V-Flyer

Is there no end to the handover to Delta I wonder ... now if you're flying BizElite on any DL flight you can drive your car / taxi into the UC wing.

I wouldn't mind so much if DL actually had anything reciprocal to offer .

I imagine Delta's response would be "we saved the airline".

Is it that much of an issue? DTCI has always struck me as being very underused. I can't recall a V-Flyer ever saying they'd been denied use because it was too busy.

gumshoe wrote:I imagine Delta's response would be "we saved the airline".

Is it that much of an issue? DTCI has always struck me as being very underused. I can't recall a V-Flyer ever saying they'd been denied use because it was too busy.

I recall a few people saying they have had to queue at the security channel over the last few months , I guess it kind of takes away the exclusivity of it a bit

That's true Blacky but of course the security channel's used by all business class & elite status passengers on both airlines, not just those who've used DTCI, so will inevitably be busier now DL are in T3 (and will only get worse as more flights move across unless they expand it).

The DTCI element, though, is probably capable of handling a lot more passengers and it seems silly having the staff there doing nothing while normal UC/BizElite check in gets busier.

Haven't they been doing some work there so that may account for the dela

And whatever the delay (couple of minutes??) it will still be much better than the normal priority lane

At the core of DL/VS is I suspect to allow DL to use VS as a key player on the NYLON, in return if you use DL or VS the experience is similar. It would not surprise me in the slightest for DL to eventually move more US slots to VS once DL passengers know more of what they get with VS. DCTI is all part of this? In all ways VS will be a offshoot of DL but a highly lucrative once that a strong position in the UK market and increasingly the US! If you look at the 787-9s basically being the new LHR fleet this rings right, they will focus primarily on the US taking over delta traffic being quirkier and that will be the main selling point. Fancy new planes, sexy uniforms blah blah?

gumshoe wrote:That's true Blacky but of course the security channel's used by all business class & elite status passengers on both airlines, not just those who've used DTCI, so will inevitably be busier now DL are in T3 (and will only get worse as more flights move across unless they expand it).

The DTCI element, though, is probably capable of handling a lot more passengers and it seems silly having the staff there doing nothing while normal UC/BizElite check in gets busier.

True enough ,good points made ,I'll be interested to see if things have changed in a few weeks

Most staff members I've spoken to had said it has generally just got busier and actually not all with Delta flyers. Hopefully the financials will back this up!

I do recall reading on here (or possibly A.Net) about a year ago that VS had a contractual agreement with Heathrow that a certain number of pax had to use DTCI, If they repeatedly failed to get this number, they [VS] could lose the exclusive use of the facility [or face a stiff financial penalty]. I am sure this was for DTCI only, not the Upper Class Wing / priority security.

I would imagine that Virgin opening this facility up to DL BusinessElite passengers will help them to meet whatever target Heathrow has set them.

Kraken wrote:I do recall reading on here (or possibly A.Net) about a year ago that VS had a contractual agreement with Heathrow that a certain number of pax had to use DTCI, If they repeatedly failed to get this number, they [VS] could lose the exclusive use of the facility [or face a stiff financial penalty]. I am sure this was for DTCI only, not the Upper Class Wing / priority security.

I would imagine that Virgin opening this facility up to DL BusinessElite passengers will help them to meet whatever target Heathrow has set them.

Now they have opened it to DL VS can't exactly close it though when they do hit there targets so if word gets spread it could be too busy and like some have said it will lose they exclusive part of it.

GasMonkey98 wrote:
Now they have opened it to DL VS can't exactly close it though when they do hit there targets so if word gets spread it could be too busy and like some have said it will lose they exclusive part of it.

But given the reductions in VS flights and swapping with the DL metal what is the likely net increase in usage?

I always thought the bigger risk in terms of increase in usage and decline in service and exclusivity was access for DL status holders in the CH. As always, I stand to be corrected on this.

I find the automatic upgrade from any economy fare to DL Economy Comfort, especially the new 'enhanced' Economy Comfort on the 5/6 hour transcon routes, for VS Au holders a really worthwhile benefit (in free alcohol alone)!

