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Upper Class first time

Posted:
16 Jul 2015, 11:50
by datickner
Hi all!
My wife and I are flying Upper Class for the first time in a couple of weeks. Very excited.
Our flight to Chicago leaves at 9:45am and we want to make the most of our time in the Clubhouse etc.
What time should we aim to arrive at LHR for this time of departure? We may use the Upper Class Wing ... havent decided yet.
We have booked seats 6A and 7A on the A330-300 ... not too close to the bar I dont think. Assume these are ok and best solution for a couple travelling together?
Anything else we should do / be aware of?
Many thanks!
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
16 Jul 2015, 12:03
by Neil
Hi, and welcome.
The CH opens at 7am, so I think anytime around then would be good for your first visit.
This will allow you to get a treatment booked as soon as you arrive, have breakfast, enjoy the treatment and a drink (or 3!) before your flight is called.
Those are good seats I would say on the A330, any of the early/Mid A or K seat numbers are good.
Neil
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
16 Jul 2015, 12:13
by datickner
Fantastic, thank you very much. I did used to have an account on here but couldnt find details so had to create a new one!
So you just book treatments when you get to the Clubhouse? And its one complimentary one per person right?
Definitely a nice brekkie and bloody mary

Thanks again!
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
16 Jul 2015, 12:16
by Neil
datickner wrote:Fantastic, thank you very much. I did used to have an account on here but couldnt find details so had to create a new one!
So you just book treatments when you get to the Clubhouse? And its one complimentary one per person right?
Definitely a nice brekkie and bloody mary 
Thanks again!
Well, welcome back

There are some free treatments, and some paid treatments, and you can book an appointment for one.
Neil
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
16 Jul 2015, 12:29
by datickner
Wonderful, thanks again
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
16 Jul 2015, 13:15
by Hamster
Neil wrote:Well, welcome back 
There are some free treatments, and some paid treatments, and you can book an appointment for one.
Neil
Or two! Though you can only have one for for free
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
16 Jul 2015, 15:06
by flyerdavid
You will love UC, and the CH! The free treatments are fairly limited in number and tend to be 15 mins or so. In the LGW CH last month my OH had the free make-up treatment and loved it and I had a good head massage. The cost of the longer treatments isn't too bad but considering your flight will probably be called at about 9am, you'll probably not want to take up too much time in the spa....You can also have a haircut at LHR.
By the time you've booked and had your treatment plus brekkie and sampled a few different seating spots in the CH, your time will have whizzed by so definitely get there bang on 7am!
Having been on the A330 recently, the mid A side is fine - however you'll find it tricky to chat to each other unless you are a giraffe. It would be marginally easier if one of you were in the middle section, so you are kind of sat opposite each other, but again, mid-flight it won't be easy to chat without raising your voices. The middle section seats are also 6 inches shorter when in bed mode so take that into account if one of you are particularly tall. I'm 5ft 11 and wouldn't have wanted my bed any shorter than the A side seat I was in on the return leg.
My advice would be to both enjoy your suites and ask to dine together - this is possible (and a few couples did this on our flight) - yes the ottoman has more room on the 747, 346 and 787 but it was perfectly fine for me and the OH to sit on for dinner and afternoon tea (we took turns) and for a chat when we fancied it. Dining together is a little cramped on the table but perfectly do-able.
Enjoy your flight - UC is a fab product (even the UCDS, which, IMHO, has more width than the 346 in bed mode)!
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
16 Jul 2015, 15:21
by Neil
flyerdavid wrote:
Having been on the A330 recently, the mid A side is fine - however you'll find it tricky to chat to each other unless you are a giraffe. It would be marginally easier if one of you were in the middle section, so you are kind of sat opposite each other, but again, mid-flight it won't be easy to chat without raising your voices. The middle section seats are also 6 inches shorter when in bed mode so take that into account if one of you are particularly tall. I'm 5ft 11 and wouldn't have wanted my bed any shorter than the A side seat I was in on the return leg.
Also, the middle seats do not have air vents, which can make it quite uncomfortable if the cabin is warm.
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
16 Jul 2015, 15:44
by whiterose
datickner wrote:Hi all!
My wife and I are flying Upper Class for the first time in a couple of weeks. Very excited.
Our flight to Chicago leaves at 9:45am and we want to make the most of our time in the Clubhouse etc.
What time should we aim to arrive at LHR for this time of departure? We may use the Upper Class Wing ... havent decided yet.
We have booked seats 6A and 7A on the A330-300 ... not too close to the bar I dont think. Assume these are ok and best solution for a couple travelling together?
Anything else we should do / be aware of?
Many thanks!
If you can, do use the UC wing. I love arriving via DTCI, a Virgin staff member waiting with your boarding passes while your luggage is whisked off. Definitely the way to start your new life as an UC flyer because as we all know on here, you'll never want to fly any other way. Have a wonderful time.
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
16 Jul 2015, 21:14
by Andie870
we flew Upper for the first time last year. The problem we have now is that we don't want to fly any other way

You must try the Virgin Redheads in the lounge and have a drink at the bar on board. I hope you have an amazing and memorable flight, enjoy
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
17 Jul 2015, 09:29
by dickydotcom
Enjoy. May it be the first of many.
After the redhead in the CH try a peach Bellini.
Dick D
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
17 Jul 2015, 10:55
by datickner
Wow thank you all so much for the wonderful tips, info and best wishes. Really appreciate it and great to know that people are so nice and helpful

We are very excited to try the UC product, though a little worried we'll be sulking next time we have to fly economy haha!!
I think we'll stick with the A seats as we will probably watch movies and prefer sitting that side that the middle. Dining together sounds like a lovely idea though

Genuinely can't wait!!
Thanks again!
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
17 Jul 2015, 11:25
by gfonk
Oh yes, definitely aim to get there at 7am.
I would also definitely make use of the DTCI, just too cool! VIP treatment for sure. Loved being able to get out the CDC and get given your Boarding pass without any fuss or queueing and then straight through private security.
At clubhouse:
Drop luggage off at cloakroom, and shoes for polishing then head straight to spa to book massage, manicure etc then head over for breakfast and drinks. I loved the cinnamon peanut butter french toast and eggs benedict. I cant remember which section of the Vflyer manual it is in but definitely order a couple of redheads too lol then after/before massage etc shoot some pool and chillout.
As others have said the time just flies by!! pun intended!!!
Onboard we always dine together, it really is a nice touch.
ah really should book a flight again soooon!!
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
17 Jul 2015, 15:37
by Sealink
datickner wrote:Wow thank you all so much for the wonderful tips, info and best wishes. Really appreciate it and great to know that people are so nice and helpful 
We are very excited to try the UC product, though a little worried we'll be sulking next time we have to fly economy haha!!
I think we'll stick with the A seats as we will probably watch movies and prefer sitting that side that the middle. Dining together sounds like a lovely idea though 
Genuinely can't wait!!
Thanks again!
It's a great experience and it *will* spoil you!
I managed Drive Through Check in just by using a local taxi company.
Booked my slot, and from the taxi called the drive through check-in number and gave them the details.
Re: Upper Class first time

Posted:
18 Jul 2015, 10:18
by sungod
isn't the LHR CH open at 0630 still? it was earlier in the year