V-Flyer

Hi all,

New user but avid reader. Have been trying to register for a few days but couldn't seem to get anything but a 'captcha error'??

We are looking to take 2 reward seats to use up miles to New York this November. There's plenty of availability (UC) but we don't know which flight to choose over any other.

I've read a few TR on the queues....urgh. :0

Would welcome any suggestions. We are only going for 5 nights.

VS003, VS045, VS001 and perhaps VS009 but think 8pm for first timer into NY is a bit late?

It's the VS026 or VS018 back.

Thank you.

VS3 is the best option, I think, if you can manage the early start here (you may want to stay at LHR overnight). It tends to arrive to a quiet immigration hall, and you have an extra afternoon in NYC!

I don't mind VS1 or VS9, but I agree that for a first visit you may want to arrive earlier.

VS45 is thus the other option. I've not had terrible queues after it (in fact VS9 is my record-holder by some distance!), but others have. However, it is a well-timed service, giving you a nice early lunch in the Clubhouse, lunch on board, and afternoon tea before arrival -- and then time for dinner in Manhattan, not that I'm greedy or anything...

NB you are choosing times but also planes -- the 45 will usually be a jumbo (good if you are in the nose), the 3 and the 9 will be an Airbus of some kind. Remember the A333 has the new UC suite, which has received mixed reviews.

Have fun!

Thank you, that's exactly the help I need. It's a first flight to NY for us and it's a bit daunting when you look at all the timings, aircraft types etc.

For ease in getting to LHR in time I think the VS045 is my wife's preferred time and now you point out the CH lunch AND inflight lunch, I may have to get her to buy me those elasticated waisted trousers after all!

Welcome to vflyer ,
There are a couple of things to consider when choosing a ny flight ,is the clubhouse experience important to you ? If you would like a good amount of time in there I would personally go for a later flight than the 3 as I like to enjoy a few hrs in there ,as at240 says you also need to think about what plane you want to travel on ,the 1 & 45 are normally 744s and the best place to sit is the a zone which is a lot more spacious than any other UC area but if you just want to get there as early as poss then the 3 would be your best option , coming back I do like the day flights as I find I don't suffer too much with jetlag the next day

Yes the CH is important, we haven't used LHR and I understand it is the best one. So, I like the idea of as long as possible in there.

We've flown on the new UC suite and it was somewhat cramped but I didn't mind that. I do like to watch movies, so the IFE would be high up on the priority list too.

Blacky, is the A zone upstairs on the 744? I can find 4 versions on Seat Guru and one specifically shows as LHR, not sure how accurate the info.

Does anyone have any seat prefs on the VS045.

I think for the return, we would prefer the day flight and take a hotel at LHR that night, to return at a civilised hour the next day (3hr drive).

Booked. VS045 and VS018. 97 days.....so roll on to next week and I can submit seats prefs/request.

I've been offered 7230 miles for £69.13 (very precise amount). Haven't added them yet but should I?

The a zone is down stairs rows 12 to 19 a & k , only been in it once last month and its the best area to sit IMO and many others on here ,nice and spacious , it will be the same for the 1 & 45 presuming you get a jumbo that is which chances are you will

Thanks, will request something around there when it opens next week. Any recommends on the return VS018.

The 18 should be an a346 , most people prefer to sit facing one the walls me included as its a bit more private so low k,s maybe 3-6 ish or higher a,s 11-14 ish
Think I've got that the right way round

I actually liked 16G when I flew back on the 18 a few weeks ago. 16/17 A and K are also a nice spot IMHO

For jetlag I would recommend a later departure from London, probably the VS9 or 1. Stay awake on the flight, and you're in Manhattan for 8-9pm so only a short time before you'll be in bed. Next morning you'll be up early and ready to go.

I got fairly grim jetlag on the VS3 as I really struggled to stay awake all day, but almost none on the VS17.

Eastbound, I liked the VS18. Nicer than the overnight sectors which are too short for any proper sleep and leave me flagging big time the next day.

Just logged in and requested 16 and 17 A. Five more days to check the return seats..... 90 days and counting now.

I wonder if anyone can help me find out which aircraft I will be on. I know it's subject to change but a couple of sites are giving different stats.

VS18 Friday 30 Nov EHR LHR.

Thanks.

Flightstats has it as an A330. So does Seatguru. What does it say on your seat map in MMB?

The seat map isn't open yet, I think 90 days will be tomorrow or Sunday.

Seat guru has A330-300 but Seat Maestro (the second one on google) gives it as A340-300 and the flight today (same day of week) is a 360....

windy wrote:I wonder if anyone can help me find out which aircraft I will be on. I know it's subject to change but a couple of sites are giving different stats.

VS18 Friday 30 Nov EHR LHR.

Thanks.

30th November is a Saturday

Winter schedule says its a 333

http://airlineroute.net/2013/08/12/vs-w13update3/

London Heathrow – Newark VS017/018 Operated by Airbus A330-300 on daily basis (Previous plan: A340-600 operating on weekends)

Penny_L wrote:

windy wrote:I wonder if anyone can help me find out which aircraft I will be on. I know it's subject to change but a couple of sites are giving different stats.

VS18 Friday 30 Nov EHR LHR.

Thanks.

30th November is a Saturday

Yep, I'm a donut!

I meant Friday 29th.

Penny_L wrote:Winter schedule says its a 333

http://airlineroute.net/2013/08/12/vs-w13update3/

London Heathrow – Newark VS017/018 Operated by Airbus A330-300 on daily basis (Previous plan: A340-600 operating on weekends)

Is a 333 the same as 330-300? Sorry for being a bit slow!

Yes. It's just the industry abbreviation. Likewise A343 and A346 (A340-300 & A340-600) and 744 (Boeing 747-400).

Thanks for that info.

I can attest to the excellent VS3 and arriving at a good time for Immigration.

It was a early start to get to the clubhouse at 7am on the dot, but I was in Upper and managed to get from my seat to outside and getting a transfer in 35 minutes. Bag was 4th off the belt

Ryan, that is impressive. We have opted for the 45, only because we have a 3 hour drive to get to LHR. We're coming back the 18 and will stay at LHR - got a decent deal at the Crowne Plaza with parking using their park and stay club (10% discount off their best rate).

Am hoping to get the final seat request in tomorrow, hence doing a bit of prep on the aircraft details.