Virgin upper - bidding for it

[The G Kid]

Saleen836 said:

Make sure to give vehicle make/model and reg number that will be dropping you off at the 'wing' or you wont get through (unless it has changed since I last used it (pre covid as it was still shut end of Nov 2021 when I flew UC to Miami)

Thanks, it's not mentioned on the stuff I have looked at but will look into it again. Although getting a transfer from LGW, and probably won't know the details until the day.

[Voodoo Blue]

The G Kid said:

Saleen836 said:

Make sure to give vehicle make/model and reg number that will be dropping you off at the 'wing' or you wont get through (unless it has changed since I last used it (pre covid as it was still shut end of Nov 2021 when I flew UC to Miami)

Thanks, it's not mentioned on the stuff I have looked at but will look into it again. Although getting a transfer from LGW, and probably won't know the details until the day.

If you call them beforehand and tell them you'll be arriving via the wing but don't know the car details they'll log it against your booking reference and name. When you get to the gate you (or the driver) need to give them those details and they'll let you through. Other than using the VIP service its the most civilised way of checking in in the whole airport.

[The G Kid]

Voodoo Blue said:

If you call them beforehand and tell them you'll be arriving via the wing but don't know the car details they'll log it against your booking reference and name. When you get to the gate you (or the driver) need to give them those details and they'll let you through. Other than using the VIP service its the most civilised way of checking in in the whole airport.

Thanks for the advice.

[Jonny TVR]

I'm looking to book a return flight to NYC from London business class for 4-5 days in a couple of weeks or so. I imagined it would cost around £3.5k based on previous experiences but some time ago. I have some vouchers to put towards it with Virgin. However direct flights are £7k+ which is incredible. I know there are always key times of the year where airlines promote and it seems no promo's are due. Then I look at aer lingus via dublin which is the cheapest at around £3-4k. I've travelled via dublin before and it was great as we did the painful US customs in dublin rather than NYC, but is that still an advantage? Anyone used aer lingus? if there a a week or more between outbound and return flights then the cost reduced down to around £4k on virgin which is OK but I don't really want to go for a week. Any insight from anyone?

[Tim330]

Jonny TVR said:

I'm looking to book a return flight to NYC from London business class for 4-5 days in a couple of weeks or so. I imagined it would cost around £3.5k based on previous experiences but some time ago. I have some vouchers to put towards it with Virgin. However direct flights are £7k+ which is incredible. I know there are always key times of the year where airlines promote and it seems no promo's are due. Then I look at aer lingus via dublin which is the cheapest at around £3-4k. I've travelled via dublin before and it was great as we did the painful US customs in dublin rather than NYC, but is that still an advantage? Anyone used aer lingus? if there a a week or more between outbound and return flights then the cost reduced down to around £4k on virgin which is OK but I don't really want to go for a week. Any insight from anyone?

If you don't mind the extra effort check the prices for starting your trip in Dublin then book a low cost carrier to take you to Dublin the day before and stay in an airport hotel. You may find it cheaper but there is a risk of not making it to Dublin the day before the transatlantic flight of course. On the return journey book a late in the day low cost carrier back to London.

[Jonny TVR]

Tim, Just checked and thats massively cheaper. £2.7k by aer lingus

It does increase the travel time though by 4 hours if you build in enough time.

Edited by Jonny TVR on Friday 31st March 10:39

[sleepezy]

Johnny

I've never travelled via Dublin but understand the immigration benefit still exists - however if you're travelling business and get a wiggle on when you land in the US you should be at or near the front of the queue anyway - my partner flew into JFK the other day to meet me for a short break and it took her about 10 mins to clear immigration. You can get unlucky though, if you arrive just after a flight from China then all bets are off!

For the cost reduction - you don't normally have to stay a week - but do need to stay over a weekend (it arises due to the demand for in week returns from business travel)

[Jonny TVR]

Jet Blue are cheap .. no idea what their business class is like but looks OK.