Which flight to LAX ??

Hi ladies and gents I will be flying to LAX 4-5 times per year and I was just hoping to get some advice on the best flight to be on out of LHR VS 7 or 23 and from LAX vs 8 or 24 thank you for all your help in advance [y].

Originally posted by mavrick
Hi ladies and gents I will be flying to LAX 4-5 times per year and I was just hoping to get some advice on the best flight to be on out of LHR VS 7 or 23 and from LAX vs 8 or 24 thank you for all your help in advance [y].

I personally use VS7/VS8 wherever possible. Traditionally these services were operated by a Boeing 747-400, but since around October they have been operated by an Airbus 340-600. VS23/24 are operated by an Airbus 340-300.

I consider the timing of VS7 to be preferable to VS23 - you arrive at LAX in the afternoon rather than early evening which is preferable if you have an onward journey to make. There are some advantages to the later departure of VS24 on the return though - you could feasably get a day's work done before you have to be at the airport.

The entertainment system might be another factor - you are guaranteed V-Port on VS7/8 while it is operated by a 346, and are fairly likely to get either Odyssey or V-Port if it returns to a 744 in the summer. I'm not sure where we are with the 343 refits - I think the Arcadia systems are being replaced with V-Port, but I'm not up-to-date on that.

Regards,
Barry

Originally posted by bplatt_uk
I think the Arcadia systems are being replaced with V-Port, but I'm not up-to-date on that.

No that's not the case. VS7/8 will be V:Port, VS 23/24 will be Odyssey or Arcadia (although odds of 5/3 in Odyssey favour).

Personally I always went for VS7 on the outbound and preferred VS8 coming home but normally work comittments meant catching the 24.

Phil

[Bazz]

If travelling in UC the 8 gets you in in time to use Revivals, the 24 arrives after Revivals has closed. Like Barry above, I prefer to use the 7/8 but have not flown that route since they dropped the 744. The 23/24 may or may not have the UCS fitted depending on aircraft.

I took the 7+8 combination 6 weeks ago after the same careful consideration. Main reason being V-Port is guaranteed on the long bird, compared to the 343. Also if you travel to the states regulary, leaving the day previous and not arriving back at LHR until mid/late afternoon feels strange to me. Personal choice, but it feels like a trip across the pond to me should put you back into london the following morning. Checkin at LAX can overlap between the two flights, the 8 will get you a shorter wait time for sure....... Hope this helps....

[ChuckC]

Hi Mavrick,
So, you'd be booking the 7/8, right? Seriously, as said above, if you fly Upper Class it's the only way to be certain of having UCS on your flights. Living near LA I think the VS7 westbound is perfect with its 3pm arrival, and the 8 eastbound means that I reach Heathrow well after the morning mist has lifted.

Have a great trip.

Chuck-

Another vote for VS7/8 combination even with the Airbus in use. I just flew out at the weekend to LAX on VS7 and its definately nice to have V:Port to watch and pretty much a guarantee of UCS in J.

I Love VS7! It was my first VS flight 3 years ago. However they have now ruined the trip by using the dreadful airbus (the worst layout in history?), Nevermind, i'll be on VS7 Feb 10.

Bring back 747 please and long live Mustang Sally [^]

I don't think either the 7 or the 23 gives you enough time in the day to do anything constructive so i'd rather get out early on the 7 than hang around waiting to catch a flight.

[Scrooge]

7+8 each and everytime

Getting a little off topic here,but during the summer BA runs 3 flights a day,with the first one leaving around 3 ish if I remember rightly,this gets in at 9.30ish,which for us was perfect,would love to see VS move their times up a touch,but it wont happen,so just dreaming.

A 10am flight to LA would be superb, at least lunch would be served at about the right time. Come on Virgin, sort it out!

