Excited Upper Class virgin
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Excited Upper Class virgin
I'm really excited to have just booked my first ever Upper Class flight with Virgin - LHR to SFO in February. With apologies for sounding like a simpering schoolgirl, but I'd love to hear any tales about what I can expect from the Clubhouse and whether I'm justified in being excited about turning left when I get on the plane. I think I've exhausted all the information on the Virgin website!
I've one specific (and horribly mercenary) question. Are the various services in the Clubhouse (I'm thinking massages, food etc) all complimentary?
I've one specific (and horribly mercenary) question. Are the various services in the Clubhouse (I'm thinking massages, food etc) all complimentary?
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Jetlag has me wandering about my room at stupid o' clock so let me assist if I can...
All the services in the clubhouse are free but if you want massages, facials, haircut etc, it's wise to book in advance, which you can do through the website. If you are making use of the limo service to the airport and you have the time, you might want to request they pick you up earlier so you get more time at the airport/clubhouse. If arriving by limo, you will be driven to a special arrivals area which has it's own check-in and security. If you "put your head down" and go for it, you can be through security and in the Clubhouse in five to ten minutes - if you ignore the shopping areas. You'll get the same speedy service if not using the limo but you have to enter the main Virgin terminal area first.
Plenty to see and do in the Clubhouse - just wander around. Upstairs, you can get outside to a viewing area and sometimes there is a surprise there such as Jag or Aston in "view" mode...although it might be a bit cold in Feb! Also upstairs there are some Pod seats which you can relax in etc. Food/drink is exceptional in the lounge and my advice would be to make every use of this service at it is far better than the choice and quality available on the aircraft.
Seatwise, again if you can, try to get any of the right hand front seats (up to row 8 or 9'ish) depending on the aircraft used. These don't have anyone facing you and are away from the bar/crew area. Seat 2 on r/h is by the lav which some will say disturbs but I've never really noticed a problem. Other good seats are the left hand set from about 8 back ( but not too far back, again for the bar/crew reasons) which have no one facing. Because of the way the seats are positioned, window gazing is difficult anyway but if you don't mind not having a window at all, the first two centre row seats are quite private if you can get them. Again, check the website for seating availability.
Finally, the IFE can go a bit wrong from time to time and it can take quite long to sort out. Should this happen, you might want to get a quick order in for a standalone DVD player before everyone else catches on. There is normally is a good selection of DVD's so whilst others are cursing the delay and disruption, you can be happily entertained whilst sitting calmly sipping your G&T.
Have a nice trip.
All the services in the clubhouse are free but if you want massages, facials, haircut etc, it's wise to book in advance, which you can do through the website. If you are making use of the limo service to the airport and you have the time, you might want to request they pick you up earlier so you get more time at the airport/clubhouse. If arriving by limo, you will be driven to a special arrivals area which has it's own check-in and security. If you "put your head down" and go for it, you can be through security and in the Clubhouse in five to ten minutes - if you ignore the shopping areas. You'll get the same speedy service if not using the limo but you have to enter the main Virgin terminal area first.
Plenty to see and do in the Clubhouse - just wander around. Upstairs, you can get outside to a viewing area and sometimes there is a surprise there such as Jag or Aston in "view" mode...although it might be a bit cold in Feb! Also upstairs there are some Pod seats which you can relax in etc. Food/drink is exceptional in the lounge and my advice would be to make every use of this service at it is far better than the choice and quality available on the aircraft.
Seatwise, again if you can, try to get any of the right hand front seats (up to row 8 or 9'ish) depending on the aircraft used. These don't have anyone facing you and are away from the bar/crew area. Seat 2 on r/h is by the lav which some will say disturbs but I've never really noticed a problem. Other good seats are the left hand set from about 8 back ( but not too far back, again for the bar/crew reasons) which have no one facing. Because of the way the seats are positioned, window gazing is difficult anyway but if you don't mind not having a window at all, the first two centre row seats are quite private if you can get them. Again, check the website for seating availability.
Finally, the IFE can go a bit wrong from time to time and it can take quite long to sort out. Should this happen, you might want to get a quick order in for a standalone DVD player before everyone else catches on. There is normally is a good selection of DVD's so whilst others are cursing the delay and disruption, you can be happily entertained whilst sitting calmly sipping your G&T.
Have a nice trip.
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Two things to add..
