Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - Best US gateway for UC experience?

I live in LA. I can easily take the nonstop, but I have time to spare. I assume that JFK has the best lounge. Are there other US cities I should consider to get the best of the VS experience?

IMO SFO has the best US lounge. This route is also operated by the 744 rather than the Airbus 346 which is primarily used on the JFK routes.

I prefer the 744 cabin layouts (much nicer than the Japanese capsule hotel feel of the 346), the wider UC suites (on the lower deck) and the fact that the 744s don't seem to have the infamous "sinking suites" problem where the suite in chair mode sinks slowly down no matter how you position it. The latter is a real pain when you want to get some work done.

BC

Hi,

So the 747 is preferred over the A346 for UC?

Cheers,
Kenn.

Hi,

So the 747 is preferred over the A346 for UC?

Cheers,
Kenn.

I like them both: I like the 744 for the upper deck UC suites, but the presence of premium economy passengers therein somewhat diminishes the upper deck experience. The main UC cabin of the 744 is ok, but feels too crowded if all the seats are occupied. The nose section has some good seats, but a few (like 11A and 12A) are too close to the beauty area. I like the 346 because there is a wide selection of seats that face a wall rather than other passengers. The 744 doesn't really offer any such seats.

If you fly the 744, pick a seat on the upper deck, if possible. If you fly the 346, pick any of seats 2K through 7K or 8A througu about 12A - those seats face a wall and are far enough from the bar that you won't experience any noise problems.

With regard to lounges, JFK and SFO have nice lounges, as does IAD. I wouldn't go out of your way to use an east coast lounge, however - you want to maximize your time in UC rather than in a domestic F seat from LAX to JFK, for example. In any event, the real VS lounge experience is the Clubhouse at LHR on your return to the US.

Hi CO 1E,

Thanks for the info. Yeah the only reason that i would want to avoid the 744 upper deck is the presence of PE.... Also can UC passengers get pre assigned seats when we purchase our tickets? Or do they only assign at checkin? I am purchasing a RTW Ticket. MH&VS.

I'm most likely doing syd-kul-nrt with MH C and nrt-lhr with VS UC and can't decide with lhr-north america (lax or sfo or jfk), but i will need to end up at LAX as i need to go from LAX-KUL-SYD to go home.

Any suggestions?:)

Cheers,
Kenn.

Hi K3nnis,

All upper class pax ( regardless of status -unlike BA currently) can get seats assigned.

I would go for the longer Upper class flight to enjoy the experience ( probably SFO or LAX). As VS flies into LAX T2 and not Tom Bradely Intl terminal, I have found the immigration at LAX ok ( SFO is still a nice experience and has the 744)

Regards

TBS

Main difference is that there is no VS Clubhouse in LAX. VS UC pax use the Air New Zealand lounge which is nice (and better than previous shared lounge optiions) but is not VS.

SFO lounge has great natural lightings, good bar and food but limited other facilities. The only downside of the JFK lounge is that it is landside. I prefer it to the JFK clubhouse which is also landside.

Thanks for the replies guys :) Looks like its preferable to go on either LHR-SFO or LHR-LAX. I will decide soon hopefully:) Also i won't be able to use the lounge at JFL,LAX or SFO as i will not be departing from there as i am on a RTW ticket. I will be heading back home to SYD via LAX-TPE-KUL-SYD on MH.

TBS and Kenjohn: do you prefer the 744 to the A346?
Also how do i know if i will be flying on the A346 version1 or 2?

Cheers,
Kenn.

Thanks for the replies guys :) Looks like its preferable to go on either LHR-SFO or LHR-LAX. I will decide soon hopefully:) Also i won't be able to use the lounge at JFL,LAX or SFO as i will not be departing from there as i am on a RTW ticket. I will be heading back home to SYD via LAX-TPE-KUL-SYD on MH.

TBS and Kenjohn: do you prefer the 744 to the A346?
Also how do i know if i will be flying on the A346 version1 or 2?

Cheers,
Kenn.

I think the only difference between the 346 1 and 2 is the side of the aircraft on which the forward UC lav is located. I'm not certain if you can determine this prior to day of departure.

