V-Flyer

We will be arriving on the 24 from Los Angeles and transferring to terminal 1 to catch a BMI flight. We have quite a wait a heathrow and unfortunately the Revivals lounge is closed when the 24 gets in.

Does anyone have any experience on being able to use the Clubhouse on arrival?

Its not possible, the Clubhouse is after security/passport control in departures T3

You won't be able to i'm afraid - without a flight departing from T3 you won't be able to get airside in T3 at all (which is where the clubhouse is located) - and even if you could you wouldn't be able to access the CH unless departing on a VS flight

There's a servisair lounge that you can pay to access in T1 but would imagine it's not a patch on the CH i'm afraid - but may be a slightly nicer place to wait that the main terminal!

You can't use the Clubhouse on arrival as it's a departure lounge and you would not be allowed to enter. Remember, they have a list of passengers flying in UC and Gold members at the door

duggy83 wrote:You won't be able to i'm afraid - without a flight departing from T3 you won't be able to get airside in T3 at all (which is where the clubhouse is located) - and even if you could you wouldn't be able to access the CH unless departing on a VS flight

If the OP is arriving on VS24 he will be airside in T3 but the question is getting from Immigration to Departures which should be possible given that some people connect on flights arriving and departing in T3

Don't believe you'll be let through security in flight connections in T3 to access the departures area unless you've got a boarding pass for a flight departing in T3 - only option will be to go to another terminal you've got a BP for or to go through immigration to go landside!

Just to add, you can transfer between Terminals from airside, but as has been said, CH is only for VS departures.

Thanks for your help guys.

Seems strange that VS would close the revivals before all their flights had arrived. A strong argument for flying on the 8 back from LA I think.

jmacconnacher wrote:Thanks for your help guys.

Seems strange that VS would close the revivals before all their flights had arrived. A strong argument for flying on the 8 back from LA I think.

Revivals is primarily for people, in particular business people, arriving on the early morning flights to enable them to freshen up before attending meetings. Those who arrive on afternoon flights are less likely to be going straight into meetings given the fact that by the time they get through immigration and baggage claim and get into central London it is near the end of business for the day

honey lamb wrote:

jmacconnacher wrote:Thanks for your help guys.

Seems strange that VS would close the revivals before all their flights had arrived. A strong argument for flying on the 8 back from LA I think.

Revivals is primarily for people, in particular business people, arriving on the early morning flights to enable them to freshen up before attending meetings. Those who arrive on afternoon flights are less likely to be going straight into meetings given the fact that by the time they get through immigration and baggage claim and get into central London it is near the end of business for the day

But think of the advantage to someone like the OP. If Revivals was open for longer, one could freshen up before catching a connecting flight.

Yes, but would you be happy to see the price go up to cover the costs of keeping it open?

jmacconnacher wrote:Thanks for your help guys.

Seems strange that VS would close the revivals before all their flights had arrived. A strong argument for flying on the 8 back from LA I think.

My wife and I are on VS008 in November they have pushed back the departure time from LAX to 1855 so it arrives at LHR after the revivals lounge closes. !

Darren Wheeler wrote:Yes, but would you be happy to see the price go up to cover the costs of keeping it open?

I thought about that too and guess that's probably why it's not open all day

Revivals is open from 5am to 1.30pm so presumably operates on a single shift.

If it opened any longer it would require more staff, significantly increasing costs. Which, for an airline that's already losing money, is hardly a sound business proposition.

Plus, as others have said, Revivals is primarily for business passengers arriving in London in the morning who might have to go straight to a meeting without the chance to go home or check in to a hotel. For flights arriving after 1.30, the assumption is passengers can go straight into town and check in to their hotel.

Darren Wheeler wrote:Yes, but would you be happy to see the price go up to cover the costs of keeping it open?

