This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
) as the the flight had been showing full for the previous couple of weeks to ensure we secured the pre assigned seats that I had chosen; thereafter we all went to Johnnies Hideaway for our last meal in the US.Before continuing with the TR, I will digress a little to briefly comment on visiting the Theme Parks after a 7 or 8 year absence:
- The Parks are far more intense than used to be the case when you could easily cover one in a day
The need for the occasional day by the pool to recharge batteries between visiting the Parks became essential
The preponderance of Mobility Scooters in the Parks provides and additional challenge for circumnavigation as woe betide you getting in there way!!
Anyway, back to the TR.
We spent the day sitting around the Hotel Pool (with the ladies doing a bit of last minute shopping in adjacent Outlet Mall) before leaving in the afternoon for the Airport, arriving there at 4:30 for the 7:35 flight.
As is our usual routine, I dropped everyone off at the Departures Level before returning the hire car to Alamo. On this occasion, the process was completed in no time and I was quickly with the others who had started to check in at the Upper Class Desk. Now for those of you who followed my outbound report, you will know that the ladies were travelling back in Upper, whilst us fellows had to make to with PE - if you have ever faced this dilemma, you will know there can be no other answer
That said the Check In Agent did try to suggest otherwise!!Having two in Upper, combined with my Au Card, all 6 of the party obtained access to the Delta Sky Lounge.
Now our departure day coincided with the conclusion of a large SAP Convention. At check in there were a number of delegates seeking upgrades and moving to prime seats that are allocated at Check In.
The queues for the TSA Check were absolutely awful, as has been mentioned before, the priority line is anything but and I have to say the arrangements at MCO are the worst I have experienced at any US Airport
As a result our usual foray into the Outback Steakhouse was curtailed.On arrival at the Delta Sky Lounge we found the place to be fuller than I have ever seen it - full of SAP delegates, and standing room only!! Fortunately we were able to secure a little corner seat so that the boys could sit and play on their I Pads. 45 minutes before departure, boarding was called in the Lounge and we made our way to Gate 83.
We arrived at the Gate to find boarding had already commenced and we joined the Priority Boarding line to be followed by one of the SAP Delegates who made some reference to Mrs B, who promptly showed her Upper Boarding Card and he shut up (I suppose because he saw the children, he presumed we were just hanging about).
On entry to the aircraft, the party split and we made our way to the upstairs cabin. This is the first time I experienced the refurbished cabin on the Upper Deck and I have to say it still holds a little magic compared with downstairs, although it will never be quite the same as the previous configuration and mrs Buns will never go there she has decided. The side bins are of course very useful, but the bin above 24 H/K was not available for use by passengers.
Take off was only a few minutes later and with 451 on board, after a short taxi we were up and away. I had to remonstrate with the passenger in front who wanted to copy the example of the SAP delegates on the other aisle who went into full recline upon take off
Hot Towels and drinks soon followed and to me one of the benefits of being upstairs is the speed of service compared with the PE Cabin down below.Dinner
Braised beef in demi glace sauce
Chicken korma
Rigatoni pasta
Followed by Passion fruit cheesecake
I had the beef and my Godson the Chicken, both were good. i had pre-ordered children's meals for the boys and they enjoyed their Mac & Cheese (and i will take their dislike of the broccoli as a personal preference rather than the cooking).
Shortly after the ladies joined us and although failing to get me a Gentlemen Jack from Upper (because it had not been loaded) I did get a very nice glass of Port
Mrs Buns told me she had been welcomed back on board by the FSM (she was the only Au in Upper), something that did not occur in PE as had been our previous experience in PE back in March. She was also able to provide me with the new Upper Menu:
Starters
Tomato and leek soup(v)
Salmon rillettes
Mains
Fillet of beef
Seared salmon
Vegetable ravioli (v)
Grilled chicken salad
Pudding
Apple and pear almond bake
Chocolate fondant
Both the ladies enjoyed their meal and stated the beef was tender.
I then settled down to watch the Muppet Movie before catching a couple of hours sleep, the rest of the party slept soundly throughout. About 2 hours out of Gatwick, breakfast was served.
Now i know much has been said recently on V Flyer about the PE Breakfast. I quite like an omelette for breakfast and i think that portrays the ambiance of the Cabin - however, VS please take note: the inclusion of "nuked" baked beans does nothing to impress passengers
We eventually arrived at Gatwick about half an hour later and just after the flight from Cancun, making the collection of bags a more prolonged process than normal.
So, all in all, my impression?? It is what i have come to expect of a return flight from the US, nothing out of the ordinary (which was not the case on our previous flight back in March where i wrote to the CEO and received a very nice reply).
However I think I ought to leave the opinion to my 6'2" Godson who was experiencing PE for the very first time:
He was so impressed that he was asking me the cost of upgrades and is a full convert
He has already decided that he waill travel PE next year when he goes to Florida. Who says i can act as a drug dealer 
Thanks for reading
buns
