V-Flyer

Hi all,I'm a new member and I'm after a lot of advice and tips about going to new York for a long weekend with the wife.

There are a number of questions I have that I could really do with a bit of help with so all replies and comments will be most welcome.

1) which is the best airport to fly in to?,(I want to stay in manhattan )

2) I'm thinking about going uc (as a treat for the wife obviously) so which flight would be best in order to enjoy the whole uc experience ?most TR I've read people seem to get to the airport very early to enjoy CH etc so I was thinking maybe a late pm flight?

3)I want to be able to pull up outside and have bags and car taken and sorted,is this included in UC travel?

4) I've never flown on airbuses before and a lot of the flights seem to be on them,how does UC travel on an airbus compare with a 747 because most of flights seem to be airbuses or I am I wrong ?(I've not done UC on 747 either)

5) would I be better saving money and going PE?

6) is revivals available at LHR and is it included in UC ? And if I went PE could I pay for it because it sounds like a great service so would want to try it


7) as I'm only going for a weekend would I be better off going PE ,forget CH and catch an earlier flight so we don't get to NY too late ?

I guess what I'm looking for is the best advice to make the trip memorable from start to finish so all comments from you seasoned travellers most welcome

Many thanks

1) Either, there's not much difference getting into Manhattan from either but JFK tends to be busier.

2) the early VS3 flight does mean you will avoid huge immigration queues at JFK on arrival. The later VS45 often dumps you in 2 hr immigration queues at JFK.

3) you can either book a more expensive Upper class fare which automatically includes a CDC to pick you up and then drop you off via the drive through check-in at both ends or just book a cheaper Z Upper class fare (which doesn't include transport or drive through check-in) and arrange your own transport and as long as you inform VS before you travel, you can arrange to use the drive through check-in in just the way as on more expensive upper class fares. This option will be much cheaper and probably your best option.

4) the 747 Upper class seats are slightly wider and have larger arm rests but I dont mind either a 747 or a 346 (the 343's have an older IFE system on them which is not AVOD). The 747's also have a bigger onboard bar.

5) entirely up to you but Upper class will undoubtedly earn you more Brownie points :w

6) Yes Revivals is included for all Upper class fares. The only way to gain entry to Revivals is by holding an Upper class ticket or be a Flying Club Gold card holder. VS do not allow paid entry into Revivals.

7) see point 5)

Just 2 other things.

1. To really make the most of the UC experience, make sure that one of the sectors is a daytime flight so you can enjoy the full UC experience as the night flight services on the shorter flights are (for lack of a better word) brief

2. You need to land at LHR early enough to catch revivals.

Thanks for the replies James and Tinuks,I know it's personal preference but do you both think I would enjoy 747 UC more?,I don't know why but I just think I would and do you know which flights these tend to be used on?
Thanks once again
Blacky

I would recommend a daytime flight back from New York. Ok, you'll miss revivals, but the service on board is much better and I think better value for the money paid. Also means on the last day you can be more relaxed about what you are doing, head out to the airport to stop the night and then have a good flight back.

In terms of planes - the nose section of a B747 downstairs is much more spacious.....however just remember plane types can be changed after booking. I would try and avoid booking a flight with an A340-300 series - you only have a 20% chance of on demand entertainment!

Hi GF,thanks for the reply,have any of the LHR fleet had refits?.i went to st lucia last month and was unlucky in having non refits both ways and although clean they were looking a bit dated and worn to be honest.Also what would be your seat no preference?
Blacky

Blacky1 wrote:Hi GF,thanks for the reply,have any of the LHR fleet had refits?.i went to st lucia last month and was unlucky in having non refits both ways and although clean they were looking a bit dated and worn to be honest.Also what would be your seat no preference?
Blacky

The LHR fleet is not being re-fitted only the LGW fleet.

For me, I prefer the 747 in the nose area rather than the A346, although many on here prefer the A346

Would I be right in assuming that on average they are a newer fleet then?

Blacky1 wrote:Would I be right in assuming that on average they are a newer fleet then?

Not necessarily newer aircraft, although the A340-600's are all less than 10 years old so still young by aircraft life standards. However the LHR fleet has better interiors with AVOD etc than the legacy LGW interiors, if that makes sense.

By contrast with BA you could end up on a 747 that was delivered to them in 1989.

Thanks,been looking at flights and vs25 keeps coming up but I can't find it on flight schedules.is this because another airline may be operating it?

Blacky1 wrote:Thanks,been looking at flights and vs25 keeps coming up but I can't find it on flight schedules.is this because another airline may be operating it?

