Getting excited for 8/21 trip to London

Hello,

We are counting the days until we leave on the 21st. I had a few questions for the forum and this site has been so helpful and entertaining.

We leave on VS20 from SFO at 16:30 and leave LHR at 10:30. We would like to enjoy the lounge to it's fullest. What time do you suggest we arrive to give us time to check in, security and to enjoy the lounge?

Also, I recently read on Flyer Talk that even though we have assigned seats if we don't check in online the night before we may lose them. We have 14A and 15K from SFO and on the return. I booked them through Amex and see they are assigned to us on the VS site. I have seen this come up a few times and have seen different answers to the question. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Do we need adapter plugs for the flight coming from the US?

Thanks again!!
Sandi

[buns]

Hi Sandi

The first thing is that the Clubhouse in SFO is Landside so after checking in you can go straight there

Whilst it is a Clubhouse with a full service menu and bar (look at some previous Trip Reports) it is just a place to chill so in my view you might only want an hour or so before your flight. The retun from Heathrow is of course an entirely different matter ):

Even though I have never been moved from my seat in Upper, some V-Flyers do enjoy the sport of checking in as soon as it opens and obtaining the coveted SEQ1

Do enjoy your flight

buns

[mitchja]

VS use Empower sockets on their B744/A346 aircraft for providing lap-top power which is a specific airline power socket so you would need an Empower cable.

Depending on what lap-top you use will depend on which adapter you need. VS used to lend these out once on-board but you have to bring your own now.

The new A333 aircraft do have universal power sockets on them but these aircraft don't serve SFO.

Even though I have never been moved from my seat in Upper, some V-Flyers do enjoy the sport of checking in as soon as it opens and obtaining the coveted SEQ1
buns

Hi buns, just thought I'd mention that I had my first experience of being moved from my chosen seat in Upper recently, so it can happen if you don't do OLCI. Didn't cause me any problems whatsoever, as it was just a shift of one position, but I was surprised by it.

Thanks so much! This was very helpful.

It was a great lounge (when I was regularly using it), am sure it still is and much recognized on the site for its staff, too, but as buns says not really a place where you can amuse yourself for hour on end like LHR.

That said, I used to find it pleasant to get there for a late-ish lunch, and work away until I caught the flight. It would often work out well for me to get to the airport earlier especially during the week and if coming from south on the Peninsula rather than from home in the city, as I'd leave for the airport between 12 and 1pm; two hours and change there were most definitely not an imposition.

Thanks all and MarkedMan, That's what I figured, unfortunately our flight back is early so we won't get as much lounge time at LHR.

We live in the city so leaving by 1:00 makes sense.

less than 2 weeks away and we are very excited!

Sandi

less than 2 weeks away and we are very excited!

Sandi

In my opinion you could not have picked a better time to visit our wonderful capital.

The enormous patriotic atmosphere from the Queens Jubilee has just carried on into the weeks of the 2012 Olympics.

I live in London and the past few months have been as fantastic. I fly my two Union flags in my front garden with such pride. Will it last who knows, but there is a wonderful buzz around in London and with the Paralympics running into September, I'm sure you'll pick up on that 'feel-good' factor too. Enjoy your trip

Hi Hev
We are so excited and agree, this summer was the time to go. We are hoping to go to the Paralympics if we can.

We have been watching the Olympics, especially the long road races and getting more excited.

Sandi

Hi Sandi,

As has been mentioned, the lounge at SFO is pleasant but fairly compact compared to the one at Heathrow.

You might want to try the Revivals lounge at LHR for breakfast and a shower - definitely helps to wake you up after an overnight flight from the US.

Like you, I'm looking forward to getting away in just over a week...Viva Las Vegas!

Nick.