This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
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After a quick very early morning breakfast at the Hilton, I made my way to T3. Including waiting times for the LHR Express trains, this only took 30 minutes. Arrived at VS check-in at about 06:45. The timing had been planned so that I reach the Clubhouse for 07:00 when it opened.
Id already checked-in online the night before and had selected a19G. No fuss or messing at check-in, straight to the PE desk where I didnt have to wait long. I asked if I could move forward to row 18. This was done without any fuss or hassle what- so ever. It didnt even need a phone call.
Popped outside for a final smoke before heading up to departures. Not sure how long its been there, but there is now an extra security channel entrance right opposite the escalator coming up from VS check-in.
Even without fast-tack, I was though in under 5 minutes. Nothing different at this stage of security.
As previously mentioned, the shoe carnival has now gone. Also, there where no agents checking passports as you left security which I thought was a little odd?
After a quick browse at duty free, I headed to the Clubhouse by which time it was just after 07:00 so my timing had worked perfectly. My VH clubhouse voucher was accepted without any problem.
Having already had toast for breakfast at the Hilton I was in the mood for something sweet. A waffle and maple syrup was soon ordered and went down a treat.
It wasnt very busy for the first hour or so. Meet up with HackeyGuy as he was on his way to LAX.
Enquired if any treatments where available, which there were so went for a back and head massage which was good if a little short.
After the massage, it was, of course, champagne time. My glass magically re-filled itself several times.
The 11:00 departure time came and went. Nothing was showing up on the departures board, other than Goto Gate 21
At about 11:30 the VS19 was called. I waited a few minutes, said my goodbyes to HackneyGuy, then made my way to gate 21. This area of T3 is now very much improved. All the corridors and gate room have now been renovated.
By the time I reached the gate, there where only about four pax in front of me. Once the boarding cards where scanned, it was a full hand baggage search and body pat down. To be honest, Ive had more thorough searches and pat downs at other airports. It was taking about an extra 2 minutes per pax. It did definitely comes across as were only doing this because we have to rather than were doing this to make you safer
I was soon on-board and after a quick swap with another pax, I was in my seat 18A which would be my home for the next 11 hours or so.
The captain come on and announced there was a problem with all the washrooms on one side of the A/C but engineers where busy trying to fix it, which they soon did. Im glad they did as todays flight was completely full.
We pushed back at about 12:15 and we where airborne at about 12:30. No flight time announcements where given out and we where informed that the A/C cabin would be secured 1 hour before landing at SFO.
V:Port was started not long after take-off, which did continue to give you the remaining flight time during the whole flight. As I was sat in the bulk head row, the crew soon came to give out the foot rest cushions. I much prefer these to the ordinary PE seat foot rest bar.
Dinner was served after about an hour. Id gone for the Chilli king-prawns and fried rice which tasted great and was well presented. It was actually the best food Ive had on VS in quite some time. I must also have been hungry, as my tray was completely bare once Id finished. Which is quite unusual for me. The other options where a chicken dish and a pasta dish.
Once the trays where cleared, the cabin lights where dimmed so I browsed the films on V:Port. For a change, there was actually quite a few films I either hadn't already watched or ones I wanted to watch. The ice-creams where then also given out.
I had a quick wander to the back of the A/C and back and I previously mentioned all cabins where completely full.
A chicken wrap was served after a couple of hours. I saw the crew doing at least 3 juice and water runs throughout the entire flight [y] On browsing the Sky news section on V:Port, it decided to crash so it was re-booted for me.
As I'd been up since 05:15, I decided it was then time for a snooze. I must have been asleep for a few hours, as I was woken up by the crew coming round offering the snack service. There was a cookie and a choice of sandwich with tea/coffee or soft drinks.
Once the snack service was cleared away, the FSM them came on to announce that we where about 90 mins away from SFO so would need to start preparing for the final hour lock-down. Everything had to be in the over-head lockers, not even newspapers or books where allowed. V:Port was also switched off.
Before long all the cabins where secured. The captain then came on giving the usual destination info, local time and temps etc. Certainly warmer than what I'd left in the UK [:D]
We soon approached San Francisco and had some fantastic views of the bay area, the Golden Gate bridge and the city. Maybe it was to do with where I was sat, but I have never seen these views on previous flights into SFO (done about 4 now). Just a shame my camera and iPhone where in the over-head locker [n]
Despite taking off over an hour late, we had managed to make some time up and landed at about 15:10. Security was an absolute breeze. I have never managed to get though a US airport so fast before. There where no queues at immigration. The agent was very polite (as they always are at SFO [y]) and I was processed very quickly. As I approached the baggage belt, the bags where already starting to come off. I only had a few minutes wait and I was then heading though the exit to the BART (including a detour to outside for a nicotine fix)
From getting off the flight to been outside the terminal was under 20 minutes. The longest bit was the walk from the A/C to immigration!!
Jumped on the BART and made my way into the city. I was at my hotel by 16:30.
In conclusion. This was an excellent VS flight. All the VS staff I came into contact with on this journey where fantastic. The food was great. I couldn't fault anything. Also very impressed with the arrival time into SFO.
Well done VS [y]
Regards
Regards
James Mitchell
James Mitchell
