VS024 LAX-LHR 8 JAN 13 (Economy)
Posted: 15 Jan 2013, 21:43This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
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Well after an amazing 10 days on the road in SoCal
it was time to think about the inbound flight. I let Mrs P select the seats for this flight when booking and she chose 61a & c, at the back
. I decided to have a look at any other available seats -3 hrs to OLCI opened but the seat map was locked. Due to being out of wifi & mobile signal I couldn't check in until 12 hrs prior where the seat selection was still unavailable 
. Oh well!Had a great last day visiting Santa Monica Pier & beach before braving mental LA traffic to drop off our RV prior to our taxi to LAX.
On arriving at LAX took advantage of Silver status and used the PE checkin to hop the queue. Check in was ok with no bells or whistles but efficient and it was onwards for a couple of final holiday cocktails
!Arrived at gate 24 with priority boarding being effectively used and we were called fairly early due to our seat numbers. Scarlet Lady awaited us at the end of the air bridge.
CC greeting at the aircraft door was pleasant and we were directed to the abyss at the back of the plane. Once seated the Captain came on describing a 10hr 13min flight with a bit of turbulence and an anticipated arrival time 15 mind ahead of schedule
The CC were directing PAX to their seats sharp ish, the plane started the short taxi and the safety briefing commenced (with PAX still in the aisles). I was so pleased to see the CC making such an effort to get us out on time
and felt annoyed that PAX felt the need to take so much time to get strapped in ! It did look a little chaotic (but safe) though!!289 pax 13 CC 3 Flight crew were on board and we were ready!
Once up in the air the amenity kits, headphones and menus handed out and by this time Mrs P was already asleep, lucky her!
Seat seemed in good condition but did not use IFE as I was either sleeping or reading. CC were similar to our outbound - polite & courteous but with little interaction with the pax (that I saw anyway) which is all you can ask for in Y I guess! It was great, though, seeing some fun interaction between the CC through the services.
The FSM came out in Y to personally distribute the questionnaires and had an air of approachability and being personable but that is being based purely on my first and only impression (with no interaction)
No reports on low sodium meal as Mrs P was asleep but, being back here in 61, I was not holding out much hope of having a menu to choose from!
....
I'm sorry VS how dare I doubt your catering load! As the CC arrived and asked what I wanted for dinner I said "well what's left" and he said that all options were available which is rarye this far back in Y! So I had the beef which was tasty along with the Caesar salad which I drenched in the dressing and also enjoyed - happy days 
! Meal.JPG (30.25 KiB) Viewed 2373 times
As dessert was served later I decided to miss it and go to sleep but not before I saw the FSM assist in this service in Y, great to see her getting involved in all cabins
Woke up, missing the breakfast, which apparently was a good thing as it tasted horrible (according to my friends). Mrs P's low sodium breakfast was apparently ok though.
A smooth landing about 20 mins early with good views of London en-route.
We then deplaned reasonably quickly then met the wall of people in immigration!! Massive lines overflowing into the walkways which was unmanaged and chaotic.
Now I thought this was going to an absolute nightmare but then I remembered experiences at MIA....and we were through in around 40mins. Mrs P used her biometric passport and was out 5 mins later-so much for that plan!!
Baggage off sharp ish, coffee bought, the usual great service from Purple Parking and we were driving off out of LHR after a lovely sunset....:but not as beautiful as this one at Point Mugu State Park, California on our last night
!Roll on Marrakech in February :-)