This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
I had previously booked the Servisair lounge in the event we couldnt get an upgrade. I then asked for any availability in row 18 and fortunately there was but not adjacent seats; we settled with my colleague in 18G and me in 18K. Overall the check-in process was very quick and efficient; a matter of 5 minutes max which included all of the security checks.
After check-in we followed the usual route for the non UC passengers; up the escalators and through the public security channel. Before going to the Servisair lounge we went to breakfast since the lounge only serves nibbles and we wanted something more substantial than this. We ended up at Bridges, at 11 per head for a full breakfast, this didnt seem too bad.
Once in the lounge, I noticed it had changed from the last time I had been there. The area immediately as you go in had been modernised in that there was an area of wooden floor and bar stools. After 45 minutes or so the screens showed that the flight was called; so we had another drink. Shortly the flight was showing as closing so we made our way to the gate.
Upon arrival we went straight onto the plane; unfortunately I was unable to see what plane we were on, the cabin crew said turn right.
At this time we were more or less on schedule. We were greeted to our seats by a CC with an explanation that if we wanted to use the lavatory that one was located towards the rear of the plane, i.e. dont use the one forward located in UC. The usual glass of sparkling wine or OJ was offered. After settling in the seat I grabbed the seat back magazine; magically it said that word that every 343 passenger wishes to see V:PORT, yes we were on Rainbow Lady. Since we hadnt rushed on the first call it wasnt long before the cabin was secured.
The senior first officer came on the PA explaining we were taking off on the southerly runway towards London (east) and making an immediate right turn and the flight path would take us over Cardiff and out over the Atlantic and then down the eastern seaboard of the USA. We were held at the gate for 30 minutes or so, with an explanation was that ATC were worried about the weather approaching from the south west. We were then pushed back and then took us another half an hour before we were airborne.
As usual when we were accelerating down the runway it seemed ages before we were airborne. Then about 2 or 3 minutes into the flight as I was looking out of the window and as we were banking to the right, an almighty crack was heard from underneath the aircraft; we had been struck by lightning. Immediately I saw a massive electrical discharge from the plane (it would appear that as we were banking to the right we were hit in the left wing tip and it had left us from the right). About a minute later the FSM announced that the captain had advised him that we had indeed been hit by lightning and that the plane was designed for such an incidence.
Once the seatbelt lights were extinguished the drinks service was given shortly followed by the food. The remainder of the flight was uneventful except for the lavatory we were told to use was out of order and we had to use the one at the extreme rear of the plane.
We were about 15 minutes late in arriving into Washington.
gnjb.
