VS044 LAS-LGW 20 AUG 14 (Economy)

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

After a nice 13 day break in LAS, Palm Springs and San Diego holiday came to a close.

Checked in at 12.40 having gone to the airport in the hotel car just after check out. Check in staff kindly moved us to the closest bulk head to the front which is preferred for speedy get off. There was only one other infant on board - same family as were on the outbound plane.

Time in The Club lounge passed very quickly. Keen to try to same trick on way out of tiring out our baby daughter we set up in a glass corner room at the back. We were joined by another family. The room became a bit of a kids corner, and the kids could play together without distracting other passengers.

Boarded at 3.50pm. 2 seats next to us where not taken until last minute when one late boarding passenger arrived. Flight took off on time.

Dinner was served quickly. Usual beef stew for me which I never enjoy. This time they did load the baby meal which was a nice selection of Gerber products, yoghurt, juice etc. Very nice. Hence score of Good for Food.

Baby was sleeping upon boarding and take off but not for long. After dinner we set he up on a blanket on the floor where she played quite happily. We tried to get her to sleep in the empty seat next to us, but she wriggled and moved too much for this space. So she settled asleep on mum's lap for about 3 hours during which time we slept too. Woke up with about 2.5 hours to go. Baby was pretty good throughout with no crying.

Breakfast was served.

Crew were super efficient on this flight. Plentiful supply of water/juice during the night, efficient meal delivery and collection of rubbish and trays. Also very pro-active on tidying the plane of rubbish pre-landing, and very good with baby. Seemed to be well managed by the highly visible FSM.

Overall smooth, enjoyable flight home. Baggage was delayed for most passengers, including our buggy, due to a problem with offloading from the plane.

Sounds like this was a better experience for you and baby than outbound leg, possibly down to visible and pro-active FSM as that does seem to make difference.

Thanks for the TR

Glad you managed a good holiday with your baby daughter, we only managed to the Canary Islands when ours were young, that was enough. Mind you that was the days before Virgin and collecting miles. We have been to Vegas 17 times and did the San Diego, Palm Springs last year. It must have been very hot in Vegas and Palm Springs in August, it took us all out time to manage in October it was still 100 degrees.

Thanks for the trip report. Enjoy your daughter they grow up so quickly.Linda

Mallin
Yes it was hot, but cooler than when we were last there in June. Our daughter has travelled 4 times, 3 to Vegas and 1 to Orlando. We really enjoyed the diversion to Palm Springs and San Diego, and she loved the zoo... First trip to Vegas when she was 3 months was a breeze as she slept virtually whole way and we came back in Upper so had plenty of room. Each time we travel we are learning and trying different ways to make it comfortable for her, easier for us, and to minimise disruption to other passengers. Aside from that first trip, this was best yet with her.

Thanks for two really interesting TRs, disappointing that the crew let you down on the outbound but redeemed by the much better treatment on the return.

I'm always lost in admiration of all of you who take babies and young children on flights. We couldn't afford anyway when ours were small - height of ambition was camping in France! But even if we'd been well-heeled, I would have been scared rigid to try it. The idea of tiring your daughter out before the flight is a brilliant one.

Another great trip report and sounds much better than the way out, the crew made the difference.

We flew PE economy this year and found it not worth the extra money with kids as they don't get the use of the larger seats. Far better to remain in economy and try for the bulkheads!

Sounds like it's not put you off longhaul with a little one.

Fuzzy
Agree, we prefer Economy, as there also likely to be more kids around so any noise that may get created is diluted.
We came back in Upper at Xmas and even though she was no trouble we felt a little on edge in case of disturbing other passengers.