This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
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Report begun at MIA - the reason why will become clear later!!!
Transferred to Providenciales airport 2 hours ahead of the flight at 1400. See why when we get there - every bag is hand searched!!!! So take an hour checking in and getting through security at an airport no bigger than your local ESSO service station.
Uneventful back to MIA, bit of rain cloud turbulence, but hey ho! Oh and the coffee they served on the AA flight was rank and the FA agreed!!!!
Worry lines out when we got to MIA as l couldn't see the VS plane on its stand!!!
Immigration was easier , same immigration hall as on the way in but few pax in it!! I guess that when there arent 3 747's full of non-residents going through then it runs more smoothly!! The immigration officer tried to keep the green tear off strips, but l told him that we needed them 'oh yeah, youre right' he replied!! So that was him told!!!! Sometimes they do seem a bit dreamy!!!
Checked in online at Beaches - easy - - and bags checked thru to LHR - go to bag drop and there are 3 pax in queue, PE has 10!! Unfortunately the guy at the front aint happy, wants the manager etc- he threatens to write to SRB!! Dont know what the gripe is!! Overheard something about a flight being diverted to Nassau - dont know if its VS05, but fingers crossed its not!!!
Check in OK, seats 74 a|c as ever!! Ask if flight is on time, told 'l think so' Never a good sign!!! See below!!!
Go through security, 10 mins, so pretty good. Walk to E8 and surprise , surprise , theres no big gleaming white and red beauty on stand!! Bum!!!
Now l've heard that VS often dont cover themselves in glory when there are delays and this appears to be the case here!! The check in staff KNOW a flight arrival and turn around, so why not give the facts. The problem with E concourse is that once you are through security there is only a Pizza Hut express for food, no Starbucks and no full service restaurants, to use the language of where lm typing this - 'it sucks!!'
The flight display board shows 8.00, but there's no one to ask!! Madness! And because we are in the AA concourse the departures screens are only showing AA flights!! Grrrrrr!!!
In addition there is no free wifi upon which to amuse myself!!! MIA my least favourite airport, surpassing even Madrid on a Sunday!!
Its 1800 now and the plane still isnt even here so I will be VERY surprised if it leaves at 2000!!!!! Ah well, maybe we will get an up-op to brighten the day!!! Or maybe a night in Miami - which sounds OK but our bags are somewhere in the airport being rifled through!! And also there are people I miss at home that Im looking forward to seeing at the weekend!! And, l havent been on the forum much so lm sure theres lots of catching up to do!!!
Just took my pic - lm happy NOT!! Wonder where Sharon 'llovetotravel' is - at least we could gripe together!! Grrrrr
Turns out the guy complaining was irked because he has flown Virgin a number of times and was demanding to be upgraded because the flight was late!! Hahahaha - the customer service agent politely told him that he could pay!!! Serve him right - its the only sure way to upgrade!!! Have a chat with the agent - says the 05 is due at 1845!! So might get away by 2000 but my money is on 2100!! Tell him about v-flyer and he writes down my name and the site addy. It would be cool to have a MIA staffer on board!!
1855 - the metal arrives! Inform the gate desk who thank me!!! (hey you gotta try everything for an op-up!!) Cant see us leaving till 1900! Realise that its a good job we didnt come out on a delayed flight like this or we would definitely have missed our connection to Turks & Caicos!!!
Rumours abound as to why its late - again hear that it went to Nassau and that it was delayed because of bad weather - that seems strange because we arrived from PLS at the same time that the 05 should have been touching down!! Will see what they say on board!!! And then see what info we have on vf tomorrow morning!!!!
At least there is a 'priority boarding' line!! So that will ease the boarding process!!
2000 - not boarded yet, but turns out the 05 was definitely diverted to Nassau according to the nice lady on the gate desk - but no one knows why?? Interesting eh?? Oh and Mr 'I demand to be upgraded' is red faced and shouting at ground staff now!! I am a bit tired but really want to slap him!! He and his wife are covered in gold jewellery! PAY THE UPGRADE!!!!! Idiot!!!
2100 and board - its G-VWOW Cosmic Girl Its like coming home!!! Time of 7hrs 30mins!!! They are trying to get 15 mins off this time! Captain apologises for the delay, was definitely down to thunder storms in Miami area and consequently the 05 diverted to Nassau where it was then re-fuelled!!!
Havent bumped into Sharon yet!! Maybe shes shy or not on the flight or maybe shes had a jammy op-up!!
Took a couple of pics of the PE cabin upstairs!! Hear that UC is full and an upgraded pax had had to be put back into PE because a fare paying UC pax had turned up at the last moment!! What a let down that must be!!! To taste the excitement of PE and then to have it taken away!!! Aaaagh!!!
Switch to UK time!
0240 and we take off so should be at LHR about 1010 - lets see!! Fairly smooth out of MIA. Have decided that I'm gonna forgo the food and drink and try and get a bit of sleep!! Cabin seems warm! Thought upstairs in UC was a snooze zone, but the lights have all come on!! Anyway, on with eye mask, socks and in with the earplugs!!!
Next time l look at my watch and its:-
0830!!! Blimey, maybe these seats are better than l thought - lm sure l woke up a couple of times, but I also feel like l had a good kip too!! There were a few bumps on the way, but nothing unusual. Didnt realise that the head rest has 'ears' that support the head really well! Comfy!! Smaller amenity kit - no socks, and still no Lewis!! At least l have a Lewis at home!!!!
Brekky is being served - muffin, fresh fruit salad, orange juice, tea or coffee!! Switch on vport for the first time!! All works OK and switch to the imap to see we have 1hr 41 to go!! Quick freshen up and some coffee!!!
Staff, what l have seen of them, have been good and attentive when required and still have a smile after the delay and the overnight flight!
Due into LHR at 1015 so 2hrs 35mins behind schedule, there are a few people concerned about transfers, thankfully lm not on this occasion!!
As usual we have to stack around LHR and finally land at 1045!! 3 hours late!!! 2 mins for immigration, then 5 mins for bags- the UC and PE bags came off together - cool!!
Meet our driver in the arrivals hall!! Why do people meet their friends right in the middle of the exit route??? GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!
Back home in Solihull at 1245!! Great trip and even with the delay, good Virgin flights!!