This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Had a night at my cousins before the flight, as they live 10 miles from Gatwick, so saves on Hotel costs and parking, which incidently, seems to have increased a fair amount this year compared to last.
After a night drinking far too much and promising myself I wouldn't, I checked my phone at 9.15ish and saw a missed call from a number I didn't recognise. Listened to the message and it was a Virgin representative explaining their was a 'question mark' over the VS15 and would we be able to get to the airport early to get on the VS27. Had mixed feelings as wanted to try the new A330, but love the bubble and had bagged seats 74 A and C which I was very happy with. Spoke with Mrs Rich and we both concluded that we would do our best to get to the airport, as if their story was to be believed, we didn't want to take the risk of missing one day of our holiday, so jumped in the shower and I phoned Virgin back. I asked if we could have seats 18 AC/HK, which he said I couldn't, but would do 19 H/k, which I accepted and embarked on showering myself before asking my cousin, who still in her PJ's, to run us to the airport early!!
We had to be at the bag drop by 10.25 and made it at 10.23!! The guy I had been speaking to came out and said he had managed to give us seats 18H and K, which I was happy with. I also have to say the ground staff were very good, rushing us through etc and being very helpful in general. We did miss going to our seafood restaurant in the terminal, as we both love to relax after dropping our bags and having a glass of champagne with some smoked salmon before the flight, but at least it saved me about £60 I suppose!!
Rushed to the gate and it was empty as you would expect and we got straight on the plane. I had read some of the reviews and have to agree with a lot of the comments regarding the PE cabin. It is cramped, which I know compared to the bubble it always will be, but we flew to SFO in November on the 346 and that seemed to offer more space and certainly gave the feel of a 'premium cabin' whereas I have to say, this cabin felt cramped.
Took our seats and just had time for the pre drink before take off. Surprisingly, the seat area hadn't been cleaned properly and it already showed signs of early wear and tear, which I wasn't that impressed with! Plenty of leg room, but both I and Mrs Rich noticed the seats didn't seem as wide and if we were in any of the rows behind, we wouldn't have been impressed with the leg room offering as it is certainly less than the bubble. Anyway, we sat back and I started to think about the mornings events and quickly began to realise the VS15 was probably overbooked, as how the hell could they expect to contact anything between 200-400 people and try and get them to switch planes!!! Saturday's intake of alcohol diminished my quick thinking and I wasn't exactly alert first thing! Began to start wishing I had stuck to my guns, but we were on the flight and on holiday, so started to relax!
Crew were really quite impressive throughout the flight. Had a pre-meal drink, followed by the meal. I had the beef chilli, which was edible, so an improvement on our return flight from LAS in November. Followed by wine. Plates were removed very quickly, brandy and baileys offered, which I declined. Normally after this, you rarely see the crew much before about an hour before landing, but they must have come round and offeredwater and orange juice about 6/7 times, which I was very impressed with. Thought they worked very hard.
Toilet issue again and the front ones were out of action, no reason given, so we had to use the back. The curtain was sometimes across, sometimes not, so invariably had to wait as economy passengers were also using and only having two toliets between 50 odd passengers isn't great.
Entertainment system is as reported very good indeed. Highly impressed with the selection of films, games and new maps.
Hit quite a bad area of turbulence about half way and it was that bad, the cabin crew had to take their seats for about 15 minutes! The rest of the flight was actually quite bumpy, so for the last 4 and a half hours, I couldn't relax that much as I am not a massive fan of turbulence!!!
Sanwiches offered, which were tuna or egg and cress!!! Not my favourites I have to say, so declined, but did tuck into the cookie.
Pre cabin checks and straight into land, no storms. We had just arrived after the BA flight and the Glasgow and Manchester flights, so the queue for immigration took about 45 minutes, which is to be expected. Bags ready for us and we made our way to Budget fot the hire car.
Overall, a relatively enjoyable flight, but for me, the new PE offering isn't anywhere near the bubble, even with the superior entertainment system. Return TR to come, but for now, trying to adjust to homelife again, which is never easy after a holiday!
