This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
At the airport the selection of shops surprised us. And the queue of VS crew shopping ensured there was no danger of being left behind yet.
After many calls for the passengers needing assistance, most of whom seemed to busy to go to the gate, came an invitation to Upper Class passengers to board. That sparked a grand mêlée to the gate. I’ve no idea whether the UC passengers made it through before the rush, but no harm done.
Departing ½hr late, not made up en-route, we were soon checking out our goodies; pillow, blanket and amenity pack. The amenity pack had a strange case that appeared to be made from an army surplus blanket, but was none the less appreciated for that. It must be admitted, however, we always consider amenity packs more as a souvenir than a practical item, so we understand their demise.
No VERA while on the ground or on the inter-island hop. In fact following a fault requiring a reboot no VERA until well out over the Atlantic. However, refreshments, a meal then a bit of kip were a greater priority. The cabin crew were good, although it always appears inbound crews are never as enthusiastic as outbound ones. And while I appreciate it takes time to heat several hundred meals there never seems to be a great hurry to feed folk, who just want to get eating out of the way so they can settle down for a nights rest. And it must be said you can get some decent rest in the new seating. Not UC standard but probably now market leader in PE.
As for catering we both had low expectations after VS051.
A bad start was a lack of choice so we both had chicken again. Imagine our surprise when we lifted the foil and found a sizable piece of chicken crowning a bed of rice and trimmings. It is probably no exaggeration to say that if we’d put our two bits of chicken together there would have been more meat than the entire PE cabin had ex LGW. The main course, with its pleasant piece of cake, was as good as VS051 was bad. Still no cracker and cheese though.
I can only recall one drinks run between dinner and breakfast, which was a bit mean.
The “Full English Breakfast” was just that. Not cordon bleu, or massive, but the ingredients were all there, recognisable and edible.
Arrival, deplane, immigration, baggage retrieval and customs all without incident.
I’ve found a few things to moan about but overall VS is managing to keep a nose ahead of the opposition.
And was I glad I had de-icer in the car!