VS25 (and the return the VS26) is a new route... starts in October, no idea what plane they will end up using for that one (my guess new Airbus A330 ) or how well it will be timed customs and manhattan traffic wise.. sorry.

clarkeysntfc wrote:By contrast with BA you could end up on a 747 that was delivered to them in 1989.

Going to give that a lol... Too true.

Just to weigh in here, agree with most of what the others have said.

If I were you I would avoid the New UCS for the moment (currently doing the VS3 & VS4), there are still a few dents to hammer out..

If travelling in upper I also find the night flight on the way back is better as it allows you to use the lie flight bed, or prop up the bar ii)

For a first timer, definitely fly into JFK and on the way into the city ask the cabby to take the route across the Queensboro Bridge. The view accross the Manhattan skyline is amazing. y)

To answer you question about the Boeing, the 747 usually flys the VS45 into JFK and the VS46 home again, however the arrival time is not very desirable as JFK immigration is usually packed by 4.

My recommendation for a long weekend grab the VS 3 from LHR to JFK on a Friday morning (the new plane's day off y) - usually replaced by an A340-600) and then fly home on a Monday evening on the VS46 - the 747..

Does the 330s have a bar in upper like the 340s because looking at the aircraft database pics it doesn't say bar anywhere?

Blacky1 wrote:1) which is the best airport to fly in to?,(I want to stay in manhattan )

As others have said, doesn't really matter on the way in. You may want to think about which airport to return from, depending on your flight and Club House preferences.

Blacky1 wrote:3)I want to be able to pull up outside and have bags and car taken and sorted,is this included in UC travel?

Only if you use the (expensive) CDC route. You can prearrange to use the DTCI if using UC, but you can't roll up in your own car and have it taken from outside the DTCI. I think (though ISTBC) others may have arranged a valet parking service, have picked up the driver before entering the DTCI and have the valet driver take the car away. I've just used a local cab company.

Blacky1 wrote:6) is revivals available at LHR and is it included in UC ? And if I went PE could I pay for it because it sounds like a great service so would want to try it

It's designed to service the business traveller so is quite brisk. It's a great place to wait for a car though. Per GF's comment, the next time we go to NYC I think we'll sacrifice revivals and take a day flight back for the full service offering.

Blacky1 wrote:7) as I'm only going for a weekend would I be better off going PE ,forget CH and catch an earlier flight so we don't get to NY too late ?

For the full treat I'd go on a early flight but still use the CH. Get there early doors.

honey lamb wrote:The LHR fleet is not being re-fitted only the LGW fleet.

To be fair, the new A330s are effectively "refitted", though the reports are mixed of the new UC offering.

honey lamb wrote:For me, I prefer the 747 in the nose area rather than the A346, although many on here prefer the A346

Another nose of the 747 vote from me.

The 330's do have a bar....

Paul

Blacky1 wrote:Does the 330s have a bar in upper like the 340s because looking at the aircraft database pics it doesn't say bar anywhere?

Huh, had not noticed that... as Paul said yep it does have a bar. It is the blue coloured in area adjacent to row 9.. FYI if you do get an A330.. avoid 9a - directly next to bar, and 9K - has the bottle bank behind it.. :w

I've only ever flown UC once (return to LAX) so I'm far from an experienced traveller in that cabin. But I wouldn't plan my return flight time round about access to Revivals. It certainly looks a good facility, but aimed at business travellers looking to shower and eat before going to work. To be honest, as a leisure traveller, I'd rather just head straight home. I'd also definitely book a night flight coming back - I appreciate coming back from east coast is a much shorter flight in which to enjoy the service, but as a regular economy traveller, being able to put the bed down and go for a sleep was a real luxury to me and really formed part of the experience. We travelled on A346 and I really liked it, but again, I have no experience in a 747 UC cabin which to compare it to. I liked sitting on the side behind the wall as I didn't have to look at other people's feet I also observed that the bar on the A346 is smaller and there was less chance for us to use it, perhaps this may be better on a 747.

Thanks to all once again for the advice,it has given me a lot to think about.i think I will go down the vs3 out and the 46 back if I can ,I want to enjoy the CH so it looks like I will have to get on fizz for breakfast!,I'm looking to go end of nov/start of dec so I will do a TR and take some pics.

Thanks to all once again

Blacky

Blacky1 wrote:i think I will go down the vs3 out and the 46 back

y) y) y) y)

Blacky1 wrote:Thanks to all once again for the advice,it has given me a lot to think about.i think I will go down the vs3 out and the 46 back if I can ,I want to enjoy the CH so it looks like I will have to get on fizz for breakfast!,I'm looking to go end of nov/start of dec so I will do a TR and take some pics.

Thanks to all once again

Blacky

Go for it, bubbly for breakfast is the best way to start a weekend in NYC y)