This was my first time actually travelling Premium and first time on the VS26 the rather unusual East Bound day flight.
The 26 had been full in Upper and I didn’t expect anything, but low and behold a very cheap upgrade offer was on as I checked in on the app and I was assigned 7G, which was the only open seat with 1G blocked off.
The usual VS tom foolery ensured with the app not giving me a boarding pass and various bits of disruption, I expected to be moved back to Premium.
A snow storm had hit New York Saturday night and I was rather paranoid about whatever ticketing glitch the app was having and so I decided to head up to JFK early and left my hotel at 0345, however the roads were clear as a bell and I was at JFK by 0425. The lovely check in Agent at the DLOne/Upper Wing assigned me 1G and I was through security in seconds, although was subject to a rather invasive search by an overly zealous TSA officer who quite honestly should have bought me dinner after an encounter like that!
The DL One Lounge had just opened for the morning and I have to say felt totally at odds with my previous experience there at midday. The breakfast was poor and the service was lacking so I didn’t stay for more than about 20 mins before retreating to the CH.
Great service as always, the Queen of the JFK CH if you know her came over and gave me a big hug, she had flown in from a personal trip that previous night and helped manage the disruption! Bags off the 137 were just being unloaded about 4am! What a legend!
Due to the snow the 26, GVEYR - Jane Air was late on stand by about 40 minutes and then we had an extended delay for deicing so eventually took off from Runway 31 Left at about 1045.
Welcomed on board as a gold personally by the FSM who took plenty of time to chat. Crew in upper were all very experienced and all said they really liked working the 25/26 rotation and had a lot of regulars.
Service routine felt totally back to front with a smaller brunch served up front and then dinner 2 hours before landing.
Food was actually pretty good.
Landed about 2 hours late on stand 16 at LHR and was in a cab within 10 mins, crashed out in my hotel room and was right as rain the next day for work. Jet lag? What Jet Lag!
Really enjoyed doing it despite it feeling upside down to what you’re used to with West Bound day flights or even night flights.
The Retreat Suite…loved it, will always accept it if offered. Is it worth the Premium? If you were with someone yes, if you’re a family yes. As a solo, not really and also as an AvGeek I love my window seats!
Luxury & Boutique | Miles & Points Usage | Long Haul
TravelLessOrdinary | [email protected]
TravelLessOrdinary | [email protected]