This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Got a taxi to the airport and arrived 5 minutes before check-in opened. I had already checked in online the day before and managed to get second row from the front in PE (Any chance to get ahead and reach immigration before the masses in Miami). Only a handful of people waiting for checkin-bag drop. We were done in 5 minutes and made our way to passport control. This again was pretty swift and to our relief as last year at Gatwick it took ages to get threw bag drop and security, utter chaos.
We then made our way to the Servisair Lounge. Im sure its not a patch on the Clubhouse and this particular lounge is quite bland in appearance. However, as we like to have a few drinks and snacks its worth the money and its nice and peaceful.
Around 8.30am we made our way to the gate. Boarded straight away and were seated with a glass of champagne (requested another and was happily given it). We were sat right next to the galley which I didnt find an issue, if anything it was interesting watching the crew they really dont stop!
Its the first time I had sat in the new PE seats and I was impressed, felt more like business class. Thought the space was generous and liked the overall feel of the cabin felt a complete difference from the economy cabin. We took off on time, seat belt signs were turned off pretty quick and crew began their duties. Nice new amenity kit and headphones were handed out. However, headsets were not required. The entertainment system didnt work the whole flight!!! They did numerous re-boots, the pilot spoke to people on the ground but with no luck. I was so grateful I had upgraded for this leg of the journey, had pre-ordered champagne, had alot to catch up with my friend and got a good book on the go! Because with no entertainment it would have dragged. The crew did announce the problem a few times and made heart felt apologies.
Drinks service came round and I went for white wine (not bad) followed by lunch. A choice of 3 I had chicken with roasted vegetables (very nice) friend had sausage and mash (very nice too). Also served with wine, salad and dressing to start, bread roll. Fruit mousse pudding thing (ok but prefer the chocolate one), cheese and biscuits and coffee. I enjoyed it all and was just enough.
Crew later came up and mentioned we had ordered a bottle of champagne and told us they were chilling it. We had just past half way of the flight and it was lovely. I could see the upper class bar from where we were sitting very quiet not many people went and sat there. I should have been braver and asked if I could have drunk a glass of my champers there. Also served in the flight was ice cream, sandwiches and a cereal bar.
The 2 girls assigned to our cabin were lovely, very hard working and chatty. The toilets were very busy at one point and the one crew member took us upstairs to upper class to us theirs. This is about as close as ill get to upper class and I was impressed with the room you get to sleep and ive read up on the website all the perks you get in the clubhouse etc. Sounds a fabulous thing to experience. The only thing I thought when I saw the UC cabin for real is it looked less luxurious and more messy with everyones blankets all over the place, bags seemed to be everywhere unless they were a particularly untidy bunch.
Overall it was a great flight for me considering we had no entertainment. It went quick however I did spend most of it drinking! One of the smoothest flights ive experienced hardly any turbulence and the best bit is we landed an hour early.
As soon as all the UC passengers who were queuing to get off had left we were allowed off. Now I had been dreading Immigration and had posted a thread in General Discussion asking if it really was that bad and most people said yes! anyhow maybe because we had landed early that gave us an advantage but we were the only flight in there. I then realised I had left my cardigan on the plane but there was no way I was loosing my place in the queue, plus I doubt I would have been let back on. There were about 15 people in front of me but even so it took an hour to get through and it was filling up behind me. The officer was fairly pleasant but still enjoyed having an attitude that made you feel uneasy!
Found our way through to baggage reclaim and our cases were there and had been taken off and lined up with some others. Is this part of the priority service? Overall my experience at Miami airport wasnt too bad if anything it was good just a long trek but its good to stretch your legs. Someone mentioned VS05 now had an early slot and I think that could be helping.
Quickly managed to get a cab and we were on our way to south beach.
Do you think a letter to Flying Club about the entertainment is worth while? I could do with some airmiles! ha ha.
Return journey in economy to follow.
