This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
After following the usual routine at the Sirata Beach Resort (doing the washing, having a hearty breakfast and of course packing!!) we set off at midday to make our way back to MCO. Now TV Reports had suggested that most US Airports would see thier busiest of days, so this put paid to any last minute shopping detours (and seeing the traffic at the Shopping Malls we passed on the way indicated this was a wise move). Steady progress was made until we reached the outskirts of the Orlando area - just shy of Disney - so we opted to take the 417 to route south of the Airport and this ensured we arrived at Terminal A in good time.
On line check in had been done the night before (no, I still cannot get that coveted SEQ1
) and we presented ourselves at the UC Check In, which is now on the street side of the Terminal. Greeted by name and thanked for our continuing support of VS, we were in possession of Boarding Passes and Invitations to the Delta Crown Room in no time. TV Reports had been right and the queues to go through security were huge, so we decided to forego our usual retreat to McCoy's in the Hyatt above the Landside concourse and make our way airside. By the time we got through, time was heading towards 4pm and we decided to try out the Outback Steakhouse.What a pleasant surprise
Given a seat by the window, we were able to see the arrival of our aircraft, the new A330 "Beauty Queen" whilst enjoying a rather large draft Bud Light and a surprisingly good burger. Admitedly, we were on the early LGW flight and therefore the Terminal was a little quieter than we are used to when getting the 16, but nevertheless, it was an experience that we are quite prepared to sample again.Our composure was suitably refreshed enough to make our way to the Delta Crown Room, where we found that some of the old sofas had been replaced by legged armchairs (no doubt as a way of aiding the tracking down of the mice we encountered there back in October
) and we were able to find a spot with access to power points to enable the last minute internet access via our trusty Virgin MiFi A couple of JD & Cokes and G&Ts helped while away the time until Boarding Time was due to be called. Looks like we picked the time perfectly, as after wishing our farewell to the Delta Crown Room and walking to Gate 83, we arrived just as the Priority Boarding was called and we were in prime postion to go straight onto the aircraft. A nice touch was both Mrs Buns and myself were thanked by name by the Gate Agent for travelling with VS
This was of course in contrast to our greeting at the aircraft door, which although pleasant and in no way dismissive, lacked that personal touch.My first impressions of the A330 you ask? The PE Cabin is big and the absence of overhead lockers in the middle caused a little bit of fun for those boarding later. The leather PE seats will of course satisfy critics of the VS Advertising machine in that the photos now reflect the product you actually receive, but I am still a great fan of the PE Seats on the 747 upper deck. The cabin being so full gave me a feeling of being enclosed in a tube much more than when on the A340 in PE.
Anyway, boarding progressed smoothly and we received the offer of sparkling wine etc. (Mrs buns says that the sparkling wine was much better than the sweet cr*p presented in the past) together with menu cards- which reflected the seasonal nature of the flight
(well the beef had been replaced by "Traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings", if you must ask 
). The PE cabin was full, yet the servcie was efficient and soon we were pushing back and the usual announcements were being made. 22A affords a view of the FSM making the announcements and operating the control screen and again, we found that there was a senior acting up as FSM.As we taxied out to the runway, it became apparent that there was one small child - in the troublesome threes if you ask me - who was not going to be content with doing as he was told. Never has there been a time when I have been more grateful for my Noise Reducing headphones
Once airborne and the seatbelts sign off, I quickly made for the headphones and at first had difficulty in gaining a good connection, but some perseverence paid off and the IFE was switched on.
Well, the selection and ease of use of this new system just shoots V-Port out of the sky (if you will excuse the pun). Mrs Buns was more than impressed by the music selection and remained happy for the entire flight as a consequence. For me, what VS could now do is add some classic movies to the menu. So I watched Family Guy and a few documentaries, having seen Tinker Tailor... on the way out.
The dinner and beverage service started from the rear of the Cabin (meal first followed by beverages) and by the time it reached us, they only had one turkey meal left
After a conversation with the Acting FSM, a number of Economy Turkey dinners were perloined from the rear and I was told that there was no difference. We had a little joke as it transpired that the economy turkey dinner had brussell sprouts, whereas the PE did not All in all the crew did an exceptional job in a full PE Cabin and after the dinner service, I ordered the Duty Free and then retired for a three hour sleep. We were perhaps fortunate that the passengers in front did not recline their seats and we followed suit for the benefit of those behind. I did glance across to where seats had been reclined and it was the usual situation that once reclined into, you have no option but to recline yourself.
Now, the forward toilet. As part of the FSM briefing, passengers were asked not to queue outside that toilet as it was also the food prep area
I did venture up there once and I have to admit that its location (being adjacent to the cockpit door) is far from ideal. In my humble opinion, VS would do well to decommission the blessed thing as it is more trouble than it is worth. The toilets at the rear of the cabin had the Cowshed handwash and were more than adequate in my view.After the sleep I awoke to the smell of breakfast. For the benefit of this TR, Mrs buns went for the full english and I the vegetarian omlette; both were tasty and with the orange juice and water, made it a welcome feast. The coffee?? well, one day VS may get it right.
The IFE skymap is fully interactive and provide distances from waypoints along the way. This meant that my intented wave to HoneyLamb had to be curtailed as the closest we passed was 150 miles south of Cork
Forty minutes before landing, the IFE was switched off (and with NOVA you can always watch the skymap thereafter) and the little blighter across the way now decided to play up and not want to sit in his seat at all. Never has there been a time when I wanted to get up and make use of the overhead locker space
I know mum was at her wits end and no doubt embarrased beyond belief. Landed ahead of schedule and made our way to Gate 13, whereupon we all waited to get off. Why is it that the US airports can make this slick and we cannot?????Off the aircraft and to a deserted Immigation Hall where Mrs buns and I were directed to the new automated booths where you scan your passport, go into a chamber and your face is recognised before you can proceeed. It may just have been me, but I think I would have done better to go to the human booths. Anyway, we were up on the baggage floor just in time to see our bags come out and after using that trusty £1 coin we had a trolley and met out waiting Tristar driver.
My conclusions? Well the VS Ground Staff at Orlando continue to excel themselves, the Cabin Crew did a fine job and the PE Product is worth the price - providing you can get a good fare - and the A330 IFE sets the bar for the future. As for the A330 itself, I can never see this being an aircraft that is used on anything but a leisure route in its current configuration, this may be harsh but even if the current PE Cabin was split into two, I do not think it has the flair to live up to the Virgin Brand on routes to New York and the like.
Thanks for reading
buns
