Do you remember your first time?.....

....I mean the very first time you flew in UC?

I know for some of you Very Frequent Virgins its a long time ago but I'm hoping to learn by your experiences and make the most of my trip in December! [8D]

Was there anything you think you "would have/should have" done but didn't? Something you missed out on and regret? Are there things that should be avoided? [:0]

Please share - and in return I shall promise to post a trip report with pictures and you'll have my undying gratitude.

I remember it very clearly.

I'd already had a couple of trips to the US in J with CO, and been amazed by that (only vere been in Y before).

First trip was Virgin made me thaink that either CO were poor, or VS was something special (now know it's the latter). From then on I managed our travel booking team to always get me on VS.

From limo pick up to drop off the other end I was smiling.

Biggest piece of advice is to get to the airport early and enjoy the clubhouse. All airlines have lounges, but the clubhouses are in a different league to any of them and provide a fantastic start to the trip

You'll love it

Vslf

[fozzyo]

I do remember my first time. It was only a few weeks ago.

My trip report and some of the photos we took - you gotta get photos - can be seen here: http://www.v-flyer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2851

Do make sure you get the chance to enjoy all of it, walking up to the Upper Class checkin, the clubhouse, the turning left, the bar, the freedom menu, the massage, the bed, the service, revivals!

Foz )

Hi,

I certainly do....

I was operationally upgraded from PE to UC at SFO check in. for VS20.

Although as an op-up I could not use the lounge at that time my UK Amex Plat card was still eligible for access ot the clubhouses so I went up and had a wonderful time.

Regards

TBS

me & a friend were upgraded from Y to UC on a A340 LAX-LHR.

Thought J2000 seats were great, but alas, it was a weekend trip of gambling in Vegas, and after a Burger King in LA, I had no room for any food until breakfast!

Promised myself I was going to "dry out" on the flight home, but after being offered champers on boarding, how could I refuse??!!

Loved it, and it inspired me to return, which I have

[honey lamb]

I reckon I had three first times!

The very first time we were up-graded when on the plane. We were flying LHR-EWR in PE and the seat was broken so we were op-upped to UC. Although we missed out on the Clubhouse experience UC was almost empty and it was wonderful. I also remember it because a friend had arranged for a presentation bottle of champagne as it was first trip to America (though not my first trip on VS). I left it on the plane [:(][:(]

The second time I used miles to upgrade at LAX. We were on VS24 and the thought of being in PE on a 343 was too much to bear. As the flight was overbooked and they were looking for volunteers they were happy to upgrade us even though we had K tickets. Of course it was the Maple Lounge that we experienced which was nothing out of the ordinary.

The third time was when (having caught turn-left-itis!) we paid to go UC. The Clubhouse was great but in my innocence I had accepted seats on the upper deck which was too much like PE for my liking. We were flying to SFO and in the seat behind us was a guy with a loud penetrating voice who could bore for England! He talked constantly and even with ear-plugs and headphones I could still hear him! I escaped to the bar! The return was just fantastic!

[mitchja]

Yes I remember my first time too...It was on VS48 YYZ>LGW 18th Aug 2001 (I still have the e-ticket receipt and boarding cards) - along with all my VS flights to date

Booked a full fare W PE ticket (£929) not long after YYZ was launched (at that time you could only purchase full fare tickets using the web site) - this was also my first time in PE. As soon as I landed I had already made up my mind to upgrade on the way back regardless of cost.

A/C was a 747-200 with J2000 UC cabin in the nose (and upper deck I think) I was sat in 7K. It did take the ticket staff a while to do the upgrade (which was, loking back now, a staggering £1600 as they could only upgrade a W to a full J back then) and the instruction book came out too!! VS ground staff were fantastic at YYZ as I was escourted to the lounge which was a great feeling. I, of course, promptly wrote a very nice letter to VS on my return.

I think there were about 6 PAX in Upper on the main deck so I received a very personal service.

The one thing I did not do but wish I had was book a treatment with the IFBT...I have always booked a treament since then though

Again I loved every minute of it - since then I've only ever travelled in W or J on VS so I guess you could say I'm well and trully hooked.

Regards

[RichardMannion]

Oh yes - my first time in J was for my 21st birthday - 1st November 2001.

LGW-MCO - enjoyed every minute, load was low as expected.

A week later i flew my sibling out to join the rest of us for the weekend, booked him in W on a reward ticket, he got op-upped to J ([}:)] - I think that must have proved costly as he made full use of Freedom.