Thank you[y] for all your help seems like VS 7/8 is the way to go again big thank you.[y]:D

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by mavrick
Thank you[y] for all your help seems like VS 7/8 is the way to go again big thank you.[y]:D

and just to prove the point we are now booked on those flights

A343 or A346; That's an easy one! A343 is often (always in my experience) old and shabby, inferior IFE, less chance of UCS. You didn't say which class? If it's PE, don't get me going on PE in A343s (cr@p seats, no lavs, no ambience, no FAs, etc, etc)!

You guys are freaking me out a bit. Before I found this terrific site I redeemed some AmEx points for two UCS tickets LAX-LHR. We are on 24/23 (23 by choice...need the later departure). I've tried to swap out our flights without any luck. Am I doomed? No one seems to like 24. Help...someone say SOMETHING good about this. In the meantime, I'll try to swap my flights but am not holding my breath.

[Scrooge]

Please understand something,we are pretty much like spoilt little brats on here,we want the UCS,VPort,revivals,clubhouse,everything,if it's your first time in the UCS you'll love the flight,is it as good as the 7/8,well honestly no it isn't,is it a good flight compared to other airlines J class cabin,hell yes.

Originally posted by tiffnco
You guys are freaking me out a bit. Before I found this terrific site I redeemed some AmEx points for two UCS tickets LAX-LHR. We are on 24/23 (23 by choice...need the later departure). I've tried to swap out our flights without any luck. Am I doomed? No one seems to like 24. Help...someone say SOMETHING good about this. In the meantime, I'll try to swap my flights but am not holding my breath.

Please don't worry, as Jetwet1 says we are spoilt brats here and we want everything.

We generally take flights VS7/8 due to the times, but last year we went out on 23. It was one of the best flights we'd had in a long time (and it didn't have UCS then!)


S

Thank you for all your help.[y]

Hi there - I guess I'm in the minority - I prefer 24/24. I live in LAX and really like the 9pm departure - it coincides more with my sleep time cycle - and I love leaving London at 3pm - so I can spend a few hours (usually not packed with people) in the Clubhouse. I also like getting back here early evening. Also - I have found the 343 to be clean and recently renovated/updated.........just my 2 cents worth. In fact - I'm on 24 tomorrow night. Steven

Originally posted by mavrick
Hi ladies and gents I will be flying to LAX 4-5 times per year and I was just hoping to get some advice on the best flight to be on out of LHR VS 7 or 23 and from LAX vs 8 or 24 thank you for all your help in advance [y].

I used to make LHR-LAX 3 or 4 times a year a few years back, always on VS usually in UC, and like most others I'd say the VS7/8 combination is the best.

On VS7 you arrive LAX 3.00/3.30pm(ish) which by the time you get to your hotel or apartment means 5pm, then you've got several hours to have supper and either an early night for work the next day, or ample time for an evenings entertainment.

On VS8 one is usually out of LHR by midday, and often a lot earlier (once the flight was only 9 hours and if I recall I was out by 10am), which from my pov was great.

[ChuckC]

Originally posted by Stevenla
Hi there - I guess I'm in the minority - I prefer 24/24. I live in LAX and really like the 9pm departure - it coincides more with my sleep time cycle - and I love leaving London at 3pm - so I can spend a few hours (usually not packed with people) in the Clubhouse. I also like getting back here early evening. Also - I have found the 343 to be clean and recently renovated/updated.........just my 2 cents worth. In fact - I'm on 24 tomorrow night. Steven

Originally posted by mavrick
Hi ladies and gents I will be flying to LAX 4-5 times per year and I was just hoping to get some advice on the best flight to be on out of LHR VS 7 or 23 and from LAX vs 8 or 24 thank you for all your help in advance [y].

Steven,
Have a great flight and please give us your TRs. We don't have too many for this combination. Will be interested to learn of the condition of the aircraft and your thoughts on the food, service, of course!

Regards,
Chuck-

Thanks so much for all your opinions. I won't be too concerned if I can't swap my flights...but I sure would love to be able to use Revivals!