Air Vistara Premium Economy Experience
I had written earlier about the complexity of One timeupgrade voucher Vistara often offers to its Club Vistara members. During a
recent trip, I managed to use my upgrade voucher, which enabled me to travel in
premium economy as against the economy ticket that was booked. Refer this
earlier post to know more about the upgrade offer.
In this post I will share my premium economy experience with
Air Vistara
Premium economy passengers get priority boarding after
business class passengers, if any. I could get to my seat early and relax.
There were no one else in the entire row- there were 4 rows of premium economy,
totaling 24 seats. During my flight there were about 8 passengers in Premium
Economy, rest were all empty.
There was no welcome juice, but cabin crew served water,
gave a wet towel to wipe our face and a menu card. Seat pocket had that day’s
newspaper, probably left behind by previous flight passenger, so I spent a few
moments going through the newspaper while other cattle class passengers (which
includes me most of the time) took to their seats. Premium economy seating
isn’t drastically different from economy- width is same, it is 3 abreast or 6
per row just like economy, but the leg room is a few cms more, seats recline a
few cms more and you’re most likely to have an empty middle seat than economy,
since less people book premium economy.
A curtain separates premium economy from business class in
front and economy in the rear. There were no bulk heads. Premium economy
passengers get to access an exclusive toilet in the front, meant for only
business class and premium economy passengers.
No lounge access on the ground for premium economy
passengers.
Upon take off, the food service started. I had to choose
from 2 veg option and 1 non-veg option. I selected a veg option and got this.
Pretty elaborate with curd, dessert, a piece of bun and salad. Got a cup of
apple juice, as well as a cup of tea later. Food was tasty, I took my time to
finish it while the cabin crew patiently waited to clear my plate. Vistara
claims to sell Starbucks made coffee and tea- which obviously feels premium.
Still about 2 hours of flight time left. I decided to sleep
off. I could have slept flat across the 3 premium economy seats in my row, but
somehow felt that doesn’t suit a premium cabin passenger, hence slept in my
seat in sitting position. Probably because I was tired and probably because the
cabin was very peaceful, I slept super well all through the flight and woke up
only when landing preparations announcements came up. Not sure if I missed any
additional rounds of food service, but I doubt- it was about 2.5 hours flight,
so there won’t be a second meals service anyway- but some light snacks was a
possibility.
Got to deplane ahead of the cattle class, could sit comfortably
in the bus. The bus was exclusive to Business and economy class passengers-
there was no crowding of economy passengers and it took us to terminal quickly.
I guess because it was late night aircraft was parked in a remote bay and
didn’t use aerobridge.
Overall Air Vistara’s premium economy experience was a
pleasant one. Do keep an eye on their fares- I have seen some instances where
premium economy fare was cheaper than economy! But typically premium economy is
about 30-40% more expensive than an economy seat. Try once a while if budget
permits or you’d like to treat yourself a bit of luxury.
What is the name of that dessert?
ReplyDeletenot sure, sorry
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