TBS and Kenjohn: do you prefer the 744 to the A346?

The nose section of a 744 has always had a special intimate feel. I do not choose the Upper Deck on VS as the as the bar is downstairs and PE is behind so it does not feel as exclusive as other airlines.

The downstairs back section is nothing special.

An A346 feels like a long tube. Great facilities but definitely not intimate and may feel a little like Y unless you snuggle down and watch the AVOD. Still happy to fly VS UCS irresepctively for plane type.

Hi Guys,

I'm flying NRT-LHR so i guess i have no choice as i think it is a A346. Trying to find the best seat, i.e. can maybe take a couple of snapshots out the window and also not too close to the bar nor too close to the toilets/IFBT...

And then i will be flying LHR to either SFO or LAX or maybe even JFK but most likely the longer hauls...

p.s. do you get PJ's on all these flights?

Cheers,
Kenn.

What is offered?

Is there any difference between the UC seats in 346 vs. the UC seats in 343 (ex-Chicago)?

Trying to redeem my CO miles for a pair of UC seats in late September but it appears that there's no availability on the LAX or SFO flights... Have option to fly out of Chicago, Boston, JFK, or Newark...which one should I pick? JFK/Newark use the 346, Chicago uses the 343, and Boston is the only one that uses the 744...but of the above cities, Boston is closest to London and therefore the shortest time I'll get to spend in UC :(

Suggestions?

I am not aware of any difference in the suites on the 343 and the 346, but stand to be corrected.

I would avoid Chicago and Boston, as they don't have Clubhouses. (Shared lounges only - see other threads re these.) :td:

Personally, I like the JFK Clubhouse - always great staff and good food. I haven't been in the Newark CH, but know people who speak highly of it.

Nick

Slightly different question but just starting to use FT more often.....2mm on AA and use ORD.....thinking about trying VA out of ORD in UC.....anyone had any experiences yet?....thanks!!

Slightly different question but just starting to use FT more often.....2mm on AA and use ORD.....thinking about trying VA out of ORD in UC.....anyone had any experiences yet?....thanks!!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=710761

Bumping an old thread here.... Is SFO still the best Clubhouse in the US?

Also, Is the food before or in flight an either/or? IE, could you get a hot snack/appetizer sort of thing at the clubhouse while having pre-flight cocktails and still get full meal service on board?

Bumping an old thread here.... Is SFO still the best Clubhouse in the US?

Also, Is the food before or in flight an either/or? IE, could you get a hot snack/appetizer sort of thing at the clubhouse while having pre-flight cocktails and still get full meal service on board?

Since this thread started there have been some changes such as the 747 is now all UCS upstairs, Boston has its own clubhouse but pretty much all else is the same.

Lots of V-flyers do prefer the SFO lounge still - second best in the network to Heathrow. There's something about the LHR-SFO route that makes it good, long enough to enjoy all the flight has to offer, great location of course, often interesting people to talk with at the bar and a fab lounge pre-flight.

There is no either / or with regard to food, snack and dine in the lounge and you still get all the options on board.

Lots of V-flyers do prefer the SFO lounge still - second best in the network to Heathrow. There's something about the LHR-SFO route that makes it good, long enough to enjoy all the flight has to offer, great location of course, often interesting people to talk with at the bar and a fab lounge pre-flight.


I completely agree with everything slinky09 has said. SFO is an excellent gateway, all the way around. The lounge is tremendous.

I live in Phoenix, which is closer to LAX, but fly to SFO for my VS outbound flight, then back into LAX on the return, just for the more convenient connection home.

Hi,

The SFO lounge is excellent. ( IAD is pretty good also)

Regards

TBS

I can't believe anyone prefers the 47s in UC to the 346s.

I can't believe anyone prefers the 47s in UC to the 346s.

The extra space granted by the curvature of the plane in the nose, the smaller, more intimate cabin, with no crew activity going on in front of you.

What am I missing?

The extra space granted by the curvature of the plane in the nose, the smaller, more intimate cabin, with no crew activity going on in front of you.

What am I missing?

You missed the fact that the suites are slightly longer upstairs in the 744 - so VERY handy for us tall'uns on the 20 overnight...