VS005 LHR-MIA 13 SEP 12 (Premium Economy)

[buns]

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

This was to be along awaited weekend away (well at least for Mrs Buns and I) with Nottingham Nick and his family - so one could say it was a mini V-Flyer social

I had previously reserved 36 A & C, but took the opportunity of OLCI at T-24 (seq. 4 & 5 though ) to go back one row to 37 as this is normally blocked by VS

Anyway, the next day up bright and early and went round a trouble free M25 to be in the pre-booked T 3 Short Stay Car Park by 8am We made our way quickly to the VS Check In were the first of my mishaps of the day arose - I had left my reading glasses at home Quickly running to the Landside Boots, I was assured that the shop airside stocked them and by the time I got back, Nottingham Nick and his family had arrived, so our fun weekend could begin in earnest

As an Au, we used the UC check in where the Agent was a bit miffed when I asked for "proper" boarding cards, but soon enough we were all checked in and going in the lift up the private security channel. Here is were my second mishap of the day occurred when I did leave my I Pad behind This soon resolved we made our way to the Clubhouse, with Nick going to the No1 Lounge as some of his friends were also travelling that day to Washington.

We entered the Clubhouse to find it full to overflowing and once Mrs Buns and Mrs Nick had booked treatments we all made our way to the Brasserie. Asking for a table for four the response was had we booked Anyway, we found two tables next to each other and ordered breakfast - service was a little slow (not surprising as the place was so busy) and this gave me time to go back to Nick and join him at the No1 Lounge to escort one of his guests. From my brief visit there, it is very light and airy and is a good substitute for the Clubhouse. Anyway, rushed back for my breakfast and when finished, was able to back to the Departure Lounge to get some spectacles and pick up some pre-ordered currency from Amex.

(BTW by pre-ordering you get a much better rate that as a walk up - you don't get miles if you pre order)

Back to the Clubhouse where the only space available was next to the Pool Table, but nevertheless, we took root and from then on the service was impeccable which is more than can be said for the wifi In the hour or so that followed I was able to mellow after the earlier troubles aided and abetted by a couple of Virgin Redheads. Meanwhile Mrs Buns and Mrs Nick had their pampering and came back well satisfied

At check in we had been told the the flight would be late leaving, but this seemed to be slipping even further (time for one more Redhead then ) Soon enough the flight was called and waving farewell we made our way to the waiting Tinker Belle.

Welcomed on board (but not by name) and made our way to our designated seats. I must say I was glad to have moved - not only does Row 36 not have a window, but the ability to recline without fear of troubling anyone is a real bonus. Shortly after taking our seats the plane was pushed back and a relatively short taxi (for Heathrow) and we were up into the skies above London.

Clearly things had been a bit of a rush as after take off we were offered our pre take off drinks

From there on in the service was good but nothing exceptional. Now in support of Mitcha's recent TR, I have to agree that the Meal was quite good - here though is my third mishap, when I did splash so of the Lasagne on my shirt For the record, Mrs Buns is not a lover of mushrooms (flicking them to one side if she has steak and mushroom pie ) but said that the sauce on the Chicken was not over flavoured, and like me she left nothing. As per usual, we did not take the wine, but went for a second pre dinner drink

Having flown the previous month, there was no films that took my fancy so was able to revert to my I Pad for some programmes downloaded from the BBC I Player and then had a little nap

Afternoon tea was a disappointment but soon enough the plane was readied for landing. Touching down ahead of schedule i was dreading Immigration at MIA, but this was relatively trouble free as they opened the US Citizen lines just as we got there so really no time at all. Bags through pretty soon and we were all on our way - much earlier that I had anticipated

So all in all, a PE Trip that lived up to the VS Advertising, could have been better from a Crew point of view but having travelled on flights with the same FSM before, I knew this would be nothing spectacular

Thanks for reading

buns

[Decker]

cheers Buns. I always though that iPlayer checked you were UK based before allowing viewing? I guess if you're in the air it can't .

cheers Buns. I always though that iPlayer checked you were UK based before allowing viewing? I guess if you're in the air it can't .

Ok for viewing anywhere once downloaded to your device.

Thanks for the TR Mr B !

Thanks Buns,

We are doing the VS05 in March, if I manage to get a choice of PE seats, which would you recommend and why. (that's if you wouldn't mind),

Thank you,

Karen

[buns]

Thanks Buns,

We are doing the VS05 in March, if I manage to get a choice of PE seats, which would you recommend and why. (that's if you wouldn't mind),

Thank you,

Karen

Sunsational

If the flight is on a 747 then I would go for Row 37. I think Seat Guru says the closeness of the toilets can be "bothersome" but to be honest it was not a problem for us.

