This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
There were no queues for the PE or Upper desks but economy looked busy. We were given boarding passes (after checking in the night before online). Enquired about bulkhead seats (taken) but advised the PE cabin was full with only about 4 seats left in upper and about 20 in economy. Had the usual hike after check in to the T1 duty free area. After a quick wander around, we found some chairs on the upper level near the end of the terminal which were fine for relaxing on enabling you to put your feet up. T1 is such a quiet terminal compared to Emirates T3 which is like a zoo.
Arrived at the gate where there was a small queue due to hand luggage being scanned and sat in holding pen for a while. Wheelchair/special assistance passengers called first, upper/gold next and then PE. Bubbles was our plane. PE was boarded from the economy jetway and whilst setting into seats 19HK the economy passengers starting coming through causing the aisles to be constantly blocked.
Pre take off drinks were offered in the tiny glasses and then 18HK arrived very near the end with a 10 month old. I feared the worst and hoped for the best. This child was the opposite of everything I thought it would be. He was exceptionally quiet through take off and landing (which is not what I was expecting) but constantly whinged for the remainder of the flight. The only time we got some peace was when the mother took him for a walk around the cabin. It seemed strange that he did not sleep one wink for the whole of the flight. The bassinet could not be used either due to him being too heavy. I wish now I had purchased some Bose headphones as the pathetic offerings in PE certainly did not assist with noise blocking. Oh well, chalk this one up to experience
Drinks offerings came quickly after take off and shortly after the chicken or beef offering too. Our side of the cabin were served first with 2 crew, 1 doing the meals and the other offering accompanying drinks. The meal trays took an age to clear so we dropped ours off at the galley to make some space.
After a while, I caught the FSM as she was walking past and enquired if the after dinner baileys and brandy round had been stopped and she said no and would look into it. She and a FA I had not seen before came round to do that - not sure where our FAs had disappeared to.
In the quiet spell, I finished the Red film I had started on the outbound flight and then watched Social Network. Both films were okay.
I then asked the FA about a duty free pre-order and she took my paperwork and said she would bring these soon. I was a little worried as this pre-order was one I made in November but didn't get as we came home as a rescue flight from Las Vegas due to heavy snow at LGW. She quickly delivered two of the specially commissioned VA Glenfiddich whisky bottles that were on pre-order and told us to enjoy. Happy delayed Christmas present to hubby. I wish I could, but whisky is not my thing. Hubby looked happy and said he can't wait to try one and keep the other as he collects special editions. At least he was content after all my jewellery shopping whilst away
.One thing I have never come across before was the delivery of a small packet of wine gums halfway through the flight - I suppose that's instead of ice cream on longer flights.
Close to arrival, small sandwiches of ham/cheese or cheese/? were delivered on a small snack tray.
The crew were okay during this flight but seemed very busy so no real interaction. My only minor gripe is that they were extremely slow in removing trays after food service so you felt trapped in your seat.
Upon landing, we got out of our seats and as we were early had to wait ages while the LHR staff were finding someone to put chocks under the aircraft wheels. The VA ground staff were ready to unload but this caused us to wait on the plane for 20 minutes until these chocks could be found. Once off (after upper passengers had departed), we had a long hike to immigration where thankfully one Iris desk was open so quickly through to baggage reclaim. Again, lucky with our one bag as it was off quickly. Through customs to collect the car from the top floor of the car park at departures and happily on our way back home after a great weekend away.
