Good morning from sunny LAX - as I finally have something of substance to contribute, I thought I would quickly write up a trip report for yesterday's inaugural LGW-LAX flight on DY7095. Excuse brevity and lack of pictures - I am writing this because I can't sleep from a darkened hotel room
I had booked the flights on the first day they became available, on the assumption that a) they wouldn't last long, b) that despite all the reported problems, they would make damn sure that their first flight is on a Dreamliner and leaves on time for PR and c) I would manage to get an exit row booking this early, which would negate the legroom issue.
As to why: All in (with seat + food + luggage bundle), we paid £440.90 return per person. For an exit row on a brand new Dreamliner, that did seem worth the risk.
I indeed managed to get the exit row we wanted - they were available for a few hours after booking, but quickly went. I kept an eye on the flights and the seats filled up. I also kept checking the temptingly called "Upgrade to Premium" button, but it kept yielding disappointing results. Essentially, it kept offering the price difference between what we had paid and their standard premium price, which didn't fluctuate at all in the months leading up to the flight. At a ridiculous 700-800 quid per person/direction, we decided we'd rather fly on with a proper airline for that level of investment.
We arrived at LGW three hours early (the accident on the M25 had thankfully cleared just in time for us) and proceeded to the checkin desks for Norwegian. It was my first encounter with self-tagging, and the kiosks dutifully asked us for all the US-related questions. Unfortunately, the scanners threw up some random error message and we were directed to the manned customer service desk, because apparently US flights didn't really work with the system (yet?). Thankfully, the queue at this desk was very short and after a very quick scan the bags were off. On the way to security, we came past some ladies in "Fly cheaply to the US" T-Shirts that tried to persuade another lady to join the massive queue at the other end "because self-checkin doesn't work to the US", but we decided to chance it - after all, our ESTA information had been submitted and the kiosk had asked the right questions. All was fine in the end, so half an hour saved and a sign that there were still some "training" issues.
From the windows, Gatwick was awash with Norwegian Dreamliners - I can't help but wonder whether the odd LGW-Stockholm flights on 787s at the moment are not only proving flights, but also technical backup in case a 787 goes poof at LGW.
The stores had a few people in American hats and there was a really tacky display of cheerleaders in the main area to advertise the new flights. We made a beeline for the No 1 lounge - horrible place. After all the good things I had heard, the food took ages to arrive and was cold (and just a measly half a pita bread), everything was dirty and cramped and the space tiny. Even the lift was rickety. If it hadn't been free, I would have been mightily annoyed.
Our gate was announced early, with a beautiful Dreamliner visible through the windows. There were lots of excited looking Manager types around, as well as cake and champagne (and Coke bottles, cute). The crew came out and a few pictures were taken. All in all a bit odd, because no one bothered explaining to anyone that it was the inaugural flight - sometimes, airlines get caught up in their own excitement. We stayed away as far as possible from the shenanigans, and were given two pins to commemorate the occasion - why I would care as a customer I can't quite fathom, but at least they tried to do *something*.
Boarding was on time and a very civilised affair, with seat row numbers actively being enforced - something I hadn't seen in a while. We took up residence in 7H and 7J and it became clear that out of the exit row seats those were the worst choice because they were still quite close to the bulkhead, still nice enough though. Being both quite "bulky", we had been worried about being able to fit width-wise on the 3-3-3 configuration, and while the seatbelts were massively long (yay!), it was definitely a squeeze. We ended up in little arm rest fights with our seat neighbour (who was lovely, there just wasn't room for two arms though), and in the end I swapped into the middle seat with my girlfriend - because I am taller, at the window seat the curvature of the plane meant I couldn't even sit entirely upright, and I couldn't face being slumped slightly to the left for 10 1/2 hours.
All in all, it was doable - just. We staggered the seat backs as much as we could (one reclined, one not), but still didn't have any "shoulder air", so if you'd be traveling with a business colleague and not your girlfriend, I think you'd be too cozy and/or in muscle pain after this. Also, the exit rows were definitely good enough, but the rest of the plane looked in pain, and I saw plenty of knees right against seat backs. Coupled with under seat boxes at the window seats, personally I think a line has been crossed in comfort - I would NOT want to travel in economy if I couldn't have an exit row. That is not to say it is unbearable though - most people didn't seem to expect anything else.
Other than the seating, the flight was really good - we left on time and were sent off with a wash down by the fire crew, which was a nice experience. We had an awesome view of the fjords in Greenland through the nice, big tinted windows - looked like through sunglasses
The air on board was noticeably better, but still no revolution, and we still felt like wrecks at the other end. I also didn't think it was significantly quieter (certainly not like the A380), but then again we sat right by the engine.
Food was a slightly desperate affair, and came with some unidentifiable stick of Quinoa or something, but the chicken actually was quite spicy, the chocolate mousse was quite good and it certainly hit the spot. Before landing, a little lunch box was handed out (again, only to the preorders of course, which seemed to be pretty much everyone), with two cheese and coleslaw sandwich fingers that were really good but sadly too small, an apple juice box and a muffin. All in all, probably the worst economy food I have had, but still edible and satisfying enough. Drinks were slightly disappointing, one tiny plastic cup from a Pepsi bottle and then a tea/coffee round. We had stocked up on 1.5l of Buxton's, and were glad we did.
The crew was awesome, probably one of the best I have ever had. Most of them were actually based out of New York and quite chatty, and they all seemed quite happy. Wonder whether it will last. They kept delivering the Snack Bar orders throughout the flight and were more visible than most other flight crews I've seen (other than maybe Asian flights), and they were really helpful in rebooting my girlfriend's IFE when Android played up - really good choice of movies and music, and so-so TV shows. Nice Google Earth based in-flight map, but still worse than anything you'd find on a smartphone.
The other passengers were also really nice - everyone was in a holiday mood, but not the rowdy stag parties I had been afraid of at all. No crying children, and overall it seemed to be either groups of 20-something's, or retired couples. Obviously also a result of not being full term yet.
Overall, would we fly again? With a guaranteed exit row in a heartbeat, but the potential problems and the spectre of a middle economy seat loom large. The proof will be in the return flight, which will be two and a half weeks after the media looked elsewhere - and I really don't fancy 40 hours at the Comfort Inn LAX...