A few questions about UC

I have my first UC flight very soon, and I am looking forward to it. The flight is to SYD, we are using the Limo service to get to LHR.

Should I still use Online checkin, as I guess that we would use the drive thru check-in?

Also, slightly embarassed by this question [:I] As I have never travelled Upper before, I have always had my food given to me at specific times. I understand on UC you can have it when you like. As this trip is 2 legs, would I need to make my mind about what food I would like for both legs on the first leg, at the beginning of the flight? But thinking about it would I even need to eat on the first leg, as I would probably want to go to sleep for this leg.

Are there any other tips you can give me about travelling in UC, don't want to look a fool [:p]

Mark

My (very limited) experience of business class offerings that say you can eat what you like when you like basically means that they will do a normal meal service at a certain time but you are more than welcome to ask for it later/earlier if you wish. I guess due to leaving/arrival times people do tend to want to eat at similar times in general - normally as soon as possible!

Hi there,

VS do operate a freedom menu, however this seems to that they serve the food when the FA want to serve it, on the LHR-HKG as it is a night flight, they will probably want to get the food done fairly quickly to allow people to sleep. However they will take your order and you can eat at the bar! (Always fun champers to hand! [}:)]) The LHR-SYD is classed as to legs of the journey, so you will order your dinner for the HKG, then when you re board at HKG you will order your food for that section. As you will have new crew etc.....

The FA's will ask you if you have travelled with VS in UC and they will show you the seat functions etc, which is great so you don't look silly trying to move the seat etc, however it is very easy to operate.

Just enjoy the whole experience, get to the CH early, enjoy a treatment, maybe some food (CH Burger is LOVELY!) if you are going straight to SYD, I would try to stay awake as much as possible on the HKG sector, and then sleep from HKG-SYD, as you arrive in the morning, so you are getting on their time zone as soon as possible.

Have a great trip, and don't forget to do a TR! [y]

Dominic

[fozzyo]

With UC you can litterally ask for anything from the menu at any time during the flight. After take off they will do drinks with nibbles and then shortly after invite you to join them for dinner. You don't have to at this time, though you can reserve a meal choice for later in the flight to make sure they don't run out.

You will have a seperate crew on each flight, and each one will offer the same service and meal services. And of course don't forget to get to the Clubhouse really early to make full use of the facilities. We booked our car three hours earlier then the suggested time ... don't be afraid to do this.

Only tip is to relax, enjoy the experience and ask any of the staff / crew questions as they will be more then happy to help. Also make sure you enjoy a few drinks at the bar!

Mat

Dont worry I will do a TR, I am looking forward to doing one of those.

I am glad the seat is easy to operate, I had images of me being thrown in the air and doing backflips in the cabin - Phew, that's one worry gone.

Mark, Just relax and enjoy the UC, experience and as the others said if you have any questions the FA, will be more than willing to answer them for you.

[fozzyo]

Oh and recline your seat at take-off - its one of those things that has to be done because you can.

Brilliant, a reclined seat at take off - that is a must!

You're going to have a wonderful time. I had my first UC flight in Dec.

My tips to make the most of the experience:
- Rather eat in the Clubhouse before the flight than when you get onboard. The food in the Clubhouse is exceptional, whereas the food onboard may be good for a plane, but not at all anything special.

- Accept the offer of champagne before take off. You're going to get settled way before economy is finally full, so enjoy the time you have.

- Use the OLCI facility to get the seats you want for the flights. Although you can choose seats in advance, if you don't use OLCI the check-in crew can allocate your seats to other passengers who make it to the airport before you.

- Take note of your flight attendents name when you board and be sure to use it. A friendly gesture goes a long way in making sure that you receive good service.

- A pre-sleep glass of port at the bar is a great preparation for bedtime.

- Put your name down for a In-flight beauty treatment, but don't bother with the back rub in my opinion. I don't think it is hard enough to actually help.

- Don't drink the tea with breakfast if you can at all help it [:$]

Enjoy your flight, and be sure to leave a trip report.

Sascha

sstolp's advice about not going for the massage is sound. Another good reason to choose something else is the In flight beauty therapists are limited (Due to the RSI risk) on the number of massages they can do. Also enjoy slobbing around in your PJ's, and the general consensus is that you can keep them at the end of your flight. Also make sure you have plenty of time to really enjoy the Clubhouse; but don't drink too much

Don't be embarrassed to ask questions, particularly here, but also in-flight. For most people an UC trip is a treat they never get to experience. Of the few who do, for most UC will be a rare treat, and often a first. So there is really no need to feel self conscious.

