This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
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It was a very early, cold and dark start at Heathrow. We were up at 05.15 so that we could get to the airport for 06.00. The Hoppa bus to T3 from our hotel (Park Inn & 4 mins from drive from T3) was running late, and costs 4.00 per person so we decided to share a cab with some guy who didn't speak much English, and I speak no Arabic, but managed to get my point across that we wanted to share his cab, which he agreed to do. He didn't really have much choice by this time as we were already in the back of the cab and belted up! The concierge at the hotel had told that the cab would cost 9.00 for the ride, so as there were 3 of us, it would cost 3.00 each. Great, and cheaper than the bus, right?? Wrong! When the cab driver pulled up at T3, approx 4 mins after leaving the hotel, he announced that the cost of the ride was 27.00, or 9.00 each. You can imagine the reaction. My response to him started in F and ended in F, with many other profanities in between. After a fairly heated argument, the cab driver who said that he was only trying to make an honest living (oh purlease, how can anyone who charges 27.00 for a trip of less than 2 miles be honest) told me that he didn't want our ****ing money. Result! Free cab ride. The poor Arabic guy didn't really understand what was going on, but I think he'd clicked on to the fact that we'd been stung and had already made his exit. It's no wonder we have the reputation as being 'Rip off Britain'............ [V]
Back to the TR........
Our flight wasn't due to leave until 13.00, but we wanted to check in early so that we could pay for the emergency exit row, we need the extra legroom as both me and my other half, or better half as he likes to be known, are 6ft 2in, and 13hrs in economy is painful. We wanted to upgrade to PE, but as we were travelling on staff tickets, we didn't stand a chance. Anyway, we arrived at the VS check-in area at about 05.45, which was a little untidy to say the least. The queue for econ was very long, there seemed to be lots of groups and families (it was half term) waiting checking in. Prem Econ and Upper check-in fairly quiet.
The ticket desk wasn't due to open for 15 mins, and we were first in line.................. The minutes ticked away, and after about 25 mins and 10 mins late, the curtain on the ticket desk was finally pulled back, and they were open for business. We were called forward by a very sultry looking lady who spoke with a heavy European accent, and I know it was early, but she was finding it as difficult to hold any kind of conversation as she was trying to work the VS CRS. Is it just me who ends up dealing with the person who can't work their computer or does it happen to you too? The lady did explain after a fairly long time that she was new to the job, and had to call for assistance to sort out our exit row seats. So, with our seats allocated 51A & 51c and our dosh handed over, we headed over to check in to drop off our bags. BTW we were offered 2 for the price of 1 on our seats 51A & 51C, which turned out to be a bargain.
Check in by this time was getting very busy, but we were working our way through the queue quickly. Our check-in agent was the most helpful and friendly person I've ever come across at an airport ever! She'd only been doing the job for 6 months, and it was obvious that she loved what she was doing, and mentioned that she couldn't wait to start using her concessions. She noticed that there was a note in our booking for CH access, and duly wrote a code on our boarding passes and told us exactly where to go find the CH.[^]
After we'd checked in, we had to return to the hotel as other half had left something there. No cab fiasco this time, as we jumped on free London bus from/to T3...[:D]
Back at the airport, we made (fought) our way through security, which was bursting at the seams and quickly found our way to the CH. What bliss.
CH was fairly busy and we found ourselves seats, or should I say swings, and ordered the most divine eggs benedict, twice. One of the NYC flights (I can't remember which one) was announced as being delayed due to one of the toilets not working properly, but engineers were on board trying to fix the problem.
After surfing the web, and a few games of pool, and a few more nibbles and a lot more drinks (non alcoholic of course,) our flight was called at about 12.15, sorry can't remember the gate, but it wasn't too far to walk. We boarded quickly and made our way through the aircraft to the front of the rear section. The 600's are really long. I'm so pleased that we checked in early and paid for the exit row seats, the FSM announced that seats should be taken as quickly as possible and that the flight was full and it looked it.
We pushed back at 13.02 and were in the air by 13.20, our flight time would be 11hrs 55mins. V-Port was on in no time at all, and had no problems at all. It worked like a dream throughout. Crew on board were amazing, mostly Japanese. Nothing was too much trouble and they were very polite and courteous. Drinks were served about 45 mins into the flight, followed by lunch. There were 4 options, vegetarian, meat-ball pasta, Japanese chicken curry, or bento noodle box. I opted for the Japanese curry, which although very tasty, was barely warm. I mentioned this to the crew who apologised and brought be another one which was colder than the first......[:?] I left it and tucked into the salad/cheese and biscuits and chocolate Gu pot. Yum!
After the food service, I settled down to watch 28 Weeks Later and then slept until breakfast was served. The choices were English or mushroom omelette. I chose the English, which was a little disappointing as the portion was tiny and by this time I was starving, but at lest it was hot!
We started our really bumpy descent (just how I like it) over the Sea of Japan, and landed at Narita just after 08.00 A full hour early.
All in all it was a good flight. The food could have been a lot better but the service more than made up for it. The seat although comfortable for the first few hours, was actually beginning to feel like a plank of wood by the time we landed. But seeing as wed paid pennies for the trip, we cant complain.[:D]
Ticket desk 5/10
Check-in 10/10
Food 4/10
Service10/10
Crew 10/10
IFE 8/10
