This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
As the volcano saga continued into day 6, I was starting to resign to the fact that I probably wouldn't be able to travel to Boston for my trip. I'd booked a special offer K fare during one of the many VS sales earlier this year. It made things worse when for a brief time UK airspace opened again but then soon closed.
Even when things started moving again I was still concerned about getting myself from MAN to LHR as BMI still weren't running a full domestic schedule. I'd booked a BMI domestic flight using BD miles.
I was working 6-2 shift last week, so as soon as I got up I was on the net checking the status of BMI flights. On Thursday 22nd, I checked and found that BMI were not running the flight I was booked on. As it was 05:15, rather than waiting for the BMI call centre to open and check my options, I decided to just book another BMI flight there and then. Thankfully they where still accepting new bookings, so booked myself on an earlier flight on Friday. As my first flight leg was not running I wasn't sure what would happen about the return leg so I just re-booked a full return flight. £158 later I had a new domestic flight booked.
I checked in to my BMI flight at work a few hours later without any problems, at which point I felt a lot better knowing I was flying to LHR. OK, it cost me another £158 but I was just glad to be flying!!
Nothing spectacular to report on about the BMI flight, other than BMI now no longer offer free food or front of the cabin seating for DC members. These are now only available to full fare paying pax. So pay an extra ~£100+ for your fare and get a free coffee and snack bar!!! Go figure
Arrived LHR about 10:00, collected my bag, collected my pre-ordered dollars from Travelex (I always use the T1 Travelex for currency pre-order pickup as it's usually less busy than the T3 one) and made my way to T3 and VS check-in.
There was an agent guarding the entrance making sure only VS or SQ pax could use the entrance.
Headed to Upper check-in and was greeted and served straight away. I was flying PE but making use of my Au FC card. I was originally in row 19 but asked if I could move forward to row 18 (bulk-head row). Check-in was quick, friendly and efficient and in no time at all I was heading up towards the Upper Class wing
Nobody waiting at the security check point and was straight though. The only thing slightly different was as I was leaving the security area, just before the now unused passport check desks, I was picked to have my bag swabbed (I presume for explosives). This just looked to be a random check. This didn't take long and I was soon off up to the CH.
Checked into the CH and made myself comfortable across from the bar. Within 60 seconds of sitting down, I was asked if I would like anything to drink
Even though the CH was busy service was great the whole time I was there 
. Ordered some breakfast which arrived within minutes.Once the 7 and 19 flights where called, the CH did empty a bit. I enquired about treatments and several where available so opted for the shave treatment booked for 13:30.
As mentioned before, I noticed that the bottles of water/fruits drinks are no longer left out, although they are still available from the bar. I always take a couple of bottles of water with me to drink once I arrive at my destination. There’s also no more ice-cream left out either.
I had a shower whilst waiting for my treatment, although the steam generator thing didn’t seem to want to work. Toiletries are available if you don’t have anything you need.
Once showered I decided I needed some nicotine so enquired if it was still possible to get back landside, which you still can do. I left my bag in the now un-manned clock-room and headed landside (via the connections area, I’ve described how to do this before but you will need your passport and boarding card as you have to land yourself by going though immigration/arrivals etc as if you are arriving). I was back in the CH some 20 minutes later. This will take much longer if you don’t have IRIS and Upper Class Wing access though.
I had an excellent shave treatment. I have quite sensitive skin as I don’t usually wet shave but the treatment was done very well and I never got any irritation at all.
The VS11 was called about 14:35 so made my way to gate 5. Priority gate lounge access was working with 2 lines going into the gate waiting area.
I got pulled for a bag search before boarding. I found it slightly amusing in that the agent asked me if I minded if she searched my bag. What would actually happen if I said I did mind?
After a few minutes I was onboard and making my way to seat 18K (window seat on the bulk head row). I really do like row 18 in PE on the 346’s/343’s as you get much more leg room and it’s very easy to get up if you need to with no fighting over your fellow seat companion even from the window seat.
The usual pre-departure drinks where soon offered and it wasn’t long until the door was closed and we where ready for departure. Not sure about J but there was 1 empty seat in W and a few in Y.
We pushed back shortly after 15:05 and where airborne a few minutes later. Today’s flight time would be 6hrs 20mins. The captain came on and made a point of telling us that he had no intentions of flying anywhere near the ash cloud!!
A drink service was soon offered after take-off and V:Port was switched on. Headsets, amenity packs, foot cushions and menus where then handed out. The PE menu was as follows:
Salad
Braised beef with mash potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Creamy Chicken Korma with steamed rice and veg Jalfrezi
Garganelli pasta with arrabiata sauce topped with bell peppers.
Selection of warm breads
Gu chocolate desert
OK I know just a variation on the usual beef, chicken or pasta but I opted for the Korma which was very tasty.
Watched Avatar on V:Port and yes, I now understand what all the hype is about with this film!! The only thing which didn’t want to work on just my IFE was the maps. It just wouldn’t load at all, but was working on other seats.
After the meal service was cleared the cabin lights where dimmed, although not completely plunged into darkness as I’ve had on previous day flights.
No turbulence during the whole flight and the set belt sign was not put on until landing.
The fruit bowl service was also offered after dinner too along with ice-creams and the after dinner liqueur service.
About 90 mins before landing the snack service was offered which was the usual drinks and snack bar option.
Before long the cabin was been secured for landing and we where on final approach to BOS. We touched down just after 17:00 local time and where at the gate some 15 minutes later (I’d forgotten how far the A/C have to taxi at BOS!!)
On leaving the A/C I was thanked for flying VS by name (never got a greeting on boarding but this made up for that)
Immigration was empty and after a few minutes I was waiting for my luggage which didn’t take long to come off. After a quick stop outside, I was soon making my way into the city.
Overall another great VS flight. Well done VS
Regards
James Mitchell
James Mitchell
) and on board the aircraft.
