VS007 OR VS023?

Hi there,

I'm new at this although I read this forum regularly i only found the courage to join recently.
I hope you can all help me with my questions. I am flying to LAX from Heathrow early next month and I am on the VS007 flight which is the earlier one. I know there is a later flight and I am considering changing to the VS023. Can I know the pros and cons of both flights? Although I fly a lot with virgin, I have never flown this route. Hope you can help me.

Hi and welcome!

It mainly depends when you want to leave London or be in LA I guess - the flights are pretty much the same in terms of service.

If aircraft type matters to you, the 7 can either be an A340 or a 747 while the 23 is always an A340. Most V-Flyers seem to prefer the 747, as do I, but I think they only tend to use one on the 7 at weekends.

That said I like the timing of the 23 as it doesn't involve an early start but by the time you've got through LAX and got to where you need to be it can be well after 9pm which some may find too late (your body'll think it's 5am!). If you'd prefer to be in your hotel in time for drinks by the pool and dinner, and are prepared to get up earlier to be at Heathrow by 8 or 9am, the 7 would probably be better.

For what it's worth both times I've flown on the 23 in the past 6 months LAX immigration was a breeze as no other international flights had landed just before us. Don't know if that's the norm or if I was just lucky - and don't know about the 7.

On airlineroute.net it says they are flying A340-600 on both VS7 and VS23 from 27/4 to 1/7. Personally I prefer the A340-600 as I feel less dehydrated than on the 747 flights.

The VS7 runs daily. VS23 is usually dailly but doesn't always run in the schedules (presumably the aircraft is needed elsewhere) so check for when you are travelling.

I flew VS7 on Sunday and the queue was huge at immigration this time round - they even had us Brits using the US citizen immigration channels! The immigration officer was courteous and efficient though. I have also found a queue with the VS23 sometimes. It all depends if your flight gets on before/after the Air New zealand arrival.

If you want some late afternoon LA sunshine then I suggest the VS7. Either way you'll be in LA.. enjoy!

Matt

The 23 is better for jetlag IMO, no battling to stay awake all afternoon LA time, just grab a bite to eat and then bed at about 10pm.

Thanks for all the information!! it was very helpful. I think ill remain on the 7 as it's my first time in LA and Ill rather get there sooner than later.

Thanks for all the information!! it was very helpful. I think ill remain on the 7 as it's my first time in LA and Ill rather get there sooner than later.

Good choice y) Flown both and would be the 7 for me 8D

[Neil]

We are flying on the 23 later in the year.
I chose the 23 due to the later arrival time in to LAX. I find the West Coast a killer for jet lag on the first couple of days and really struggle to stay awake on the first night, so am hoping that with the later arrival time, it will force me to stay awake and will help me adjust quicker.

It depends on several factors, for example when we arrive in LA we take a limo to Palm Springs so the 7 works much better, we get to PS for a light supper and a cocktail and all is fine. The 23 is great if you're staying nearish to LAX and can go straight to your hotel and rest. Either way, I advise getting a couple of hours shut eye on both flights to help with the journey time / time zones.

I have found it a real struggle to stay awake after taking the 7 (once I had to work that evening -- argh!), but I doubt it would be much better with the 23. I've been lucky only to have tiny queues at immigration whenever I've arrived on the 7, but I think it's luck more than anything - and I imagine the same would be true of the 23.

Have a great flight!

A vote for the VS23 from me.....I have done both the VS23 and VS007 a few times in the last year and have found the VS23 works better for me. That said, I am staying near LAX and have a bite to eat and a couple of drinks and then bed.... ][|)

I love the flights to LAX. For some reason, some of my best flights with VS have been to LAX.......strange but true!

Jon

VSO23, every time.

More time in the LHR Clubhouse; have breakfast, a treatment and lunch, a steam shower and board the aircraft after the second call.

Champagne, a drink at the bar and then grab a few hours sleep.

It's a long flight and best to set your watch to LA time as you embark; a couple or three hours sleep makes all the difference to how you behave on arrival; no sleep and you may have been awake for close on 23 hours, a few hours sleep and you will be ready to drop your luggage at your hotel, eat, drink and be full of vitality.

The other problem with VS007 is, if there is a long wait in immigration (very likely), you get out of the airport during, effectively, rush-hour and it can be a nightmare to get a taxi.

Another vote for the VS 23 from me especially if I'm staying in LA overnight.
I find it far easier to have a decent nights sleep and not be awake at stupid o 'clock in the morning on the VS23.
DL