This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Commenced the return flight process with an early downtown disney check in. Mmm; thankfully not very busy at all but encountered some of the most unhelpful, inflexible staff ever! I had requested a bulkhead with special assistance prior to departure as I am 6mths pregnant(fully understand that I am not entitled to this and the priority is given to those with a disabilty or infants) but fancied extra leg (and bump!) room. Were successfully allocated these seats at twilight check in at Gatwick on the outgoing flight and requested the same on the return at downtown disney.
The lady went to ask her collegue and after a very brief conversaion in spanish he said NO, very firmly. He gave me a mouthful about the fact that my seats were pre allocated in the UK and that he could not change them. When I explained that they had I had secured bulkheads at Gatwick he explained that he was right because he had worked for Virign for 19 years. SO much attitude I was taken off guard. The lady then said that we should have turned up for yesterday's flight becuase it had been very light and we would have secured any seat. Helpful! He then disagreed and said that my flight was in fact only 50% full. Reiterated my requested to no avail and was allocated row 30 H,J&K. My husband was peeved at his attitude so at Orlando, when checking in car seats and pushchair, he asked to see the supervisor. Within 10 seconds she had reallocated us to bulkhead seats 21H,J&K. I was of course pleased, but the ease at which she did this just made me more angry with her colleagues I had encountered that morning. Why SO inflexible?
Anyway, boarded a near empty plane (Hotlips) with nearly all bulkheads free; liked the little economy cabin behind prem ec on the 747 but God, the economy seats are hard! Even lying across 4 seats was so uncomfy because of the seat belts and metal edges; managed a couple of hours sleep. At least I had extra bump room! Supper was a choice of BBQ chicken, beef thing with rice or veg lasagne. The beef was ok and my daughter loved her kids meal. Not much opportunity to study the entertainment as my daughter was then air sick later all the way back to Gatwick and the flight attendants didn't really want to know! Prolonged, bumpy landing into Gatwick left me relieved to get off the plane. Just disappointed with the lack of customer service when I wasn't being unreasonable. BA here I come!