This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
We decided to stay at the Hilton (terminal 4) the night before and to be honest this was fantastic – along with an upgrade and lounge access (wife dropped the ‘its our Honeymoon’ in a very subtle manner into the check in conversation) it made the trip to the airport something fun in oppose to the nightmare the M25 can be. After a complimentary champagne at the bar and a free bottle of wine with dinner we went to bed. I must say however, the hotel is great aside from the freebies and will defiantly use again, no doubt.
From the Hilton we had to take a bus from T4 due to the Heathrow Express not running – not a great start especially with a minor hangover! This took bloody ages, but should have taken 5 mins... No matter as we were still crazy early! Check in was a breeze, at 6:30 we arrived to a bank of empty PE desks to drop off our bag and even though we dropped the Honeymoon bomb there was to be no upgrade (however, this was totally expected)... Staff were very nice, confirmed it was a ‘full flight’ stating it was going to be a very busy morning for them – but with a massive smile and great attitude. Asked if we wanted to change seats as we were the first there – but we kept with 22A & C (if you get these seats they are the best – the toilet will not bother you as its behind a big cupboard and the queue will not reach you – plus guilt free recline that I am sure is a bit further back than everyone else’s!).
Through VH we had CH access, this was fantastic – if not a little short. We arrived at 6:50 and there were about 10 people sat waiting outside (although, the Admirals Lounge was already open so perhaps a learning for VS there?) but they were open at 7am prompt. One chap gained entry although he had a AU he did not have his card on him only a number and was not flying with VS that day – he seemed a bit off key to be honest and asked for a tour as had never been there (but was AU..?)... We also got a tour after gaining access (to all – remember to bring your VH voucher as they will need this!) the lady who showed us around was fantastic. We settled in straight for some breakfast, I had pancakes that were amazing and the wife had Smoked Salmon with Avocado and Scrambled Eggs along with a very spicy Bloody Mary and Tea. We then grabbed some Champagne and had a wander around – eventually deciding to sit at the world’s biggest TV on the world’s most comfortable chairs. After finding ones that had both sets of Headphones working that is, we reported a few that were not, but no issues as the place was empty! Most guests went straight to the quiet area with the view to then make lots of noise! After about 10 mins we had our first top up of Champagne, the Lanson went down a little to swiftly it would seem – I loved the way the waitress didn’t so much as ask if we wanted more just said ‘Please allow me to refresh these for you, they look a little low – Lanson is it..?’. We were then called to our flight so began to make our way... My only advise to anyone who is taking the CH experience through VH is to book a later flight – perhaps VS001 or VS009 would be a better fit and give you more time. I know it says 3 hours tops but we got all of 1 hour – and I would guess you could get 4 hours as they are so friendly. I would however not try for 9 hours in there like I would if I had paid for UC... This will impact the landing time and the customs at JFK – but you get more time in the CH and its well worth it..!
Arriving at the gate which is a bloody long way it seems from the CH – we took the PE line to check in (again no loud beep to say upgrade!) and were greeted with a packed gate... A very English sounding fellow came over the tannoy stating that this aircraft had a strange seating arrangement and that PE would be the last to board... This seemed strange, but I guess they don’t want you sat down with streams of people walking past? Is this the norm? We were however on the plane within 20 mins and due to everyone being early and eager to board. Immediately we were offered another glass of champagne!
My only gripe about the ground crew would be the lack of time in the CH and the boarding of PE last – this could have been made handled better... Perhaps they move all PE to a separate area of the gate and offer them a drink, or let you know early (perhaps at check in and bag drop) so that you don’t run to the gate to miss priority boarding which is why we left so early. Yes, the effect could be that people saunter along 2 mins before the flight leaves or make it late – but clever wording of this could be adhered to avoiding any complications. I didn’t score anyone down on this, but perhaps an option? Also, at the CH they could have clocked this and told us to wait a bit longer and not leave on the first call but on a second call..? No worries either way, but another way VS could make the PE a better offering before the plane! PE will never get a CH, but perhaps this is something they could look at – or perhaps trial with a cost to the CH as the number of PE guests on any one flight is limited and they could drop selected people an email post booking..?
After the welcome drink we pushed back on time and Dancing Queen was soon thundering down the runway – takeoff still scares the life out of me but I was less worried after a boozy morning! Vera was live before takeoff (Some may not like the new safety video, but I think its decent and better than the last one) and before you realised the crew were out with drinks and a Menu. They too make a mean Bloody Mary which went down very well... Lunch was then served – I had cottage pie and it was delicious. I didn’t realise this was on the menu (perhaps a new offering?) and the wife had a vegi pasta dish which was really good too. The fact its china bowls and real cutlery makes a difference, along with the tray you get to eat off – not on a chair ahead of you (resulting in panic if the person moves back – I didn’t miss EC at all!)... Wine was with the meal, a lovely red that went down nicely – then as soon as it was gone I tried the salad, but this was not great – the dressing was poor and didn’t taste good. The desert was however delicious – the wife never likes profiteroles but these disappeared from her plate before I could get a look in with a desire to try these again one day. This was rounded off nicely with a glass of Amarula and it was at this point I think I realised I had drank a lot... Still, an hour or so later a tray appeared with UC Champagne Glasses (very Art Deco style saucers, we have been after a set of these for some time!) and a two bars of Green and Blacks for us with a congratulations on our Honeymoon. This was a bloody nice touch – and made the flight really special...
After that another course of food was delivered and eaten along with a comment that they really do strap on the feedbag – a lot more food than I expected. Post this I settled in for a movie and a nap that was needed – and I left the TV on the flight planner for the duration that seemed to ‘fly by’ - I’ll get my coat... Only one or two other trips into our cabin from the crew offering water and orange juice. I am sure you could ask for another drink – I didn’t but I am sure you could...
I awoke to landing, which in all fairness was a bit rough – a lot of movement at low altitude and corrections and some crazy hard breaking (I did however regain the water bottle that had dropped behind my seat as it came flying forward). The pilot came on to crack a joke ‘apparently we have arrived at JFK’ and an apology for not making it known but we got a decent slot at a runway near the terminal so he took it straight away in oppose to a long taxi journey on the ground. We were off the plane in about 15 mins – and straight through customs.... Now I have heard horror stories about customs in the US and especially at JFK (having had a 2 hour wait once myself!). This time it was a breeze, we were straight through and the customs officer even had a few jokes and a ‘have a great trip’ thrown in for good measure!
For me this is the flight to take for NY – I will defiantly take this one again. Not just because the time works well – aside from an early morning you get a day in NY and straight through customs it seems but you get a decent amount of food and drink... Only one trip with the trolley in the flight, but as I said you could I am sure ask for another – this is my only slight let down, but I think I drank a hell of a lot especially as this was not a night in the pub..!
The crew were top class with smiles and when engaged in conversation they were more than happy to talk to you – which was nice. The PE offering by VS is great and I will indeed be recommending it to everyone who is flying. The seats are great with lots of recline and the wings offer head support to nap on – the footrest is great with 2 settings and the Vera system offers a better source of movies than Sky and my local cinema put together! My only areas of improvement would be to add a news / live sports channel to the entertainment package – I can see the pitfalls in this and why they don’t, but it would be good if they did.
When VS get a flight right they really do get it right – I hear some people commenting on how PE & VS have gone downhill and was once great. I have no benchmark for this so can’t comment – however from my point of view it was bloody brilliant. I am reluctant to call this a great flight as it was more of a total experience – one I will be taking again. In fact I’m off to my local VH shop today to talk about my next trip – and no doubt to post on here asking for advice!
Dan
