V-Flyer

Am lucky to be flying UC (retirement pressie for wife and myself - sssh she doesn't know yet) after upgrading from economy (on VS63) on 5th November but only able to upgrade to PE (on VS64)for the return on the 19th as UC not available.

Is it likely that all UC seats are booked for the return or do Virgin hold out until the last minute just in case someone pays the full fare? Was really hoping to do UC both ways.

Thank you.

checking flight availability at flightstats.com shows no seats left in UC

Thank you Penny, guess its a busy flight back. Wish I could book our seats now bit guess will have to check a few days before our return.

liteonie wrote:Am lucky to be flying UC (retirement pressie for wife and myself - sssh she doesn't know yet) after upgrading from economy (on VS63) on 5th November but only able to upgrade to PE (on VS64)for the return on the 19th as UC not available.

Is it likely that all UC seats are booked for the return or do Virgin hold out until the last minute just in case someone pays the full fare? Was really hoping to do UC both ways.

Thank you.

welcome to v-flyer and its great you are treating your good lady to UC (well at least one way!)

You should keep checking in 'manage your bookings' for upgrades for your return flight but VS does not necessarily offer upgrades (for miles or cash) just because there is space available.

You are also limited by the fact that there are only 14 UC seats on the LGW fleet which also affects the number of upgrades available.

Thats what I thought, I have been trying to upgrade for a while now. Judging by what Penny has checked there may not be any UC seats available in any event. Being perfectly honest as someone who has always turned right to board a flight PE sounds an experience in itself.

Will the refurbished aircraft make that much of a difference to someone who has never experienced PE.

the refurbs are getting good reports,been a few years since we flew on a 747 PE but they were looking well worn by then

ScubaRoo and Jodash, thank you for getting back to me. Still hopeful for an upgrade or failing that a refurbished aircraft. Not sure I really like having to wait 24 hours before departure before knowing what seat I might get. It sort of puts a bit of a black cloud in the background. Will try and book return seats at LGW on departure day at customer service desk.

Another question if I may regarding the Clubhouse. We are travelling out on VS63 on the 5th Nov. If we wanted to make full use of what is on offer (treatments etc - I guess they are popular)is there a best time to get there bearing in mind that there are three flights ahead of us and one after. Will arriving at LGW at about 08:00hrs be too late?
I want to make this a special for her (she still doesn't know about the upgrades)

liteonie wrote:Another question if I may regarding the Clubhouse. We are travelling out on VS63 on the 5th Nov. If we wanted to make full use of what is on offer (treatments etc - I guess they are popular)is there a best time to get there bearing in mind that there are three flights ahead of us and one after. Will arriving at LGW at about 08:00hrs be too late?
I want to make this a special for her (she still doesn't know about the upgrades)

Well done you for surprising the other half y) y)

Invariably there are two therapists on duty at the Gatwick Clubhouse so I would say that if it were me I would regard 8:00 as the latest time to aim for

Remember, arrive at Clubhouse entrance, take up the offer of being shown around and as you walk back, book the treatment before having breakfast, drinking champagne, having your shoes shined etc etc

buns

Looking at the seat map as opposed to the loads looks like there are 3 seats available 10k 11k (near the bar)and 12a
hope im reading that right

Thanks Buns -will aim to be there earlier.
Jodash - seats already allocated for outbound. Cant do anything for return as wont allow until 24 hours beforehand.

I really appreciate all of your advice. I read somewhere earlier on about moving over to the economy line then moving over to the UC checkout saying couldnt be bothered to queue

Well what can I say but everything so far has exceeded our expectations. Loads of brownie points at check-in when we went straight through to the UC line.
Had treatments Definitely a must. Only black cloud on the horizon is that we are flying out on VTOP with a 30 minute delay. hopefully the experience will be just as good. More details to follow.

glad it's going ok and have a great trip