VS011 LHR-BOS 11 JUN 10 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Aircraft: Tinker Belle (G-VBIG)

Arrived at Terminal 3 around 12:15pm and headed to the PE Bag drop having already checked in online and moved my seat to 29A. The queue supervisor quickly greeted me and directed me to a vacant UC desk where I asked if I could have the front row. After making a quick phone call she told me it was available but at £50 as it was an exit row seat.

Headed off to security which was virtually empty and I was through in about a minute. So Check in to departure lounge was around 10 minutes which is about the same speed as if using the UC channel

Arrived at gate 17 around 35 minutes before departure and was happy to see priority boarding was in use, I waited in the gate area until everyone else had boarded as I knew my seat was by the door and it's often difficult to get to sit down with passengers getting on and a crew member standing in front of you.

Captain announced that there were 307 passengers and 17 crew onboard (PE was 3/5 full), however, due to airport congestion we would not be able to push back for at least 20 minutes. On the positive side the flight time was only going to be 6 hours 37 minutes which was a good job really as we never actually took off 15:51 (46 minutes late).

As soon as the seat belt signs were off the crew sprung into action, firstly with hot towels, then the PE amenity kit (are these new ) and finally a drinks round with pretzels all within 10 minutes .

Lunch was served around 1.5 hours into the flight and I opted for the Beef option, with the exception of the dessert which had no taste to it and neither of the breads mentioned on the menu being loaded on to the aircraft (offered a roll instead) I found the meal very good, in fact one of the best I've had for a few years.

The full menu;

Wine

2009 La Rose St Jean White
2009 LA Rose St Jean Red

Salad

Poached salmon on seasonal salad leaves

Main Course

Burgundy braised beef with creamed mash potatoes green beans and carrots

Chicken taka masala with steamed basmati rice and palak aloo

Truffle filled tortellini pasta in creamy porcini mushroom sauce drizzled with truffle oil and topped with fresh chives

Warm Bread

Crusty petit pain or garlic and mushroom bread

Dessert

Lemon and orange mousse from the award winning Beckleberry's team

Cheese & Biscuits

Croxton Manor Red Leicester with cracked black pepper crackers

Tea & Coffee


The rest of the flight I spent either snoozing or playing games on Vport, the film selection was quite good but I didn't really fancy watching. The drinks trolley never made another appearance, however, water/juice was offered on a couple of occasions along with ice cream and fresh fruit. I passed on the afternoon snack before landing so have no idea what it was.

Vport was switched off about 50 minutes before landing (Why ) and the cabin was virtually secured within the next 15 minutes with everyone seated with seatbelts on due to expected turbulence (which never happened). Landing was smooth and we were at the gate a couple of minutes ahead of schedule.

As I was in 28A I was allowed off first and arrived in a totally empty immigration hall. The immigration official was exceptionally polite even after informing me I was on a wanted list Following this I was sent downstairs to another official who would "review my case", after lots of questions and a quick search of my hand luggage he found my Red Sox tickets which seemed to change his whole approach. He then apologised for the delay and took extra personnel details from me such as height and weight whether I had any tattoos, scars or special features all of which would help to identify me on my next visit to the US so I would not get stopped again.

Despite the delay I arrived at The Lenox Hotel just over an hour after landing mainly helped by my taxi driver who asked me what I did for a living. After finding out I was a London Cabbie he said "you know time is money then" and proceeded to zig zag through the traffic like something from a movie car chase scene.

-Steve

Thanks for the TR, Am going to Boston on July first hoping to get a 744.... Fingers crossed but at the moment its a 346..

Mike

Looks like you had a good trip and an hour from getting off the plane to hotel arrival including the TSA extras must be some sort of record !

Hopefull you wont have any more problems on futyre visits !

I love Boston and Go Sox ! if you get chance try and do the Fenway Park tour.

Thanks for the very good TR.

Charging for exit rows in PE, is that new?

Vport was switched off about 50 minutes before landing (Why ) and the cabin was virtually secured within the next 15 minutes with everyone seated with seatbelts on due to expected turbulence (which never happened). Landing was smooth and we were at the gate a couple of minutes ahead of schedule.

Thanks for the TR.

This happened during my recent flight to IAD, the IFE was shut down and the cabin closed down 30 - 40 mins (at least) before we landed, whereas coming into LHR - it seemed to be a lot closer to landing. Homeland security regs?

[buns]

Thanks for the TR

Yet another RedSox fan on the site, if it carries on this way, I could see a V-flyer Partybus coming on

You are clearly a seasoned traveller; your strategy to blag the exit row worked fineand is a lesson for us all

Hope the "security" issue gets sorted out, else you will have to go through this every time in the future

buns

Thank you for the great TR.

Even though I'm a die-hard Mets fan, I would recommend the Fenway Park tour.

[Neil]

Thanks for the TR.

Thanks for the very good TR.

Charging for exit rows in PE, is that new?

I have never heard of PE exit rows being chargeable before, would be interesting to know if this is a new rule

[Nottingham Nick]

Thanks for the TR, Steve.

I have never been charged for PE exit rows, but my last few trips have been on the babybus so I haven't had the chance.

The deserted BOS arrivals hall seems the norm now. We used to arrive just after the AlItalia 747 got in, and it was often manic - may the calm long continue.

I have always found that a Red Sox T-shirt or lapel badge ensures a warm welcome at Immigration. Even if the agent isn't a Sox fan, it is usually a good excuse for a bit of banter.

How was your Fenway experience? The game wasn't much of a competition, with the Sox being 8-0 up after 2 innings and then blowing the Phillies away, but the fans should have been in good voice.

Nick

Thanks for the TR.

Thanks for the very good TR.

Charging for exit rows in PE, is that new?

I have never heard of PE exit rows being chargeable before, would be interesting to know if this is a new rule

Neil/Slinky09, Thanks for raising that point. Nick has also asked that question in his comments so I will be giving VS a call on my return for some clarification on the matter. I'm wondering if it only effects 747's

How was your Fenway experience? The game wasn't much of a competition, with the Sox being 8-0 up after 2 innings and then blowing the Phillies away, but the fans should have been in good voice.

Nick

I wasn't at either Friday or Saturday's games when the Sox won by big margins, typically I picked Sunday when they lost 3-5


-Steve

Thanks for the TR Stevieboy,

Did TSA let you know anything about who you were suppsoedto be? Let us know what you discover please re the fee for PE front row?

Any Sox fans who want to see a real Field of Dreams game--head to Pawtucket, (McCoy Stadium) RI. Pawtucket is the home of the minor league Red Sox (and the Industrial Revolution in the US) as well as the longest game in baseball history. Tickets are cheap ($11 for a box seat) and it's a lively, friendly game. Close to Providence (there are express Boston busses) and less than an hour from Newport (great beaches), a great day out. Many tourists miss these unique and delightfully homegrown New England experiences.