This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
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Cabin Crew
After my successful flight this time last year going Economy out to Florida and PE back, my other half decided at the back end of last year that we would do the same thing this time as part of the annual jaunt to the Gulf Coast. As there was a sale on, I attempted without success to persuade him to do the whole lot in PE. I figured that even if he didn't agree at the buying stage - we could always upgrade at a later date if he changed his mind! Now, the price for this had started at £160 each, which I told him was a bargain, but still he wouldn't budge. In the months that followed, this price for an upgrade fluctuated between that figure and £575!!! So, that didn't happen, as he quite rightly said we could buy a lot of stuff for a grand whilst out there. A few days before boarding we were called by Virgin to offer us an upgrade for £199, which the guy told me was the lowest they would go. Because I'd seen that it had originally been £160, we decided not to take them up on it, but I have to admit I was kicking myself for not just doing it at that price and calling it a surprise!
We received not one, but three of these calls, so I guessed the flight must be pretty full, I was right, there were probably about 6 empty seats in economy in the end.We spent the night in Bewley's the night before, and had the worst night's sleep ever. Our room was next to the railway line, and seemingly trains stop for only about 2 hours overnight, and also apparently just above the tradesman's entrance where trucks seem to unload from about 6am. I heartily recommend this hotel, but if you are allocated a room in this location, ask to be moved, because other rooms are lovely and quiet.
Anyway, to the journey itself. We arrived at the terminal thanks to the shuttle bus, and were asked again at check in if we wanted to take up the £199 offer. We said no, and were then asked if we wanted to spend £20 each on extra legroom seats. We said yes, and the lovely lady behind the desk then told us that there were exit row seats available. We took her up on those...
Now, the great thing about this seat is that the legroom is awesome, the bad thing about this seat is that it appears to be a lot more snug than your average economy seat, probably because your tray table and TV is in the arm. The other problem with sitting here is with the aisle seat and that is that EVERY single time anyone passes you, they bang into your TV screen. ESPECIALLY when the cabin crew are going past with the trolleys. The aisle in general also seems to be a lot narrower than on other planes.
We were handed menus, and then the drinks service started. I didn't sample the welcome "cocktail" but it looked to me just like vodka and fruit juice. The meal service started soon after. My other half is veggie and had pre-ordered his meal, which arrived a full half an hour before mine as we were quite a way down the plane. As far as we could tell it was exactly the same as the one I chose, which was veggie pasta...
The portions were quite small, and there was a really long wait between getting this, then drinks, then pudding (which by the way was delicious but tiny, it was a mousse thing). We were served with a skinny cow ice cream thing a few hours later, that reminded me of a mini-milk lolly and was about the same size. Afternoon tea was hilarious, the sandwiches (cheese and onion) were barely an inch in size and unless you like raisins
then that's all you can eat as the scone was full of them. My other half was again served his half an hour before everyone else and had long finished his before the tea was served! My overwhelming view of the "new" economy meals is that new appears to mean small. 
The rest of the flight passed pretty much without incident, although I was starting to get uncomfortable towards the end in the smaller seat. Overall, I think extra legroom seats are worth getting, especially as they are so cheap, and if you can get exit row, all the better.
