Almost time for my first UC experience

Hi all,

Only 24 days until I fly to New York on my upper class reward flight very excited especially for the lounge at Heathrow.

Emailed the flying club with a question regarding use of the upper class wing (I'm flying from Aberdeen into T5 & wanted to know if I could take a taxi & get dropped off, May as well take full advantage of the services on offer ). I got a phone call from a very nice lady at the flying club yesterday who told me that I could indeed get a taxi from T5 to the upper-class wing. She then proceeded to enter my details on to the system and book me in and explained to me that all I needed to do was phone ahead with the taxi registration when I am en route. Very happy with the customer service I received.

Does anyone have any tips on what I should do whilst in the lounge i.e. What food or drinks to try etc. I intend to have a good few hours there to make the most of everything before my flight any help would be greatly appreciated .

Hi Gritty12,

Well, where to start. If you're after a spa treatment or haircut etc, then make that the first thing you book on arrival as it gets busy. Look to the right of the bar and you'll see the salon. Then depending on how early you arrive, start with breakfast in the restaurant area (or anywhere you like) and definitely with a glass of fizz. Some have a Buck's Fizz to start but I say why water down the fizz?

From there I'd usually move to another area, get comfy with reading materials/devices, flag down a server and have another drinky, maybe a Red Head (they're lush). Post a wave in here for the rest of us to say hello, then rinse and repeat. There's usually a good cocktail menu in the Clubhouse, my favourite, a traditional margarita, is never in the menu but the mixologist usually whips me one or two up on request

There's plenty to eat at the deli, and if you're there for the change from morning to the day menu you might want to try a few more bites to eat. I've only once ventured upstairs to the lounge that used to be the Grey Goose Lounge. It was empty so if you want peace and quiet... Also go upstairs to the viewing deck (where the smokers go I believe) and have look round, smell the jet fuel in the air!

Enjoy it all and then have a great flight and trip

Oh, and take some sweets from the lounge for the flight. There are sweetie dispensers dotted around. And if you're really feeling decadent take a swimming cossie and use the hot tub and sauna, or just have a shower to freshen up before your flight.

Have an amazing time!

Again to echo Bretty's comments - give the Redhead a go - I was rather tipsy on these by the time I boarded my flight back in September!

I flew at 1530 but I was in the Clubhouse for about 10! I spent an amazing few hours checking out each of the areas, had a massage, a go in the jacuzzi - this is a must as it is such a unique experience to be able to do this before a flight! I might have stolen a VS branded towel...hell I think I stole most things that were VS branded and not nailed down, although several members of staff did encourage this behaviour so I am not totally to blame....well that's my excuse.

I was flying alone, so it was a good chance to spend a bit of time at the bar for the final hour before boarding commenced, I made friends with the barman and a lovely Northern lass who was also off to LA and we downed glasses of Champoo till the second boarding call and then stumbled along to gate 19!

My top tip for Upper Class - use the bar! The bar was one of the best experiences I have ever had on a plane I made two friends on that plane who I have kept in touch with, and swapped some wonderful stories with some colourful characters including a former actor and a "current" reality TV star!

Again, all of the guys warned me about this on this very forum - and it is true, once you have turned left....you will never want to turn right ever again....oh what's that two Upper Class trips already booked for the next 12 months for me....ooops!

Wow, thanks for all the advice guys will be sure to do all the above mentioned.

Definitely want to get a spa treatment done so will book that as soon as I get there! Will be sure to order a red head and post a wave too

I'm travelling alone so hopefully I'll meet some nice people at the bar to chat to during my flight too!

Ahh yes, I've heard that. Already saving the miles for my next UC venture!

One other thing I am on the Boeing 787-9 for both my flights, currently in seat 5A. Is this a decent enough seat?

I haven't flown the 787 yet, I am on one back from Newark on the 28th of Sept, but I have chosen the exact same seat as you for that flight! I had 5K going out to Los Angeles on the 340, which like 5A on the 787 faces the wall so affords you a bit more privacy, so I would say its probably going to be a safe bet for a good seat!

I am also a fan of the idea of taking a nice box of chocolates for your crew too, I know quite a few on here do it, and I certainly subscribe to the concept!

Wow, thanks for all the advice guys will be sure to do all the above mentioned.

Definitely want to get a spa treatment done so will book that as soon as I get there! Will be sure to order a red head and post a wave too

I'm travelling alone so hopefully I'll meet some nice people at the bar to chat to during my flight too!

Ahh yes, I've heard that. Already saving the miles for my next UC venture!

One other thing I am on the Boeing 787-9 for both my flights, currently in seat 5A. Is this a decent enough seat?

5A is a good choice, not too close to the galley and far enough from the bar not to be disturbed etc, and of course, facing the wall rather than other PAX! Not that I'm antisocial or anything

The overhead storage on the 787-9s is huge too, biggest I've seen.

I haven't flown the 787 yet, I am on one back from Newark on the 28th of Sept, but I have chosen the exact same seat as you for that flight! I had 5K going out to Los Angeles on the 340, which like 5A on the 787 faces the wall so affords you a bit more privacy, so I would say its probably going to be a safe bet for a good seat!

I am also a fan of the idea of taking a nice box of chocolates for your crew too, I know quite a few on here do it, and I certainly subscribe to the concept!

Ooh, never thought of that. Do I just go up to them when I board & say these are for you?

I'm glad you both approve of my seat selection. I'll stick to 5A!

I always ask for the FSM but yes, pretty much "just a little thank you"

5A is good, we usually choose 3/4/5 on the A side to face the wall. I always stay with the fizz which happily is still Lanson in the CH, not the ghastly Gardet they offer on board. Lots of newspapers and magazines on a huge table as you walk in. Have a ball, you'll love it and like the rest of us, you'll never fly any other way again.