Virgin Upper Class from Manchester

[Neoshoegal]

I know this topic comes up ever so often, but I want to know EVERYTHING!!!

Do you get fast track security at Manchester?
Do you get to choose your seats beforehand?
What do you get at the lounge at Manchester? Is one only for Virgin or a shared lounge?
Any other perks I should be aware of?

Thank you!!!

 

[london75]

Only ever having flown PE on Virgin I can only answer a bit

No priority security that I know of as the UC passengers were next to us with all the PE and EC passengers.

You also board at the same time as the PE passengers.

I believe someone was on saying you get the same seat booking options as everyone else so seat requests rather than firm reservations.


PS Very jealous!

 

[Neoshoegal]

the priority security I'm mainly wondering about is the one at the airport where you go from the check in to the secure area (where they check you hand luggage). last time we flew there was a seperate line for business class people which was very nice to use (flew BA then)

Also, last time we flew Virgin we could choose our seats online and confirm them again at online check in. So wondering if that's the same for upper class

 

[oceanscape]

Never flown from Manchester, but yes - you can pre-request your UC seats online for all VA flights as far as I am aware.

We always get access to the security fast-track line at the London airports, so I would imagine it's the same at Manchester.

As for perks, they are detailed on the website. Depends on what type of tickets you have, but some include complimentary transfers to and from the airport which is nice.

 

[tashasmum]

We will be flying PE with Virgin in Aug and have pre-booked our seats, upstairs nos 73 k,h,c(i think).

 

[crabbie1]

We are in PE july 26th and have booked 79 C,H AND K.I think the lounge at manchester is shared with other airlines.You do get off the plane before Economy.Pe go after you and apparently have seperate baggage claim.Your bage are labelled with special upperclass/PE labels.OBI on here flys upperclass and he posted some photos.Not sure which thread though.








Another jealous person

 

[islandmum]

when we fly upper class we do request our seats (the front four as we dont want to be right next to the bar with the kids) and have always got them.

check in is obviously very quick either by checking in at the terminal through the UC lines (never had anyone infront of us before) or else using the car check-in which we've done a few times before.

Luggage doesnt seem to come off priority - never really asked that but always is through fairly quick.

no security fastpass this christmas when we went but that was Gatwick and it was busy!

you are called for boarding "at your leisure" for UC passengers and thats the first call made along with PE so yes you can be the first to board with families travelling with small children also getting first call boarding.

it is the only way to travel! we love it and the lounges .... heaven!

 

[Netty]

pity Obi the virgin guru isn't around at the moment.. he knows everything about virgin atlantic airways!

 

[oceanscape]

Luggage doesnt seem to come off priority - never really asked that but always is through fairly quick.

no security fastpass this christmas when we went but that was Gatwick and it was busy!

That seems to be an exception, as we have always had our luggage come off as a priority and be sent through on the separate conveyor. It's so much nicer not battling with the crowds to get the cases.

As far as I am aware,all UC passengers should get fast-track access through security. We've always had it everytime we have travelled, even on discount fares.

 

[islandmum]

That seems to be an exception, as we have always had our luggage come off as a priority and be sent through on the separate conveyor. It's so much nicer not battling with the crowds to get the cases.

As far as I am aware,all UC passengers should get fast-track access through security. We've always had it everytime we have travelled, even on discount fares.

I think that it was christmas was the only reason we didnt get it - security was overwhelmed and every line was opened up to everybody as the queues were so bad.

never had that problem before and TBH never seen Gatwick so busy .... quite amazing to be there in the middle of a 40 thousand person rugby scrum LOL!

 

[granmaz]

We went UC last Nov/Dec. as a special treat for my husband's birthday. I loved it.

We chose our seats online on the 'manage your flights' section. For some reason we could not check in online the day before - the website just told us to turn up to check in. That was fine because I wanted to walk the red carpet! Just one couple at the desk in front of us and the pleasure of the greeter saying ' are you travelling PE this morning madam?' and me saying 'no, UC'! Lovely.You get given your lounge invitation there too.

We did have fast pass security which felt good, but really at that time we didn't need it as it was quiet.

The lounge is shared at Manchester so is not like Heathrow or even Gatwick which are Virgin's own. However we enjoyed it and it is just at the top of the stairs from the Virgin gate!! There was toast, muffins and pastries. Fresh fruit, whole and as a fruit salad, yogurt, biscuits, crisps and nibbles. Tea, coffee, softdrinks and alcohol. We stayed there the whole time, just popping down to look at duty free.

We went down to the gate early and waited near the gate to be asked to board - we were the second couple onboard after those needing help, and we didn't push and shove!!

We were off the plane in Orlando quickly so at the front of immigration. By the time we got to baggage reclaim the priority baggage was coming. Not long at all.

At Orlando for the return flight once you have checked in a porter actually takes your luggage from you!!

The lounge there is a shared one too and is very comfortable, but only provides drinks, biscuits and then later cheese and biscuits. Much better than the terminal though.

Baggage back in Manchester was not off first - Manchester are terrible for that. It was the same when we were with TCD Sunshine First. Not Virgin on TCD's fault! I rather think the Manchester baggage handlers do it on purpose!

That's all I can remember. Enjoy it!

 

[Neoshoegal]

Thanks granmaz! It's nice to know how it works in Manchester. I still have to wait and see what the fare will be for our dates (just a few more weeks until they are released). If the fare is anything like what they are now for the few weeks before we fly, we'll go for it. Just need to decide whether we go from Manchester or London (again will depend on the fare).

Thank you all for your input! Much appreciated!

 

[DisneyBB]

Have you looked at www.v-flyer.com they have all the info on all the virgin flights and great forums. I flew VUC last October to SFran and it was fantastic. Back to Econ now to Orlando at Christmas.