VS024 LAX-LHR 10 APR 13 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

We arrived at LAX very early on a VX flight. After a quick walk from T3 to T2 (the buildings are linked so no need to step outside) we found we could check in some 6.5 hours before the VS24 and drop off our cases. UC check-in was displaying various prices for upgrades - PE to Upper was £1560, I think, which is silly money. I knew the flight was going to be very full, so I didn't even try to upgrade with miles. Check in was friendly, but the agent did not notice that I am AU (despite me using the UC desk!); I thus had to request a lounge invitation. He also did not tag the bags with an UC tag - not that it really matters, but it means he basically failed to do the two things that recognise AU status. At LAX of all places you would hope they would get this right.

After occupying ourselves for a few hours, we decided to head back to the terminal and go to the lounge. Everyone was being sent through one security line, but things were still quiet and it wasn't long before we were in the ANZ lounge, having received a friendly welcome.

It's a nice place to watch the comings and goings of the airport, and there was a decent selection of wine and food. Some butternut squash soup was consumed, as well as fruit salads and nice squidgy chocolate brownies. The lounge was initially almost empty, but it became very busy indeed as the evening progressed.

Eventually the flight was called and we moved to the gate, which was very crowded. Onboard, one of our seats had the armrest cover sitting on it (detached), as if awaiting repair - a poor start. We were offered fizz but I had decided not to drink on the flight and so declined. The flight was full in all classes, which is good for VS but doesn't add much to the passenger experience!

Pushback was on time and it's a very quick taxi at LAX - the gate-to-gate IFE was still loading as we climbed out, and I think vport (sorry, can't keep up with these veras) was then restarted because it was some time before it was available.

Dinner was served quite quickly -

The salad was OK (potatoes in a Waldorf, though?!?), but the main course was as disappointing as its presentation. Food quality in PE main courses has declined of late, in my view -- on that, more later. The Bakewell tart was nice, however.

Trays were left in front of us for an age (when someone complained, the crew explained they were one short) and then eventually brandy was offered. After that, lights went off and it was time to sleep - I managed about 5 hours. I never used to be able to sleep in a seat on a place, but as the novelty of flying wears off, and I become progressively more generally knackered, I find it is hard to stay awake. The PE seat helps -- I (still) think it is excellent. Two hours before landing, a full English breakfast was served, which was quite good, and we landed a bit early and got to the gate ahead of schedule. Immigration was busy but didn't take long (e-gates this time), and my case was already on the belt when I arrived at it.

Reflections? Not for the first time in recent months, I am left a bit underwhelmed by PE. I still think it is a good product, but so many of the extras have been pruned that it is now feeling very economy+, albeit with a good seat, rather than really deserving the word 'premium'. Dinner main courses in particular are some way below the quality of a few years ago. No newspapers were offered; the fruit bowl has gone. There is no cheese and biscuits. No per-dinner drink service either - I know that's normal on a later departure, but there's plenty of time on a West Cast flight! Finally, and in some ways a more annoying gripe, the PE toilets were continuously used by Y passengers. I am not criticising the crew about this, because I know there is little they can do, but the effect is to diminish the exclusivity and relative tranquility of the PE cabin on the 346 -- another key selling point of PE, in my view.

The crew were good - businesslike but friendly. No complaints there, as is almost always the case.

Conclusion? It was an OK flight, but I think that PE soft product has slipped. At the moment VS wins because of the hard product. If the competition can answer that, then it may be time to try some alternatives.

Thanks for the TR at240, an interesting read

Those upgrade prices sound insane!! Always worth asking about mileage upgrades though.

That food does not look overly appetising, somewhat akin to a school dinner Better get those grades up and go private

Agreed with some of your conclusions on PE, but as always I think it comes down to the CC too. With a vigilant CC aboard, a superior (and speedier) offering can be given, at the very least keep the ECO pax on their side of the curtain. Being crew down though would have made this difficult I guess.

Cheers for posting

Thank you for the TR and photos. I also agree with you on the PE product offering, not half as good as it used to be.

Thanks for the TR. Shame about the LAX check in staff.

I agree with you on the PE product. The food is Y standard served in china. To be honest on my day time flights these days I've always just gone for economy and saved myself £250 or so. If it's a proper long flight, I'd go all out for UC.

Thanks for the TR ,got to say the main meal looked revolting !what was it meant be ?

Great TR with some excellent points raised, thanks for posting

I used to fly PE but have decided that, with the additional cost, it really is not worth it. I agree with you that the seats are excellent but the rest of the offer does not 'sparkle' as much as it used to and flying Y means I can get a few more trips in

As for that meal I find it interesting that when I flew WT+ in Jan with BA I was served a meal from Club...now there's an idea VS

Thanks for the TR ,got to say the main meal looked revolting !what was it meant be ?

Murg Makhni - supposedly!

Which is very similar to the chicken curry I had in economy returning from New York in Y not so long ago.

In fact I am really starting to wonder whether PE has different catering - I always thought it did, but now I'm not so sure. Perhaps one of the VS staff who post here can clarify?