This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
The 7 nights we were in Orlando had passed extremely quickly and it was time to go home already
the only positive to this was that the weather in the week we were heading back was awful cold and rain. We opted, as we normally do, to use the Downtown Disney check in service which for non Virgin Holidays customers and those that are not flying Upper Class or Flying club gold it is a $10 USD fee per passenger checking in. I would say that you need to ensure that you have a copy of your e-ticket available as if you do not the reps get a bit narked like they did with me. I did remind them however the point of an e-ticket is that you don't need to print it off. However the took our passports and found the booking, me just informing them of the booking number and showing the booking on my phone was not sufficient.
However the check in area was not busy so we did get through relatively quickly when they decided they could find our booking.
We then went back to I-drive where we played the pirate crazy golf and then headed to the Millenia Mall for some lunch.
We then headed to the airport around 3pm and dropped the car back off quickly and easily and the airport was quite quiet given most of the transatlantic flights are expected to leave a few hours from then.
We ate in the Chilli's to go which is prior to security and the food was ok but not outstanding.
The journey through the security channel was a pleasant one to which I am used to at MCO. The officers were all smiling and talking to you which doesn't normally happen you are normally lucky to get a please / thank you from them.
After about 10 minutes we were through security and heading onto the transit to the gate area. Upon arriving in the departure gate part we headed to duty free to bag some good deals.
In my opinion since MCO have modernised the duty free and downsized it from what it used to be it has become very focused on perfumes and cigarettes but if you wanted to buy cologne or alcohol there is not really much of a deal to get.
We then went to the gate area, gate 85, where pretty woman was sitting there after just arriving on the inbound sector from LGW.
The cleaning crew quickly swept onto the aircraft whilst we were waiting in the gate area.
At approximately 17:50 we were informed that pre-boarding will commence shortly and it will be strictly by row and seat number only.
It was at this point a lot of people gathered in the gate area and around the main entrance to the gate.
At approximately 18:10 an announcement was made that the flight is expected to board and depart ontime and boarding will commence in approximately 10 minutes. The screen behind the ground crew stated boarding at this point.
More people at this point gathered around the gate entrance.
There was no further announcement until 18:40 where the ground crew announced that the flight would now commence boarding with those passengers requiring special assistance or a longer time to board the aircraft. A few people went forward at this point but it was difficult for them to get through due to the crowds around the gate entrance and the special assistance workers had to remove the barrier (retractable) to get those onto the plane. At this point there were 3 ground crew behind the gate desk with 2 others checking the tickets, but the 3 behind the desk were not doing anything apart from standing there talking with one another. about another ten minutes after the special assistance workers had returned from the aircraft the ground crew then called Upper Class and Flying club gold passengers.
About 5 minutes after this premium economy passengers were called.
When we approached the gate entrance there was still a mass amount of people blocking the entrance to the gate and I found myself having to push my way through the people to get into the queue line. One of the ground crew asked if one of the three could make an announcement for those who have not been called can move away from the gate entrance to which two of them looked at each other and just shrugged their shoulders whilst the other was printing and sorting the flight paperwork.
After about 2 minutes the one who was sorting the flight paperwork told one of the other two to make an announcement for those passengers that have not been called yet to move back from the gate area.
At this point we were walking down the slope to approach the duty free collection prior to boarding the aircraft.
As they were running behind schedule now when you approached the aircraft there was two cabin crew checking the boarding passes and the cabin service manager was also checking tickets and was rushing people to get onboard to speed up the departure process.
We were seated in seats 19H and 19K in the bubble at the back of premium.
We went upstairs and got to our seats.
The normal blanket, amenity pack, pillow, and bottle of water were sitting there waiting.
The thing that I love up in the bubble is the cupboards / pockets beside the seat which mean you don't have to use the overhead lockers which for me is great as I have the window seat most of the time and always forget something in my bag so this makes it so much easier.
Once settled we were offered the complimentary OJ / Sparking Wine prior to take off which we accepted.
About 5 minutes later the captain stuck the fasten seat belt sign on and the cabin manager confirmed that refueling of the aircraft was complete and it was now that all passengers once all items are placed away should take their allocated seat and fasten their seat belt.
The captain did his normal welcome and informed everyone that we were expecting a few lumps and bumps along the route and that we were expecting a flight time of 7hours 30 minutes.
At approximately 19:30 we pushed back from a very grey and dull Orlando and taxied to the runway where we took off bound for London.
Once we had been climbing for about 5 minutes the fasten seat belt sign was turned off although it was still a bit bumpy.
It was about 25 minutes into the flight and the first drinks round with pretzels was made with the hot towels also.
Approximately half hour to 40 minutes later the main meal service came round with the following on offer -
Starter -
Mesclun salad, mix of small salad leaves with tomatoes and vinaigrette dressing.
Main course -
Braised beef in red wine sauce - rich, luscious stew. Potato wedges roasted pearl onions, carrots and peas.
Chicken Marsala - Italian herbed chicken in a sweet Marsala sauce mashed potatoes, green beans and sauteed mushrooms.
Fusilli pasta - Spiral shaped pasta paired with an aubergine and courgette ragout.
All served with choice of bread rolls fresh from the oven.
Pudding -
Cookies and cream cheesecake
Carr's Crackers with cheddar cheese.
I opted for the beef which was very tender and very nice. The onions did not seem baked they seemed like mini silver skin pickled onions but they were ok and the potato wedges had a garlic taste to them also.
The salad was very nice however it had olives on it which I dislike olive's but was able to pick these out.
The pudding was amazing it was the best inflight meal pudding I have had and would happily eat over and over again.
After this it was time to get some sleep. The crew did come round with the cognac but I did not opt for this.
I must have fallen asleep quickly, which I was surprise and premium and the economy cabin behind had a lot of children but they were all very well behaved.
Approximately 1 and a half hours later the seat belt sign came on, the only reason I know this is because the crew made an announcement and were shouting through the intercom which in turn woke myself up. I would suggest if you are using your own headphone whilst in the cruise to turn the volume down lower if you are planning on sleeping to avoid being woken up abruptly, other than obviously in an emergency.
From this point I could not get back to sleep but the rest of the flight was quite uneventful.
Approximately 2 hours prior to landing the crew woke everyone and conducted the breakfast service which consisted of the below.
Breakfast -
American breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, rosti potatoes, and baked beans.
Vegetarian breakfast of scrambled eggs, button mushrooms, rosti potatoes and baked beans.
Served with your choice of tea or coffee.
I had the american breakfast to which it was like any other breakfast that is served on an airplane nothing really to talk about here.
Then before we knew it we were on our descent into a very grey and wet London Gatwick.
We went straight into Gatwick with no circling whatsoever.
Once we had arrived at the gate and the door was opened, which was approximately less than 5 minutes, we were exiting the aircraft and heading to the border control.
The border hall was empty on all channels and got straight through with no issues.
Heading up to the baggage carousel the bags had already arrived and then heading out through the customers channel with no problems whatsoever.
I think this was the quickest and smoothest Virgin Flight we have ever had where from arriving at the gate and arriving back at the car in under 45 minutes.
Overall not the best experience on the ground in MCO however once pushed back and in the air the experience improved.
I too enjoyed the dessert 
and as for the gathering of folks around the Gate, it is always a problem at MCO