I also like that VS UC use the DL BusinessElite fast track entrance at JFK T4.

So it's not *all* one way!

In fairness, of the 15+ times I've used DTCI, I've been the only person being dropped off! Usual drop times ranged from 7am-9am. I also don't know of anyone on this board being refused a time slot from it being too busy so one can only hope that it attracts more people which generates more revenue and allows VS to grow! I'm all for it!!

Just like NYLON, I like the free upgrade to Economy Comfort and DL fast track, and the ability to put TSA-Pre on to my boarding cards (I know that isn't really a DL perk but it is pretty useful!). Keep the benefits rolling both ways!

DL seem to be pushing their transcon product (JFK-LAX/SFO/SEA) more in line with their tatl product. If this carries on, I would hope for Sky Club access for VS Au at some point on the Transcon routes.

Keep in mind that the 'enhanced' DL Economy Comfort is priced *from* $99 per sector on transcon routes, so the VS Au free upgrade has real value.

There is one other interesting perk for VS Au customers on DL tatl: if you're going to travel in economy, you might want to buy it on DL metal (as long as you avoid the new very lowest E bucket after Feb, 2015) as VS Au get half price upgrades to Economy Comfort.

In GBP terms it means VS Au holders can upgrade their economy tickets to 'Economy Comfort' for around £30-£50 per flight for, say, LHR-JFK.

It's not VS PE, of course, but that's a good deal.

Hey all,

I decided to register (i've been lurking for the longest time!) because i have a flight booked to NYC in DL BE in LHR T3 in december. Normally i'd have flown VS UC/PE but i decided to go DL out and VS back, just to compare both.

Because of this thread i decided to call upper class support, who said no i will not have access to DTCI as "it's a delta flight", but the VS twitter team checked twice and told me i can just turn up via DTCI with no advance booking.

Is there a way to verify this?

Also, what would happen if i was just to turn up to DTCI and DL flyers are not allowed to use it? Would i be booted back to the main terminal on foot?

So after a bit of confusion VS have confirmed to me that if flying on DL BE you don't get access to DTCI

fusionblue wrote:Hey all,

I decided to register (i've been lurking for the longest time!) because i have a flight booked to NYC in DL BE in LHR T3 in december. Normally i'd have flown VS UC/PE but i decided to go DL out and VS back, just to compare both.

Because of this thread i decided to call upper class support, who said no i will not have access to DTCI as "it's a delta flight", but the VS twitter team checked twice and told me i can just turn up via DTCI with no advance booking.

Is there a way to verify this?

Also, what would happen if i was just to turn up to DTCI and DL flyers are not allowed to use it? Would i be booted back to the main terminal on foot?

You can't just turn up unfortunately you need to give advanced info about the car reg, time of arrival etc.

fusionblue wrote:So after a bit of confusion VS have confirmed to me that if flying on DL BE you don't get access to DTCI

Because technically you're entering a secure area of the airport in DTCI you need to give advance warning and also inform VS of your car's registration number to access DTCI. Call the premier line / Gold FC number for more information on what to do. But basically they need to know about when you plan to arrive, how many bags you're checking (if any) and at least 30 mins before you arrive your car's registration for the automatic recognition cameras to detect you. Unless this has all changed!

You'll also need to ensure that your driver knows where to go.

So i rang upper class support who - despite being told the opposite earlier - they booked me in for DTCI. I didn't have the car registration, so they said to call back later on saturday with it.

I called back and they then said i should not have been booked in for DTCI, couldn't confirm either way and then told me that i need to book via Delta (who, as i mentioned earlier, said no even though i booked via VS) they'll call me back today.

No call.

Don't know if this will help, but here is the Delta press release with specific Upper Class Wing phone numbers: http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=20295&item=124622

They called back about 15 minutes after i posted that (irony!) and confirmed they found my booking and i'm fully booked into DTCI.

All i need to do now is go (next month)!

I wonder if DL will introduce chauffeur driven cars for their ex-LHR BusinessElite customers soon...