V-Flyer

Hello V flyers,

I have been a reader of the site for a short time and thought I would register - it really is a great community here. Have been reading all sorts of trip reports and forum posts from recent posts to digging around in the archives from years ago, getting really into it! Everyone seems really friendly and helpful - its nice to find a little corner of the internet where people engage in intelligent, humorous and respectful discussion (most of the time??!?) Even when people have different opinions!! I spend a lot of time reading tech/gadget sites and the forums/comments at most of them are a free for all scrap!!

Just thought I would stop by and say hello.

Have always been a big fan of VS since I was a halfling and a surprise family trip to MCO - the kind mother and daughter that were sitting next to us had some sort of flying club membership/bonus option of heading up to the flight deck of the 747 (possibly a 747-200??) we were on, but the daughter said she had seen it enough times and offered the option to my sister and I - it was awesome to meet the flight crew and look out over the clear skies from the front of the aircraft! I have always had that slight magical/nostalgic feeling flying with VS since then I also remember playing super nintendo games in the seat back IFE - must have been circa 1995?

Do not get to fly as often as I would like but love reading about civil aviation and aircraft though

My good lady and I are booked in on a UC flight from LHR to AKL via SFO with VS/ANZ (coming back EC/PE ) in January and was wondering if we would have use of the clubhouse at SFO as we have a few hours waiting? Or perhaps the Air New Zealand lounge?

Thanks!

Hi and welcome to vflyer ,not sure of the answer to your questions but I'm sure someone will be along soon who will advise .
Welcome again

Hi and Welcome
Hmm as your 2nd sector is not on VS metal not sure if you will be able to use the VS CH but as blacky says someone with greater knowledge is bound to be along soon.
There may be other pay on entry lounges though? if you have time to spare?

Not sure if you will be able to use the VS Clubhouse but as travelling ANZ UC/Business Premier on leg to Auckland you will be able to use the ANZ lounge.

Have a great trip


oldboy

Greetings from my lounge settee !

Have a fantastic trip and don't forget a TR please.

I'll be sure to do a Trip Report Really looking forward to it! Just got to get past the most hectic time of year at work (yes, the C word!) then departing on new years eve, which should be interesting. Have no idea how busy the flight will be - do any of you more frequent flyers have experience of flights on NYE?

It would defo be worth asking at SFO. A polite request and a smile works wonders. In my experience I have always found Virgin not to be a stick to the rules airline for these types of things. If the ANZ SFO lounge is similar to the LAX one you will be more than happy with that (love the showers, wine and views in that lounge). Only flown ANZ once in PE, reminded me of the old Virgin PE where it feels like you are in a small cabin with 6 seats and a chair under the stairs, although no one sat in it even crew. Welcome to VF

There isn't a NZ lounge at SFO but you'll be allowed to use the Star Alliance lounge (probably operated by United) as long as your flying in Business from SFO to AKL.

No lounge on the way back though.

Thanks Tontybear & WPIL - will try politely asking and smiling nicely (although that could scare them into not letting me in!) On the way back is going to be the real endurance challenge - have 7 hours to wait for VS020 back to LHR! Will be making sure I have a good book to read and a charged iPod!

I flew on boxing day 2004 from AKL to SIN and the flight was pretty packed. Like any other day.

I guess it does not stop people travelling at all. I already feel slightly guilty/sorry for the CC, but I guess working on holidays is at least on some sort of rota, you do it one year, you get the next off type thing.

7 hours, sounds like enough time for a little trip away Fromm the Airport!

74shoreline wrote:Thanks Tontybear & WPIL - will try politely asking and smiling nicely (although that could scare them into not letting me in!) On the way back is going to be the real endurance challenge - have 7 hours to wait for VS020 back to LHR! Will be making sure I have a good book to read and a charged iPod!

You won't have any trouble getting into the UA lounge - just flash your boarding passes!

7 hours is long enough to get the BART into the city and have a wander and something to eat rather than spend it at the airport.

Whilst at SFO visit the museum plus they have exhibition cases dotted all over the terminal.

WPIL wrote:7 hours, sounds like enough time for a little trip away Fromm the Airport!

Yes indeed, although I fear I ( or rather my wife!) will not want to go back to the airport! Do you think it could safely be done? Considering luggage and time to get to anywhere worth visiting!?

74shoreline wrote:

WPIL wrote:7 hours, sounds like enough time for a little trip away Fromm the Airport!

Yes indeed, although I fear I ( or rather my wife!) will not want to go back to the airport! Do you think it could safely be done? Considering luggage and time to get to anywhere worth visiting!?

Yes, plenty of time to go in to the city, do some sightseeing & get back to the airport comfortably for your flight.

oldboy

im pretty sure this is a silly question, but would there be any issues with immigration/passport control?

Welcome 74shoreline, good to hear from you. Am very envious of your trip to NZ, we had a fabulous time there in 2008. We flew UC on ANZ, if it's still the same, it's the same config and seating as V-Flyers' beloved 747 with the lovely secluded cabin at the pointy end.

Have a wonderful time.

...and still in my jimjams at 13:45! (cos that's how we roll where I work )

Welcome to v-flyer. I've no idea about your questions, just wanted to say 'hi' cos I'm skiving. With a 7 hr layover you would surely have time to nip out into the city for a bite to eat at least rather than endure airport food which isn't always the best no matter where you are.

Welcome to Vflyer, like you I only stopped being a lurker a few weeks ago and I have to agree that I am astounded by the friendliness of this forum!! I have used forums on various topics for years and have never seen a community as friendly!!!

(Maybe it's all Brettys champers he likes handing out)

Welcome to v- flyer .
I flew to NRT on New Years Eve a few years ago . There were eleven of us in the UC cabin (of whom two were my mother and brother), less than 120 in total onboard ( on a 346) and zilch in the way of celebrations!
I don't think you've any chance of entering the CH given your onward flight is with NZ but would say that in my experience NZ lounges are just fine ( and serve a darn fine selection of NZ wines ).
Enjoy NZ - fabulous place .
DL

ColOrd wrote:Welcome to Vflyer, like you I only stopped being a lurker a few weeks ago and I have to agree that I am astounded by the friendliness of this forum!! I have used forums on various topics for years and have never seen a community as friendly!!!

(Maybe it's all Brettys champers he likes handing out)

Did someone say champagne?

Me!!!!!!!!!!

ColOrd wrote:Welcome to Vflyer, like you I only stopped being a lurker a few weeks ago and I have to agree that I am astounded by the friendliness of this forum!! I have used forums on various topics for years and have never seen a community as friendly!!!

(Maybe it's all Brettys champers he likes handing out)

lol defo brettys champers effect lol
OT but bretty lol still in PJs after lunch lol

Thanks to all for the warm welcome and all the tips

Looking forward to champagne in the clubhouse on new years eve

Have ordered some v-flyer luggage tags in preparation for the trip!

74shoreline wrote:Thanks to all for the warm welcome and all the tips

Looking forward to champagne in the clubhouse on new years eve

Absolutely marvellous idea, we'd expect nothing less

Have ordered some v-flyer luggage tags in preparation for the trip!

Excellent idea

@gfonk, yes believe it or not some days, when I don't have clients to see, I go into work in my jimjams. What can I say? Perks of working from a home office