Treatments are largely not bookable now you need to go and see what you can get when you get to the Clubhouse
And on board there's the bar.........
Treatments are largely not bookable now you need to go and see what you can get when you get to the Clubhouse
And on board there's the bar.........
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MR7958 - enjoy the experience! You will never want to fly down the back again.
Worth having a browse here for other feedback.
Have fun.
Worth having a browse here for other feedback.
Have fun.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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It will be packed with noisy off duty Virgin crew enjoying free drinks on a staff flight. Be warned
The bar can't be "packed" as there are only four seats. In seven years of VS travel, I've never noticed off-duty crew there but if there were, I think I'd rather join them (if they'd have me) than the boring Brits, loud Yanks or lovey-dovey couples that frequent the area normally.
Having said that, I did have a quiet Buck's Fizz there once with Mel C..or was it B? That was a little surreal but nice.
Paxing All Over The World
MR7958 you're going to hate it. Really. The moment you step off, you are going to hate the real world and travelling Y will always be doubly dismal. Enjoy it whilst you can! 
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This thread interests me because I try to avoid Virgin. The reason is the passengers and the crew. Some Virgin passengers seem over excited and this leads to endless talking and sometimes drinking making the experience for me unpleasant. I preferred relaxed and quite and use flights for sleep and rest not entertainment. Likewise the cc crew (with the exception of the Asian crew who are lovely) are like barmaids. I hate the way they occupy the lobby at the Shearaton in Pudong most morning waiting for their crew bus. I have moved to the St Regis to avoid them. As for the Heathrow clubhouse again noisy, uncomfortable with people speaking loudly into mobile phones. Clearly I am not target market since I actually prefer CX, SQ or BA.
Last edited by mybrico; 16th Jan 2010 at 09:45.
I could excite you.
Regards,
Jubilee
Jubilee - Despite the mention of "massages.... etc", I don't think that MR7958 is quite asking to join the Mile High Club!
Jack
Regards,
Jubilee
Jubilee - Despite the mention of "massages.... etc", I don't think that MR7958 is quite asking to join the Mile High Club!
Jack
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I will probably be flamed here for this. Tho' I can afford it, I have never travelled upper class. I feel that all that money is a waste for me. I travel economy, then when I arrive I clear off to the Carribean for a five star cruise. Much better value for the same money as first class. So I get to my destination, then have the cruise. With the money you are paying, you merely get to your destination. Terrible value, but then my wife is always calling me a boring old git.
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You should NOT be flamed for saying that.
We all have different aspirations and can make different choices according to our desires. You would have to nail me to a pallet to go on a cruise, and likewise to fly economy. Values are in the eye of the beholder - enjoy your choices, and I and many others will enjoy ours.
Have I become a mellow person?
We all have different aspirations and can make different choices according to our desires. You would have to nail me to a pallet to go on a cruise, and likewise to fly economy. Values are in the eye of the beholder - enjoy your choices, and I and many others will enjoy ours.
Have I become a mellow person?
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I will probably be flamed here for this. Tho' I can afford it, I have never travelled upper class. I feel that all that money is a waste for me. I travel economy, then when I arrive I clear off to the Carribean for a five star cruise. Much better value for the same money as first class. So I get to my destination, then have the cruise. With the money you are paying, you merely get to your destination. Terrible value, but then my wife is always calling me a boring old git.
However if work want to pay for a decent seat by all means. However I would consider upgrading if I was heading to Oz, 27 hours is just cruel in economy!
PPRuNe Handmaiden
We took Virgin Atlantic to Australia in September. We used Premium Economy on the way out as the trip was broken by a 2 night stopover in Hong Kong.
We were booked to return in Premium Economy with only the tech stop to break up the journey back to the UK. We paid for an upgrade to Upper Class and it was the best thing. Made the return trip pleasant and I am sure shortened the perceived jet lag recovery.
Very pleased and enjoyed the experience.
We were booked to return in Premium Economy with only the tech stop to break up the journey back to the UK. We paid for an upgrade to Upper Class and it was the best thing. Made the return trip pleasant and I am sure shortened the perceived jet lag recovery.
Very pleased and enjoyed the experience.
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Likewise the cc crew (with the exception of the Asian crew who are lovely) are like barmaids. I hate the way they occupy the lobby at the Shearaton in Pudong most morning waiting for their crew bus. I have moved to the St Regis to avoid them
I find your comment slightly offensive.