VS075 MAN-MCO 3 MAY 12 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Excellent start to or 5 weeks in our Condo in North Port, FL. Managed Seq 1 & 2 for the second time at OLCI, first time was last November 22 on VS74, MCO-MAN. We almost got our PE 23A & C seats(lost on a previous visit to update apis- info-see earlier post)We got 25 A & C, really enjoyed the location and anticipated it would allow for a swift exit at MCO. Departed 11.00am on time, rotated at 11:21am. Pilot told us that flight time would be 8 hours 13 minutes, Wow! this is going to be our quickest westbound flight. Welcome drinks served x2, pre-lunch drinks and an enjoyable lunch was enjoyed. The Iron Lady kept me entertained until a snooze prevailed, probable due to the generous rounds of pre-flight and pre-luncheon drinks. On waking, Hagan Daz ice cream and another film. Flight attentants really good throughout the trip. Afternoon tea arrived a little earlier than anticipated - probably due to almost an hour of lost flying time. Touch down at MCO was perfect at 14.33 EST, 3 minutes earlier than expected. We managed to be the first couple at Homeland Security, an empty Customs Hall, a very welcoming Homeland Officer, Luggage in first 10 cases, Agriculture cleared in 5 minutes,(even with a second scan of all our luggage-they spotted my PG Tips. )Main Terminal in another 5, we bypass the Alamo Car Rental Desk and go straight to the Alamo garage at 15:15 EST.(previous arrangement with Alamo Staff) Driving up Bee Line Expressway, all within 50 minutes of touchdown. Great trip. Our flight back MCO to MAN is June 8th on VS74 in PE. Hopefully we will manage to get back in the Bubble at olci?

Good TR - thanks.

We thought we would miss the bubble, but must say we found the A330 PE cabin - and crew - to be excellent.

The cheese and onion sandwich especially so.

Hi,
Juse a quick question regarding your reference to PG Tips. Is there a problem taking tea into the US?
Thanks

Hi Spill,

As an Ex-Pat who regularly brings Tea bags, Chocolate and all sorts of other food into the US I have never had a problem. Dairy, Meat, and Fruit/Vegetables are absolutely forbidden, although I understand that you can bring Wax-wrapped cheese!
I hope that helps.

Long time lurker, 1st time poster.

James

No problem as far as we aware of taking loose tea/tea bags into USA, Almost everything else is banned on the D of A Lists. We always have taken our own tea, because you cannot buy it where we live in Fl. The Customs officer at MCO asked if it was Earl Grey Tea? Perhaps he was after a sample!?

North Port ..as in next to port Charlotte ??? right next door to us !!!

Yes, North Port, just up the 41 from P.Charlotte

Madammoiselle Rouge Vs075 10/09/12 PE First time on Airbus, been 5 previous times upstairs on 747. First conclusion Airbus has less PE leg room then PE legroom 747 upstairs. If travelling from Manchester go for the second flight, it's still a 747.
On boarding the Airbus in PE cabin noticed the temperature was extremely hot. Asked stewardess who said ACU broken and it would be ok when airborne. Temperature continued to climb, my watch said 38degrees. Pilot came on tannoy and apologised for heat and said it would be better when engines started. 20/25 minutes later the engines were started and slowly slowly the temperature came down, and passengers stopped sweating. Later in the flight one of the aircrew said the ACU had not been working for a while. The passenger in front of us was an extremely large gentleman, this meant that he couldn't get out of the seat. One of the aircrew lifted the outer arm rest (this was a wheelchair access seat) so that he could sit comfortably. However, this dropped back over my seat access and I believe caused a safety issue, had we had needed to evacuate quickly. It remained like that for the entire flight. Also for the majority of the flight the aircrew pulled the curtain across the front toilet rendering it unavailable making only one toilet in the middle section for PE.
Slightly disappointed with Airbus and crew