This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Seats: 32A&C
Flight time: 6h 08m
Load: 350 passengers & 15 crew
Take off time & Runway: 7.58pm, 31L
Landing time & Runway: 7.25am, 27R
So, the final leg of our trip home. We were at JFK very early thanks to the on-time arrival of our JetBlue flight from Sarasota.
Given the amount of time at our disposal, we made our way to the VS check in area to exchange our JetBlue printed boarding passes for VS ones in case the TSA security people became a bit confused. As with our outbound VS17 we had to check in our wheelie suitcases due to weight, but with the consolation of priority luggage for PE we weren't too concerned. There were no UC upgrades available, unless we were willing to pay $1,800 each
.We grabbed some food and then went airside to the 'A' gates to pass the time. The very end of the A concourse had a great view of the runways in use at the time (22L/22R if interested), as well as people watching.
Before too long it was time to board at gate A5, which incidentally is way too small for a 747 in terms of seating. We were the first two passengers on board as we happened to stroll up to the gate just as PE/UC boarding was called.
After a glass of fizz, boarding was complete with about 4 empty PE seats.
The two female crew in PE were exemplary in attitude and friendliness
. I think one was an Aussie so may have been on secondment from Virgin Australia.Before take off the lights were extinguished, and I noticed that the overhead reading light in my seat (32B) was broken. This was irritating in that it prevented reading later in the flight. The Aussie CC missed my humour when I asked if she had a screwdriver and a lightbulb so I could change it. She laughed when I said I was being sarcastic though
Once pushed back, we had the usual half hour queue for take off at JFK.
As we accelerated and lifted off, my seat reclined itself fully in to the person behind. There was nothing I could do to prevent this, as pressing the adjustment button had no effect. This clearly breaks the rules set out in the safety video. I was only able to bring the seat in to an upright location once we reached cruising altitude by standing up and firmly pulling it back up. I didn't mention it to the CC as I didn't think they'd be able to do much about it at 35,000 feet.
Once cruising, the service began but was rather slow. I had the chicken kebabs wehich were enjoyable, but once the amenity kits, hot towels, meal and clear up then duty free had been completed, we were 2 hours in to the 6 hour flight
. I've knocked a mark off the CC score for this reason.Despite a bit of turbulence, I managed to sleep for an hour or two until the lights came on an hour and a half before landing. I'm not sure I've ever been on a flight where they've come on that early
. Breakfast was a full english or a frittata, both of which come with egg
I asked the CC if the full english had any bacon, and whether they had any bread left from dinner so I could make myself a bacon sarnie. The CC thought about it for a moment then said "I tell you what, I'll get you one, want ketchup?". My GF was feeling a bit queezy so she also brought a peppermint tea for her. I think we're both easily pleased as she became a hero for that 
.Landing was about 20 minutes early, despite a lap of Ockham stack offering good views on a clear, sunny morning.
Although T3 arrivals has improved significantly, the immigration queue was still much too long and half the desks were unmanned.
We anticipated that our luggage would be waiting for us on the carousel, given the lengthy immigration queue. However, on arrival at the carousel the Premium and Upper luggage was available but these did not include our two checked bags. The bags didn't arrive for another 20 minutes, in amongst the main economy baggage. Clearly a failure of priority luggage handling. The baggage claim area was also a complete zoo, with people all over the shop.
To add to the delay, Purple Parking took an hour from my initial call on disembarking to deliver my car because "they were a bit short of drivers" so we spent 15 minutes in the cold outside T3 which isn't really the point of Meet and Greet. I've sent an appropriately worded email to PP.
To conclude, I was disappointed with the two issues with my seat and the failing of priority baggage. An email making my feelings known has gone in to VS on the subject.
However despite the slow service, the attitude and friendliness of the VS crew was the major highlight of this flight. As so many on here say, more often than not it's the crew that makes VS what it is, and makes me want to return.
Always planning a trip somewhere!
