This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Had already done OLCI and was so disappointed that we have a non-refurb aircraft the day before.
Makes it just a very simple bag drop today. Was informed by the check-in staff that they had changed our seats. I asked why as I had picked rows 62 and 63 for the for of us as they have a bit of extra space and whilst right at the back I think the last time I sat back there they were worth it.
A bit disgruntled I thought there was no point taking it out on this lady. We continued and she explained the bags have been tagged Priority. Pleasantries exchanged moved on to security. Quickly negotiated thanks to the Gatwick Premium stickers on the boarding passes and within mins was walking in to the lounge.
After a very brief discussion with the CH staff about the two children I have today we came to a very satisfactory agreement and in we went. CH was very full, I assume now due to the cancelled VS43 from the day before. Service was still quick, coffees and full breakfasts for me and bacon rolls for the kids.
Done a bit of work that needed to be done, Internet access was fine.
Instead of my normal M.O. before a flight (lots of red wine) I then decided to have look out of the window and play the "Flown on that" game that I play
Saw LadyBird sitting at gate 13 at LGW. From F-Flyer I knew she was an refitted 747 and how I wished I could try her out but yesterdays OLCI said an older 747.
After a quick look at the departure board gate 13 was now saying VS15. Getting excited I logged on to our favorite site (v-flyer LOL) to be greeted by an update. Seems an operational change, we no do indeed have G-VAST
My spirits now raised the trip in Y was now seeming not that bad at all, sad I know
OK - first off lets get the bad bits out of the way….
"No Welcome Back Mr x" - This is really starting to get under my skin, not with getting the welcome, more the totally randomness of the CSM's
Both my sons and I tray was dirty, sticky in fact. For a new aircraft this does not board well for the future. Is this down to the CSM as well??
Once on board if I am honest I was impressed with both leg room and seat width for an entry product.
The IFE is very good and once again an improvement on V:Port. My only concern is that the touch screen is waiting to be broken by someone with a heavy hand or a very wayward child!!!
I have some pics of the IFE screen I can upload. I think someone already has but if someone wants them up let me know.
We left the gate on-time from what I could make out and after a short taxi wait (for a few plane that had the cheek to want to take-off the same time as us!!)
Once in the air all was good, everything seemed to work OK and I spent the next few hours watching and playing with the IFE then finally used it for watching a film!!
Food was OK, It's Y and not UC but it tasted OK and not a mushroom to be seem which after my last PE flight was a welcome relief!!
I had the pasta which was nice enough.
Please, please, please VS, get rid of the paper cups. Do VS know how bad they look??? The plastic was better!!
Flight was very easy, CC were attentive if a bit sparse for hours at a time. Only issue I had was the guy behind must have been a drummer in a past life, a bad one at that. His foot tapping was constant and loud for a good hour. I asked him very nicely to stop as it was stating to annoy me. He stopped for 30 sec and then started again. I approached CC as I was traveling with family and didn't want to get in to this one. CC very smartly left it a few mins and explained that a few passengers around the aircraft could hear a banging and it was upsetting them. It then stopped (with a few moans)
Landed in Orlando 8 hours and 30 mins after take-off. Security was not bad. I explained to the kids that they needed to get a fast walk on once we exit the aircraft. To my horror the CC started to let one side of Economy off (not my side) before the other side, thus the fast walk was almost a slow sprint!!
Got to security and a small queue had formed, not the worst I have seen here. I do have a question. Why do people have to take up the whole width of the halls when going to security?? Do they do it on purpose to stop people getting past or does it have something to do with being on an aircraft for 8 plus hours??? LOL
Priority baggage was in force as I could see our bags delivered whilst speaking to the Immigration guy. Once thru and from experience we didn't put the bags back on the bag delivery thingy after the first collection, we just carried them on to the monorail and straight to the car hire location, wait 40 mins for our bags on the other side before. That was lesson enough!!
Holiday will now begin.........
Its even worse when there's little kids dragging luggage too. The monorail is getting so cramped too.
