This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
So in a nutshell.
Took a car service to JFK rather than my normal Metro / Skytrain - simply had too much to carry this time. Arrived at JFK at around 7:30 and checked in with no hassle. The CH was just emptying out as the pax from the 46 were leaving so had an abundunce of tables to choose from. Having not had anything to eat since breakfast I was keen to eat but I think the CH staff were having a bit of down-time after the 46 so sat there for about 15 minutes before being served. I had the Chicken Tikka skewers and a pasta special - both fantastic. Did a little web browsing after meal and then headed for the gate.
The joy of the 10 is that security is normally a breeze and tonight was no exception - I was through in 10 minutes and it could easily have been quicker. As I walked down towards gate 30 I noticed a VS 744 backing out of gate 28 so it must have been the 46 departing late.
Arriving at gate 30 I walked down the ramp and was surpirsed to be confronted by VHOT firstly because I was expecting the normal 346 and secondly because I had thought it was still in refit. Boarded and realised that yet again I had a refitted LHR 744 and yet again I had been sat right outside the galley. Now I don't know who assigns these seats but it seems bad practice to keep putting your best customers in the worst seats. It seemed I was in for a long night.
The lady next to me did a tour of her cell phone book and must have made at least 6 calls to say goodbye . goodnight etc and was still talking as we backed away from the gate. Mercifully a short taxi for JFK and we were in the air within 20 minutes.
The flight was not bad despite the poor seat and the resulting noise. I checked back in the cabin and PE was about 90% full and Y was emptier so I am guessing there may have been a few upgrades certainly between Y and PE. Having eaten in the clubhouse I deferred on the meal and settled back. The lady next to me was now listening to her ipod too loud and this was not ideal for shut eye so I watched Disturbia on v:port which I quite enjoyed despite the standard horror film problem of characters doing stupid things and you wanting to shake them all the time.
Did manage to sleep for a few hours and woke up as they were serving what passes for breakfast. Then it was time for landing. Once everybody was strapped in the CC decided it was a good time for a coffee and a natter in the galley - thanks very much. Indeed we were passing over Twickenham before the last of the CC was strapped in - she then unstrapped herself as we were doing about 100 miles an hour on the runway.
The CC did seem to have it together a bit more on this flight and the service was a little more tuned as they had probably had more experience with the config. It probably also helped that it was a night flight.
Managed to get through passport control, baggage etc. very quickly and was soon heading home.
