This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
After 5 very enjoyable days in Las Vegas, it was time to come home. We stayed at the Palazzo, very nice Hotel, spacious room and couldn't fault it, but after staying at the Bellagio normally, we both decided we missed the Bellagio and will choose to stay there on out next visit. (Just something about the Bellagio, all those who have been will know what I mean..)
Checked in on-line the night before, all ok. I had requested the first rwo of two at the back of economy, which while not ideal, is probably one of the better seats. We checked out of the Hotel and were on our way to store our bags for a couple of hours, when we saw a desk for checking in your bags. Done this before and it worked really well then, but not knowing it was there was a nice surprise and for only $10 per bag, we would not see our suitcases again until Gatwick, money well spent. Bags weighed (thought we would be over as we did a bit of shopping) all ok and one last brunch sitting outside.
Taxi to the airport was good, but notice they are far more expensive now, they all seem to take the I-15, which has less traffic, but seems the long way and the fare was $31, so with the tip, $40! Seem to remember it being around the 20-25 mark before, but still in holiday mode, so wasn't too bothered really.
Straight to the security, which I dread normally at LAS, but we were through in less than 10 minutes and free to enjoy the extensive delights of the departure lounge...! There isn't really much to do, other than buy some very cheap Grey Goose and admire the view of the strip.
There was a delay on the flight of about 50 minutes as the aircraft was late getting in. We wondered up to the gate about 10 minutes prior to boarding time. We were then informed there would be no in-flight entertainment due to a fault, great! (Virginia Plain by the way)I can't sleep on a flight at the best of times and in economy, no chance! I went to the desk and asked about upgrading to PE and was quoted $520 each, too much in my view and especially without the in-flight entertainment, so declined. But I was keen to secure 'better' seats, so asked about moving the the row of four at the front of the aircraft, the very helpful member of ground staff, invited me around to view the screen and basically asked me where I wanted to sit. Nice touch and selected row 23, as that cabin was looking very quiet. Much happier and new boarding cards printed.
I then just observed the ground staff invite 10-15 passengers up, all by name and watched them give them all new boarding passes. They had their reasons as to why do this I am sure, but did notice a number of the people they invited up, sat in the PE cabin just in front of us when we boarded the plane, so not sure what was going on there. There was some real issues with the seating once on board, people not sure where they were sitting and one or two getting very irate that members of their party were in economy. It took a good 15 minutes to sort out and one member of ground staff was taking no nonsense and when he got on board, it was sorted very quickly.
Anyway, just before we were called to board, I saw Ricky Hatton board the Manchester flight, he was the last to board, but still took time to shake hands with fans. Top man.
Boarded with no problem and the cabin was very quiet. The row in front was free, so I sat in there, while my partner had the row behind to herself, so plenty of room. I did notice a family of four though sitting across 22ABC, Mom and Dad with two children. Just after we took off, Mom and one child moved to the vacant row behind, but to my amazement, the FSM asked her to sit back in her original seat, leaving the row behind vacant for the whole flight and them cramped into one row. Didn't think it would have been much to ask to allow them some extra room. Maybe the seating debacle as we first boarded had something to do with it.
No drinks round, straight to the meal and I declined, having ate in the airport. Had a glass of red and a G&T. The wife was sleeping behind and to be fair, I was bored stiff, so just had a few more drinks and tried to sleep, but no joy there.. There was also a problem with the reading lights, they were either all on, or not at all, so with it being a night flight, sat in darkness, once the lights were switched off! The crew came around once more in the flight with OJ and water, again in my opinion, not enough for what was a 9 hr 15 min flight. Having had very little contact with the crew, I can't really comment on how their service was, but they did their disappering act mid-flight again and had to hunt one down when I wanted a re-fill..Its not a major issue and I suppose, most are trying to sleep, but do notice this more and more.
Breakfast was served and for the life of me, can't remember what it was, but I didn't eat it as I remember taking a taste and not liking it, so left that. It had been a smooth flight with very little turbulence and the landing was very good indeed. Through security in no time at all and the bags followed in less than ten minutes.
All in all, a rather uneventful flight. Technical problems with the in-flight entertainment do happen, but for over 9 hours and with no reading light, it wasn't great. We have got 4000 miles offered though, I would complain more, but doubt I would get anything further. Crew seemed ok, nothing memorable, but surprised at the FSM not giving that family more space, when it wasn't harming anyone.
