V-Flyer

After 8 years in Flying Club, my wife and I have finally saved up enough for an Upper Class ticket!

We're flying from Los Angeles to LHR on May 22, and I'd love to know as much as I can about getting the most of the experience. We're in 8/9K, which looked like pretty good seats.

What do I need to know about scheduling treatments? Which are the best value?

Also, do you all have any specific routines go through in the LHR clubhouse or onboard?

Jason in San Diego

Hi Jason,

You'll have a fantastic flight, I'm sure

I'm assuming you're referring to treatments in LHR as the LAX lounge is a shared one with Air NZ, and therefore no spa is available. Unfortunately, in London, it's no longer possible for most passengers to pre-book treatments - it's on a first-come-first-served basis, so the tip would be "get there quick"!

And don't forget to make use of the bar onboard. Even if you're not drinking, it's a great way to break up the flight by getting a change of scenery for a while.

preiffer wrote:And don't forget to make use of the bar onboard. Even if you're not drinking, it's a great way to break up the flight by getting a change of scenery for a while.

I'd recommend asking to dine together during the flight. Though perching on the ottoman isn't a viable long term proposition, it's comfortable enough for the duration of a meal.

You 'll have a great time . The NZ lounge in LA is a nice lounge but not a patch on the LHR CH . I personally would change from 8/9 K if possible simply because the bassinet is located at 8G.
DL

What about what happens in the LHR clubhouse? How does the arrivals lounge work?

hstansbury wrote:What about what happens in the LHR clubhouse? How does the arrivals lounge work?

Arrivals lounge at LHR is separate from the main CH, it's post customs/baggage hall, walk though the masses in the arrival hall and it's in the far back right hand corner up one level in the elevator. It is sign posted. Worth noting that it shuts at 1:30pm.

Here: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/us/en/the-virgin-experience/our-clubhouses/revivals-lounge.html

You don't say whether your trip is a return or just one way in UC, nor which of the LAX flights you are on. So, depending on the answers:

- If you're on the VS008 then arrivals may be a squeeze since it's scheduled to arrive at 12.05 pm and arrivals is post immigration and customs and closes at 1.30 pm (arrivals is really aimed at arriving business passengers who need to go to work post flight). If you're on the VS24 then don't worry about arrivals, you'll miss it.
- Onboard do try and dine together, it is pleasant although as said the ottoman is wearing on the bum after a long time.
- Do ask to be shown how the seat works and for the crew to make up your bed when on board.
- Enjoy some time at the bar onboard.
- Enjoy the Air NZ Koru club in LAX, it is a very pleasant lounge and the wine selection is very good.

- If you are also returning in UC then get to LHR as early as you can. It is not unknown for people to spend 6+ hours in the LHR clubhouse to enjoy all that it has to offer.
- On arrival go to the spa and book appointments, the earlier you arrive, the more likely you'll get a treatment. Somethings like the jacuzzi / sauna do not need appointments.
- Enjoy the restaurant, deli, games tables, bar etc.
- The V-Flyer cocktail of record is a mojito, a champagne mojito if you're suitably up for it!
- Go viewing on the roofdeck.

Lastly, the trip reports section of V-Flyer is organized to make it easy to read reports from your flight numbers, check them out!

As others have said, if you're only flying UC one way, from LAX to LHR, you won't get to experience the Virgin clubhouse.

If you're on the early flight, the VS8, assuming it's on time and the queues at LHR immigration aren't horrendous (!!!), you'll just about have time for a quick shower and either some brunch or a treatment in the revivals lounge before it closes at 1.30. But the VS8 is normally the last flight it services and, from experience, few passengers use it and the staff will be getting ready to close.

If you're on the later flight, the VS24, there'll be nothing for you at LHR.

The full clubhouse is only available to passengers departing from LHR, not arriving. At LAX, there is no clubhouse and Virgin use the Air New Zealand lounge which is nice enough but certainly not a patch on the LHR clubhouse.

hstansbury wrote:We're flying from Los Angeles to LHR on May 22, and I'd love to know as much as I can about getting the most of the experience. We're in 8/9K, which looked like pretty good seats.

Hi Jason-

Coincidentally, my wife and I are also taking our first Virgin UC trip... also from LAX to LHR... also on May 22nd. If you're also on VS24, looks like we'll be sitting a seat apart as we're in 5/6K.

A question for all you UC vets... From what I've been reading, most people switch into the sleep suits before takeoff. I know this sounds silly, but are the WC big enough (and clean enough) to change clothes in?

-Scott

scottman wrote: I know this sounds silly, but are the WC big enough (and clean enough) to change clothes in?

-Scott

The loos in UC are the same size as others on the aircraft so they're not spacious (cat and swing...) . Pre- flight the floor will be generally dry -this isn't always the case later on :$ (and the reason I wear a pair of slippers on my feet when out of my suite ).General etiquette dictates that removal of clothing should be done behind a locked door but I (and I'm not alone) have beeen exposed to passengers disrobing in the main cabin :0 :0 . Yeuk !!
DL

scottman wrote:A question for all you UC vets... From what I've been reading, most people switch into the sleep suits before takeoff. I know this sounds silly, but are the WC big enough (and clean enough) to change clothes in?

-Scott

I always change after take-off, you never know when you need all your kit on!

The loos are big enough but if you're Lawrence Dallaglio sized that may require some contortionism!

Personally I don't use the ninja suits and wear my own sleep wear and I'm not alone in this.

I have seen recently on FT on the BAEC forum by crew that changing into sleepwear prior to takeoff is frowned upon as you wouldn't want to be wearing that stuff in the event of an evacuation.

However personally speaking I do slip in ASAP into me PJs. I use the loos. Somehow, the OH manages to do it in the seat. Don't ask how. I never notice, but I display my disdain once I realise. It's a laydeee's prerogative to know how. Some kind of magician thing.

I am still shocked when she does it. No shame, no shame.

Cheers, Howard

In short, it sounds like the Clubhouse will be closed upon arrival to LHR, and I should arrive several hours early to LHR on my return flight, correct?

Scott, looking forward to meeting you!

Jason

hstansbury wrote:In short, it sounds like the Clubhouse will be closed upon arrival to LHR, and I should arrive several hours early to LHR on my return flight, correct?

Scott, looking forward to meeting you!

Jason

Jason REVIVALS (the arrivals) lounge will be closed when you fly into LHR from the US. You won't have access to the CH as an incoming passenger.

As to your return, if it was me and I had the chance to do some extra sighseeing before going home or sitting in the CH (however nice it is) then the sightseeing will win out.

Personally 3 hours is about my limit in the CH for a planned visit but other people have different views.

Enjoy your visit to the UK. If you need any hints and tips on what to do and transport etc don't hesitate to ask.

hstansbury wrote:In short, it sounds like the Clubhouse will be closed upon arrival to LHR, and I should arrive several hours early to LHR on my return flight, correct?

Scott, looking forward to meeting you!

Jason

Yes, the Clubhouse is definitely off-limits to you on arrival

With regard to your return flight, again it depends on what flight you are on, the VS8 or the VS23. If it is the former I would suggest getting there early to be able to book a treatment which is on a first come, first served basis and to be able to enjoy all the delights of the CH. If you are on VS23 I would suggest late morning as by that time the mid-morning flights would have departed and the CH should be relatively quiet.

I've been in the CH for 5 hours or so because of connecting flights into LHR. That length of time becomes a tad boring and as tonty suggests 3 hours seems to be a good time. To try and work out your arrival time, especially if you are on the VS 23, remember that the first call comes usually about 50 minutes before the flight time so factor that in when trying to work out when you should arrive for maximum value