VS Virgin needs help!

Hello! Have to say I've enjoyed reading all the informative and entertaining posts on this site! Husband and I will be flying upper class VS for the first time and have a few questions![:I]
1. Are carry on bags weighed; says 8 kilos allowed and am curious if this is strict?
2. We have an hour and forty-five minutes to change from T3-T2[:0]; is this possible and will our bags be tagged to come off quickly? Any recommendations to go quickly from T3-T2?
3. As we are connecting to Air France (and are only allowed one bag checked) is it a quick process to use the 'left bag' service at T3?
4. Are the so called 'sleep suits' cleaned prior to use or reused? [:$]
5. Since we won't have time to use Revivals on arrival, could we book appointments on our departure back to the states; our flight leaves around 9:20 am?
Know I've asked a lot...am very appreciative for any and all replys!
Mel

[Pete]

Hi Mel and welcome to V-Flyer

1. As long as your cabin baggage doesn't *look* too heavy, and isn't outside BAA's size restrictions, you'll be fine. Generally your cabin baggage isn't weighed unless there's a reason.
2. If you're travelling Upper (and it's sounds like you are), you should, in theory, have your bags tagged for priority bagagge. Unfortunately that's a bit hit-and-miss, especially at Heathrow. 1hr45 does sound like an awfully tight connection off an international to a intercontinental. Do you have another flight as a back-up in case you can't catch that first one?
3. Not used this facility, so can't help on this one
4. I assume they're always new - or if not, they always look as though they are [;)]
5. You can book appointments for the Clubhouse salon as soon as you have your flight confirmations. There's a booking form on the virginatlantic.com website.

Pete

[mcmbenjamin]

3. Very quick but not cheap.

Hello Mel, I've never had my hand luggage weighted or checked for size, but then I've never taken a suitcase as hand luggage! I doubt you will unless it looks as though you're packing a hang glider in it.

Your bags will be tagged Upper Class and are supposed to come of in the first batch.

However, I think your transfer time could be extremely optimistic. I'll assume you are arriving from the US at that time, and that since it is your first VS flight you are American? Even if you land on time, you've a 5 - 15 minute wait between reaching the gate and into the immigration hall, depending on whether you have European passports or not you could be delayed there anything from 5 to 60 minutes ... if the former your bags should be off quite quickly and after you drop 1 (?) at the bag drop the best way to reach T2 is via an underground walkway ... probably another 15 minutes (it's a long time since I did that). You get my drift ... I'd have a back-up plan or a flexible ticket on AF.

As to the sleep suits absolutely they are cleaned - there was a thread on here recently about the suits, wait, no I probably shouldn't refer you to that [:D].

Go on to the VS Web site and click on the information section about the Heathrow Club Houses and you'll see a list of treatments and there's an email link to book them.

Enjoy your flight!

Originally posted by Mel

4. Are the so called 'sleep suits' cleaned prior to use or reused? [:$]

[}:)]

GJ

Thanks all so much. Really appreciate the help.
Husband is English, I'm American. Hopefully I'm not held up in customs! Unfortunately, Air France hasn't had availability on later flights. They basically said we have to be at checkin no later than a 1/2 hour before flight leaves...that leaves an hour and fifteen minutes to get there...if we land on time.
Our VS flight was orignally scheduled to leave almost two hours earlier, but they changed the flight departure two times now! Our connnection was okay, but with the latest change it's cutting it close.
Thanks GJ...know I can really wonder about those sleepsuits!

Originally posted by Mel
Thanks GJ...know I can really wonder about those sleepsuits!

You can always hope that it was me who wore it previously, as I maintain an impeccable hygine. [y]

Have a great trip!

GJ

One more thought...we are on the top level of the 747. Are UC passengers allowed off first, top level too? Am thinking this might help our time crunch, albeit just a little!

GJ, let's hope I'm fortunate to receive your sleepsuit![;)]

[Pete]

Yes, the top deck will be able to leave the plane before premium and economy passengers, although I'd recommend you explain your situation to the FSM so you can get off first.

[Scrooge]

Where are you heading on Air France?

Hi all, and thanks again for all the great help!
We have been calling for weeks for seat availability and I decided to call just after midnight and see if anything was available as that is when the system updates by Delta (for Air France).
Fortunately, they had two seats available on a 4pm flight from Heathrow! So lucky...we now have 3 hours and 45 minutes....does this mean we now have time to use the Revivals Lounge? I think so! Maybe even the clubhouse for a small treatment? Possibly! Am so excited! We are flying SFO to LHR...cannot wait for the lie flat beds and the whole flying experience with VS!
We are ultimately flying to Toulouse and then off to Whales to spend the holidays with my husbands family!
Thanks again for your time and help...best to all! [oo]

[honey lamb]

Yes, you should be able to spend time in Revivals, but remember, it closes at 1:30pm. That will give you plenty of time to get to T2 for your onward flight

Have a good trip

Originally posted by Mel
and then off to Whales to spend the holidays with my husbands family!

Is Giggsy sperm or blue?

GJ

I can confirm 100% that Virgin will interline your bags with Air France if the whole itinerary is on one ticket. However, if you are travelling on separate tickets then do ask when you check-in, it may still be possible to check your bags through to your final destination.

Mel if you are going to visit family in W A L E S then you really must ensure you spell it correctly, they get a bit funny about stuff like that. LOL im not the best speller (is that even a word!?!) my other posts are testiment to that LOL

Originally posted by johnvscrew
testiment

[:w][:p]

GJ

[:I]Wow...hard to believe I have a degree in political economy from Berkeley...kind of thought about it as I typed 'whales'....how horrifying!
Must be the getting old thing...causes general brain clouds! Maybe it's all down hill after 40?!
[|:)]Will make sure I don't make the mistake again!
Hapy Hollydays too al!
Mel

Originally posted by Mel
Hopefully I'm not held up in customs!

If you are connecting you shouldn't be clearing customs and immigration at LHR...only security in Flight Connections.

The deal with clearing C&I at point of entry is Americanese.

Thanks Speedbird...
We have to collect our baggage (4 pieces checked) as we have to leave 2 in the holding (left bag) at Heathrow since Air France only allows one checked bag per person. Do you know if the location to leave bags is within or out of the connecting area? I know that it is in T3 by the baggage claim...

Originally posted by Mel
Thanks Speedbird...
We have to collect our baggage (4 pieces checked) as we have to leave 2 in the holding (left bag) at Heathrow since Air France only allows one checked bag per person. Do you know if the location to leave bags is within or out of the connecting area? I know that it is in T3 by the baggage claim...

As you are collecting your baggage, you have to clear immigration to enter the baggage hall, collect your bags, clear customs and the left luggage facility is located in the arrivals hall.

To get to Terminal 2 for your AF flight, you walk through the subway past the underground station which takes about 10 minutes.


Speedbird - you can only use Flight Connections if you have no baggage checked or if it has been checked through. Otherwise, you do have to clear immigration and customs if your luggage has only been tagged to LHR.

Thanks Tinkerbelle!