V-Flyer

As is now traditional in October, to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary we planned to return to Las Vegas for a few days. We both had 100k miles so we were hoping to get a UC reward flight to Vegas, LA or San Francisco. After spending a considerable amount of time of checking various dates and flight times, it looked like our best option would be to get a reward “PE” flight to/from San Francisco. I decided to phone Flying Club and see if there were any UC reward seats. Spoke to very helpful person who suggested that if we wanted to go UC then there was availability on New York flights. As Mrs N had decided that she wanted to try UC we opted for UC Heathrow to New York and return PE from San Francisco to Heathrow, it also meant that we could spend a few days in New York before heading to the West Coast. So for 82k of miles and all the taxes and charges we had our first ever UC experience to look forward to!
Did the OLCI previous evening at hotel so only managed a very poor SEQ 42. We stayed at Hilton hotel at T4 which was very good and only took 15 minutes from hotel to check in via walkway to T4 and the free Heathrow Express to T3. No queues at check in, very helpful & friendly service and we picked up the Boarding passes and were given instructions on how to get through security and to the Clubhouse. A few minutes later and we were at the Clubhouse – totally amazing service here! It was our first visit and we were shown around and explained all about what we could expect. Sat down and within a few seconds were offered a glass of Champaign. As it was our anniversary we both greatly accepted – we then ordered a breakfast and Mrs N went for a treatment. Now I understand why the Heathrow Clubhouse is so popular with V-Flyers, the food and drinks service is second to none. It became busier as time passed but we were still looked after very well. After the second call we headed down to the Gate. When we got there they had just started boarding UC so we went straight on to the aircraft. Welcomed on board by name and shown to our seats 6K&7K. Totally amazed by the UC cabin, comfort and space beyond all expectations! CC welcomed us and explained everything that we would need to know about how things worked and what to expect throughout the flight. We were offered champagne which set the tone for the rest of the flight. Captain announced a slight delay due to air traffic, but should arrive in JFK on time. Just after 1030 we were advised that we doors were being closed, 298 passengers, flight time of 7 hours 10 minutes and aircraft was called “Mystic Maiden”. Pushed back at 1040 and joined the queue for departures and took off at 1103. Departed in an Easterly direction and as soon as we were airborne turned sharply right over London and back past Heathrow before taking the usual route to New York via Bristol, Southern Ireland, Newfoundland and Boston. Once the fasten seatbelt signs went off, it was what seemed like virtual nonstop service for the rest of the flight. The lunch service was really good and I opted for some excellent Portuguese red wine to wash it down and some Port to go with the cheese & biscuits. Before we landed there was also the tea service of sandwiches or scones with cream and jam. Time really went quickly and it was not long before the cabin was secured ready for landing.
Landing was at 1312 with an arrival at the Gate of 1322. Normally we arrive JFK on VS045 at the busy period, the big advantage of VS003 is that when we got to Immigration Desks there were no queues at all. A few questions about our itinery while in the USA and after a few minutes we were waiting for bags. Bags arrived quickly and we then headed to the Air train and Subway to get us to Manhattan and we were at Grand Central by 1500.
Our first ever trip in UC and it was a really great start to the holiday. Both of us were so impressed by the whole UC experience from booking through to Clubhouse and Flight (in particular the excellent service on board). Virgin Atlantic has got a superb product with UC and has now got us “hooked” on UC and can’t wait for our next trip!

Yes once you have tried UC its hard to go back !

THanks for a great TR and glad you enjoyed yourselves.

Thanks for sharing such a positive experience. Indeed, once you have tried UC it is very hard indeed to fly anything else!!

Jon

Fantastic TR Robin, it's always lovely reading about a first-time UC experience.

Glad everything went well and the vs3 sounds like the best time to arrive in JFK.

Hope you had a great trip and look forward to the PE return TR!

They do sy that when you board and turn left it becomes very difficult to go any other way . Glad you had a great experience and thanks for the TR

Thanks for the TR

It is really god when the expectations of flying UC for the first time are fully realised

However, it does seem that the lure of the Clubhouse will be ever present in the mind of the Mrs in the future

Happy Anniversary BTW

buns

Thank you for the great TR.

Thanks for a great trip report. Glad you enjoyed the Upper Class experience. Having done it once, you will always want to fly Upper Class and nothing else will do.

I love hearing first impressions of the CH and very pleased it was such a good flight too. Here's betting the next flight will be UC too!!!!!!

My best flights were to jfk so have very fond memories, thanks for your tr.

Thanks

Alex

Thanks for all your comments. The whole UC experience made it an anniversary to remember. We'll definately try UC again, hopefully the additional SFO flights mean that we can get a reward flight there next year! I'll post the return TR in due course.

Robin.