VS063 LGW-HAV 10 Aug 08 (PE)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

I travelled up to on Sat 9th August from Newquay to LGW in preparation for my 2 week sojourn to Cuba. On arrival it was straight from the North terminal to South terminal via the shuttle. VS twilight check in is a godsend IMHO. At this stage I asked if there were any upgrades available to U/C. I was told yes but I must arrive early in the morning as availability was on a first come first serve basis.As a fall back plan I bagged 75 K&H the exit seats in the bubble with loads of room to stretch my legs. I over nighted in the Moathouse (not to be recommended, but there lies another tale!) and was up at 4.30 am to ensure I was first in the queue. Asking for the upgrade availability from PE to U/C I was informed by the agent that actually today VS were running a special promotion and the cost would be 149. I looked at my wife as she looked at me and gulped! Do you mean 1400? I replied to the agent, no he said 149. We looked at each other again and shook our heads! Look surely you are not selling me an upgrade from PE to U/C for 149 quid? His face dropped and he apologised profusely he had assumed I was an economy passenger. My wife does say I look like a thug! We had already agreed that if the upgrade was 1000 or under, my money belonged to VS but not a penny more. On checking the system the price came out at 1200 plus around 70 quid APD so roughly 1300 quid each. I attempted to get the price down but this was not going to happen so finally admitted defeat and reconciled myself to the fact that P/E was beckoning!

We then proceeded to the departure lounge and awaited the opening of the V-Room to relax for a couple of hours before our flight. Now the V-room is no CH however it made a very welcome change to the departure lounge. Pleasantly decorated it was very comfortable and the food was tasty. We sat and watched around 5 VS 744's coming in from overnight flights and wondered which would be ours.

Our flight was scheduled to depart at 0945, but we had been informed on entering the V-Room that there would be around a 30 minute delay. We proceeded to the departure gate at around 1000 only to be informed of further delays. At this point I saw that our aircraft was to be G-VLIP Hotlips. I was a little disappointed as I new that this aircraft was only fitted with the Nova IFE.

We were finally called forward for boarding at around 1100 if my memory serves me correctly. U/C and PE were called for first however within around 30 seconds a free for all ensued. VS staff were having great difficulty controlling the crowd and a couple of firm announcements were made over the tannoy system. One group of Italian people suffered my wrath as they pushed past me with concern for no one.

As we entered the aircraft I saw a crew member at the door of the aircraft who can only be described as having a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp. There was no welcome, simply a 75h is up the stairs. I immediately thought that the rudeness was indicative of the standard of the flight to follow.

Thankfully my fears were unfounded. The service we received from the two girls working the bubble was nothing short of exemplary. The cabin looked clean but very tired. A welcoming glass of 'champagne' or orange juice was offered immediately and the staff welcomed everyone. We finally took off around an hour and a half late. The two crew members sat in the jump seats opposite, immediately struck up a pleasant conversation with myself and my wife. They told me how excited they were to to be working the Cuba flight for the first time. It transpired the crew were actually staying in the same hotel as ourselves. Once in the air we were offered a hot towel to refresh ourselves followed by a drinks service. I decided to consume as much alcohol as possible not through greed but due to the fact that I found the seat very uncomfortable and hoped that it might knock me out for the flight. I read the menu supplied and decided that I would have the sausages for lunch. However when I asked for this the CC looked at me as if I had gone mad! Sorry no sausage on the menu was the reply, then why does it say there is here was my reply! It seemed that none of the advertised dishes were loaded on the aircraft. Not to worry, I had a beef dish and my wife had a chicken dish, both were fairly nice considering that it was airline food. I managed to neck around 4 glasses of red wine during my meal. I can't remember what it was but it was very moreish. (I am not a wine drinker.) Liqueurs followed.

After lunch everyone settled down to watch the IFE. I did not, the reason being that I could not be bothered with attempting to blindly work the controls that were built into the arm rest and were non detachable. Instead I read my book, specially obtained for the flight. (Liz and Julie it was not as risqu_ as I had presumed. You two need lessons in partying IMHO!) Around three hours out of Cuba I decided to stretch my legs and walked to the galley area where I got into conversation with a couple of gents who work in the city. We stood for around an hour just chatting and swilling vodka. Our glasses were kept constantly filled by CC and at one stage an impromptu salsa lesson took place in the galley. Our little party was interrupted by the captain who had the audacity to turn on the fasten seat belt signs and made an announcement that he expected heavy turbulence in around 10 minutes. I returned to my seat for the remaining couple of hours of the flight. The turbulence which was quite severe actually arrived around 30 minutes later. My wife who is not a good flier was petrified and was clinging to my arm. I tried to console her but only made matters worse trying to joke with her having consumed a few drinks.

To sum up I enjoyed the flight but probably due to a combination of the excellent service offered by the CC, who worked like trojans and my alcohol intake. The aircraft was very tired and was long over due a refit. For those who say that VS has made the correct decision in delaying the refits I would disagree. In my opinion the state of the aircraft, particularly in the PE cabin on LGW aircraft is of utmost importance. This cabin is the main profit making class for VS.

Thanks for the great TR. Sorry you didnt get your U/C upgrade but it sounds as though you still had a fun flight ! I hope the holiday lived up to your expectations and looking forward to hearing about it and the flight back to UK.

Regards,

Hackneyguy

That was very interesting. What's the galley area? Is that a bar? I thought that was only for Upper Class or am I getting all mixed up?

Glad you enjoyed the flight. We did this run the week before and like yourself thought the service excellent. Looking forward to the return TR. Where did you stay ?

Originally posted by Sealink
That was very interesting. What's the galley area? Is that a bar? I thought that was only for Upper Class or am I getting all mixed up?

There's a galley at the rear of the PE bubble to which you can repair to request refills.

Paul