Nairobi June 2011

Hello all

First posting but have been keen on reading all your illuminating reports!
My wife and I are flying on honeymoon in June to Kenya with virgin holidays (as that was where our list was) flying PE. We cant use our flying club miles with these tickets- but can upgrade to UC through VH for a fee of approximately £600 each each way. Is this worth it on this route? We've never been UC and are trying to keep a budget but might be tempted to blow it...! I'm quite keen on visiting the clubhouse and have been offered entry for a fee of £110 and wondering about people's views on this.

Apologies if these are a bit silly questions- packing for a short tour of Afghanistan means I'm slightly distracted....

Thanks

JB

[Nottingham Nick]

A warm welcome to the site.

Are upgrades worth it? This is one of the most common questions asked, as people become more experienced fliers. I am afraid that the simple answer is that only you can decide. 8D

The upside is that the flying experience is enhanced considerably in the premium cabins.

Downsides include:-
a)Other than being one of the first off the plane you don;t get there any quicker.
b) You will both be able to think of other uses for the money you spend.
c) There is little doubt that premium class travel can be an addiction. Once you have turned left, it is hard to fly long haul in economy again. 8D

£600 each per leg is £2400!
I think £110 is a lot for CH entry - unless that is for both of you, then I would say it is worth it.

At the end of the day, UC is a great way to make your honeymoon extra special, but £2400 is a lot of money - your call! ii)

Nick

[Decker]

Perhaps just upgrade the return so you have something to look forward to at the end too...

I flew UC to/from Nairobi for my honeymoon and we loved it. However, I wouldnt recommend the clubhouse in Nairobi... really just a small cafe with wireless. Its difficult to say is £600pp each leg worth it... as it depends who you are and what your budget is. I would say do it for the return leg as you get to experience Upper a bit more as its a day flight but then again the LHR clubhouse is quality.

Tough call... ):

As all have said, depends on your budget....

However, I'd be tempted to go down the route of if its possible Grit your teeth and sideline that cash for a post honeymoon break, as you'll likely be excited enough with it being your honeymoon and each others company, and PE's ok..and thats not an overly cheap UG price :0 , so use it for a dirty luxury weekend somewhere a few months after coming back...You appreciate it even more....

eitherway Enjoy which everway you decide

NH

I certianly agree that once you have turned left, that's it long haul in economy is so outta the question. Everytime I look at long haul now it's gotta be J. No more Y long haul

I can't speak for yourself but I'm the sort of person that when I get an idea in my head, I go for it no matter the cost!
Your weddings going to be one of the best days of your life, you only live once so make the most of it, look back one day and know that you had a brilliant time!

You could still afford a weekend away down the line, just stay at premier inn or something instead!!!

Thank you everybody.
I agree with not being able to fly Y anymore- it really is much more pleasant. We could afford to pay the difference I guess but both of us would sleep fine in PE on the way out but maybe coming back might be better to upgrade....
The cost for CH would be £110 for the two of us...
Does anyone have any recommendations for where to sit in PE on the Airbus? We've only been on VS 747s... It's a 300 on the way out and 600 on the way back according to the seat selector and everything is available at the moment....

Lizz- I've never had a bad night in a premier inn!

JB

PS seeing all the requests for load checks is it worth trying to do one at this early stage to try and influence my decision? Forgive me if this is a stupid question- clearly a novice here!

I would actually upgrade on the outbound. It's a night flight, so the benefit of Upper will be the obvious ability to lie flat and sleep. You'll get the Heathrow Clubhouse (saving £110 entry fee), and it'll be a very nice start to your honeymoon.

On the inbound I would stick with PE, because for a day flight that's absolutely fine (in my view).

The best PE seats on the Airbus fleet are row 18 which is the front row but isn't an exit seat. Loads of leg room and nobody reclining in front. However these are only requestable at check-in at the airport.

i agree with previous post, exactly what we are doing on flights to Delhi
upgrade on overnight outbound for benefit of flat bed and clubhouse lounge and arriving fresh and ready for holiday
no upgrade daytime coming back when you dont want to sleep and can recover back at home, (and you could probably pay to get in a Nairobi Lounge for not a lot)

Dave

I would actually upgrade on the outbound. It's a night flight, so the benefit of Upper will be the obvious ability to lie flat and sleep. You'll get the Heathrow Clubhouse (saving £110 entry fee), and it'll be a very nice start to your honeymoon.

On the inbound I would stick with PE, because for a day flight that's absolutely fine (in my view).

The best PE seats on the Airbus fleet are row 18 which is the front row but isn't an exit seat. Loads of leg room and nobody reclining in front. However these are only requestable at check-in at the airport.

+1 to both of these suggestions, row 18 is my favourite on the 340 - seems like loads more space compared to the rest of PE.

Hi, thanks for all your advice I'm very grateful.
I was mid upgrading the outbound until the wife walked in and demanded to know what I was doing. So unfortunately UC has been vetoed because she wants to spend the money on... going to Barbados. So perhaps not all bad.... I am going to book into the CH if I can- escape the drudgery of T3- and use my secret stash of (not very much) cash that I'm told every married man should have. I'll just have to get to the terminal early to try and request row 18- thanks for the advice.
Does anyone have any suggestions of what to do on a Saturday night in Nairobi? Last time I was there I went for fried chicken and did a tour of some salubrious joints- something I think Mrs B might be a little perturbed about. I'm told carnivores has gone downhill (lucky she doesn't eat red meat) but grateful for any ideas.

JB