VS019 LHR-SFO 13 MAY 12 (Premium Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Been very busy and haven’t been able to post a trip report until now, so sorry it is a bit dated.

A few days before my flight I was telephoned by Customer Services to check everything was fine ready for my flight and did I have any special meal requests etc and then they said they had a special deal on for that day only and they could offer me an upgrade to UC. I told them that as it was a MpM fare and a K class ticket then I wasn’t entitled to an upgrade, but the woman on the end of the phone assured me that for one day only she could offer me an upgrade on the outbound leg for £1350 each. I politely declined. Crikey, that’s far more than I paid for my return PE fare, which I got for a very good price back in August. Did online check-in 24 hours in advance and stuck to my seat request of 31A&C.

It was my first experience of flying Virgin out of Heathrow, I’m usually a Gatwick girl, and I was very keen to see the difference between the PE cabins. Bag drop-off was a breeze, no queue. Well impressed by the large smoking area just outside the Virgin check-in zone, puts Gatwick to shame. Security was speedy and efficient. I can’t remember what gate number was announced but there was quite a queue for it. Aircraft was Lady Penelope, and first impressions on boarding were good. Nice ambient lighting, clean, smelt fine, the seats were very comfortable and leg room was good, far superior to the Gatwick fleet. Sparkling wine was just as revolting, but hey, it’s included in the price so I’ll have it. Take off was smooth and before we knew it the drinks service started, my sister and I both had a gin and tonic. So much choice with the entertainment system, compared to the Gatwick fleet this was luxury, I felt like a dog locked in a butchers shop. The entertainment system had to be rebooted early in the flight as some people’s monitors weren’t working (just like the Gatwick fleet then!) but after that it worked fine. I watched ‘Anonymous’ while dinner was served. I chose the Chicken Fricassee with mustard mash and winter greens (which was just leeks). It was very nice. The chocolate caramel dessert was a bit too sickly, could have done without that. I had the Merlot and sparkling water but unfortunately the tea was as weak as p*ss. I found the seat recline to be much smoother and possibly a better angle than the Gatwick fleet, although the foot rest just becomes something to fiddle with, with your toes, when you have restless feet throughout the flight. Although a positive spin on this would be that at least I was keeping the blood pumping around my legs. Watched ‘The Woman In Black’ which was not really suitable for watching on an aircraft because it was so dark I couldn’t see most of the scenes and I think the suspense and creepiness was lost because of this. I tried the onboard trivia challenge, but I was the only one playing. At least it meant I won every round I played. I’m not proud, a victory’s a victory! Got a tub of Haagen Dazs ice cream half way through the flight, choice of two flavours, I just stuck to the vanilla. The cabin crew were conspicuous by their absence for a large part of the flight; passengers kept going to the galley just ahead of my seat and it was empty. Did get a couple of juice and water runs, and I am very impressed that they now offer apple juice as well as orange juice during this time as I can’t drink orange juice and I find water a bit boring after a while. About 3 hours before landing a hot snack was offered, it was a choice of sausage roll or some sort of vegetarian wrap. Vege wrap was bland wished I’d had the sausage roll afterwards. Then about an hour later we had another snack, a cheese sandwich and a scone with clotted cream and jam. Very nice indeed, well impressed with that. Got a cup of tea as well, bit stronger than earlier in the flight and I got a top up too. I watched another film ‘Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1’ or something like that, wow, what a load of rubbish, glad I didn’t go to the cinema to see that. Before take off the FSM said over the tannoy that no smoking was allowed anywhere on board including the toilets and that included electronic cigarettes. Well, stuff that, I used my electronic cigarette in the toilets, it didn’t set the smoke alarm off and it didn’t smell of smoke either (it’s vapour), so I don’t see the problem, I was discreet and it was inoffensive to anyone else on board. No one knew. Landed late, and the queue at immigration was mammoth. Stuck behind a KLM and a Lufthansa 747, must have taken about an hour to get through. Luggage was already waiting on the belt by the time we got there. Then outside the terminal for a proper smoke and then we got our airport transfer.

All in all, a positive experience of the Heathrow PE experience, the flight didn’t seem nearly as long or as irritating as it does on the Gatwick fleet, the entertainment system was great, food was OK, appreciated the addition of apple juice, the cabin crew, although efficient, were not around for large parts of the flight and they were never especially friendly or happy to help, but then again I don’t like people being constantly in my face so perhaps that’s for the best. Now I knew what the other end of the scale was like, I was already dreading the return journey on the Gatwick fleet.

..

Before take off the FSM said over the tannoy that no smoking was allowed anywhere on board including the toilets and that included electronic cigarettes. Well, stuff that, I used my electronic cigarette in the toilets, it didn’t set the smoke alarm off and it didn’t smell of smoke either (it’s vapour), so I don’t see the problem, I was discreet and it was inoffensive to anyone else on board. No one knew.

