This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
I met his counterpart at the check in desk and was quickly handed boarding pass and clubhouse invite, no time for small talk. Having arranged to meet friends on the BA flight at Dine Boston, spent a quite pleasant hour doing the crabcake starter and a glass of chardonnay at the bar, watching a very, very long line of pax volunteer to stand for an hour whilst awaiting security.
The line had completely melted by the time we said our goodbyes and I was ushered through security--five minutes tops 'til released to airside. Loathe to go underground to Aer Lingus lounge, I enjoyed Looking At Books until the crowds and no rocking chairs available, drove me to the lifts down, down, down.
Sad place that lounge. Three airline agents were there to 'greet' arrivals--but none (including the VS agent) enthusiastic enough to do anything other than point out where the buffet was. Or where it wasn't, as it had already been snarfled up by the time I arrived. Dark, dingy, sad, I felt fortunate that our flight was breathily and softly announced so that we could all jam the lift to arrive upstairs just as the announcement for open boarding was made. Good timing!
Having wrestled my way to the plane, was told to go upstairs (this was an aircraft change to 744) to 71K. Settled in, admired the PE amenity pouch, even though its contents were thin ( socks, toothbrush, paste, earplugs, pen) no tissues, no comb, no paper pad, no Polos.
Indifferent fizz offered and duly consumed. No one arrives to occupy my neighbor seat so I take full advantage and 'borrow' my neighbor's pillow (horrible, graceless little paper thing) and blanket, as well as his/her cubby space next to my window seat. Seats are new/old PE and mine is significantly stained (yuck) and headphones (yuck) lead does not fit well, causing disjointed viewing experience as every third sentence disappears. The headphones are so cheesy and huge--the lowest adjustable length has room for both of my heads--if I had two, making it a constant battle to convince it to adhere to just the one.
Quick look at menu and only meal on offer that seems platable is noodle stirfry, which when it arrives is actually A Noodle and Some Stir Fry and very, very sad but far better than alternatives offered. More fizz, one glass grimace making white wine and looking so forward to smoked salmon and egg breakfast at Revivals.
Watch tv for exactly 2 minutes, read book fot a bit, do some laptop work for a shorter bit and then fall asleep wrapped in two blankets, feet stuck up along bench as thoughtful neighbor in exit seat to front has fully reclined entire journey and surely doesn't mind my feet in his face if it is a comfort to me, which it is. Sleep entire flight. Sleep through breakfast, tea, and handing out of any forms.
Stumble sleepily down stairs and realize that have no landing card, no fast pass so ask UC FC at exit door for one of each but am told that all supplies are in rear of plane--behind the 200 pax straining to exit. Wonder what the benefits of gold are other than a nice shiny card and spend ONE PRECIOUS HOUR in line bender until released to wait even longer for priority bag which arrives pathetically at end of off loading. Feel very forgotten and a bit sad. Trundle off to revivals where the same trio of staff are having the same argument they were having last month but enjoy lovely shower, lovely breakfast and peel myself off loveliness to HEX and the next two weeks. Wondering if my enthusiastic VS days may be drawing to a close...[ii]
RR
Roadrunner
