V-Flyer

HI- Heading to shanghai in about 8 weeks and have booked Uc for the return trip. I was looking at the times of the flights and to my surprise I see it leaves Shanghai at 10.50 am - Seems very early considering all other Asian flights seem to fly trought the night -
also what is the club house like in Shanghai? Who do they share with ? Also going out via Heathrow , is it advisable to book advance a massage in the Club house? How much time would you think to spend in the club house in London?

For the LHR clubhouse, it's worth booking in advance if you know you'll be wanting a treatment. It's not a requirement to book, but certainly worthwhile if you want to avoid disappointment on a busy day.

Pete

I did this exact flight in January. As Pete says, I would book a treatment in the clubhouse, but be warned it may excuse you from a treatment on board. That will depend on how busy the flight is etc, and what treatment you go for on board. If you go for a Hot Hands rather than a massage, then you will more than likely get a treatment. That isn't to say if you opted for an on board massage you wouldn't get one.
As for time to spend in the Clubhouse. If it's your first time, then as long as possible! 4 hours should suffice.
The clubhouse in Shanghai is a shared clubhouse. It is nothing to speak of, but has a limited supply of drinks and snacks. Nothing like the Virgin Clubhouse so make the most of that when your there!

The return flight is a bit of an odd time I admit. But at least it is at one "end of the day". If it were, say" 1400 it mucks up the whole day.

There is not a clubhouse in PVG. It is a lounge provided by the Shanghai Airport Authority. It is better than the main departures lounge, but not much. You will be able to get hot and cold drinks, a snack or wine/beer. But that is about it - I would not get excited about it. You will find it by gate 17 - go down the escalator as if you were boarding the plane and it is just by the walkway. If you smoke you can nip down to the "delayed passenger lounge" by gate 18/19 for a quick puff. You may find going to the coffee shop land side after checking in more rewarding. It is not free, but the setting is much more pleasant and they do a great "smoked" coffee which is quite a rairity.

Here is a photo of the shared lounge that VS use at PVG from the photo gallery. If you search around you will find plenty of shots of the LHR clubhouse aswell.

Hope this helps....

Further to Rob's post, please note that this is a different lounge to the one I used when I last went in January. I must say it looks a lot better. So I guess VS have changed the lounge they use, and not before time. Please read my previous post bearing in mind things may be somewhat better than my report.

BTW - The duty free in PVG is not much really. If you want a popular brand of booze, smells or fags, then it is fine. Otherwise not really worth a look.