I hope the above paragraph from your TR is some kind of pathetic joke but if not then do not expect to receive any positive comments regarding your feedback

Rules are rules. They are there for everyone to abide by. If you cannot do what you are told then do not travel. Alternatively perhaps buy yourself a large quantity of nicotine patches before you get on the next aircraft.

[Darren Wheeler]

Before take off the FSM said over the tannoy that no smoking was allowed anywhere on board including the toilets and that included electronic cigarettes. Well, stuff that, I used my electronic cigarette in the toilets, it didn’t set the smoke alarm off and it didn’t smell of smoke either (it’s vapour), so I don’t see the problem, I was discreet and it was inoffensive to anyone else on board. No one knew.

Until you blabbed it all over the net.

Sorry, but what give you the right to totally ignore the instruction given to you regarding the use of electronic cigarettes??

[preiffer]

Idiot.

[Neil]

I was quite enjoying your TR until your ridiculous comment about the electronic cigarette.

Why you felt and probably still feel, the fact you are gloating about it on here, that you have the right to ignore the CC's instructions is beyond me, it is people like you that cause flight diversions and delays for many others by your stupid actions believing you have some god given right to do as you please.

[ChuckC]

I was disappointed with your comments concerning your E-cigarette. Please do reconsider this behavior on your next flight.

Chuck-

I knew that comment would be controversial, I don't see the point of banning electronic cigarettes on flights and the only justification which I've heard is that it looks like a real cigarette and people might get the idea they really can smoke. But if someone sneaks off to the toilet (its not a nicotine detector in there, its a smoke detector), then its not noticed.

I suspect due to this, someone will invent a nicotine inhaler (which is basically what an electronic cigarette), like an asthma inhaler in the future. Nobody has ever batted an eyelid at the two asthma inhalers I've taken on board every flight and never used...

I personally used to smoke, but unlike most, don't have this anti smoking reaction towards current smokers. I even remember the days when not only you could smoke in every bar in any airport, but also on the back couple of seats of the few flights I'd been on (Birmingham to Hamburg for instance, and I think Birmingham to Brussels for a while too).

I understand it is in the rules and regulations, but I don't see it as enforcable if in the toilets (except perhaps when someone notices someone is taking ages in the loos). Would a change in form factor from cigarette shape to something else make a difference?

[preiffer]

Again, idiot.

It's not unknown for me to enjoy a puff or two, but frankly when you purchase a ticket you agree to a contract and when you're on board, by law, you must follow the cabin crew instructions. Whether you believe in them or not.

I learnt a couple of good phrases from your TR but your blatant disregard is not controversial, it is, as one reply said, rather stupid.

I learnt a couple of good phrases from your TR but your blatant disregard is not controversial, it is, as one reply said, rather stupid.

Are you confusing my reply which used the word 'controversial' with the original poster?

I'm not a smoker and never have been - even so, I don't have a violent reaction against those that choose to do so - I have enough alternative social vices of my own that it would be slightly hypocritical. Just don't pollute my/my family's air and we'll get on fine.

Even so, this was just dumb, and indicative of an inconsiderate/irresponsible mindset. They are the rules, whether you personally agree with them or not. Stick on an extra patch in future if it's that big a deal. I've flown with '40 a day' people that manage to survive. And personally I don't want a line of smokers tying up the toilets just so that they can get a 'discreet' fix.

[Neil]

Unfortunately whether people agree or disagree with the policy by Virgin to ban electronic cigarettes is irrelevant. They as a company have made a decision, it is clearly stated on their website and more so it is clearly announced by the FSM once all passengers are on board.

For anyone to then decide they don't want to abide by that is wrong, there are no ifs or buts, "I disagree because...", "It's a stupid rule" etc etc, they are all irrelevant, you are not allowed to do it, so you don't do it.

I learnt a couple of good phrases from your TR but your blatant disregard is not controversial, it is, as one reply said, rather stupid.

Are you confusing my reply which used the word 'controversial' with the original poster?

I didn't mean to - apologies to you if it read that way.

I didn't mean to - apologies to you if it read that way.

No problem I get the feeling that threads discussing such things as this gets heated...

BTW, is the rule about electronic cigarettes airline specific or some form of international air regulation?

I assume that its ok to smoke them in the airport...

(My sister smokes them but not real cigarettes anymore. She thinks its healthier, I personally don't think this to be the case, but what can you do?)

[Darren Wheeler]

[BTW, is the rule about electronic cigarettes airline specific or some form of international air regulation?

As with most things, it's not 100% clear.

In the UK it seems to be airline policy/conditions of carriage but once the announcement is given, the Air Navigation Order 2000 kicks in and that makes it a criminal offence, on summary conviction, punishable by up to 2 years in prison and a £2,500 fine.

In the US, the DOT is currently proposing to ban electronic cigarettes under Federal Law.

As with most things, it's not 100% clear.

In the UK it seems to be airline policy/conditions of carriage but once the announcement is given, the Air Navigation Order 2000 kicks in and that makes it a criminal offence, on summary conviction, punishable by up to 2 years in prison and a £2,500 fine.

