This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
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Cabin Crew
We went straight to the empty PE line and were asked by one of the women at the end of it if we wanted to upgrade to Upper. I said that as far as I knew they didn't have that on the plane we were on, she kind of shrugged and laughed, and we left it at that. The guy who checked our bags seemed to be a bit on auto-pilot as he asked us 3 times if we'd had a nice holiday, it was a bit like when you go to a new hairdresser and they try and make conversation.
At the gate, there didn't seem to be too many people around, and it was confirmed on board that it was a light load. PE were called to board, and my heart sank when I saw a couple with a toddler and a very small child in the line in front of us. As it happened, I need not have worried about them, because apart from an initial bought of crying from one of them, we did not hear a peep all flight
. The cabin crew swiftly brought round the welcome drinks as we settled in, and soon we were off. The economy cabin was told they could move about as there were plenty of empty seats, but were told a few times that extra legroom seats would cost them £20. I was soon to envy their ability to spread out. In our cabin there were 4 rows of 3 in the middle empty, so we too were informed we could move about once we were airborne.
I think the seats seemed very close together, admittedly when the seat is in the upright position you do have ample legroom, but, woah when the seat in front of you reclines, suddenly it feels very close! I'm only 5ft 6ish and the seat in front was touching my knees! I think rather than such a huge gap in front of row 18, they would be better evening the spacing out further down the cabin. The other problem with this also is that once someone reclines, your TV screen is also reclined and this can affect viewing. On the subject of IFE, the touch screen system is great, but only in the right hands. The person behind me prodded hard pretty much the whole way home, making for some broken periods of sleep.
After we were airborne the crew came round with drinks and then followed quickly with dinner. My Veggie partner was brought his, along with several other special meals throughout the cabin. Ours followed not long after, I opted for the same as him, it was gnocchi...
He was a bit miffed, as apparently vegetarians must eat fruit for pudding and aren't allowed cheese. Luckily my mother didn't want her chocolate mousse - so he ate that. The gnocchi was diabolical, incredibly heavy and dry. In fact, the economy food going out was better. Baileys and brandy followed, and coffee and tea. The crew did a number of drinks runs during the night, and we all wanted for nothing. They were very very good!
My overall impression of PE on this plane is that it's hugely uncomfortable and a bit claustrophobic. I would certainly think twice about buying the product again, and whilst the old product is still in the bubble, I would choose that any day of the week. In fact, my mum has said she will never fly PE on the A330 again she was that uncomfortable.
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