This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
OLCI done previous night to hopefully ensure that no change to aircraft and to see if seat requests were OK. No problems with booking, no printer so planned to collect Boarding Passes at San Francisco. Connecting flight from Vegas to San Francisco (VX905) was not without problems, particularly with luggage (See previous TR). After being re-united with our luggage at Terminal 2 at San Francisco, took the Air Train to the International Terminal. No problem with finding the Virgin Atlantic desks. No queue for PE so dealt with very quickly and efficiently. Explained the problems we had had with luggage and we were assured that there would be no problems. Collected Boarding passes and they were stamped “Priority” for going through Security. We were advised that Boarding would be at 1530 for a 1610 departure. Visited “Burger Joint” which was fairly close to the check in desks, as we had visited on a previous trip. The burgers are all cooked to order and for fast food it is very good quality.
We then headed to security and joined the Priority line. Travel documents heavily scrutinised before being allowed go through the new style body scanners; you just stand with your hands above your head and then waved through.
We found some seats fairly near to the Gate and as we sat down “Cosmic Girl” was just arriving from LHR so at least the aircraft was here. We had time to visit the duty free and other shops to spend the last few dollars.
At 1530 it was announced that Boarding would be delayed for ten minutes, and then another announcement that aircraft was still not ready and boarding would not be until 1600. When Boarding did start some of the PA announcements were unclear and they started boarding Y before PE which upset someone next to us. There were two air-bridges in use so think they were just allowing all UC to board before they started boarding PE. Once PE started boarding it was fairly quick. Welcomed on board and directed to our seats (32H & 32K). Shortly after taking our seats we were offered a glass of bubbly which we gratefully accepted.
We were advised that there were 350 passengers on board (I think that’s a fairly full flight) and that we should expect a flight time of 9 hours 50 minutes.
Left the Gate at 1630 and we were airborne 20 minutes later, after takeoff flew over the City with good views of Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge before heading northeast.
The hot towels appeared shortly followed by the menus and headphone for use with V-Port. Not long until the drinks service and then the meal. The meal was a “new” menu; we had chick pea salad for starter and beef with spinach and mash potato for main course. There was a desert and cheese and biscuits. The wine was a French Merlot. All were up to the usual high standards that we have come to expect in PE. After the meal, the usual choices of tea, coffee or juice and then Baileys or Brandy.
Once the all the cabin had been cleared, the lights were dimmed to allow for some sleep. The cabin crew made several trips through the cabin offering water or juice. I watched a film on the V-Port before falling asleep. I find the PE seats comfortable and was able to get a few hours sleep (the Brandy & Merlot may have helped). I awoke just as breakfast was being served. To my delight the breakfast was a proper English breakfast served with juice, tea or coffee. This is a great improvement on some of the previous breakfasts we’ve had in the past. Not long after the breakfast had been cleared away and we started our descent into Heathrow. As the V-Port was turned off well in advance of landing I’m not sure the exact route that we took until we landed on the North runway from the West. Landed just after 0940 and then it then took about 15 minutes to get the short distance to the Gate due to waiting for one to become vacant. Not too much of a queue at Passport Control. We got to baggage collection area and we were very relieved to see that our bags were just arriving after the problems the day before. Collected the Bags, headed to T4 via the Heathrow Express to the Hilton Hotel to collect the car.
Very professional and friendly cabin crew make flying Virgin Atlantic a pleasure.
My only complaint – why can’t V-Port be on all the time - or at least the Skymap?
Nothing will compare to the outward flight in UC, but we are still big fans of PE and will be travelling PE again.
Glad to hear that you had an attentive CC and a good meal service, always makes the flight far more pleasant 
