VS022 IAD-LHR 4 OCT 10 (Premium Economy)

[mitchja]

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

After a fantastic few days in Washington, it was time to head back to IAD for my flight home.

I again used the Metro/Washington Flyer service. Total return cost was about $26 ($18 for a Washington Flyer return ticket and the rest on Metro fares) and it takes about an hour each way.

Check-in was not quite open as it does't open until 14:45 for the VS22 service, so I grabbed a bite to eat. Before long check-in was open and I only had a few minutes wait at the Upper check-in desks.

Headed though security to the VS Clubhouse which only took about 15 minutes. The Clubhouse was not too busy so I found a seat and I was soon offered food and drinks. Opted for the Salmon which was quite nice, if not a bit too dry.

IAD still has smoking lounges airside so I payed a few visits during my time there. It does now fell quite strange been able to smoke inside a building. I'm surprised they still keep it open.

Plain Sailing arrived on stand shortly after I arrived in the CH, although VS now seem to use gate 41 which is a 5 minute walk from the CH. I was originally booked in row 19 in PE but after checking Expertflyer about an hour before departure, I could see a few spare seats in the PE bulk head row (row 18) so I asked concierge to see if I could move and after a quick call, a new boarding pass was issued for me. Did a bit of retail therapy and before long the flight was called.

Priority boarding was in place and was working. Picked up my duty free and made my way on to the A/C. I was greeted by name as I boarded which is always nice. Settled into my PE seat where pre-departure drinks where offered. The CSS came and introduced herself and as a gold card holder I was thanked for continuing to fly VS . 3 other AU pax in PE also received this. This really really does make a big difference so well done VS.

What a difference compared to my VS flight a few days before.

There where several empty seats and we had about 200 pax onboard with 10 crew so empty seats in all cabins on tonights flight.

It didn't take long before we pushed back and the flight deck informed us that tonights flight would be 6hrs 25 mins.

The combined bar/meal service was offered about 30 minutes after take-off. The usual chicken or beef was on offer. I had the beef which was quite tasty and well presented.

I watched a film on Odyssey (although I'm not going to admit which one ). Several channels where of very poor quality with either the audio or video not working properly. Odyssey is now getting past it.

I think I managed a few hours sleep as I was woken up for the breakfast meal service, although I did see a juice/water service at some point between the meal and breakfast. Breakfast consisted of a warm bagel (cheese and ham, or egg and something else). I'm so glad VS now offer an alternative to egg products for breakfast.

Before long the cabin was secured and we where on final approach into LHR. Immigration was heaving when I arrived, even the one working IRIS booth had a queue, although the other booth did suddenly spring into action.

Headed down to the luggage carrousels and waited and waited......some 50 minutes after landing the bags finally started coming off. Apparently a contractor had parked their van in the way so the bags could not be brought to the terminal.

Arrivals was also heaving and after a quick nicotine top-up outside, I headed up to Revivals where I had a shower and some breakfast.

All in all, a fantastic VS flight. Such a difference compared to the VS flight 3 days earlier. The only thing letting the flight down was the IFE.

That all too famous V-Flyer word springs to mind here - consistency.

James

Glad your return experience was better than your outbound...

Thanks

Paul

Good return then. Glad to see.

I don't know why though in PE they do the combined drink and meal service when, in local time, it's still early evening. The premium service could be better than that.

Also agree, and you have years of crapness to come, that IFE on the 343s is really now quite appalling.

Thank you for the great TR, glad to hear you had a good flight.

[Decker]

Nice to see you had a good return.

Excellent report James, thank you

[mitchja]

One thing I did forget to mention was that you still cannot log onto the WiFi using an iPad in the IAD Clubhouse. It uses the same Neptune Networks system as at BOS (which also doesn't work with iPads).