This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Having booked PE seats way back earlier in the year, we were in the frustrating situation of not having any seat selection open to us until 24 hours before the flight. Imagine my excitement when 2 hours before OLCI, I could finally see the seat map. Then imagine my disappointment when I realised it was an old plane and we were sitting in PE downstairs and I had no other seats available to select. Not to be too disheartened, I made up for it 2 hours later by getting Seq 1 & 2! (Just goes to show my temporary unemployed status has some benefits by having too much time on my hands to hit the refresh button!)
Next day, suitable refreshed by a night in the Gatwick Hilton, we go over to the PE desk to hand over the bags. It was then we were told we had an aircraft change and new seats allocated. Seats 15A and C on Ladybird. Ironically, my last trip to MCO at end of August was on Ladybird - but that time I was on my own and had the luxury of UC both ways due to an excessive amount of FC miles I had accumulated. Slightly apprehensive on leg room - Mr B has recently had a dodgy knee (more on this later) and at 6ft 4" he is does tend to like a bit of room to stretch out. Was not in the bubble - but given I am not over keen with the new set up with the mixed cabin - then I was happy to give the new downstairs PE a try. There were only a couple of empty seats in PE downstairs - didn't venture out of the cabin to see any other areas of the aircraft - but did catch a glimpse of UC.
Boarding was smooth - pillow, blanket and water on the seat - but no amenity kit - although none expected after reading previous reports. Glass of fizz offered (and accepted!) Second glass also offered but it was still before midday - so did decline. Take off a few minutes behind schedule. 413 on board. Shortly afterwards, gin and tonic wagon came along. Again, was offered a refill (and as it was then after midday - had no alternative other than to accept!)
Lunch - starter was smoked salmon with creme fraiche. I had Thai veg curry - Mr B had the lasagne. Both tasty. Choc fudge brownie was too sweet for me - so did a trade with Mr B with his wine. After that I had a snooze (not surprising after all the gin and wine!) and then watched a film and the sky map. It was interesting to note that there was a lady in the PE cabin by herself - don't know who she was but she was definitely being looked after by the crew. Several came over to talk to her and gave her special attention. Even Mr B noticed!
Flight was really good - no turbulence - and we landed into MCO in the sunshine and slightly ahead of schedule. Then it got bad. Really bad.
We were, one of the first off the aircraft. I noticed that there seemed to be a disproportionate amount of wheelchairs by the door for disembarking passengers. Mr B (and his slightly dodgy knee) looked longingly at them as I made him gallop towards immigration. Bad luck - we had caught the tail end of the VA Manchester flight which must have got in just before us. And to make it worst there were only 4 people on the immigration desk! It was torture. I then realised, after 20 minutes, that the people in wheelchairs (and their families) were being fast tracked through - which made the queue even slower. Now - not that I am cynical - but there were several people in wheelchairs who looked like they were making a miraculous recovery once the other side of the immigration queue. (Must be the Orlando air!) I was even tempted to make Mr B's dodgy knee a bit more dodgy to see if we could get through any quicker - but in the interests of marital harmony - decided against it. After 45 mins, another few immigration officers came sauntering over. In my experience, MCO is hit and miss. A couple of times I have got off the plane and out within 15 minutes of landing. But they really do need to get their act together. I am sure someone could look at a schedule and realise that if 2 747s come in within a few minutes of each other - then 4 people on immigration won't get people through quickly! It was over an hour before we got through - and after picking up the car, we then made our way to the villa to relax for our Christmas break!
I am sure there is nothing the foreign airlines can do to persuade the US Goverment to change
