VS021 LHR-IAD 9 SEP 10 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

First trip report for me on V Flyer! Got a cab to the airport to arrive at terminal 3 with plenty of time and to meet Mrs Veeflyer85 as she had been to see Modest Mouse (a band from the US) who were playing in the east end. She got the tube across London without a hitch and we proceeded to bag drop as I had done OLCI the night before. The member of staff at the desk was polite, smiley and helpful (makes so much difference having ground staff like this!) - moving our seats so we could sit together - turned out be H & K so I nabbed the window seat! The inside of terminal 3 VS check in area looks a lot nicer than last time we passed through in 2007, there was a lot of work being done then which has certainly paid off.

Up to the departure lounge for a quick bite to eat and a stroll around Duty Free.

Got to the gate just as it opened and took a seat for a few minutes. Priority boarding is great, so nice to get called up first :-)

Took our seats on the airbus a340-300 (African Queen) and were offered the sparkling wine and gladly accepted the offer - Mrs Veeflyer85 was a little tired and fell asleep so I was left to polish off both glasses. Won't use the names of any of the cabin crew as I did not ask permission, but they were great throughout the flight. Overheard the FSM dealing with a whinging passenger behind us in a very professional and fair way - I'll skip the details, but I was very impressed with his skill in appeasing said passenger!

Food was definitely up there with the best I have had when flying, but there is always something never quite right with the chicken and other meats in airline meals! Constraints of how the meals have to be heated!

Expected hiccups with IFE (virgin needs to sort this, it's not fair on the cabin crew and is a really outdated system). I think it was the tape based NOVA system? Worn out heads and fuzzy picture, multiple restarts and resets before it behaved itself. Not befitting of the brand image and advertising VS use! To be honest it did not bother me at all as I had my iPad! Recommend one of these to anyone who flies regularly! (or another non-apple branded tablet of course!)

Touched down in Dulles more or less on time and disembarked for fun times through US immigration/customs. The white bus/shuttle things you have to take a ride on to get to the main terminal did make me laugh, seemed like a less than elegant solution when landing in the airport of one of the most powerful cities in the world!

Had an excellent time in DC, soaking up all the sights and usual touristy things, also seeing a band called Broken Social Scene at the Warner Theatre - great band, great venue, great concert!

I won't post another trip report for the flight back VS022 on another a343 (Diana) as it was pretty uneventful (economy and spent most of the time asleep!) - good cabin crew and ground staff again though.

Definitely will book PE both ways next time!

Sounds like you had a good flight and trip generally. We're thinking about combining a trip to Washington with a visit to the Less Favoured One when she's in the US next year and PE seems a good choice of class for the relatively short flight.

Is / was Johnny Marr in Modest Mouse? I know Seasick Steve did some production for them a while back.

[Neil]

Welcome to V-Flyer and thanks for posting a great TR.

Really glad the CC and FSM were top notch, it has been said on here many a time, that a good FSM usually equals a great crew and excellent flight.

I fully concur on the iPad also

Thanks,
Neil

Thank you for the great TR.

Do tell about the whinging passenger.

Is / was Johnny Marr in Modest Mouse? I know Seasick Steve did some production for them a while back.

He was with Modest Mouse but he's been touring with the Cribs this year.

[buns]

Welcome to V-Flyer and thanks for post a good TR

I have never been to IAD, but know i need to gert there soon to see those truck thingies

buns

Thanks for the TR and welcome to V-Flyer. Note to self: stop wasting time and go out and buy that IPad!

Thanks for the TR, VF85. Glad your trip was a good 'un

Welcome to V-Flyer and thanks for post a good TR

I have never been to IAD, but know i need to gert there soon to see those truck thingies

buns

Trust me buns, you ain't missing much

Welcome to V-Flyer and thank you for the excellent TR.

Had an excellent time in DC, soaking up all the sights and usual touristy things, also seeing a band called Broken Social Scene at the Warner Theatre - great band, great venue, great concert!

There has been, and remains, a really strong musical scene coming out of Canada - ranging from such as Sarah McLachlan to Theory of A Deadman; from the pop punk of Sum 41 through the excellent Nickleback to my faves, Arcade Fire. BSS are great - I like their range - particularly THIS. Great stuff

Yep, Broken Social Scene are a great band!

As for other Canadian groups, I like Besnard Lakes best, though Arcade Fire are certainly the big cheese right now.

Glad you had a good trip, thanks for the report.