This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
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I was travelling by myself to MCO. My partner wasn’t able to accompany me due to his various work commitments. I was going to spend a week doing the “Fairy God Father” bit for our 2 yr old God son and his parents (my best mate and wife), who were going to be there for two weeks. It was the first time they have ever been to Orlando and Disney Wold. My partner and I have been there a few times before, so I offered to go over to help with baby-sitting, guide them round the parks and help them have as stress-free a first week as possible. I’ve put the key points of that aspect on the “Disney, Universal,Theme Parks,” section of “The Baggage Hall”.
The afternoon before, I took the train from Exeter to LGW on First Great Western and The Gatwick Express. I’d got a good deal first class fare using the Advance fare option. Book your ticket 12 weeks in advance of travel and you get a good price – or as good as one can get on our over-priced rail network!
Train journey fine. Gatwick Express 1st class – very comfortable
Once at LGW, headed to the Twilight Check-in. It was busy (at 18:45hrs). No dedicated check-in for PE nor a separate bag-drop...I’d already checked-in online.
Waited in queue for about 15 minutes. Many of those in front of me seemed not to be regular fliers and were either over their baggage allowance or had some confusion with their travel documents or booking. Check-in staff looking very harassed.
When got to my turn, it was all straightforward enough. Bloke on check-in changed my home print out to a regular boarding card. Put my main suitcase through to leave me with just a small roll on case to carry on. I asked him if PE pax had access to Fast Track security (see my question (1) Access to Fast Track Security & (2) IRIS at LGW on Departure Lounge forum). He told me that PE did not have access to Fast Track. I asked him if he could give me access as I was flying by myself – and he did. Nice chap!
Headed off to Gatwick Hilton. Checked into an Executive Room – very nice as usual. Had a room service steak – it was not so nice...used it to repair my shoes!
Following morning, had a good breakfast. Checked out of Hilton and leisurely strolled over to South terminal and straight through Fast Track security. Queues at both Virgin desk and on regular security looked pretty hectic.
Went and registered for IRIS rapid arrivals process at Gate 90. It’s quite a trek from the main area of the terminal. No other people there, so was dealt with straight away. Whole process took about 15 minutes.
Then got requisite duty frees, phone call to partner and went to Servisair Ashdown Lounge (booked week before) for the remaining wait. Not a bad little lounge – not palatial but a nice place away from the crowds. It wasn’t busy...only about 4 or 5 other pax.
Flight called for boarding. Headed to gate. It was a heaving mass of humanity – full flight. PE and Economy pax all lumped together. Significantly delayed boarding – leading to 20 minutes late departure. Eventually boarding called and PE row pax called first.
In “the bubble” – seat 77k. As others have described, it’s lovely being in such a “private” area of the plane. Very relaxed and comfortable. Drinks arrived, followed by the rest of the PE service. Pleasant crew.
Meal was ok – had the braised beef burgundy.
IFE OK – again this topic has been discussed to death re the LGW 747s rather outdated IFE, but it did the job.
Now for some comparisons. I’ve flown both the new Virgin PE (out of J’burg in Nov last year on an Airbus A340-600) and now the old PE out of LGW on a 747. Actually think the older seat is more comfortable – but less stylish of course – than the new one. I’ve flown PE with BA and though the seats were marginally better, I would say that the Virgin product wins hands down over the BA product.
Is it worth the extra dosh over economy? Definitely.
Arrived MCO 30 minutes late. Easy disembarkation. No hassles getting through MCO – just the usual immigration official with no personality, people skills or any sense of humour. Baggage claim, however, was a joke. So much for priority baggage reclaim
. The handlers had put the bags on the wrong carousel. So it ended up with pax being sent first to one carousel, then another, then another and then finally to be told our bags could be on either 1 of 2 carousels. Many other PE and UC pax equally “pissed off” – as were Econ pax – as no one knew which carousel their luggage was on. It was like a Benny Hill sketch to watch people going back from one to the other! Went to give the hapless Virgin rep who happened to be standing there my best Margot Ledbetter/Basil Fawlty/Victor Meldrew 
“I would like to make a complaint...” spiel – nice guy, but harassed – not his fault so just accepted his resigned shrug of, “It happens”. 
Met my town car driver (FLTours – very good n reliable, used them 4 times over the week) at the second baggage claim (they have changed it to the next level down from my previous visit – so was a bit confused) and off I went to appear as the Fairy God Father at Disney – changing nappies, telling bed time stories and getting the occasional ride at the parks!
