I’ve only flown Premium Economy on long haul a few times — if it’s a work trip, then with luck I’m in Business, and if it’s on my dime, then I am firmly back in Goat class. But press trips sometimes put you in PE as a compromise, and I’m always very grateful for the gesture: having that extra space and seat recline stops you feeling quite so claustrophobic, there is a better class of blanket & pillow, and a nice wide padded armrest.
This was my first trip in British Airways’ version of PE: World Traveller Plus. The seats are both comfortable and clever: although they really do recline quite far back, I didn’t feel that my forward space was being encroached upon by the passenger in front of me. The entertainment options are really wide ranging: I caught up on some past editions of Grand Designs, and there were plenty of current movies, should I have felt the urge. As it was, with only one hour of sleep the night before, I slept the sleep of the just for nearly five hours. A testament to those comfortable seats.
I can’t say that I noticed a massive upgrade in the food, (bar being given a printed menu in advance), but I get a vegetarian meal on flights and these tend to be the same as economy. This time I got a vegetable & coconut curry with tofu pieces.
It may looked like something Posetta Baddog sicked up on the bathroom floor, but it was actually quite edible, almost delicious - apart from having been heated practically to total dehydration point. Those poor mange touts are actually crispy.
I’m afraid I passed on the chickpea sandwich which was the pre-landing snackette — memories of the most revolting thing I have ever been served on a flight — a lentil spread with flaccid damp slices of semi-raw aubergine squished between clammy, margarine spread Wonderbread on a BA Business flight - were effective aversion therapy.
But bless my new favourite person, the lovely cabin crew guy who found me this very acceptable cheese sandwich and choccy biccie. (WHY do vegetarian options always come with icky boring things like raisins? And use margarine which is the work of the DEVIL, but still include milk portions?)
Fortunately I came prepared:
There really is no occasion where a Laduree macaron isn’t appropriate.
And, of course, I got to read an excellent magazine with really interesting features.…
(And, no, you don’t get upgraded when you appear in a BA magazine, as several of you asked on Twitter! My flight was fully paid for by a client.)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations on your feature as the blogger to follow. We like your chic, lady like style. BA will be sending you Business next time to get a sterling write up from you.
Looks a whole lot better than my ‘back of the bus’ experience on United a couple of months ago! haha
http://blog.jaymclaughlin.co.uk/2013/01/in-and-out-of-san-francisco/olympus-digital-camera-347/
My, how beautiful you look in the picture of the article! Like a Brit Leelee Sobieski – wait no, even better and classier.
I’m planning our honeymoon for my wife and I, and she is vegetarian. The British Airways website isn’t 100% clear, so I’d like to know if you requested a vegetarian meal in advance, or if vegetarian options are readily available in flight. I’ve found some more specialized vegetarian options like vegan vegetarian or lacto vegetarian on the BA special request section, but my wife eats cheese and dairy and the like, so just a regular ol’ vegetarian option would be more than acceptable. I’d appreciate any feed back you’d be willing to provide!