Outbound or Inbound to NYC in UC?

Hi everyone.  Long time lurker, first time poster.

Husband and I are planning to go to NYC to celebrate his 40th Birthday.  We’ve already agreed that we’ll travel PE, however as a surprise I would love to book us in UC.  I’m hoping to be able to fly both ways in UC, however it would be a cash fare so the budget will be a factor on whether this is possible.

My question is – if we're only able to travel in UC one way, which way would you recommend? LHR to NYC or NYC to LHR?  

Thanks in advance.

Easy - the outbound. The LHR Clubhouse is the best start to the trip

Agreed. Assuming you're coming back on a redeye you won't make the most of the UC service or have enough time to sleep properly on the flat bed.

Easy - the outbound. The LHR Clubhouse is the best start to the trip

Agreed. You'll also be able to use DTCI to give an extra fizzle to the experience. You'll get the full UC experience in flight too. As it's likely you'll be on an overnighter on the return, the service is somewhat foreshortened as most folk bed down. To be fair, some express a preference for UC on inbound for the reason of a flat bed and sleep.

Make a break of it and take an Ex EU flight and manage BOTH ways in UC.

Agreed on the outbound.

We flew UC both ways, and though the inbound was 'practical' in terms of being able to sleep being a night flight, it's too short to properly enjoy UC. For the sheer fun and enjoyment of UC go for the outbound.

Thanks everyone for your recommendations

Unless the fare is reasonable for UC both ways, I think UC/PE will be the way to go. I'll keep an eye on the prices and a look out for the next UC Sale.

Hi I recently booked uc for man-Atl both ways, same as you was only looking at UC for one way - the return leg, but the pricing was only a tiny bit more for both legs at the time, about £5! So it was a no brainier. May be worth keep checking the prices as they seem to move around quite a bit, I think we must have got sale prices as they are now a lot more

Another vote for outbound

I'm gonna stand against the wind and say inbound. New York is a relatively short LH destination both ways but I always think on the inbound you will be overnight in which case you will actually have reason to use the bed feature. Also if you can only go UC in one direction, it is best on the return as on the outbound you are so excited with travelling and your destination/trip ahead that your not too fussed between PE and UC, whereas on the return UC will help extend the holidays bubble before returning back to reality.

Let us now what you decide!

FLYERZ

Most definately outbound- the LHR Clubhouse is great!

My vote is for inbound as well. What better way to end your vacation by flying UC back home? In case something horrible happens in NYC during your vacation, at the very least you have UC to look forward to. I know everyone is saying LHR clubhouse is awesome --- and it is --- but so is JFK clubhouse. Depending on the time of year, if the tailwind is quite strong then JFK-LHR flight will arrive earlier than scheduled.

depends on what time you are returning.
Inbound will give you a flat bed to sleep
revivals lounge in the morning for a cooked breakfast, shower & to freshen up.
Probably cheaper because of the cheaper taxes as well.
You will still get access to JFK clubhouse if you fly out of JFK

It's a close call, but my vote is for outbound. With the LHR CH, you could get there early and really start the trip early, and dtci would be when the surprise is revealed.

Although the JFK CH my be great (I'm experiencing it for the first time in June ) you would be cutting into your precious NYC time to spend more time there.

But I would check the prices of the combinations and if the difference is big, let that decide for you .

Outbound for me

I used to be a voter for inbound to make use of the flatbed.
However, I've not been to the LHR clubhouse, only Gatwick.
I do have to agreed if it is going to be a surprise for a birthday the outbound with Drive Through Check In and the clubhouse would be my choice.
Dick D

Although the JFK CH my be great (I'm experiencing it for the first time in June ) you would be cutting into your precious NYC time to spend more time there.

Not really, As airlines recommend you be there 2 hours before your departure. Also, you would need to vacate the room early, you may find yourself hanging around all day, waiting for your flight.
Not nice when the temp is in the 90s. Kind of limited to what you can/can't do. That extra hour allowing you time to shower & change is very welcoming after a long day... makes you look forward to a flat bed, a few brandys & a movie as you drift off to sleep.

I did an UC return reward flight to New York late last year and the decision as to what leg to do UC on depends upon a number of factors.

Outbound you have the LHR clubhouse which is really nice, but then again I thought the JFK clubhouse was really good too, maybe not quite as nice as LHR but pretty close.

Aircraft type could also be a factor, I was on an A330 on the way out and the UC cabin felt much more cramped than any other UC cabin in the fleet. My flight on the way back was on an A346 and was much roomier even though the cabin widths are exactly the same on the A330 and A340 but the A340 has only 3 across instead of 4 across on the A330.

Time of day is another consideration, I didn't bother going to sleep on the way back, the flight is so short and once the dinner service is out of the way (if you decide to eat on board) and you get your bed down by the time you get to sleep it's almost time for breakfast.

I think i'd find it hard to decide either way, you're either going to have something nice to look forward to on the way out or the way back.

The most sensible decision by far is:

Make a break of it and take an Ex EU flight and manage BOTH ways in UC.

Can't go wrong with that choice.