LHR to SYD VS200

Hi all

Have been around a while but my first post.You all seem very knowledgeable. My other half and I are heading off on VS200 in upper class next Thursday. We have flown upper class a few times but this is our longest flight to date.
A couple of questions if thats ok

What time will we be served food on our flights and what type ie dinner, breakfast etc.?
I am told there are showers in lounge at Hong Kong, do they provide hairdryers etc.?
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to manage our time on the flight, ie when should we try and sleep to minimise jetlag

Thanks in advance, i cant seem to find many trip reports for this flight

Cath

H
Thanks in advance, i cant seem to find many trip reports for this flight

Cath

Hi Cath and welcome.

I can see a couple of dozen trip reports for the VS200 with plenty for UC as well on this link then select VS200

From my reading on the LHR-HKG sector you will get dinner shortly after take off and breakfast before landing.

MY only advice on the HKG CH is to get there quick and book a shower as soon as you get there as there are only a small number and its only a quick stop.


enjoy your trip and look forward to reading yoru TR !

Welcome to V- flyer . I last did LHR-SYD in UC last June, The flight leaves LHR late and as I eat late in the lounge I'm happy to have a few more drinks and just to go to bed (assisted by fizz and mojitos I've had in the CH ) and try and get as much sleep as I can before waking up for grub prior to landing in HKG late afternoon/early evening. The HKG CH is lovely but get off the plane promptly to get a shower (yes they have driers). The last trip I ate in the lounge in HKG and then ate on board (so dinner and dinner ) before snoozing and waking up to brekkie before arriving into SYD.
My advice is to take melatonin and sleep sleep sleep where possible. The journey is a killer IMHO even in UC (and it's no better for me even with a stopover :0 ).
Have a great time.
DL

As DL states, brisk walking off the plane at HKG, CH is easy to find, head straight there and book a shower then you can relax for a while.
The food is lovely in the CH, although you don't get long there..

It is fairly nasty for jet lag once you arrive in SYD, the time difference is that great tended just to eat/drink/sleep whereever possible on board (no change there then.. ): )and walk round Zombie-like for first 24 hrs

Could be worse least you'll not be doing it with a 4 year old...:0

NH

I appreciate that I'm going against some of what all the great and the good have already said on here ): , but I did the VS200 in UC last year too (in May)and didn't find the journey at all bad.......
Agree with all the points about the HKG CH; you only get to spend approx 90 mins there anyway, just be sure to get there quickly to book your shower!
The bathing facilities there are first-rate but I seem to remember there weren't that many 'bathrooms' there? 3,4,5?
I wasn't really that observant at the time! It does mean though that if you are not quick off the mark exiting the plane you might not get a shower slot before your onward leg to SYD.
Regarding jet-lag to SYD; it didn't affect me whatsoever?
On landing in SYD we had to make a quick connection to catch our 3hr flight to AKL and on arrival in our apartment in central Auckland we all felt fine.
A good nights sleep was had by all, and that was as far as it goes. I had jet-lag the last time I came back from SFO , had none at all during our Antipodean jaunt........

Well have to agree with what many have written about the VS 200! Was my first UC trip for my 21st Birthday (all alone and made some great aquaintances with people)

I actually couldnt find the VS Clubhouse in Hong Kong, until told to look up when you go through security. (I Promise I wasnt the only one who couldnt find it) Also had an interesting time trying to get into the clubhouse (as the entrance on the upper level wasnt clear!) Anyway yes hot foot it to get a well needed shower, the food served is lovely (and the drink). Its harder to sleep on the 2nd flight after a long nights sleep before, however take into account you land at 6am Sydney time so dont wanna waste a day with jet lag. I flew on to Melbourne and basically felt fine till midday when I walked into my suite and literally passed out until the next morning.

Its more interesting on the return. LOVE the Air New Zealand lounge in Sydney (food and wines are awesome). However when you take off I think around early afternoon it turns into a night flight, but you land in Hong Kong late evening so as I was stopping over I stayed up on that flight and made more friends with flyers and cabin crew at the bar.

Have to agree with DL on the comment about its an exhausting flight even in UPPER, will NEVER do that in economy!!!

Enjoy its an amazing flight, even better when you see your mileage balance of tier points and miles

Platinum Leo

HI,

I did this flight in October, but did have a stop in HK on the way out. As mentioned you get dinner when you leave LHR and can choose to have breakfast or not in the morning. I was pretty well oiled and slept pretty much the whole way. Felt a bit bad in HK, less jet lag more hangover but was abolutely fine on the second leg. Again it was a night flight so slept most of the way arrived in Sydney in the morning and had a full day.

On the way back I would suggest staying awake on the first leg, grabbing a shower and then sleeping to LHR. We both felt fine when we got in and didn't have to crash when we got in which I always do when I come back from a NY economy night flight. One thing I did do on the way back though was not eat on the final leg and no alcohol (not even the champagne) which is very unlike me, but honestly makes a difference. As a very seasoned male traveller said to me 'moisture is your friend' - moisturise all through the flight and you feel a million times better.

I like Nessy found it a breeze in UC, however would never contemplate it in economy though.

Don't forget that UC has freedom menu so you can eat as and when you please.

The last time I did SYD I was also pretty oiled all the way ... I recall hazily stepping out for my CDC in the Sydney morning sunshine with a heck of a hangover and not much recollection of the flight ... which was great!

I wasn't quick enough for the showers at HKG though :# .

Coming back the timing is odd, since yes you leave Sydney late afternoon for an eight hour flight to arrive in HKG late - then sleep all the way back to the UK.

I have to say, my trips have not left me jet lagged, arrival in Sydney, shower, and out for the day works well ... but I do appreciate being able to bed down for the flight when needed.

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I have to say you are all very helpful and I will take on board your advice.
I am not a good sleeper on flights, i think i am a bit nosey!. Saying that i hope the flight being on an evening may help. I will head to clubhouse in Hongkong quickly although my sense of direction isn't wonderful to try and get a shower.

Thanks again

Cath