VS18 Day flight from the US

[Nottingham Nick]

I am thinking of coming back from EWR in August using VS018, which leaves EWR at 0820 and arrives at LHR at 2000.

In all the times I have flown back from the USA, I have always had a night flight and I was wondering if anyone has used this (or any other) eastbound day flight.

If so, did you feel it was better or worse from a jet-lag point of view?

I will more than likely be flying 'down the back' as it is our summer holiday trip and August is far too dear in any other class.

Nick

I did that flight once.

Thought it would be better on the jet lag but I found it worse, really did me in for a few days afterwards. Then again all flying seems to do me in these days.

I've never been a fan of flying at night so there is that benefit.

Dean

[Decker]

We did this in February and the flight is HEAVILY full. People were being downgraded. We actually found it a bit better on the jetlag to be honest.

Did this flight back in October 2003. It was the first time we'd done this as opposed to taking the evening flight. The nice English lady at check-in tried to upgrade us to UC but her supervisor was no where to be seen [:(] UC was fairly empty but PE and E were full. On balance I prefered this flight as by the time we got home from LHR it was pretty much time to go to sleep. I usually suffer with the old jet lag but not so bad this time!

[RichardMannion]

I've been wary of the day flights, like Nick I always stick to the Night flights where I can.

I deliberately chose not to fly home on Concorde (BA2 - JFK-LHR) for this exact reason, the outbound flight was a shock to the system, the time difference was enough - or maybe because I was up earlier so I could maximise my Dom Perignon time.....

Night flights I like, as I a mere youngster I am used to not much sleep so it fits in well for me. Fly home overnight, into Revivals for breakfast, shower and the hello's and then into the office for the rest of the day.

Thanks,
Richard

I took the day flight for the first time at the start of last year. Since then, if I have the option of the day flight I will always take it. I found it much better for defeating jet lag. Normally the West to East sector hit me badly, but on the day flight I just slipped straight back in to London time with no problem.

Overnight flights always used to leave me needing a couple of days to get back into normality. For me it worked.

VSlf

I am flying back from Boston in June and am considering coming back on the new day flight to see what this is like.

cheers
GO

[Decker]

I suspect we're seeing an age thing here. How about up to 30 night flights are fine, beyond 35 it gets easier and easier with the day flights? I've only noticed it getting more difficult to shake off a night flight since my mid thirties...

Decker

quote:I suspect we're seeing an age thing here. How about up to 30 night flights are fine, beyond 35 it gets easier and easier with the day flights? I've only noticed it getting more difficult to shake off a night flight since my mid thirties...

Hey - speaking as a 32-y.o., what happens when you're between 30 & 35 - am I not allowed to fly until I reach the ripe old age of 35?? :D

Cheers

Michael

Decker
Speaking for my (relatively) old self, I think that it has more to do with structuring a largish amount of sleep into the night journey home. I can manage nearly 5hr on the way back from Boston if I feed in the lounge first and do things to make myself comfortable e.g. cushion under the feet (that I bring on in hand luggage). Over the years I have found it easier and easier to get good sleep even in PE. It would be nice to be awake on the return trip and enjoy the service so I will perhaps try the day service from Boston in June.
cheers
GO

[Decker]

Must admit my US colleagues just take sleeping tablets, slip on the Bose and crash . Can never bring myself to try it...

I've done this flight quite a fe times since the start of this year as well as the VS2 flight.

I find the VS18 flight better for jetlag because I had to get up at 4.00 am to get to the airport and got home around 10.00 pm UK time so milk and cookies then bed.

Rather than having to stay awake for an entire day having basically missed a night's sleep on the VS2 flight.

The down side is that the VS18 flight is a 343 and generally very full.

Keith

Hmmm,could be age, but then I guess I'm old before my time, always have been, give me a spit and sawdust pub any day over a brushed pine bar with loud music, bah. Was the same when I was twenty, (34 now).

I've never managed a sleepless day following an overnight flight back rom the east coast. However much sleep on the plane, come 3 or 4pm the next day I'm good for nothing. The day flight just felt like a long day with a normal night's sleep, the next morning I just felt right back into it.

VSlf

I've taken VS18 and I find it MUCH better for avoiding jet lag -- definitely recommended. I have never been much of a fan of the red-eye flights. I've never experienced the new suite, but even with J2000 seats, I find that the NY to London flights just aren't long enough to get a decent night's sleep.

As for the flight being so full that people are downgraded -- how does this work? Is compensation offered? What if you don't WANT to be downgraded? I am a bit concerned as I am going to be on VS18 this coming july in PE and definitely don't want to be doing the trip in regular economy.

[Decker]

quote:Originally posted by Downtowner

As for the flight being so full that people are downgraded -- how does this work? Is compensation offered? What if you don't WANT to be downgraded?

See http://www.virginflyer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=60

I took this flight last Friday, or rather I was due to take it but it was cancelled (mechanicla problems meant the flight from the UK was cancelled, so there was no plane for us) and I was transferred to the BA flight at 8am.

I found it much better from a jet lag point of view. As others have said, you have to get up early New York time and arrive home at aprroaching UK bed time, so it's easier to adjust, and you haven't lost a night's sleep (which I find inevitable if not travelling UC.)
As for overcrowding, the combined VS BA flight had empty seats in World Traveller.

The one negative is the facilities (or lack of them) open at Newark at that time in the morning.