New to PE and UC

Hi all,

Just booked a holiday to Mexico flying Virgin from Gatwick next May. I'm rather excited as we will be flying out premium economy and returning upper class. This is the first time we have ever flown these classes at all.

Does anybody have any tips so me can make the most of the flight experience please.

We've also booked the seats and a little worried that the seats in upper class might be a bit noisy as they are next to the bar 11k and 12k (I think).

Thanks in advance.

Neil

Hi, yes those seats are right next to the bar. On a night flight, though, you normally find most people just want to sleep once the meal service is finished so you'd be very unlucky if someone decides they want to spend the night chatting at the bar.

There are only 14 seats in the UC cabin on the LGW 747s so it does have a very private feel to it. For a couple you can't beat 6A & 6K, but if they're unavailable I'd try for two adjacent seats in the middle of the cabin eg 8K & 9K.

Sadly PE doesn't get you Clubhouse access at LGW on the way out but they do sometimes let PE passengers pay to enter for about £35 - not guaranteed but worth considering if you fancy a luxurious start to your holiday.

Many thanks. I' em been readying lots of past threads and 6a/k seem to be the choice seats. Only problem is we flew Thomas Cook Premium and sat in row 1 on a recent trip to Florida and my wife felt really travel sick, which is why we' re in row 11&12.

Luckily nobody else has reserved any seats yet. maybe we'll be the only ones in UC!!! Not going to happen I know! The price was amazing, extra £900 to fly PE out and UC back.

Will look into the lounge access closer to the time.

Thanks again!

neil

Khrushchev clubhouse access for PE IS £65

I hate predictive text last post was ment to say lhr access is £65

Great thanks. We are flying from Gatwick though

Yes I saw that I was at lhr ch in August someone asked when I was going in that's the only reason I know

Thanks, will see about Gatwick closer to the time.

Many thanks. I' em been readying lots of past threads and 6a/k seem to be the choice seats. Only problem is we flew Thomas Cook Premium and sat in row 1 on a recent trip to Florida and my wife felt really travel sick, which is why we' re in row 11&12.

Luckily nobody else has reserved any seats yet. maybe we'll be the only ones in UC!!!
...

if your flight in row 1 was facing a bulkhead that might have contributed to your wife feeling queasy, but in UC the herringbone layout means there'll be a bit more clear space ahead, though maybe she'd find the very front feeling too enclosed?

but it's a night flight in UC, so once you've had a few bubblies and dinner is out of the way you can don the VS sleepsuits and snooze until breakfast time, so if seats are free i'd change selection to at least go a bit further from the bar

My wife and I have flown back from MCO to MAN a number of times in 11A &12A and have never had a problem with the bar and this makes 12A quite secluded which my wife prefers. As sungod says after a nice meal , wine and a glass of port or 12 year old malt most people bed down quickly to get some sleep as the flight isn't that long. Problem in future will be the old one of"once you've turned left". Hope you have a great time.

As already mentioned the Gatwick configuration Upper cabin is pretty small.
This year coming back from Orlando we were in 6A and 6K
The couple in 8A and 9A seemed to spend hours at the bar talking and I don't think it would have made any difference which seats we were in. They then came back to their seats and continued. Then he couldn't get his seat down so more disruption but he went off to sleep and snored like a train.
It wasn't our best flight.
I recommend row 19A for the PE section as there is no one behind you tapping on the IFE and you are first off the plane which is handy if there is any queue at customs and immigration.
As for the lounge, the No1 lounge at Gatwick is pretty good. Upstairs there are some very comfy leather chesterfield settees.
Enjoy your trip,
Dick D

Thanks all. I'll have a chat with wife tonight and see what she thinks! I can't sleep on flights so hope UC will help solve this!

As many have said UC is small with but night flights everyone after the meals sets their bed up and snoozes. Even on a day flight the bars great but the seats are hard so no spending 8 plus hours sitting there when you have a comfy seat.

Just enjoy the experience and remember once you turn left you will never want to go back

That's my worry jfenny. I've the children, no way could I afford UC for 5!!!

That's my worry jfenny. I've the children, no way could I afford UC for 5!!!

Its ok you have 3x 32kg hold allowanc in UC, enough for a few children

kind of a double edge sword..
paying a premium price to sleep in UC rather than enjoy the bigger IFE, the goodie wall, the bar & free flowing drinks.

Yes, did cross my mind. But when you've got a 4 hour drive home. I would really need some sleep!

Isn't the goodie wall only on 787? LGW 747's just have a basket of nibbles on the bar.