A few days after we got back, I went again to MCO, this time with work colleagues. I got my first op-up from W to J

Thanks,
Richard

First time in J for me was a night flight back from LAS in August 2003, sitting in 12K. I had only been in PE before then, and that's a good thing because if i had only experienced PE after UC, i would have thought PE was nothing special at all, but it is actually a good upgrade from Economy. Now though, I'm always looking at ways of getting into that J cabin - be it booking it outright or upgrading with miles. Been op-upped once to UC (very first time i flew as a Silver) and that's when i got the best seat yet - 6H! No clubhouse though, so made do with a priority pass lounge.

On that first time, I remember in particular the food was great and the peace and quiet was good too (even though this seat is less than ideal due to the closeness to bulkhead Economy seating). I had more sleep than I had ever had before and couldn't believe how alert I felt at the other end. And i also remember my bag was the very first one off the aircraft - I think that sealed the deal for me!

[ChuckC]

First time for me was my first VS flight, this past May from EWR to LHR. I was totally impressed from start to finish and the crew was superb. Then I enjoyed a 10-day tour through Italy and THEN I had the complete joy of VS7 LHR/LAX. Talk about splurging! It was so good that it was decadent.

Regards,
Chuck-

Like a few others my first flight was quite recently and the whole experience was superb. I was like a kid at christmas not knowing what to explore and try first.

Check-in was brill, just the feeling to walk up to the UC desk, squinting out the side of my eye at where I would normally queue up to see if anyone was looking. When in Y I always muttered under my breath at poeple going to UC. How quickly you can change[:I]

Clubhouse, you need at least 2 days to enjoy, never a delay when you want one, and then the turn left at the top of the stairs when the FA expects you to turn right. Ah bliss:D

Daisy, enjoy, you wil have a ball.

Iain

[fozzyo]

quote:Check-in was brill, just the feeling to walk up to the UC desk, squinting out the side of my eye at where I would normally queue up to see if anyone was looking. When in Y I always muttered under my breath at poeple going to UC.

That sounds so familiar!

Foz )

quote:Originally posted by iforres1
and then the turn left at the top of the stairs when the FA expects you to turn right. Ah bliss:D

That reminds me of a story on BA about five years ago. I was travelling from MIA to LGW in FC. I had two standard sized 22" rollaboards, and at check-in I offered to check them. The agent said I could take them both on board if I wanted, so I accepted the offer to expedite my exit at the other end.

As I'd missed the flight the day before due to a cancelled incoming connecting flight from Jacksonville, I'd had a welcome day off work, so I was well and truly dressed down, with shorts, sandles and a t-shirt.

After thoroughly maxing out in the FC lounge, I was last to board the plane. The FA sees me coming along the jetway and chastises me quite vociferously: "You can't take those on board. You'll have to check them. Now where's your boarding card". I showed it to him, and upon seeing seat 2A his face dropped and the brown nosing commenced gushing: "Oh I'm so sorry sir, let me help you with your baggage".

Whether I was travelling FC or not, no-one deserves the attitude I was presented with that day.

On top of the 'Dirty Tricks', this was one reason why, during the 90's especially, I tried to avoid flying BA lake the plague. I am sure there are still many others who feel the same.

Cheers, Howard

Certainly remember our first UC flights April 1999 LGW-UVF-LGW probably the worst 2 J class flights I have ever had the misfortune to be on.Had it not been for a personal reply from SRB and 2 free flights I would have never set foot on VS metal again,glad someone in customer relations was on the ball that day:DNever had any serious complaints since:)

My first UC was an op upgrade from PE! - I was flying to barbados I think in Sep 2002 - Strangely I got lounge access despite being only Ag at the time:D Still it added to a great experience!

[Bazz]

My first time, like so many above was an opup, we we travelling LGW-LAS and had boarded and were settling into our seats in PE when a member of groundstaff came up and said we have two seats for you downstairs which we feel you will prefer! We also got opupped on our return leg but this time it was at the gate. [8D]

I will never forget the first time as 6 of us were all Op Uped LGW to ANU. From the moment my boarding pass's were handed back with the words "thank you and you have all been upgraded to UC" i grinned like a cheshire cat and itched to see that cabin[^]:D

From that moment onward i was hooked

[quote:
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Check-in was brill, just the feeling to walk up to the UC desk, squinting out the side of my eye at where I would normally queue up to see if anyone was looking. When in Y I always muttered under my breath at poeple going to UC.
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Flying UC to MCO in december (may be doing a little squinting for the first time)

My buisiness partner is off with family to BGI on weds UCS and wanted to do twilight check in NO NO!!!! I said:D " you gotta experience the UC check in!!!!![:p]

Hooked forever thats the side effect of this wonderful UC drug, should we start a UC anonymous[:0]?

