This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
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This was to be my first flight in Premium Economy, so I was determined to get a really good seat to make it worth my while. I left Cambridge train station for Kings Cross at 6.15, and following pretty easy tube and HEX journeys I was at Terminal 3 at about 8am. Slightly earlier than planned but I could deal with it. There was a bit of a hairy moment when the check in agent attempted to charge me 75 for an exit row seat: either she'd misread my ticket, or I look like I belong in Y! Anyway, that was quickly sorted and I secured 18H - result!
I had 7 hours to kill until my flight and as usual was on very little sleep (about 45 minutes) due to leaving packing until the last minute. I grabbed a couple of Meal Deals for sustenance, then headed through security, Checks took about 5 minutes, and even a couple of miserable individuals in the security team couldn't spoil my 18H-securing mood. I then grabbed a few books and magazines, and proceeded to spend the next few hours alternating between reading and giving myself neck ache attempting to sleep in those departure lounge chairs.
With about 20 minutes until my gate was announced, I remembered about IRIS. Last time I flew, LHR was way too busy to sign up, so I went to find the office. Enrolment took about 5 minutes, which I was pretty impressed with. Hopefully it'll pay dividends in three weeks time! Soon my gate popped up (42, could it be any further?) so I trekked over there, passing the Clubhouse on the way imagining all of the comfy places it must have to sleep.
I was pretty much the first one at the gate - I'd had more than enough hanging around in that depressing departure lounge with its nauseating combination of a hundred different perfumes. Handed my boarding card to the guy at the gate, which he duly scanned for me. It prompted the machine to flash red and buzz loudly. He tried again - another Red Buzz Of Doom. Now I was getting a bit excited: I'm not on any terrorist watchlist (well I don't think I am), so why the RBoD? Boarding Card Man scribbed something on my boarding card, muttered something incomprehensible to me, and let me through. I checked the ticket, and he'd scribbled out 18H (but I was here so early for that!) and written 11G instead.
Now I was properly excited. I'd spent a while scouring seat maps for this route. I was pretty sure row 18H was as far forward as the PE cabin goes. Suddenly it seemed as if being seated in my once-coveted 18H would not be so great. In fact, I thought I'd be rather upset if they sat me there, so I waited nervously for the boarding call. Every passenger announcement was horrible, I thought they'd call me back to apologise for their mistake and dump me back in 18H where I belonged.
About 40 minutes late they called the front two cabins for boarding. I shot through the jetway towards the doors and handed over my boarding pass. Cabin Crew Man directed me left (OP-UP, SCORE!), and I walked with a big grin on my face to my suite. There were lots of people like me who seemed unfamiliar with our cabin - is this usual, or was PE massively oversold? Anyway, had instruction from Cabin Crew Lady about how to use my seat, and got my name put down for a massage from the IFBT.
We pushed back 75 minutes late, but the captain informed us we'd only arrive at LAX half an hour behind schedule. Good job I allowed all that time for my connection. I fell asleep almost immediately we took off, and woke up sometime during the first drinks run. I ordered the roast lamb for dinner, which was excellent. The other options were salmon, and cheese and potato pie. The starters were carrot and apple soup, and prawn cocktail, neither of which I bothered with.
Lots of sleeping followed - a few hours in I decided to try the bed. At first I just couldn't believe I was in bed on a plane, but later it seemed a bit cramped. I'm 6'4' and broad, but not a chubby individual, and the bed could definitely do with some extra width. Can't complain too much though - I was in bed on a plane!
The cabin crew were excellent. They really gave the impression that nothing was too much trouble, and were all very friendly and kept coming round to see if we wanted anything. It seemed like there were loads of them around given the number of people in the cabin.
Afternoon tea orders were taken with just under two hours to go. It's at this point that I'm overcome with depression at the thought of my redeye return from JFK in Y. Sadly it's a MpM fare so no upgrades for me. I had a scone, which was really good.
I can't really remember the rest of the flight, I guess I must have slept some more. We landed straight away at LAX, no waiting this time. Immigration was useless. Three flights landed at once, and although I was one of the first off the plane, the immigration hall had practically emptied by the time I cleared it. Must have chosen the wrong queue!
Ben
