This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Check-in was closing for the early flight, although there were a few people checking in for the VS10. Relatively straight forward, although bags tagged premium despite being a gold card holder. Very close inspection of the card to ensure it was in date before issuing the clubhouse invitation....no idea why they can't have the same system at the clubhouse as they do at LHR???
The clubhouse was just empty out when we got there, so plenty of seats and lots of staff around. A real difference from our experience out of LHR, as they were falling over each other to offer us drinks and food. Grabbed a table near the windows and watched the rain fall whilst sipping a cocktail or two. Nipped out to do a bit of shopping and had to have a smiley face put on boarding card (as we weren't 'even travelling upper class') to ensure we could get back in.
Settled down to eat around 20.30, to see that there was someone very important in the lounge and everyone was falling over to look after her. No sure she was 'famous', but instead may have been someone very senior in VS! Despite this, the service was really good and efficient in there. Food options were not bad, and we asked if there were any specials.....rather oddly we were read a list and told that all of those weren't available!! They only 'specials' they had were turkey, ham or tuna sandwiches!!
Not long before it was time to board, there was an annoucement saying that they had checked in too many passengers for the number of seats, and if anyone travelling upper class had flexible plans, then they could be down-graded to Premium and be offered an amazing 40,000miles. not sure if anyone took this offer, or whether some people were forcibly downgraded. Not sure why they needed flexible travel plans, as you only get off a few minutes later travelling in PE!!
Flight called, by which time security was pretty empty - you don't seem to get business lane access with a gold card, so we were slightly nervous about getting stuck if it was busy. When we got to the gate, they were already boarding Upper and Priority passengers. On board, settled down and offered the sparkling wine/OJ almost immediately (unlike waiting for ages on the way out). Flight time was 6 hours 16 minutes, but there was an additional hour or so to taxi at JFK! What a waste of fuel!! However, managed to get about an hours sleep on the ground and only woke as we trundled down the runway!
Once in the air, straigh back to sleep. Missed the drinks service and the dinner service. Wasn't worried, as not hungry and wanted to get as much sleep as possible. Woken about 2 hours into the flight by some rather bumpy turbulence and then not long afterwards the pilot came on and simply said 'crew seats'.....and then the turbulence got very very bumpy - amongst the worst I have experienced.
Slept for pretty much the whole flight, only waking as they came round for the pre-landing coffee/tea/snack - cranberry muffin and some fruit (again using the fruit bowl to 'beef' up the snack service!).
Landed about 10 minutes early, and then waited on the ground for about 20-25minutes for a gate....burning yet more fuel!!
Immigration was very fast for those using proper passport lanes, and very slow for those using the IRIS (a lot of people don't seem to know how to use this properly). Bags were off by the time we got there, and then it was bye-bye to our friends and off to the revivals. Very empty as a bit later in the day. Lovely shower, and changed ready for work. The staff were excellent - very attentive and efficient....maybe one or two of them should be working in the Clubhouse!!