[buns]

Mrs Buns & I first experiennced UC back in 1999 when we got an opup back from MCO on the old 747 200's. As I recall, just 8 seats in the small bubble.

Talking of bubble, what we did not take full account of whas the champagne (but have since made up for it on subsequent trips;);))

Last year did a UC from LHR to JFK and actually refused a treatment on the way out! Whatever you do - if flying from LHR - opt for an onboard treatment.

Have a great trip

buns

It was a hot afternoon,
The last day of June,
and the sun was a demon.........

My first time was April 2003 going to LAX were we got UG to UC from Y due to a ticket problem between VS and the travel agent, They wanted to put me on the later flight but i wouldnt have none of it and it wasn't my fault and after a heated 30 min's they gave in and the only seats left were UC.

And have to say it was the best flight i've ever been on:)Rool on next April as i get my first taste of UCS.

Cheers

phil

quote:on the old 747 200's. As I recall, just 8 seats in the small bubble.

yep thats the one no bloody galley up there all food and drinks carried up the stairs absolute nightmare,now the the 747-400s thats different.

Yes, I remember it well....

...excited at going to the UC check in desk, saying out loud to the wife "now, where is UC check in? Ah, here it is" - just so a few people could look round (what a snob!), getting the pass into the lounge and being offered champagne at 8am....blimey, that was a novelty, and stupidly felt a bit embarrassed taking it - what the heck - everyone else was!

3 glasses later (hic), time to board plane to more champagne. At first look at seats (LGW to MCO) my first thought was "WOW" what a waste of space!! Idiot! All this space and only half a dozen seats. Just couldn't believe it - what had I been missing all those years.

The FA came over asking me never asked questions before (in my naiivety, I was incredulous that this sort of thing happens) - would you like your blinds half up/down, would you like to be woken for breakfast, what time for dinner, more champagne? etc... Blimey, this IS the life. Then one of the chief FA's came over and actually used my name, introduced herself to me and asked had we flown UC before and used the freedom menu? I was strangely embarrassed to admit it was my first time, but no matter, she was SO helpful, putting us at ease, offering us anything we wanted.

Throughout the flight, I was offered such an attentive service, not at all over-bearing, everything catered for, I felt half sloshed by landing time, but OH YES, this was the thing for me. Never again would I languish in EC...remortgage the house, cash in the shares, part exchange the wife (sorry darling!) but I would certainly to the UC thing again, I vowed.

And the rest is history (generally speaking!). Can't wait to try the new UCS on the same flight over the Xmas/New Year period in approx. 8 weeks and 5 days.....

Cheers.

Yeah, alcohol consumption means I just about remember it

I had a couple of weeks holiday in California last November for Thanksgiving. Since I was going over anyway, I did a deal with work to get booked on a course in San Francisco for the week after (they pay for hotel & expenses, and I'd stand the flight). I'd bought an Economy return and upgraded it with miles to PE for the whole trip.

About 3 days before I was due to fly back, I thought I'd chance my arm to see if I could upgrade to UC with miles - rang the US FC silver line. They cancelled the original PE upgrade, had to wait for the miles to credit back and then book the UC upgrade - took about 30 mins to sort it out, and I had a $50 change fee to pay (should've been £50/$75, but they honoured the original phone quote ).

Got to SFO and was so giddy - had been in PE before, but hadn't even found this site or FT by this time, so had no idea what to expect [:I]
Was treated exceptionally well (as always) by the SFO check-in staff, and made my way up to the Clubhouse to be warmly welcomed by Claire. Had a great time in the Clubhouse, and on board too (J2000 seats, but had the most sleep on a plane up to this time) - only regrets were that I didn't get to go to Revivals at LHR, and that the IFBT didn't get round to me (but I got a priority voucher for my next flight - another way that VS got me hooked into flying UC again ).

All in all, a great experience, totally got me addicted to turning left

Cheers

Michael

[Decker]

I so can't remember it - which means it was probably an IAD run... there's a lot of people on that flight who work for a governmental organisation so they're great fun to be at the bar with. Remember I was op-upped and thus began the bug... sitting next to an Au who'd also been op-upped and raved about how good VS were with their FFs.

quote:Originally posted by Decker
... sitting next to an Au who'd also been op-upped and raved about how good VS were with their FFs.

I think to finish off you need:

...and the rest was history..