Benefits of PE?

Hi, I have a few questions regarding PE from LGW:

1) Do you get the "Premium" sticker on the boarding card & get to use the premium security lane? If so would this also apply on the return leg?

2) Do you board the same time as UC or after, how does this work with just one boarding door at LGW?

3) Is the food the same as economy but on china?

4) Does PE get food & beverage service before economy?

5) Does PE give you priority baggage on the belt?

6) Is there any sort of "graze box" in the galley for PE passengers to help themselves?

7)Do you automatically get an amemnity kit on the night flight? (asks Mrs Torchy)

8) Are there power sockets at each chair (for phone & ipad)?

9) As there are 6 of us travelling together on the same booking, what do you recommend to ensure we all sit together?

thanks in advance

1) not sure.
2) You are called at the same time.
3) In my opinion it is exactly the same as economy, except served on china, others may disagree, but you can always judge for yourself.
4) It's a separate crew and service, so you get it when you get it, economy has no bearing on it.
5) yes.
6) They stopped having the fruit bowl, and I've never seen a graze selection in PE.
7) Yes.
8) can't remember tbh.
9) OLCI.

Hope this helps some way.

1) I flew LGW-MCO and received a Premium Sticker for the security lane. On the way back, it was every man, woman and child for himself. But's that MCO. It might depend where you are flying from/to??

2) It's known as a free for all!!! But to be fair, I had my UC boarding pass clutched tightly in my paw and a member of staff whisked me through. Lots of daggers mind ...

3) It is more of an Economy meal that UC meal. Maybe that is slightly unfair, it's nicer than Economy and mine was served on a plate on a tray if that makes sense.

4) I flew downstairs PE so I don't know if the service started at the same time or before Economy.

5) In theory, yes. Depends on where you are flying and how immigration behaves, you may not notice your bags coming through any earlier!

6) Not that I remember. Would suggest bring a couple of bits and pieces for the "hungry bunny" moments.

7) I did on the MCO-LGW route. You should do. But if not, you can *ask* for bits and pieces. The crew carry some extras.

8) If memory serves, there was a USB port there. It didn't charge my iPod but the battery didn't run out.

9) As Miss G said, highly recommend OLCI and/or Twilight Check In for confirmation if you have a larger party.

1 - yes / no
2 - same time
3 - good question, I used to think no, but after my PE flight the other day, I'm not so sure
4 - in practice often yes, but it's a separate service
5 - yes
6 - no
7 - yes
8 - I think so but not sure
9 - OLCI ASAP

have a good flight

Thanks for the replies so far, really useful. If we book seats at 90 days before departure, does that mean that's where we'll end up sitting or can it change by OLCI?

You can't book a seat, only request one, and it's never guaranteed. Requests are normally honoured but seats can occasionally be changed if, for example, there's an aircraft change or they need to seat families or large groups together.

So yes, it is always subject to change until you've checked in. Always do OLCI as early as possible to secure the seats you want.

You can request seats from 90 days before departure and change them as many times as you want.

If the pre allocated number of seats have already been reserved/requested, you wont be able to either change your mind until OLCI. When OLCI opens, all available seats will be shown as available and if you want to, you can change your mind and re request your seats.

Are your party all on the same booking?

Thanks Waatp, yes we're all on the same booking

Just a thought, is the seat back screen any bigger than economy?

Regarding food to graze on - on recent flights when chatting to cabin crew they have had spare pretzels / ice creams / deserts if you get peckish.

Usually this seems to be better if flying in the bubble.

On last flight, crew offer to go get some fruit from UC if that was desired as "they always stock too much fruit".

[Neil]

Just a thought, is the seat back screen any bigger than economy?

Yes, the screen is a couple of inches bigger in PE over Y.

On the A330 and Gatwick 747s there are usb ports in Economy and Premium, however these won't charge your Apple products. This is due to Apple not VS. If you want to use your ipod, ipad or iphone through the entertainment system, you need to buy a seperate cable which is available at the Apple Store, or I believe a few are carried onboard for purchase.