VS017 LHR-EWR 7 DEC 11 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

after a quick 3 day trip it was time to return to florida via NYC. but not that simple. into EWR late weds night then hike across to JFK for a 6am Jet Blue down to MCO !!! this was going to be fun

OLCI -well after the previous events it coulndt get worse and it didnt. i even managed to get SEQ 1 without trying.

arriving at LHR a 3 ddep queue soon saw me requesting a seat change and a most helpful and friendly agent duly obliged taking time to show me the seat map,tell me where she preferred and warning about the bulkhead wall at 18. good start.

an hour or so in the no 1 lounge which was very busy and then to the gate where the priority lane was in force and working well. Boarding took place soon after and a galss of fizzy arrived rapidly courtesy of a VERY cheery and friendly FA.

take off was on time with a light load of 150ish (PE about 2/3rds full)

Once up the FSM came round and introduced himslef to everyone in PE by name and a 'let me know if there is anything we can do'.......impressive. I then heard 3 silver members be greeted by name by the FA and offered an early drink. first time thats happened.
food and drink run combined came through after about an hour. the chicken & mushroom was ok but not as good as the kebab over. wine was back to the individual bottle

After dinner Baileys arrived via the FSM who was very visible all flight.

I settled down to enjoy a rare vport experience, watching the Inbetweeners movie (very funny if a little risque)and Planet of the Apes (not as good as the original Chuck Heston Version)before trying to get a couple of hours sleep. found row 18 very comfortable as the bulkhead allowed me to fully extend my legs with feet up (I am 5'10 or have the option of the movable foot stool.

after a doze I tried to watch Tinker tailor but to be honest found it pretty dire so it was comedy all the way into EWR.

Flight time had been 8.30 due to the high winds and we finally disembarked around midnight and wandered into immigration hoping not to get a repeat of my last NYC 3 hour wait....15 minutes later I was through and heading for a 4 train journey to JFK.

Part 1 the airport to Newark Station was fine arriving at 12.50 to find the previous train left at 12.45 and the next was 1.30 (you know whats coming...).
the 1.30 deposited me at Penn at 2.01 to find...the previous train had left at 1.59 and the next was 2.59

now an hour in Penn station at that hour can only be described as 'interesting'....great people watching. I got to meet jesus in line for a Macdonalds (well even omnipotent powers need fries in the US) and he was happy to share Gods thought and the number of people holding conversations with themselves was easily double figures. I got to hear how one womans sound system had mysterioulsy disappeared from her house (a trolley on wheels) and the drinks run consisted of a beer in brown bag with a meths chaser
seriously they could make it a game show ' Iam a tourist get me out of Penn alive'

One thing though - a very noticeable low key police presence made sure there was never a hint of any trouble. perhaps London could take a hint.
anyway 2.59 arrived and still having 4 limbs a bag and an untouched derriere I boarded the LIRR to jamaica (the station not the country) and then the air train to JFK arriving at T5 around ten to 4 to find the terminal amazingly busy with hordes of spanish speaking excitable people all heading for Puerto Rico and Cuba (funny I always thought they cam in not out). cleared security in reasonable time and then had a wait till my flight down was called ............ see next TR.

Just going back on the VS part of the trip, if only they could all be like this, superb staff, good (not great) food, comfy clean seat, vport..................Virgin redeemed.

Sounds like a really good flight! I've also never heard of AGs getting greeted by name - perhaps part of the increased re-qualification levels etc.

Your trip from EWR to JFK does sound a little scary! Glad you made it in the end!

Nice TR.

I'm on the VS17 in February, but we're getting a 6.30am to TPA from EWR rather than trek to JFK.

What's the meal service on the 17? Sounds like dinner and something small before landing? (no ice cream)

Phew! Did you not see another bus-like transfer option, is there one ... really liked the picture of Penn in the early hours, I can see it clearly.

Thanks for the TR and a good trip over on VS .

Thanks for the TR Flabound

The flight sounds good, but the the rail odyssey ... well that's not much fun at that time of night.

I was in and out of Penn Station last week VS1/2 and at normal times of day there are plenty of trains and connections to the Airlink in and out of the city.

I think at that time of night I would have got a taxi or the bus Slinky mentions. Still, you would have missed your encounter with Jesus, and it is nearly Christmas after all.

clarkey -food was dinner (menu on tinks thread) no ice cream and just before landing (at midnight/5am GMT) a disgusting looking egg and chees sandwich ('no option') and scone. I passed. there are some places to get food in EWR if you are staying there over night.

to be honest didnt look for buses and didnt fancy a cab ride, the traintrip seemed like and adventure and kinda was. at no time did I feel unsafe which is more than can be said for the tube in London. IMO New York has cleaned up its act tremendously

Great TR Fla A fine description of your adventurous trip from EWR to JFK - what a journey Sounds like an ideal VS flight with attentive CC and an visible FSM

clarkey -food was dinner (menu on tinks thread) no ice cream and just before landing (at midnight/5am GMT) a disgusting looking egg and chees sandwich ('no option') and scone. I passed. there are some places to get food in EWR if you are staying there over night.

Sounds a bit disappointing that the 17 seems to get less service than the other westbound NY flights. I wouldn't expect afternoon tea at 4am by my body clock but surely they could replace it with some more appropriate food?

Thank you for the TR.