V-Flyer

So aren't you lucky for reading this...

Little background -- Taking my wife to London in late June/early July; 280613-070713 is what my current thinking is. She has never been internationally while it has been 20 years since I've been to London. Neither of us have flown any of Virgin airlines.

She isn't the world's best flyer so I would like to "reward" her for taking such a long trip with a nicer seat (at least to London if not R/T).

Only small issue is that we live in Atlanta (which isn't served by VS or VX). In addition, due to family reasons, we would prefer to fly out of Knoxville, TN.
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Having said all of that, my current thought is to fly to DC (DCA specifically) and then make my way to IAD for a VS flight.

I understand that VS offering a car service for Upper Class passengers. Is that on both ends on the flights? If so, is there any restrictions on where they will pick up (or when/timing)?

Is it worth getting a UC seat going from the East Coast? There is a large jump in price from a PE that I am tempted to just go that route East and the UC back home.

If I didn't go UC ... how difficult is it go between DCA & IAD (knowing that the DC Metro doesn't connect the two points)?

If I did fly into IAD from TYS ... I assume that I would need to get my bags and re-check them in, correct?

Anything else that I should think of? And believe me, going another route/carrier is an option that I could consider. Right now, AA & UA are currently the cheapest for Coach... but I'm not sure if I like the timing (especially for AA).

Thanks,

Jeff

Personally I would avoid flying into DCA and then out of IAD, just making hassle for yourself. I'd just fly through IAD and be done with it, it will really make things easier on the day.

Welcome by the way!

Hi and welcome.

The first thing you need to know is that the limo service isn't offered to all UC passengers - only for the more expensive flexible fare buckets.

So assuming you're looking at buying the cheapest UC fare advertised on Virgin's website, that wouldn't come with the limo.
If you do a "dummy booking" online, it'll ask you if you want the limo service and quote you accordingly.

For the record, if you buy a ticket that IS eligible for the limo, yes it's available at both ends, up to 75 miles. But it's not worth paying the extra for IMHO, unless you need a flexible ticket in which case it's a nice perk.

Is UC worth it? Only you can decide that - as you say it's only a 6 or 7 hour flight from the east coast and most find PE perfectly satisfactory for that. On the other hand it's a night flight, which makes the UC flat bed more attractive, and you'd get use of the Clubhouse in the US and the Revivals lounge when you arrive at LHR, both of which are infinitely better than the business class lounges offered by most US carriers.

Have you looked at transferring in New York instead of Washington? Virgin offer many more flights a day from JFK/EWR than they do IAD, so you may find a cheaper deal, and if you can get direct from Knoxville to JFK or EWR that solves the transfer problem you'd have in Washington. From both JFK and EWR they also offer a choice of day or night flights.

Hope that helps a little!

Thanks ...

Regarding flying direct to IAD -- that is an option, with a bit of a catch (IMO).

The best non-stop flight to IAD (via United) lands at 4:06p (the only other option gets in at 7:20am. Assuming that everything runs smoothly ... is that enough time to deplane, get bags and check in internationally?

Coming back, best flight leaves IAD @ 4:40pm; is 2 hours enough time to deplane, immigration, get bags and check in domestically?

With going through DCA, we would get in at 11:32am and be leaving at 7:50pm so, aside from the distance, there wouldn't be a timing issue.

I haven't looked that closely into EWR or JFK, but will... I think JFK worked better with arrival times into LHR.

Just to echo what the others have said, I would advise you to consider seriously flying via JFK/EWR rather than IAD. I've nothing against IAD personally in terms of service but it can be a bit of a schlepp between DCA and IAD. Additionally, Immigration into IAD for your return can be a nightmare. I have queued for over an hour to get through and that is travelling in UC! We won't mention the time I caught my connecting flight in IAD by the skin of my teeth because of the delay in off-loading the bags from my VS flight :0

Flying through either JFK or EWR you have the choice of new Clubhouses if you choose to fly UC on your outbound, plus the option of Revivals if your flight into LHR arrives before 1pm. You also have the option of a day flight from either airport if you so choose and I found that this minimised jet-lag! If you choose that option I would recommend flying in PE for the simple reason that you would return in UC and have the full benefit of the private security channel and the LHR Clubhouse plus the full UC on-board experience

It looks like your outbound journey via IAD would involve a 2hr40 connection - that should be ok. But on the return, 2 hours is pushing it - as others have said, immigration can involve long lines (although if you're a US citizen it won't be as bad) and there's no guarantee the transatlantic leg will arrive on time.

For flights to London, New York is your best option from the east coast assuming you can find a good connection from TYS. Lots of airlines offering dozens of flights a day including day & night options equals competitive fares and better facilities for business class passengers.

Of course if you were prepared to fly from ATL, both British Airways and Delta fly direct.

Incidentally, I'd agree with what everyone is saying RE going through NYC (JFK or EWR), lots better.

Perhaps other alternatives to look at might be flying from MIA (into LHR) or MCO (for LGW)

tontybear wrote:Perhaps other alternatives to look at might be flying from MIA (into LHR) or MCO (for LGW)

Ah, tonty! I know you mean well but would you send someone who is looking for the VS experience to either MIA or MCO where there are shared lounges and the h*ll-hole that is MIA? v(

I have booked the Limo service for our last 2 trips out of LHR having booked a Z class ticket and it was not that costly that was only for UK

Looking more and more as if VS is just not in the cards for this trip. The only non-stops from TYS to NYC go into Newark. It would be a long wait for the outbound VS trip and then upon return, there wouldn't be enough time to catch my flight back to Knoxville.

I know that I could also go from EWR to JFK but I don't think 4 trains/3 stations with luggage is feasible.

So.. having said that, I'm looking at other options. I did see where US Airways has a TYS-CLT-LHR r/t in Envoy Class for around $ 3,400. Of course, it is USAir, but I haven't flown them in quite a while, so I don't know how their service has been lately.

both my kids flew US Air in the past 12 months to visit us and were more than impressed. In fact my son said 'better than Virgin'

I'm afraid that I'm seeing that remark all to often these days

Afraid I do get hooked into the whole Virgin thing with the Flying Club etc.. but sometimes you do just have to look elsewhere. For me a great Virgin asset is The Heathrow Clubhouse..... but not at any cost.

I just had to book LHR to HKG and then a connecting flight into China. Due to Airline link ups now, if I fly Virgin I have to enter through HKG immigration, collect my bags and then check in locally for the flight to China. At one point I was considering this to keep with Virgin..... The option is to fly BA or Cathay, have my bags checked all th way through to final destination and enjoy the business lounge in HKG rathar than the joys of HKG Immigration and check in.

The Virgin option was £300.00 more money in UC rather than Cathay or BA Business but with the added hassel of bags etc. The annoying thing is last year Virgin did exactly this for me and could easily check my bags through. The option is still there this year but at a cost ! Just to check the bgs through on a fixed date, my UC ticket goes from £3200.00 to £7600.00 ! Bags are the only difference.... who is going to pay that.

So now having to book BA or Cathay..... frustrating but economics win over !!!