UC MCO to LGW

Hi All!
I’m flying UC from MCO to LGW in October (the very start) and it’s been a LONG time since I did this route UC. Could people help with a few answers?

The Sky Lounge at MCO seems to get really mixed reviews. Some say to avoid it as its outdated, stuffy, bit run down and your better just going into the terminal coffee shops, bars and other places to eat. Any opinions?

UC used to have two different amenity kits. One on the way out and a different one on the way back. Is this still the case? If so what’s the current pack like (pic would be good), as I tend to take some “comforts” on board and thinking I can skip them if the pack has them.

We have the seats next to the bar (11&12k), I assume on a night flight we won’t have too much noise on this route with people at the bar in the early hours. Anyone has any experience from these seats on a night flight?

Finally, Any other tips or things to look forward to pre board, on board or on arrival? Add your favourites .

Best Wishes
Rob

I'm not sure you can rely on people not using the bar during a night flight. I remember a flight we took down to Cape Town overnight. Our seats were near the bar and the passengers sitting there were getting louder and louder. It was impossible to sleep. They had been there quite some time when the captain put the seatbelt sign on. There was no turbulence but.....they were escorted back to their seats and the seat belt sign went off soon afterwards. They did not get up again once they could as I'm guessing they were all asleep!

We did the trip in March.
Skyclub lounge is OK and there are some comfortable seating areas. Food is not up to much, but the snacks and soup are OK. If you want a proper meal I would recommend the Outback. It's not far from the lounge and it's good value.
The lounge charges for some drinks and they don't take cash. A glass of Prosecco was $7.46

I haven't opened my amenity kit so I can't tell you what's in it. They did offer sleep suits which was a nice touch.

This year no problem with the bar, but same flight last year there was a rather loud couple there for several hours. When they finally came back to their seats, Mr Noisy's seat wouldn't recline. He didn't make a fuss just sat down and in seconds started snoring. Amenity kit then definitely had ear plugs, eye shades, toothbrush, comb.
Because the cabin is so small it didn't make any difference that we were right up the front it was a disturbed few hours.
Enjoy your flight.

Dick D

The SkyClub is no Clubhouse but is tolerable when it's not too busy. BA no longer use it, which has helped reduce the crowds a bit, so it really depends how many VS flights there are on the day you fly. If it's only two or three, fine - but on the days in high summer when five or six 747s all depart within about 3 hours of each other it can get pretty crowded.

[buns]

Hi and welcome to V Flyer

The SkyClub is a haven of peace and quiet when compared to the main terminal on that return flight - remember there can be up to 5 VS 747s departing in an evening as well as BA and other airline flights, so invariably is a crowded place with many families coping with the inevitable stress of returning home after a trip to Disney.

Basic drinks (like beer, wine and spirits) are complementary, but if you want a mixed cocktail, there is a charge. Dont forget you are still in the US

One of the benefits of being in the SkyClub is that is usually the case that when the flight is called a member of the VS Ground Crew is there to escort you right up to the gate, thus avoiding the melee there.

As to 11 & 12K, irrespective of whether anyone uses the bar - a very rare occurrence on the 747s in my experience - the seats are near to the Galley and the toilets, so inevitably there are some distractions.

buns

If Virgin do send a member of ground staff to collect the UC pax from the lounge, clarify several times with them which flight they want.

Last time I was in the Sky Club the staff there put out a call for Manchester, so we assembled near the desk. The ground staff checked our boarding passes & confirmed Manchester. When it was time to go he [the VS staff member] decided it was London Gatwick he wanted & we should all sit back down.

Complete farce - think most of the Manchester passengers - us included - just walked down to the gate and leant on the tensa-barrier and were boarded in under 5mins as the gate agent signalled there had been a cock-up upstairs in the lounge.

But to repeat above points, the Sky Club is nothing special, but is it much quieter than downstairs, even when busy. Basic drinks are free, as are basic snacks. If you want a decent meal at the airport, head to Outback in the airside terminal of McCoys in the Hyatt above the main terminal. We just have a decent late big lunch in Universal Orlando & head out to the airport. Maybe a snack in the Sky Club, then a light meal on the plane - possibly bypassing the main course as they're generally not much cop flying back to the UK. Breakfast onboard in Upper is generally pretty good though it has to be said.

As to the bar usage when it becomes "sleep time", the crew can discourage it by turning off the lights above the bar and offering to server the passengers drinks at their seats. Nothing to stop you getting a passenger + 1 on ottoman next to you though. As long as they are not to loud, they are more than likely to be served.