As others have said, the most important thing is to enjoy the experience and on an LHR-SYD flight you'll have plenty of time to do so.
The food is served as normal and the idea of the Freedom Menu is so that you can request otherwise. A few crewmembers may try and persuade you to have your meal at the same time as most others, but if you do want it at a different time, make sure you insist (graciously;)).

VS.

Thanks for all the kind advise.

I have arranged the car to pick us up a little early. So should get about 4 hours in the Clubhouse, woohoo!

Thanks
Mark

I don't know what time you get to the CH but I can also recommend the Eggs Benedict!!!

Also, if you have time, go up to the roof garden at LHR.... Why? Because, again, you can! I don't know of any airports that have roof terraces any more, so it's great to be outside and smelling the AVGAS!

...and the burger.

One thing I've noted wasn't mentioned: make sure you prebook your CH treatments ASAP. Here's a link to the VS treatment page; there are other ways, including direct email (searching this site will bring up the relevant threads). For a list of what's included in each treatment, see the left-hand information column.

One recurrent problem many are reporting lately is a tendency for appointments to go awry (cancelled, rescheduled, or just plain unknown). PRINT OUT your confirmation email and take it with you. If something goes wrong, you can show you didn't make the error. Also give yourself enough time for the treatment, and don't cut it too close to your presumed limo arrival - one Security slowdown and you will be too late. Since you're arriving early, you will have plenty of time!

You'll have a great time! May I suggest you pack your largest shoes for wearing inflight/in the airport on this flight and its return - upon landing at SYD, your feet will probably be swollen, even if you have them up part of the way. It's a common hazard on most Oz trips, whether you're in J, W, or Y.

A warning: better bank up for future flights, because once you've gone Upper, you won't go any other way! But you can't take it with you, so you might as well spend it while you're here!

Thanks for the advise on the CH treatments. I will make sure I book something soon. I will make sure I print out the page too, I did read others misfortunes of cancelled/rescheduled treatments.

I know for a fact that once I have flown Upper, I won't want to go back.......

Originally posted by mark my words
Thanks for the advise on the CH treatments. I will make sure I book something soon. I will make sure I print out the page too, I did read others misfortunes of cancelled/rescheduled treatments.

I know for a fact that once I have flown Upper, I won't want to go back.......

Rhinestone cowboy is my fave!!!

You will never want to turn right on an aircraft EVER again! [}:)]

You know, the wonderful thing about this forum is exemplified in this topic. A newbie (sorry Mark) asking questions, and the overwhelming response is helpful, positive, full of suggestions, friendly.

The danger you all raise of course is that Mark's expectations will be so high they may not be met, but I hope they are!

Isn't this a great place to be? [y]

If you are flying back UC don't forget the revivals lounge!
Enjoy every moment of the experience......

Just remember to enjoy the whole experience, we used the CH on our first ever UC trip just last month and already we are planning our next two trips to include UC flights.[^][^]

The food in the CH is much better than onboard(my opinion) Shepherds Pie is really good and yes the CH Burger is also recommended.[y]

The option of a nice glass of bubbly whilst the "rear is loaded" is very welcome and helps the time pass before push back.

Reclined seats for take off, it makes you feel like a naughty school boy and you do recline it just because you can.[:?]

The crew on our flights gave us excellent service and could not have been any friendlier, even stopping to chat with us when things had quietened down.[^]

Ask for your meals when you want to eat, this will not cause any problems. And ask for what you want as well.[y]

And when it comes to bed time, the crew will organise your bed, leaving you to concentrate on snuggling down and having a good nights sleep.[|)]

Have a really good trip, and start saving for your next UC trip, you will be hooked.

Ian

Originally posted by mark my words
Thanks for the advise on the CH treatments. I will make sure I book something soon. I will make sure I print out the page too, I did read others misfortunes of cancelled/rescheduled treatments.

I know for a fact that once I have flown Upper, I won't want to go back.......

My wife and I have also got our first UC flights later this year, and this has answered a lot of the questions I had as well. Thank-you Mark for asking in the first place, and thank-you everybody else for the great info.

As we are flying LGW - MCO, I am aware that the experience will be different to the LHR one, so can anybody offer any advice to make the most of this route?

Originally posted by slinky09
You know, the wonderful thing about this forum is exemplified in this topic. A newbie (sorry Mark) asking questions, and the overwhelming response is helpful, positive, full of suggestions, friendly.

The danger you all raise of course is that Mark's expectations will be so high they may not be met, but I hope they are!

Isn't this a great place to be? [y]

You are correct, this is a great place to get both positive and sometime negative responses.

And I am sure that my expectations will be met fully[y]

Originally posted by avalente

Thank-you Mark for asking in the first place

You're more than welcome.

Thanks
Mark