Help - haven't flown anywhere for 12 years!

Hi, we're new here, and would just like a bit of general information/reassurance about our forthcoming holiday, flying Heathrow to Boston.

For reasons of family, health and moving house, we've not flown anywhere for 12 years; we've never flown with Virgin; and we've never experienced all the new security procedures at the airport. We're mid-sixties and fairly fit, so no problems there. And because of lack of recent holidays, we have treated ourselves to Upper Class - never flown anything other than Economy before.

We are just hoping to get through security without hassle (have read every available website to get as much info as possible about what we must do and not do) and enjoy our flight. Is there anything we should know/do regarding flying Upper Class and will we really enjoy the experience so much better (Steve is 6'3", so there is an obvious benefit there)? We are staying overnight at Heathrow on our return, as our drive home is nearly 300 miles and we don't want to tackle it with jet-lag: we plan on using the Revivals lounge, as we land early morning and don't want to be at the hotel too early. Is it really just full of businessmen?

Thanks in advance - any helpful comments would be very much appreciated.

Lynda & Steve

Hi and welcome. I think it was a good option to choose to fly UC as that does take away about 70% of the annoyance of checking in and security as VS has it's own private security channel. But you still have to follow the security protocol for liquids, etc

Of course there's also the Clubhouse which is a great place to relax and maybe have a treatment before your flight.

Have a great holiday.

Hi there

just to check you are abreast of the ESTA arrangements? Means no more of dreaded visa waiver form.

Otherwise, just enjoy.

Welcome to v- flyer.
To add to what has been said already I'd also suggest signing up for Virgin's frequent flyer scheme (Flying Club) if you haven't already (it's free and there is currently a promtion running for you to earn bonus miles). If you want to join send me a PM as we'll both earn some bonus miles ( which can add up quickly ).
Flying can be a hassle but travelling in UC makes it a bit more bearable . Something that has come up here recently is travel insurance - make sure yours gives you good cover as it's apparent that policies vary hugely :0 .
DL

A great plan! Flying UC is very, very, relaxing. For us it's become part of the holiday itself.

we plan on using the Revivals lounge, as we land early morning and don't want to be at the hotel too early. Is it really just full of businessmen?

No it isn't, but it nor is it a place designed for lingering.

[preiffer]

While I agree it's normally a 1hr max place, some people do stay longer, and you can get treatments there too, so definitely worth a visit after your flight

[honey lamb]

I've tarried there for more than a couple of hours because of an onward flight much later than the norm of stay and can confirm that it really does get boring after a time. Once you've been fed, watered and showered (in no particular order) unless you have time for a treatment, there really is nothing else to do

Thanks, everyone, for your helpful information and comments.

Being that Lynda could organise for Britain in the Olympics, we are pretty well ready to go! We applied for our ESTAs early on, thankyou Stephen - our travel company had mentioned it when we booked, but we knew about it anyway. We have also joined the Frequent Flyer Club, DragonLady, but thankyou for your offer. Insurance is also sorted out: we went with Trailfinders own, but checked with our insurance broker who said they couldn't do a comparable policy as cheaply as Trailfinders.

Sounds like we stay at the Revivals lounge just as long as it takes to do everything we want: apart from feeding and watering and having a shower, Lynda is hoping to persuade Steve to go for a shave so that she can have a treatment - that should while away a little time!

Lynda and Steve