V-Flyer

Hi all,

It's been a while since I last flew with VA and on my next trip I have booked the limo service to LHR (my first time). I just have 2 questions. Sorry if they seem a little basic, but I can't seem to find black-and-white answers to them.

1. Limo to Clubhouse - just how easy is it to get to the Clubhouse when using the Limo service at T3? Do you go through security with the rest of the passengers, or do you just magically arrive at the Clubhouse having by-passed all the hassle?

2. When it comes time to board the plane, is there a shortcut for UC passengers coming from the Clubhouse? I'll be flying to JNB, and the last few times I have done this route, when I get to the gate there is always a couple hundred passengers waiting to board the plane and I never seem to be able to find a queue for UC passengers.

Many thanks

quote:Originally posted by sstolp
1. Limo to Clubhouse - just how easy is it to get to the Clubhouse when using the Limo service at T3? Do you go through security with the rest of the passengers, or do you just magically arrive at the Clubhouse having by-passed all the hassle?


There's a dedicated security channel, but it applies for all UC / Au passengers not just those arriving in a limo.

quote:Originally posted by sstolp
2. When it comes time to board the plane, is there a shortcut for UC passengers coming from the Clubhouse? I'll be flying to JNB, and the last few times I have done this route, when I get to the gate there is always a couple hundred passengers waiting to board the plane and I never seem to be able to find a queue for UC passengers.


The last (only!) time I flew UC a few weeks ago there was a dedicated UC / Au / PE channel at the entrance to the gate.

Hope this helps.

Paul

(Edited to remove a really dim response on my part).

The 'no UC queue at boarding' issue you raise has been much-discussed here, with the most common sentiment being: If there's no obvious dedicated line, flash your UC boarding pass at the first visible staff person and ask where the dedicated UC line is...if they have not set one up, you may need to shame them into doing so.

Big picture: whilst it's no fun to have paid a significant sum of money only to be met with a service delivery that ignores one of air travel's final perks for premium class passengers -- dedicated early boarding -- at least the plane will not take off without you and you're still likely to get that glass of welcome Champagne!

Enjoy your next flight.

GJ

When you arrive at the Drive-Thru Check In area you progress from there to the dedicated UC security channel. However this tosses you out at the far end of the general security area into the middle of the Duty-Free area. You then have to navigate your way through there to the Departure Gates area,turn left and make your way to the Clubhouse in Area H. It really only takes a couple of minutes but of course, in typical BAA fashion it is forcing you to interface with as many retail outlets as possible.

When leaving the Clubhouse you still have to make your way to the specific gate. There should be a dedicated line for UC passengers but that can be hit and miss. The perceived wisdom, though is to wait in the Clubhouse for the second call for the flight. In most people's experience most passengers are boarded by then and you can walk straight on to the aircraft

Or like me wait for the final call and only just make the flight

Thanks everyone for the assistance. Like I said, it is the first VS flight I'm taking in ages (I was working in Poland for 2 years). The last time I arrived by train, used the elevator next to check-in to use the 'dedicated security channel' and found myself eventually with all the other passengers at T3's main security checkpoint and took ages to get through. I was hoping that arriving by VS limo, it would be different. I don;t suppose VS have at least created their own security line yet?

As for boarding, there was only one LONG queue to the plane and it took forever to board the plane. Maybe I'll stay in the Clubhouse and have an extra cocktail this time round.

quote:Originally posted by sstolp
I don;t suppose VS have at least created their own security line yet?


Yes, VS do have their own security line for UC pax. You take the lift next to UC check in, then scan your boarding card to get in to the VS security area, which is usually very quiet. Once through security you join the rest of the pax (you will see that the VS line is next to the regular line), in the main terminal, but you will obviously make your way to the CH.

The whole process is very quick, it took us approx 15mins from arriving at T3 to being in the CH recently, and that was with a stop at a couple of shops too.

Neil

And if you use the limo service (which your original post suggested you would be doing) once you are out of the limo at the DTCI point you move seamlessly through the dedicated security channel without having to go through the main terminal prior to that. The first time you do that is on exiting the security channel, which, as I said above, comes out into the Duty Free area

quote:Originally posted by Neil


The whole process is very quick, it took us approx 15mins from arriving at T3 to being in the CH recently, and that was with a stop at a couple of shops too.

Neil


Popped into Netto then, did yer?

GJ

I must say, on reading the heading of this thread, I had a wild and wonderful idea.

When the economy gets back on track and airlines start innovating again and offering new products and services (I remain optimistic) ....wouldn't it be great if Virgin could offer a 'limo' service from the lounge to the plane?!

They could use a few of those vehicles that trundle around Terminal 3 with elderly/disabled people on. A couple of them could depart the clubhouse at the first boarding call, and then a couple departing at the final call, and then one about 5-10 mins after final call (for people like me), and would whisk you all the way to the correct gate.

Obviously the driver would have to wear a silly hat, and the vehicles would be painted purple with the VS logo un-subtly emblazoned all over. They would also feature a small mini bar, and a masseuse. [:D]

quote:Originally posted by aft1981
When the economy gets back on track and airlines start innovating again and offering new products and services (I remain optimistic) ....wouldn't it be great if Virgin could offer a 'limo' service from the lounge to the plane?!


I've only ever once seen this with my own eyes at LHR, on an inbound A380, a pair of pax (with whom I'd shared a golf buggy from the F lounge to the gate at SIN), were met at the L1 door by a driver who took them down the side stairs of the jetway to their limo.

At SIN there is a service where you are met at the jetway and whisked to a special VIP immigration point where you wallow in comfy sofas and are offered beverages while your paperwork is checked and your bags collected for you. It has its own private entrance/exit to/from the airport. Very civilised. Except by the time you've gone through all that, at SIN it would have been quicker to do it yourself.

H

quote:Originally posted by aft1981
I must say, on reading the heading of this thread, I had a wild and wonderful idea.

When the economy gets back on track and airlines start innovating again and offering new products and services (I remain optimistic) ....wouldn't it be great if Virgin could offer a 'limo' service from the lounge to the plane?!

They could use a few of those vehicles that trundle around Terminal 3 with elderly/disabled people on. A couple of them could depart the clubhouse at the first boarding call, and then a couple departing at the final call, and then one about 5-10 mins after final call (for people like me), and would whisk you all the way to the correct gate.



This happens in a lot of airports around the world already. A fair few Asian airlines offer a similar service. LH also offer something very similar for their First travellers to assist them getting from the First Class terminal at FRA to their aircraft. There were a couple of reports on the service on A.net and Flyer Talk. IIRC I even believe that TK currently offer a buggy service on their services ex LHR currently (or at least since they wet leased a Jet Airways 77W complete with a first class cabin).

quote:Originally posted by willd


This happens in a lot of airports around the world already. A fair few Asian airlines offer a similar service. LH also offer something very similar for their First travellers to assist them getting from the First Class terminal at FRA to their aircraft. There were a couple of reports on the service on A.net and Flyer Talk. IIRC I even believe that TK currently offer a buggy service on their services ex LHR currently (or at least since they wet leased a Jet Airways 77W complete with a first class cabin).


United provide(d?) this service at LAX from their First Class lounge to the gate. I feel like some pampered newborn on the thing...people staring at me like I was too young to be aboard it.

GJ