This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
The next morning, we mosey on over to the South Terminal into what can only be described as hell on earth, the Virgin check in area. We are flying Premium, so are directed to the special Premium check in lane, only that's right, there's only one desk for all the flights, and so we stand there for what seems like forever. When we finally get checked in, its off through the horrendous security lines and through to the Departure Lounges, only to be met with the television screen advising us of a two hour delay, we are now due to leave at 3pm. Funny how there was no mention of this when we were checking in. Well sod that, I thought in my true northern way, and off we trudged to find the No 1 Lounge which I knew we could pay to get into. Five mins later, I've got a glass of wine, boys are playing pool and have Internet access so all's well in the world. The Lounge was actually ok, it was 18.00 each, but you got proper food served to you, all drinks free except champagne and cocktails and we had lovely view of the runway. Much better than trying to cope with the melee outside for hours on end.
When we get to the Departure Gate it is crammed full of people, thought this nation was in a recession! Then we board the aircraft ( think it was Pretty Woman) and walk upstairs to the peace and quiet of the bubble. This is the only reason I would fly from Gatwick, upstairs you have no knowledge of there being any one else on the plane, you have space to walk around, your own toilets, and excellent attentive staff. I don't see the point in paying for Upper Class if you flying on this route and you can get upstairs. Also I think the old style seats are more comfortable, if not so nice to look at, than the new purple leather ones. Downside is of course that the entertainment system is crap, but that's not a big problem for me as I like to read on a plane to while away the hours.
We were never given any reason for the delayed departure time, the pilot mumbled something about an aircraft being late out if its hangar, and actually it was more like 4pm before we pushed back
The food was so nothing, that I can't even remember what I ate; what the choice was or whether it was any good or not so sorry about that. I know there was no ice cream offered later in the flight which seems a shame. Think we got a sandwich before landing.
Got slightly unnerved when I went to the loo and realised that my Italian night class had paid off as I understood the instructions in the toilet. Then it dawned on me that it must have been one of those planes, one of the ones that we are not allowed to talk about! Convinced myself that it would be ok and also made note to self not to read so many forums on internet that fill my head with needless scaremongering information in future.
The flight seemed to take forever and I, just like Madjack mentions in his report, spent far too much time looking at that map. My problem was not Godthab but somewhere on the North Carolina coast which we seemed to be passing for 3 hours: I think I drove through North Carolina quicker!
We finally land but by this time its very late for us, we are all very tired but also a bit giddy about being finally there. Immigration was empty, probably because it was so late in the day, I think it was about 8pm local time.
I'm not keen on flying, if I could afford it I would only fly Upper as that seems to make it a bit more bearable, but I think Premium upstairs is more than tolerable. The Cabin Crew on our flight were very helpful and drinks were plenty, so all in all it was ok. Would have been better if we weren't delayed and also some form of explanation would have been appreciated.
We have two weeks to spend in Florida and return trip via Miami, trip report to follow.
Thanks for reading, hope you found you weren't too bored!
Lynne
