First Time UC - LGW-MCO

Love VS, but most of my transatlantic travel is booked by my company so use a wide variety of carriers.

VS is always my first choice when booking for me.

I am flying LGW to MCO in January in UC for the first time (My return to the UK is just economy as I may end up not taking the return that is booked).

Just looking for hints, tips or comments about the UC experience.

I know that LGW-MCO is normally the older aircraft, my last time doing this in the back of the plane was not one of my best VS experiences, does this translate over to UC as well. (I know supposedly that this route is a "punisher" route due to the high number of kids and leisure travelers).

I don't know when you last flew on a LGW 747 but they've all been refurbished in the past year or two, including the latest touch screen IFE, so things have definitely improved on that front.

Obviously you'll be able to use the Clubhouse at LGW which, although smaller than the one at LHR, is a nice place to while away 2 or 3 hours. Be sure to book a spa treatment ASAP on arrival if you want one.

The UC cabin on the LGW 747 only has 14 seats and is tucked in the nose so it feels very exclusive and private.

as above, lgw clubhouse is nice to relax in, the staff seem to make more frequent rounds to refill the bubbly etc. than at the lhr ch

i've flown mco-lgw in january, flight was rammed both ways, wasn't noisy in pe, but it's luck of the draw i guess

assuming the layout is the same, uc seating is 1 1, if you're travelling alone, i'd aim for row 8 or 9, as the aisle narrows at the front (row 6), and the bar is at rows 11-12

but if you are with loved one, row 6 is a bit more private as no one will be walking past

i tried for another upgrade coming back, but uc/pe were full up, however i got exit row 75 in the bubble, excellent for sleeping (night flight), it's much quieter up there and there's about two metres legroom in that row, i think it was $60-70 extra at the mco ticket desk, but get there early or the exit seats will be gone

btw delta lounge at mco is basic, there's a bar, but unless its empty i'd rather stay in the terminal and avoid the crowds noisily stuffing their faces with the very basic snacks, i've read that it's one of delta's better lounges <shudder>

Have a look at some trip reports

VS015 and the VS027

the-toolbox/trip-report-index

You'll get loads of info there.

David

Thanks everyone for the info... it is about 3 years ago since I last did this route, it was LHR-MIA the last couple of times I did VS....