Not sure how valid an argument that is in this case or how much of an increase there would be. They could always use the Fuel Surcharge to fund it, it's certainly not for fuel anymore :0
The lounge is already setup and in use. The number of staff I have seen in this location has always been small in number, agreed I can't see behind the scenes. From memory one on reception, one taking orders and one behind the counter(?).
Power and lightning probably stay on etc so that will be small if they are charged for it at all.
For VS to limit this UC service (to me) seems a bad move. I have a few times flown in later to get in the office for the afternoon and had to shower when I get to the office.
This is no where near as nice as showering at LHR, having one of those people that work wonders with clothes iron and fix any issues I have then have some brekie before heading of to the HXP.

LovingGold wrote:The lounge is already setup and in use. The number of staff I have seen in this location has always been small in number, agreed I can't see behind the scenes. From memory one on reception, one taking orders and one behind the counter(?).

I am pretty sure it is more than that. Whenever I've been there there have been two on reception, two serving, presumably at least one chef (frying mushrooms ), cleaning staff, spa therapists, housekeeping people, and a woman floating around who is clearly the boss.

I do agree with you that it is just so much better to be able to shower at the airport, but I can't see VS extending the opening times unless the competition also does so.

In fact that last point makes me wonder -- does any other airline have its arrivals lounge open beyond lunchtime?

BA arrivals in T5 is 05:00 to 14:00
AA T3 06:00 to 14:00

at240 wrote:I am pretty sure it is more than that. Whenever I've been there there have been two on reception, two serving, presumably at least one chef (frying mushrooms ), cleaning staff, spa therapists, housekeeping people, and a woman floating around who is clearly the boss.

In fact that last point makes me wonder -- does any other airline have its arrivals lounge open beyond lunchtime?

I forgot about "Boss Woman", you are right. Still think I have only seen min. staff on every time I have been in there. If they are frying mushrooms in there!!!!! ):

Very good point on the other Airline offering this service. I am sure someone will tell us very soon.

at240 wrote:

LovingGold wrote:The lounge is already setup and in use. The number of staff I have seen in this location has always been small in number, agreed I can't see behind the scenes. From memory one on reception, one taking orders and one behind the counter(?).

I am pretty sure it is more than that. Whenever I've been there there have been two on reception, two serving, presumably at least one chef (frying mushrooms ), cleaning staff, spa therapists, housekeeping people, and a woman floating around who is clearly the boss.

at240 is correct with his approximation of the staffing. There are several housekeeping staff who are so quick in cleaning and setting up the showers after each usage so that they are always pristine, plus the ones who press the clothes. The one who is floating around is the one who co-ordinates the CDCs and I have seen three people serving when it gets very busy

honey lamb wrote:

at240 wrote:

LovingGold wrote:The lounge is already setup and in use. The number of staff I have seen in this location has always been small in number, agreed I can't see behind the scenes. From memory one on reception, one taking orders and one behind the counter(?).

I am pretty sure it is more than that. Whenever I've been there there have been two on reception, two serving, presumably at least one chef (frying mushrooms ), cleaning staff, spa therapists, housekeeping people, and a woman floating around who is clearly the boss.

at240 is correct with his approximation of the staffing. There are several housekeeping staff who are so quick in cleaning and setting up the showers after each usage so that they are always pristine, plus the ones who press the clothes. The one who is floating around is the one who co-ordinates the CDCs and I have seen three people serving when it gets very busy

I do fully appreciate what you are both saying and agree, as I said in my last post, to the clothes wizards in the background. We all have different experiences, the times I have been in there the staffing is what I explained, oh, plus the Tristar drivers that start to arrive for people in there.

That aside it still doesn't answer the fact why in this age of flexible working, non-core hours, etc VS still think that people only work 9-5 and if you arrive after a certain time your wouldn't want these services on an UC ticket. Put on top of this that this may be down to a late departure or reschedule time by VS.

Now, if only a small percentage of pax use this service then that is another matter complexity and we only have ourselves to blame!!

I wonder if anyone has that stat??