Virgin flying club - Miami to LHR

I'm taking my first UC flight on Virgin, from Miami to LHR. Any advice to make the most out of it? I am in the process of comparing the differences between BA, Virgin, and Lufthansa upper class. What's the difference betwen BA and Virgin upper class?

Here's a tip. Sit down, eat, convert to bed, sleep, wake up, eat, stand up, see Cats.

Its the best seat of the ones you mention - by far.

I have flown MIA-LHR in VS Upper Class, BA both First and Club, AA First and Business. Never flown LH. My ideal trip would be VS Upper Class eastbound, BA First westbound.

On this route VS currently uses A340-600. The Upper Class cabin seats are arranged in three columns: A, D/G, K. The seats in the center are designated D or G depending on whether they face the A or K direction. I prefer a seat in aisle K rows 2-6 because they face the backs of the D seats and there isn't much pedestrian traffic. Be aware that none of the D/G seats have overhead storage.

I never eat on the eastbound flight. Change into sleepsuit before takeoff, have a glass of wine or two, convert seat to a bed and lie down to maximize sleep time. I bring a small extra pillow in a drawstring bag. During flight I use the bag to hold my eyeglasses, wallet, pda, medication, etc and hang it around the neck of the reading light. Virgin's pillow is excellent, but I prefer a second one to adjust the firmness and also to use for lumbar support when seated. I keep the sleepsuit when I deplane. Be sure to ask for a Fastrack immigration pass if one is not provided automatically.

On the westbound flight I again wear my sleepsuit, but try to stay awake. Virgin's seat folds forward to make the bed, and this means it doesn't recline as much as other premium class seats and there is no lumbar support adjustment (hence the pillow). I order a special meal and cannot comment on the main food selections. The vegan meals are pleasant but nothing special. The wines are good and plentiful. The Upper Class bar is used as work area by the flight attendants during meal service, but passengers are then free to sit there, although there are only four stools. I am not eligible for a "treatment" because I have had a heart attack (unintuitive, but true). I never use any airline's in-flight "entertainment".

By comparison, BA's Club seats are harder, make into a shorter and narrower bed, and feature a built-in rock hard head rest. I know they have improved the seat somewhat since I have flown, but the dimensions are unchanged - not sure about the headrest. BA's seats are arranged in pairs facing opposite directions separated by a "fan" which can be folded down if flying with a companion. This doesn't provide as much privacy for a solo traveler as Virgin's arrangement.

dennis