Virgin Upper questions

Hi,

Please go easy on me, it's my first time here!

I'm a frequent flyer with the vast majority of my flights taken on BA. I need to be in New York w/c 29/08 and BA is pricing out at £4k for return J.

This lead me to look at Virgin and discover the same dates/times pricing up at £1,500 in UC. I know this is Z class and a restricted fare, but this suits and is normally what I would book with BA. I've not flown VS for a long time and the highest class I flew in then was PE so I have a few questions.

I know that Z class doesn't include the limo service and I was wondering whether I could pay extra to add this to my booking? I'm keen to experience the drive through checking, but can't justify the next fare class which is significantly more expensive just for the limo service.

The flights I am looking at are operated by a A340 (out) and 747 (rtn). Which offers the best UC cabin? Is UC on the upper deck in the 747? Anything else I should look out for when choosing flight times/aircraft?

Is there a newbie guide for UC experience to make sure I make the most of it?

Thanks in advance.

[honey lamb]

Hi and welcome to V-Flyer.

To answer your last questions first, UC on the 747 is on the upper deck but half of that cabin has economy seating. UC has the front half and it means that you are behind 30+ economy passengers when it comes to disembarking. The perceived wisdom is that the UC cabin in the nose of the aircraft downstairs is better. It's more spacious and gives a greater sense of the UC experience. On the 346, seats facing the wall are thought to be better. They're 2-7 or 8K and 9-the end of the cabin A. Sorry, I can't remember the numbers and I'm too lazy to look them up :w

With regard to the limo service it is now possible to use the DTCI with a private car, either a limousine service or one's own car. You need to call VS to request it and you will be given a slot for your arrival. Details of the car and its number will be required and you will be granted access if it isn't busy with passengers entitled to use it on a J, D or R fare

From the various trip reports I have reaad recently it seems if one wishes to use OLCI on a revenue basis then it is best to book Tristar. The reasons I can make out is that they are the supplier Virgin knows and uses so "knows the ropes" as more than one report suggests they were told they could use it but turned away at the gate when using other suppliers (hotel cars and/or private hire) as the correct strict protocal had not been followed to the letter.

Also it has been suggested, and we intend to test this out soon, if one books via the Virgin website you get both a discount and earn FC miles.

When on a 747, I personally prefer the upper deck. I find it more private, the only downside is that half the cabin is economy and this delays you disembarking which can be a bit of a bind, when arriving in New York especially if arriving around the 4-5pm mark as the queues can be long. Took me over an hour and a half to get thought back in May this year.

But despite this, I always chose the upper deck when on a 747, it's personal choice I guess.

Unless you really want to blow a few hundred quid don't bother with drive thru checkin. It is nothing special unless you have tons of luggage. Lobby check-in is usually pretty efficient and you still get to go through the private security lanes.

I have spend years in economy and now I can get into UC I can say that they are all nice seats. However, upstairs on the 747 will seem private during the flight but expect a long delay getting off as there are 30 economy pax up their with you and they will have to get off before you. (this UC/Y mix baffles me. UC/PE at least has some logic).

Downstairs seats are better but the ones right in the nose feel a bit claustrophobic and the aircon right above you is noisy.

Having said all that it is only 6 hours so I don't think too much about seats for such a short flight.

From the various trip reports I have reaad recently it seems if one wishes to use OLCI on a revenue basis then it is best to book Tristar. The reasons I can make out is that they are the supplier Virgin knows and uses so "knows the ropes" as more than one report suggests they were told they could use it but turned away at the gate when using other suppliers (hotel cars and/or private hire) as the correct strict protocal had not been followed to the letter.

I has no problems when I used DTCI using a private taxi - simply because I complied with all the instructions from VS.

Yes Tristar may know the ropes but they are expensive.

That said whilst DTCI was nice I felt it to be a bit rushed.

As to seats on the 747 I would recommend the A-zone at the front on the main level.

Can't you use the new drop off on virgin. My fathe r in law dropped us there in July and we are doing same next week.

Forgot to say I was on a z class ticket

[honey lamb]

Can't you use the new drop off on virgin. My fathe r in law dropped us there in July and we are doing same next week.

I don't know what you mean by the "new drop off" unless it's the drive-through check-in area. the only thing relatively new to it is that Z fares can now use it but it still has to be requested and all details given to Virgin Atlantic. You just can't turn up and expect to be accommodated.

Thank you all for the advice. I'm now booked going out 30/08 returning 04/09.

I've chosen the upper desk on the way home as I thought it's worth giving it a try and I won't have the same immigration delays when arriving into the US.

I'm going to call Virgin to understand what needs to be complied with in order to use a private chauffeur and then decide whether to use Tristar or not for the DTCI.

I'm going to call Virgin to understand what needs to be complied with in order to use a private chauffeur and then decide whether to use Tristar or not for the DTCI.

You first need to book an arrival slot you do this by phone a couple of days beforehand. You will need to have completed API in 'manage my bookings'. They will also ask how many bags you will have to check in.

Then at least 30 minutes before this slot starts you need to have phoned VS to give them the make, model, colour and registration number of the car. You can use any taxi company not just tristar. Depending on where yo are travelling to LHR from this may or may not be possible though !