This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
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Cabin Crew
We both arrived early at the airport (11:30 for a 16:30 flight) and taking advantage of our mutual Au status started to queue at the UC check in desk. Noticing a slight delay we were taken in hand by a member of staff and ushered upstairs to check in there. Check in was painless and we swapped pleasantries. As we were in 19D and 21D we asked if we could have 18A and C. These were currently blocked although strangely 18H was taken. We were told that they we should ask in the Clubhouse to see if we could be moved later. I queried whether anything had changed operationally (normally the agent will call to see if the seats can be unblocked yet) but was told not.
Along to the security channel and I congratulated myself on opting not to wear a belt to speed up transit. Well I did, until I was pulled aside for a pat down. I hadn't alarmed but was apparently a random selectee. That passed I collected gear, replaced boots and we wandered into the duty free area to pick up the usual goods for this trip - cigars (Bolivar #2), Hendricks and Toblerones.
Onwards to the Clubhouse and an efficient check in then straight to the Concierge to ask if we could "waitlist" for 18A and C. Our boarding passes were taken and whilst no promises were made they'd "see what they could do". Next to me an American passenger was enquiring about upgrading to Upper and was affronted to be told it would cost aroundb £1,000 - after all they had availabiity and she was a Frequent Flyer - she should just be upgraded. She was politely told that this wasn't how it worked.
We then went and sat by the window and waited to be seen. And waited. And waited. I gave up and went to put my boots in for cleaning and to book a haircut. Returning we were finally served but from thereon in waiting became a thing of the past - our charming server kept returning and returning.
My friend is a.... particular.. eater and nothing on the menu took his fancy. I opted for the duck pancakes and assured him he could order the "hidden" Clubhouse Burger.... but oh no he couldn't - no longer available. After umming and aahing he had a brainwave. "Can I have a side of fries and some bread?" - chip butty time. "What kind of bread?". "White"... some confusion then a dawning of comprehension - "Would you like a burger from the kid's menu?" - RESULT. Why it is described as kid's is beyond me - it was huge.
After eating and a couple of Prides I cleaned my teeth and headed for the haircut. My usual chap was on holiday so I was looked after by a member of staff who cut my hair perfectly - I was so happy to have it back to normal. Tipped her then wandered off for a shower, retrieved my boots then returned to our encampment to guard whilst my colleague went walkabout.
I listened to the frequent Public Announcments waiting to be called to the desk to get our Boarding Passes back but to no avail. Eventually the flight was called so we approached the desk and asked for our BPs back. There had been a change of staff. They looked around the desk and espying our BPs exclaimed "What are we meant to be doing with these?". We explained that they were meant to be checking for 18A and C and they started searching on the computer before assuring us that "we were too late as they had gone". This didn't put me in the best of moods frankly - not so much not getting the seats, but not knowing why they'd kept our BPs?. But we surrendered with good grace and speed walked to the boarding gate 21. Priority boarding was clearly signed but rather than join the 15 people queuing there we opted to join the 2 people queuing in the economy line.
We joined the snaking line to the plane and were relieved (as some of the last to board) to still find plenty of overhead space. The lady in 21 F was aking if she could have a bulkhead seat as her leg was in some large bandages but none could be found - 18A and C were able bodied but (I guess) woud not want to swap. I know I would have preferred not to
.Very little remains to be said about the flight other than that it was a text book perfect PE service. Everything that should be done was done and with a smile. Sparkling wine, hot towels, drink service, meal service, brand and Baileys, Ice Cream, Brownie/Cookie and drinks, drink runs and finally distribution of Love Hearts.
The food was EXCELLENT - OK not as well presented as in J but so what? I had the chicken biriyani and my friend had the beef. We both thoroughly enjoyed the food.
Our crew were excellent and nothing was too much trouble. I toyed with the idea of a Heroes form but decided that it was perhaps overkill just for delivering the service as it should be delivered. "Reason for nomination" "did their job properly" but on departing from L1 I made sure that I told the FSM what an excellent service it had been.
We power walked to Immigration and after a 30 minute wait were seen by one of the friendliest Officers ever who even suggested that we invite him and his collegue to the BBQ.
Bags were already off the belt by the time we got there so onto the Sky Train and round to Avis where we'd been upgraded to a Dodge Monster Truck or something so all in all a result.
An excellent flight by any standards just marred slightly by a sloppy inter shift handover in the Clubhouse.
