This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Travelled down to Gatwick Hilton on the Sunday afternoon via private hire. Stress free and far easier than the cost of fuel and parking charges, only option for future trips.
Booked Executive room well in advance, again good value, drinks, nibbles and breakfast all included. Also newer part of the hotel and perfectly decent room for the money.
Text message received around 4ish, flight delayed. New to me very simple efficient system and much appreciated.
After stuffing myself with a full English, Mrs Global and myself wheeled luggage through to Virgin check in. Mrs G was flying with a very bad back and this had been playing on her mind for some weeks, the resulted in a very unhappy bunny.
I thought I would ask very politely if I could use miles to upgrade from K. Explained just one passenger due to medical reasons, met with no ( Expected response ) smiled and rephrased the question. Supervisor then overheard and leaned over and stated no ball.
Nothing ventured nothing gained, left the desk and after a quick pow wow returned with my credit card. One UC seat still available and a happy wife.
Check in straight forward and off to the clubhouse. Five years since my last visit and much improved, very quiet and nice to relax. Had a pamper on my feet and Mrs Global enjoyed her facial. Strange how what would be weird normally once on holiday mid morning cocktails why not!
Normally far too early to the gate, away from the busy terminal resulted in perfect timing. Once on board we both turned left, however I did not continue to the pointy end. I selected PE seats on the main deck so back stretching walks would easier. More by luck than anything else, this resulted in Mrs G
Being just the other side to the curtain in UC. Stuck to orange juice and water after over indulging in the clubhouse. Take off rather dramatic, huge crash from poorly stowed glasses etc. in UC. Mrs G reported debris everywhere, no permanent damage though. Once airborne out came the Bose headphones, purchased ages ago, but never used. Fantastic really impressed, far more comfortable and super sound. I have seen a few people post negative reviews on Vera system, other than having to push hard on the screen, excellent.
Caught up on loads of movies, on my fourth when time ran out. Flight crew very good, food not much to say. A little like early morning drinking, you would not eat any of it day to day, however polished off straight away when peckish. Had a few visits to Mrs G, bed flat as soon as possible and happy. Did not like to hang around, felt a little like a gatecrasher? Flight very straight forward, very impressed with the new PE seats and entertainment system. Only gripe, centre tray a little awkward and if seat in front reclines, leg room effected. UC looked exactly the same as my flight 5 years ago? Rather tired and seats not that comfortable when upright also screen looked old and inferior to PE.
Landed on time, baggage, immigration all straight forward. Taxi and off to the Mandarin Oriental, overall happy with my Virgin experience.
