This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
OLCI time came but for some reason it wouldn’t let us complete the check in saying we had to check in at the airport, gave it another go and still no OLCI
Waited about an hour and had another go and this time it worked, checked in.We were staying the night before the flight in a local hotel to save all the hassles first thing, and so arrived @ LGW just before 17:30 to drop off bags at twilight check in. Not one passenger at any of the 4 desks that were open, just 4 bored looking staff. Bags dropped, boarding cards issued, within 2 minutes,(although we weren't; asked any security questions etc
) and off we went to the hotel.Morning of the flight came and we dropped the car off at the terminal at 08:30 and after Mrs Chumba had had her last 4 cigarettes, we went off towards fast track security.
As we arrived the fast track queue was out the door and into the terminal,
great i thought fast track and its still going to take a while. (This is where you really miss the LHR private security channel) However looking at the normal security line fast track was still going to be quicker.Took about 15 minutes to get through security and then into the lounge area. As we hadn’t been out of LGW for a while Mrs Chumba wanted to do sightseeing as she calls it. Which actually means I want to go shopping and spend loads ! No CH this trip as we had both recently lost AU status, although we did have an invite from a very kind person but that would have impeded on the sightseeing time!
After her sightseeing, we trundled off to the gate which only took a 10 minute walk. As we arrived i could see the sign saying priority boarding, Upper,PE & Gold please go to the head of the queue, but there was no one enforcing it or was there a separate line so we couldn't get through the large amount of passengers, so we waited, it only took about 5 minutes. Boarding cards handed over and no “magic ping”
Boarding was announced almost immediately with priority boarding also announced, again though there was no separate line and no staff around the air bridge to enforce it, so again we just mixed in.
Nice smile as we were welcomed on board and off up into the bubble. Welcomed by the CC and pre-flight drink offered, very bubbly CC who introduced herself by name - nice touch.
Settled into the seats and boarding seemed to be completed quickly although we did take off about 10 mins late.
As we took off the FSM introduced herself over the PA and began what can only be described as the most informative announcement ever, it lasted for just short of 10 minutes ! But she was very light hearted and caused a few giggles around the cabin, she was making sure we didn't drink too much, kept hydrated and apologised in her words for “ the oldest and worst entertainment system on a Virgin aircraft! “
Drinks were served quickly followed by lunch which was salmon salad, followed by beef hotpot which actually wasn’t that bad, and a white chocolate desert. As the tray was placed in front of me i noticed the little golden bunny chocolate treat and the CC smiled and said “happy easter”
Trays were cleared immediately after dinner was finished so no having to wait ages with an empty tray which allows you to get on with whatever you want to do or watch etc.
Settled down to watch some films on my macbook as the IFE was Quote “ the oldest and worst entertainment system on a Virgin aircraft! “
All of a sudden next to me was a beautiful ray of sunshine! Sunshine who was also on the flight had left her UC world downstairs and had found it in her heart to come and see the minions upstairs :-)
Anyway we chatted for a minute then the seat belt signs came on, although no turbulence. Apparently there was carnage downstairs with lots of people out of their seats walking all over the aircraft and persons who shouldn't be at the UC bar sat there, so CC had put the signs in to get everyone back where they should be. Except Sunshine was told she could stay upstairs chatting !
Short while later we were served ice cream which as it was easter included a mint one with mini eggs in it. YUM ! Although i was a bit put out when the 9 year old girl in front of me was given 2 !
The rest of the flight passed quite quickly, even without in seat power i managed to get the mac book with the power monkey to last just long enough to watch what i wanted to watch.
Throughout the entire flight both CC in the bubble were excellent, service was very good, both seemed happy always smiling and nothing was too much trouble for them. A real credit to VS (email to CS has been sent)
As we landed the FSM announced the procedure for disembarking, stating it would be UC first, then those upstairs, which meant anyone behind her had to wait, although it was said with a hint of sarcasm.
Off we got and made haste to the carnage that is MCO immigration, even though we were amongst the first off the plane several other flights had arrived at the same time so we had about a 15 minute wait. I could see some of the Y passengers queuing out of the hall back to the gate.
Once through bags were already on the belt, so we grabbed them and took them ourselves on the air train. Hire car was quick and within an hour of landing we were in it and off to the hotel.
Overall the flight was very good, CC were excellent, priority boarding could have been sorted better but we didn't suffer that much. The interior of the plane itself is showing it’s age. Several of the PE seats wouldn’t go completely upright, and seemed to drop back a bit. The upholstery is wearing very thin and the toilets needed some work, lots of scratches, chips of the covering surfaces etc. Hopefully with the new planes the older ones will get a refurb pretty soon.
