THE FLIGHT: US733 from London Gatwick to Charlotte, North Carolina, operated by an Airbus A330-300. Envoy Class is the airline’s business class product where 30 seats are configured 2x2x2. There are also 263 in economy class. The pilot’s welcome included the flight’s destination, of course, but with the memorable line that he hoped this “coincides with passengers’ travel plans today.”
THE CHECK-IN: In spite of some minor technical problems with the boarding pass printers the check-in was swift and efficient.
THE LOUNGE: US Airways’ passengers use the Number One Gatwick Lounge.
THE SEAT: Seats are 19.5 inches wide with a seat pitch of 60 inches and an electronic recline with lumbar support of 165° although there are 14 buttons to adjust everything out and back again! (The six front seats have a 94 inch seat pitch and a 180° recline and can be bought on the day, subject to availability, for $300 one way). Envoy Class passengers have an 8.8 inch screen in-arm monitor.
THE SERVICE: Pre-take-off drinks were offered and requests for post-take-off drinks taken together with the choice of main course from a good selection. Lunch was tasty and served soon after take-off with silver plastic cutlery. A snack was served before landing but the espresso and cappuccino supposedly available were never offered. Service was efficient.
THE ENTERTAINMENT: The A330-300 is US Airways’ largest wide body aircraft, and features on-demand audio and video at every seat with an extensive library of 65 hours of movies, music, and TV programmes including special programming for teens and children.
THE ARRIVAL: This was swift and painless with a customs and immigration service that was amongst the most friendly and welcoming I've ever encountered in the US.
THE VERDICT: A computer glitch delayed take-off by an hour but apart from this the flight was pleasantly uneventful. US Airways was America's number one on-time airline in 2008 among the 'Big Six' hub-and-spoke airlines according to the US Department of Transportation.
THE DETAILS: US Airways operates a daily service between the two airports with a 10.10 departure from Gatwick (arriving at 14.00) and the return departing at 18.15 from Charlotte for an 07.10 arrival in Gatwick the next morning. Flight times are 8 hours 50 minutes outbound and an hour shorter on the inbound. For more information visit: www.usairways.com Alan Orbell