As I understand it, the current VS policy is that you can book 90 days out and as I said in my TR, VS seem to block row 37 until OLCI opens (based on my research on Expertflyer). The downside of being at the back of the PE Cabin is that you may not get your choice of meal, but my view is that there are more important things in life to worry about

buns

BTW by pre-ordering you get a much better rate that as a walk up - you don't get miles if you pre order)

I was going to buy some currency from the bureau just outside the clubhouse but thought rate was poor,I did ask if we got Virgin miles and he said no

[buns]

BTW by pre-ordering you get a much better rate that as a walk up - you don't get miles if you pre order)

I was going to buy some currency from the bureau just outside the clubhouse but thought rate was poor,I did ask if we got Virgin miles and he said no

It is the large Amex stand in the middle of the Departure area that has the signs up offering miles or you can have MoneyCorp visit you in the Clubhouse, but you pay a premium

buns

Great TR Buns - pleased to hear of a good experience and it's about time there was a positive report of MIA immigration!

Hope you all had a great weekend away!

Thanks for the report Buns and thanks for the Iplayer tip.
Were you staying on South Beach? I'm trying to book a hotel for March for a trip without the kids and open to suggestions. The W looks good but pricey

[buns]

Thanks for the report Buns and thanks for the Iplayer tip.
Where you staying on South Beach? I'm trying to book a hotel for March for a trip without the kids and open to suggestions. The W looks good but pricey

Thanks

To be perfectly honest with you I was a little disappointed with South Beach. Everywhere is expensive, pavement bars trying to entice you in and a number of rough sleepers about. A weekend was just enough for us and likewise for Nottingham Nick who moved on to another hotel in Florida

We stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacation Resort which is the old McAlpine Hotel, right on the beach, but this far out there may not be availability. Next door is the Betsy Hotel where we all had a meal and would say this is the only chic place we encountered on the Beach

buns

Nice TR buns, glad the PE experience did not disappoint..

First off glasses, then an iPad.... whats next? Leave the wife anywhere

I have also come across that at the LHR CH before , when you suggest rearranging the furniture in the dining area to accommodate your party of 3 or 4, watch the look of worry creep across their face and then the reservation magically is not happening until later and you get the oh sorry I have misread something speech from the server I think they keep those tables reserved so VIPS def have somewhere to sit and to also discourage individual travellers from taking the space that could be used for families.

Ahh an inefficient and invisible FSM.... what a shock.

A friend of mine just came back on PE - first VS experience for him - he could not stop raving about the afternoon tea selection.. hopefully just a mishap on the crew's part for yourself.

Hope you had a good holiday and cheers for posting

[buns]

Nice TR buns, glad the PE experience did not disappoint..

First off glasses, then an iPad.... whats next? Leave the wife anywhere

I have also come across that at the LHR CH before , when you suggest rearranging the furniture in the dining area to accommodate your party of 3 or 4, watch the look of worry creep across their face and then the reservation magically is not happening until later and you get the oh sorry I have misread something speech from the server I think they keep those tables reserved so VIPS def have somewhere to sit and to also discourage individual travellers from taking the space that could be used for families.

Ahh an inefficient and invisible FSM.... what a shock.

A friend of mine just came back on PE - first VS experience for him - he could not stop raving about the afternoon tea selection.. hopefully just a mishap on the crew's part for yourself.

Hope you had a good holiday and cheers for posting

Thanks Joeyc

As for Mrs Buns..... Other V-Flyers who have met at V-Flyer Socials would string me up if I was to leave her anywhere

Thank you for recounting your Clubhouse experience - I though it was me looking grumpy and as for the FSM, well if you see my return TR, you will just realise how far VS still has to go to get this right

Thanks once again and for brightening up the Buns Household on this dreary day

buns

Interesting TR - I really like PE and preferred those seats to the UC ones...

Hi Buns

Another reasonable flight from VS. Do Virgin use the new international arrivals lounge yet or is it still the old (worn out) one ?

Thanks

David

[buns]

Hi Buns

Another reasonable flight from VS. Do Virgin use the new international arrivals lounge yet or is it still the old (worn out) one ?

Thanks

David

The place looked quite new to me as it happens

Years since I have been through Miami though

buns