This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
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We had to fly from Cape Town to Joburg and after a bit of a circus getting our bags from Domestic Arrivals to International Departures, we checked in around 6:30 p.m. I asked about upgrades again, but while the tickets allowed it this time, there was only 1 UC seat left. I suggested Mr. Pookaa take it, but he gave me a withering stare and we collected our PE boarding passes.
Since our LHR-JNB-LHR flights were done on a separate booking reference than our JFK-LHR-JFK flights, they would not check our bags through to JFK, which means that once we land at LHR we have to go through immigration, claim our bags, go over to T3 Departures, check-in and go through security again. What a hassle!
The Joburg CH is a nice size, especially given that they only run one flight a day, at least during this season. There are two 6-seat dining tables, a long banquette with seating for ten 2-tops, 16 lounge chairs in the center of the CH, three 4-chair sitting areas, a business center loft with some additional couches and chairs below and 14 bar stools (6 at the bar and 8 at the open kitchen). They also have some nice shower rooms available.
Their menu was as follows:
LIGHTER BITES
- Deep fried camembert coated with red pepper paste beer batter on spring greens with cranberry jelly and kirsch and caramelized nuts
- Char-grilled tiger prawns in bacon served with warm cucumber and baby morogo salad and homemade BBQ sauce
- Goulash Soup beef and paprika served with dumplings
BIGGER BITES
- Chicken and liver fricassee served with mixed vegetables, potatoes and creamy chicken veloute sauce
- Impala steaks poached in red wine served with brinjal confit, baby marrow and Amarula & wild gooseberry sauce
- Grilled brinjal topped with goats cheese, rum and salmanic tomatoes served with peppered mozzarella cheese, basil pesto and sun-dried tomato paste
NAUGHTY BUT NICE
- White and dark chocolate mousse with seasonal fresh berries
- Coconut pie served with blueberry compote
- Selection of cheese with accompaniments
I had the deep fried camembert, and Mr. Pookaa had the Impala steaks. Both were very tasty. The staff was very attentive, friendly and helpful.
An hour before the flight, they began boarding another bus to remote stand. Tonight we were flying on G-VYOU, Emmeline Heaney, Air-born August 2006. We were again in Row 20, seats H and K. We got everything stowed, amenity kits were already there there were about 3 seats open in PE and the FA came around with champagne, water, OJ before take-off. The FSM made his introductions and the Captain briefed us on the 10 hour 30 minute flight to LHR.
They announced that they would be spraying the cabins with insecticide and suggested we cover our faces and eyes as they passed through the cabins. We had an on-time departure and were off.
V-Port was up and running before the crew were even allowed out of their seats. As soon as they were, they hustled around and passed out headsets. They came around with packs of pretzels and drinks followed by the meal service. Each meal came with a potato salad with cucumbers and vinaigrette dressing, which I didnt care for. I had the beef curry with rice (dry) and a marbled cheesecake for dessert (dry). Mr. Pookaa had the penne pasta with tomato and pesto cream sauce, but I noticed he only ate a mouthful of it. I was very glad we ate something at the CH before we left. They were quite generous with the wine service again, and offered the Baileys/Brandy.
Slept rather fitfully and tried to watch a movie or two. At some point, my IFE went down and I asked the FA, who explained that she had to reset it and to wait until it went dark and then came up again. She checked back to make sure it was working again.
Breakfast was again served about an hour and a half before landing. We both had the Full English Breakfast which was really not very good. They did come around with the fruit basket and sweets prior to landing. Even though I didnt think much of the PE food, our FA was very nice and did a good job.
We landed a little late, about 7:15 a.m., and then taxied all over Heathrow before finally arriving at our gate. At least it wasnt a remote stand! We were quite a long walk to immigration, which was packed. Luckily, I had a spare Fast Track pass, so again gave it to Mr. Pookaa while I went through IRIS. I went down to baggage claim and got a cart while he worked his way through the passport line, but aside from a smattering of UC bags that were on the carousel when I got there, everyone had about a ten minute wait. Our bags were off pretty quickly once they got started.
One more leg to go!