In the US, the DOT is currently proposing to ban electronic cigarettes under Federal Law.

I think a lot of this is about people not knowing if its legal before they get on board. I can understand why they see electronic cigarettes as a solution to long haul travelling as smoker, and its quite possible that the people who sell them will say that they are ok for airplanes.

I can see why then someone who's sitting there having planned for this, finding it a bit of a problem being informed of it after takeoff.

If people knew ahead of time, I think they'd plan for not smoking during the flight. And like I say, there seems no logical reason why not...

I used nicotine patches to get me off cigarettes, but I can see why one or two of those patches would be a legally acceptable solution to the problem too. Until they ban those from air travel

I read as far as the e-cigarette comment and thought 'uh oh...'

I agree with the sentiments of the majority of the posters above.

Had you been caught, at best you'd have been severely reprimanded, at worst arrested upon arrival at SFO and charged with a crime.

Also, as you've posted your flight number, seat numbers and date of travel VS could quite easily track you down if they wanted to.

[honey lamb]

Like a lot of others I was really enjoying your trip report until I got to the bit about the electronic cigarette. I cannot believe how blatantly you disregarded the rule about cigarette smoking including electronic cigarettes. Your attitude with regard to it, quite frankly, stinks. A rule is a rule and is put there for a good reason and whether you agree with it or not, it's not put there to be broken.

It wasn't clever, just downright stupid and smirking about it over the internet doesn't do you any favours either.

I would like to apologise profusely to anyone I may have offended about my use of an electronic cigarette. I never meant my comment to be so inflammatory (no pun intended). The use of the e-cigarette was reccommended to me by someone who used one on a long haul flight - so I assumed it was OK. When the FSM made the announcement I thought that, like Smid said, it was because it looks like a real cigarette and people can't tell the difference between them and it could cause problems. I once heard that Wetherspoons banned them for this reason, to spare the staff the hassle of asking people to extinguish them. I was quite alarmed by what Darren Wheeler said about it being a criminal offence and to that end I can safely say that I have learnt my lesson. On a side note, I was quite impressed with the e-cigarette and think I might replace my normal cigarettes with the e-cigarette to help me quit once my duty free supply has gone. Once again I would like to say sorry to the people who are outraged by my actions and would like to add that I am normally a very quiet and unassuming passenger who obeys the rules.

Wow. I'm rather shocked by all your responses.

Have any of you ever used an electronic cigarette? You do realise there is no smoke, no flame. It is just a flavourless, odourless vapour.

You make it sound like she smoked a real ciggie in the loo!

I fly aeroplanes. If one of my passengers had an electronic cigarette it wouldn't bother me one jot. It poses no risk to aircraft or occupants.

Loved the TR.

Once again I would like to say sorry to the people who are outraged by my actions and would like to add that I am normally a very quiet and unassuming passenger who obeys the rules.

I think you deserve credit for responding in this way.

I also think that some of the responses to your TR were a bit OTT -- but this is clearly an emotive subject...

Once again I would like to say sorry to the people who are outraged by my actions and would like to add that I am normally a very quiet and unassuming passenger who obeys the rules.

I think you deserve credit for responding in this way.

I also think that some of the responses to your TR were a bit OTT -- but this is clearly an emotive subject...

+1... Perhaps we (me included) need to remember that we play the ball, not the man, on this forum. Credit for coming back. Hope that it's no more than community service that you get as a result

[Neil]

Thanks for responding again Freckles - I am still surprised you did what you did but hopefully you have learnt a lesson for the future.

Wow. I'm rather shocked by all your responses.

Have any of you ever used an electronic cigarette? You do realise there is no smoke, no flame. It is just a flavourless, odourless vapour.

You make it sound like she smoked a real ciggie in the loo!

I fly aeroplanes. If one of my passengers had an electronic cigarette it wouldn't bother me one jot. It poses no risk to aircraft or occupants.

Loved the TR.

Virgin have decided their policy, made it very clear to all and thus we have to respect and obey it. The fact you think they pose no risk is irrelevant, I'm sure we all have opinions and disagree with many rules and laws, but it doesn't mean we are allowed to ignore them because we so choose.

On an a/c especially it is paramount that all pax obey the rules and laws of the airline otherwise they pose a risk to all the other abiding pax and that is unfair and wrong.

Thanks for the TR and your apology Freckles. Don't let this put you off posting another in the future.

This is an essentially very friendly forum and I'm sure your apology has been accepted by many of us.

Cheers

Martin

[Nottingham Nick]

Wow. I'm rather shocked by all your responses.

Have any of you ever used an electronic cigarette? .......

If you re-read the thread, the majority of the negative reaction isn't really to do with the fact that the OP used an electronic cigarette. It is to do with the fact that she was told that they weren't allowed to be used, but decided that rules don't apply to her.

I don't see how me reading a kindle, playing a game of scrabble on my phone in flight safe mode or even watching a movie as we take off and land is a problem (especially as I am allowed to do this on VX flights) HOWEVER, they are the rules, and so I obey them.

Nick