got comfortable with a paper and a Full English. Even the sausages seemed better than last time.
All too soon the flight was called and we were able to work off the breakfast on the long trek to the departure lounge.
Boarding was efficient and we pushed back pretty much on time.
Sparkling wine in hand (the drrrry German variety) I was treated to the view of the engines consuming vast vortices of morning mist as we were lofted through the clouds and into the early morning sunshine.
As usual we were treated to numerous rounds of water or OJ, but as I remember it, one round of drinks before dinner, wine with the meal and liquers shortly after. The refill of coffee/tea also seems to have dissapeared .
The new IFE is excellent and worked well with plenty of games, films TV etc to suit every taste, I was cocerned that the touch screen might cause those behind me to stab me in the back, but thankfully that does not happen. I do however wonder how long the screens will survive with constant use. The flight information is pretty much unchanged and as the system is not turned on until into the cruise and turned off before the decent you miss the interesting bits.
We landed on time and parked on the apron. Instead of the door being opened to release us we then went back on the runway and parked again! the first officer said on the intercom that they had parked too far away from the fuelling point. We then waited for an American Airlines to land and repeated the trip again, finally parking in an acceptable spot and were allowed to disembark int to sunshine .
A thourougly pleasant and efficient flight, pity about the tasteless Skinny Cow Popsicles that break and fall into your lap! Pity the return flight didn't even come close - see the next episode..........

So you were PE downstairs.

What was you impression of the cabin overall?

Overall the cabin is excellent - there seems to be slightly more space than the old one, the IFE is streets ahead and actually works. I will write a further review of the return trip in the middle 4's when time permits.
I visited the bubble and it looked fine spacious and inviting, I would probably have chosen this for the return trip though it was not offered as an option to us.
Even the Eco cabin looks inviting with the refurbed interior.