VS043 LGW-LAS 5 APR 12 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Checked in online 24 hours before flight as soon as it opened to find that only two seats in the bubble were left, 79A&C. Initially wasn't keen being at the back and the chance of limited recline so asked to change at bag drop, no others available.
Used twilight check-in / bag drop, excellent, made flight day more relaxed.
Had priority security clearance (not sure if it's a called that) and breezed through in minutes...again excellent.
On the flight our worries about the seats went as they were excellent, 79C is nice with an extra table at the side of the seat, and of course we were close to being first off...more about that later. It's nice not having anyone behind.
Flight was good, there was a group of particularly loud lads on a stag weekend, pretty raucous but they were nice lads albeit obviously very drunk....made for a private party atmosphere. They drank constantly and after 8 hours one of the passengers lost patience and asked them to shut up, which they did and generally calmed things down. One of the stewardesses was particularly friendly with them and kept them well supplied with booze, although she said she wasn't supposed to be giving them any more. We did wonder how appropriate it was for her to lie across two of them, legs in the air to have her photograph taken! All in all though a pleasant experience which got the Vegas party started although I'm sure some passengers would have preferred a quieter flight.
Arrived early, great! But got to immigration a few minutes after a full flight from South America...hence a BIG and SLOW queue. Waited 30 minutes which with hindsight doesn't sound too bad but seemed a long time after a 10 hour flight and we were some of the first off, can imagine the passengers at the back of that queue would have had a substantial wait.

Return Flight, VS044, 10/04/12, cancelled and changed to VS144 the following day.
Checked in online as soon as it opened...only seats downstairs - have go be honest NOT pleased, there was no facility to change seats.
Had an email the evening before to inform us our flight had been cancelled and re-scheduled for the following day...WOW...the email informed us to go check in at Tropicana. Have to say am very impressed with how Virgin handled this, provided a room in a decent strip hotel and provided dinner and breakfast. They could have chosen an off strip hotel and really budgeted the food but the Tropicana was good, it's old but has just been refurbished recently, rooms old but clean and functional and the buffet style dinner and breakfast were excellent. They were expecting us, welcomed efficiently, rooms were ready and we were given vouchers for the food. OK not to the standard of the Bellagio where we stayed but more than acceptable for a free night in Vegas....woohoo!!
Coach transfer was arranged from the Tropicana to the airport but we had other stuff to do that morning so made our own arrangements.
Asked to change seats at check in to no avail...none available, so we took the downstairs PE seat, we have flown this route many times and always sat upstairs. A totally different experience downstairs, no where near as enjoyable, suffice to say next time we book with VA we will want to sit upstairs or probably would go BA (not tried that service yet) how we would do that not sure but pre-selecting the seats at time of ticket purchase (as we have always done in the past) would be a start. That seems harsh to switch to BA after many successfully and enjoyable trips with VA on that route but the downstairs PE is so poor in comparison to the bubble....having said that BA don't have a 'bubble' do they? So am sure next time we will go VA with a refurbished plane hopefully and we always book 300+ days in advance so hopefully will return to the 'bubble'.
Upon arrival immigration was efficient and trouble free we used the new epassport readers, no queue...did have to pay an extra days parking - instead of starting a new topic, any advice regarding claiming that back, from travel insurance or Virgin....if so any advice on how would be appreciated.

[honey lamb]

Welcome to V-Flyer and thank you for two excellent trip reports. 79A&C have been touted on here as being excellent seats in PE because of that little table beside 79C

Thanks for the TR.

Regarding BA, they operate a 747 to Las Vegas which has club world on the upper deck, PE is downstairs roughly over the wings.

Unless you have Gold/Silver/Bronze executive club status, selecting your seats before OLCI opens will set you back £30 per person per leg (£120rtn for 2) in PE. In Club this goes up to £60 or £80 for the upper deck.

Thanks for the TR. Hope you left some dollars for me in Vegas as i am heading there in 2 weeks

Thanks for the replies and info regarding BA...would be interesting to read a report on their PE / a comparision with VA, will do a search...any pointers if theres one on this forum?

And yes jfenny I left plenty of dollars in Vegas!!! Have a great time, just starting to get nice temperature around now, mid 80's for us, just pleasent, be even nicer in 2 weeks.

Interesting you are thinking of changing to BA due to PE issues.

My experience of PE on both airlines is that the VS product is far superior, especially the LHR routes (LGW upgrades on the way). VS has dedicated PE check-in, wider seat, separate menu and priority boarding not available on BA.

The new LGW planes will I believe have fewer PE seats in the bubble. I've had a number of PE trips downstairs on LHR 747s and airbuses and found it a great product.

Recommend you stick with VS unless BA introduce a significant PE revamp.

BA has got a new PE, but the roll out isn't going to be on the 747's or half the 777's. They are also now serving Club main meals in PE I understand.

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ne ... blic/en_gb

The key advantage of BA WT+ is any fare, including sales can be upgraded to Club using Avios. So for example LHR-NYC and back in Club can be had for £700 + 20k avios.

BA has got a new PE, but the roll out isn't going to be on the 747's or half the 777's. They are also now serving Club main meals in PE I understand

I can confirm that Clubworld meals are being served in WT+ on BA as I came back from IAH in January in that class. I agree that the VS LHR PE product is superior to BA but, IMHO, BA are closing the gap with an improved service.

Some interesting points regarding BA's PE, be good to try it maybe....will look at pricing at the time.
The dedicated check in is a bonus must admit with VA, not so bothered about priority boarding although thinking about it havn't been in the 'scrum' to board for some time. Also I think last time I looked the flight times with BA weren't so convenient for us, the VA times seem to be perfect for arrival and departure to / from Vegas.