This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Leg 3: KUL-PVG can be found here
Leg 2: SIN-KUL can be found here
Leg 1: LHR-SIN can be found here
For the eagle eyed amongst you you'll have noticed that my 4 day stay in Shanghai somehow became 6. Unfortunately the day before flying home I came down with Acute Gastroenteritis and enjoyed the comforts of hospital for the day. I ended up back in my accommodation about 15 hours before I was due to fly home. It was pretty obvious that I was in no fit state to fly so I called VS to speak to Special Assistance. I ended up speaking to the Indian call centre and the nice sympathetic guy gave me the number to call. Unfortunately he negated to mention that Special Assistance is only open during office hours (this being a Saturday). A further phonecall to an equally sympathetic Indian man left me with a flight 2 days later and 100 lighter in the wallet.
The night before the new flight I managed to get hold of Special Assistance who noted my condition for the Cabin Crew to keep an eye on me. He was unfortunately unable to allocate me a seat as there was less than 24 hours to go and the system was 'under passenger control'. So, a quick walk to an internet cafe saw me reserved in seat 19D - trust me, when you have the same symptoms as me you don't want to be hemmed in by other PAX!
The flight from PVG leaves at 0920hrs and for those who don't know the airport is a fair way out of the city so I decided to stay over on site the night before. The only hotel joined to the terminals is Motel 168. It's a basic affair and very Chinese eg at checkin you get a receipt with all your details then have to cross all the way across the massive lobby to the cashier to pay before returning to the receptionist to get your room card! The room was clean but very small and unfortunately the neighbours were watching the Matrix at full blast [n]. I did however get the best Chinglish photo of the trip:
[img]http://358nvw.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pWvJc8wAdZEMBJQJ8jzcVWQfHFzBe4Z_gKFvzzI7LxXxLBVd_-yGz5eO5n6A2-DcAQUFvTxzUHGkeYn4Hj7UYRw/215.jpg[/img]
After checkout I walked over to T2 to find a large and completely deserted checkin area. Once the staff started processing me they saw a note from Special Assistance and I had to wait for around 20mins whilst they phoned a doctor in the UK to give permission for me to fly.
As always the terminal was peaceful and I managed to get a quick snap off before it was time to board.
[img]http://358nvw.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pdJZns7Rdccjx38bOLntK20CBKZtrSlKTskDq0UiVnlo7DAvLZNQyKzZUyTF7S_ifo1mCPscL2SbEhvvXlLEWxQ/216.jpg[/img]
Boarding was relaxed with no real queueing and priority lane in effect. As boarding neared completion and glasses were taken away a lovely Chinese female CC member (I forgot to ask permission to use her name) welcomed me by my name and introduced herself and her name and explained that she'd be dedicated to my area for the journey and not to hesitate to ask for anything - brilliant service! [y]
Once boarded the CC announced 110 TOB. Having been on a flight similar to that before I knew the Y PAX would be crammed into the extreme back to help get the nose off the ground. Pushback was about 10 minutes early and we began the long traipse around the airport - it seems to me that VS always seem to use the runway next to T1 despite being based in T2. As we approached the runway the CC announced that PAX should return to their allocated seats due to aircraft balance reasons. Obviously a bit of to-ing and fro-ing was occurring at the back as we held on the runway for quite a while before acceleration began.
Within an hour of takeoff food was ready and offered - bizarrely for an 0920hrs departure VS offer lunch - when we'd flown MH a few days earlier it was breakfast on an 0935hrs flight. With stomach still in recovery mode I opted for the Western option of Roast Beef and mash. Whilst a similar choice to our outbound flight on SQ it wasn't as good - but still not bad at all. I rarely moan about ac food quality so I don't think I'm too fussy.
[img]http://358nvw.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pq2mYmSDrIsoggdwo1T4fjGTxCdkW1PJnOW7Rdk6qXNObaPz9TUld8lzI9WJNw_cswADsk2laRZ9-9Eo8wsOPxQ/217.jpg[/img]
After lunch it was time to get down to business with V-Port. I have to say March really was a bumper month for films and the choice kept me entertained all the way home. I did experience one obligatory crash but it was swiftly dealt with and remained fine the rest of the way. As I was still recovering from the illness I stuck to hot water and the CC kept me well topped up with a mug from Upper Class which I thought a nice touch.
About 1/3 of the way through the flight, the FSM introduced herself to me and said she'd seen my Special Assistance note on the sheet and wanted to check all was OK.
What with all the movies (and the Top Gear special in Vietnam) we were very quickly approaching London. We had to stack over Docklands giving great views of the Thames before an arrival about 30mins early. With such a light load we were off in minutes and quickly through the empty immigration hall. Within minutes the baggage belt started and crew and UC luggage came and went and then the belt stopped ... it was at least another 10 minutes before the belt restarted and this time my case was second on. With that it was off to the Central Bus Station for a relaxing journey home.
To sum up I'd say this was one of my best VS flights yet. Light loads can often equal inattentive service however this crew were right on the ball. I'll save special praise for my CC member who was mentioned in a letter I wrote to VS customer service as I detailed how I was still feeling poorly and they made sure I was fine.
A week on and a posted letter arrived, saying how pleased they were with the CC and that mine was spoken to about my praise. Strangely enough it went on to request me to fill in a questionnaire about the 'suspected food poisoning' I'd come down with on the flight! Yet again VS customer service failing to read things correctly!
So, 4 legs, 4 decent flights, none crowded and none late. It's clear that the Asian airlines really challenge the likes of VS. The little touches like stainless steel cutlery at all sittings for Y class PAX were really nice. Despite the illness this was a fantastic trip and one I'd happily do again.
