VS028 MCO-LGW 28 JUN 15 (Premium Economy)

[buns]

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

After a bit of a rest after my outbound adventures (and of course doing a tiny bit of shopping), it was time for me to return home.

I had booked my transfer between airport and hotel through Quicksilver, and whilst a little on the expensive side, the ability to book both outbound and return journeys and have a stop on the initial trip to pick up groceries was very useful as I was not renting a car this time round. The car was waiting for me at 2:30 and we were quickly at MCO and not having to drop off a car this time around was a big bonus

Anyways, I was at the UC Check In (courtesy of being Au) by 3pm and checked in with no problems at all and handed boarding card and invite to the Delta Sky Club Lounge. Armed with my Boarding Card (SEQ1 no less ), which also accords so-called priority through the TSA Checkpoint, I was on my way. Now whilst this means in effect you do not have to join the initial queues to join the security line, you are merely filtered into one enormous line to be processed. For those who criticise Gatwick Airport at least they have got security processing right!

It being a Sunday, the security line moved fairly quickly and in true TSA fashion, cries of "keep everything in bags and do not remove shoes" went up when the line started to come to a halt. Through the melee, I was on the transit and installed in the Outback having that last US Burger and Beer much quicker than i have encountered mid week.

Travelling on a Sunday also has the benefit of a Sky Lounge not full to overflowing and being able to have a choice of seats!! I think the team in there recognised me as my provided JD and Diet Coke did seem a little strong As I mentioned in my previous TR back from Orlando, although this may not be a Clubhouse, the fact that VS Ground staff escort you from the Lounge is a service that is far more welcome than a spa treatment

Escorted (with others who were travelling in UC) to the Gate, I was on board and first in the PE Cabin on the Upper Deck. I was soon offered a welcome drink and shortly afterwards joined by the occupant of 24H - who turned out to be a positioning crew member from the flight that had come in from Glasgow the previous day.

It turned out this was a very light flight (only 240), the crew member opted to move back to have his own row in Economy, so I had plenty of space for the flight back home

Despite all efforts to push back early this was to no avail (but at least we were not caught by the tremendous thunderstorms that had been plaguing Orlando during my stay and had closed the Airport on a number of occasions). Into the air and waving a farewell to Orlando, I settled back to what was to be an excellent journey.

The CC were excellent and began service in no time with hot towels, followed by drinks. The FSM visited and thanked me for my continued custom and offered a drink from UC too!!

Menu

Beef and Newcastle Ale Stew
Chicken tikka masala
Cannelloni with pomodoro sauce (v)

These choices were aided and abetted cherry almond tart, Monterey jack cheese and of course rolls. For those who partake in wine they offer Spanish White and South African Red.

After the meal service, the FSM again visited and presented a cheese plate from UC - most appreciated I can tell you

I did not watch any of the IFE and instead listened to my own tunes before taking a nap until the stirrings of breakfast awoke me.

The options were English breakfast (scrambled eggs and sausage) or vegetarian (mushroom frittata). I went for the English and now the baked beans have been dispensed with, the breakfast was not half bad.

All was set for an arrival at Gatwick on time - which was achieved. However unbeknown to us, the night before had seen a a major power outage at the Airport and when we arrived at the Gate, it was discovered that the jetway would not work An hour later those enterprising people at Swissport (NOT!) managed to get some steps to the aircraft and we were able to disembark.

The air-conditioning and E Gates were also having funny turns as a result of the power cut, so the arrival put a bit of a dampener on what was other wise an excellent experience and on reflection, this could not be attributed to VS in anyway, just Swissport who could have done better.

So all in all and excellent experience and I look forward to my next trip. That said the Buns Itinerary Calendar is currently quite bare - although after Mrs Buns watched the ITV programme, she said we need to book another holiday

Thanks for reading

buns

Thanks for another thoroughly enjoyable TR Buns - although you do make me a little sad that I have to wait almost 300 days until my next trip to MCO

Brilliant to hear that your AU status was recognised on this flight too. Do you think VS have listened to feedback?

[buns]

Thanks for another thoroughly enjoyable TR Buns - although you do make me a little sad that I have to wait almost 300 days until my next trip to MCO

Brilliant to hear that your AU status was recognised on this flight too. Do you think VS have listened to feedback?

Thanks for your comment

I suspect that VS have not listened to feedback and that we are all still at the mercy of individual FSMs

buns

Another most enjoyable read Buns , sounds like another positive flight and a nice gesture with the cheese from UC .
I got caught up in said power problem myself on that sun when literally 2 mins after setting foot in my room in the Bloc hotel all the alarms went off and we had to evacuate !!
It also affected food being served in the beehive and I had to go to Girrafe instead but I muddled through
Thanks for posting

[buns]

Another most enjoyable read Buns , sounds like another positive flight and a nice gesture with the cheese from UC .
I got caught up in said power problem myself on that sun when literally 2 mins after setting foot in my room in the Bloc hotel all the alarms went off and we had to evacuate !!
It also affected food being served in the beehive and I had to go to Girrafe instead but I muddled through
Thanks for posting

Once home I realised how significant the power problem had been and hope you managed to get away and have a nice time.

This was my point - giving the signifcant of the pwer problems, why was Swissport not prepared?? Hope that they paid VS some megga buck penalties.

buns

Another most enjoyable read Buns , sounds like another positive flight and a nice gesture with the cheese from UC .
I got caught up in said power problem myself on that sun when literally 2 mins after setting foot in my room in the Bloc hotel all the alarms went off and we had to evacuate !!
It also affected food being served in the beehive and I had to go to Girrafe instead but I muddled through
Thanks for posting

Once home I realised how significant the power problem had been and hope you managed to get away and have a nice time.

This was my point - giving the signifcant of the pwer problems, why was Swissport not prepared?? Hope that they paid VS some megga buck penalties.

buns

I did have a nice time buns thanks for asking , yes a shame swissport weren't prepared , if they were in charge of my disembarkation late Monday night they didn't exactly cover themselves in glory there either taking about 20 minutes to sort out the doors which dictate your route when you leave the aircraft were in the correct position so you didn't go wandering where you shouldn't , these things should surely be in place beforehand

[honey lamb]

Ah, the usual Buns excellent offering! But no trips in the diary!! Tsk! Well at least Mrs B will soon sort that out.

[buns]

But no trips in the diary!! Tsk! Well at least Mrs B will soon sort that out.

I wish she would

buns

Thanks for the enjoyable read Buns and glad you were recognised both in the clubhouse and on the plane . Personally I think it makes a big difference for loyalty. I seem to be remembered in the clubhouses in the UK for the wrong reasons , I have to do a health and Safety audit on them lol.