Virgin Atlantic opens new Upper Class Wing at T3

[Decker]

Well two V-Flyers fly today (Wolves and Fozzyo) so hopefully they can report back!

Originally posted by Decker
Well two V-Flyers fly today (Wolves and Fozzyo) so hopefully they can report back!

Unfortunately we can't [:(]

The new wing isn't open yet. Noticed that when driven into the T3 waiting area the new ramp entrance to Drive Thru was closed and the elevator up to the dedicated channel for us Au's and Z's was taped off.

Lots of VS staff and and contractors in the new atrium chatting so were guessing its still being tested. Spoke to the check in agent and she thinks it could be up to two weeks.

Anyway I'm late for a trim, so will have to dash
Dean

[fozzyo]

The new checkin area for us non CDC flyers and Econ and PE passengers looks like it will be really nice!! Nails manicured, off to Travelex now. We are on the new config 747 apparently in PE so will get photos and do a TR.

[HighFlyer]

Oh wow! Looks like there might have been some teething troubles.

Thanks for the update guys, and have a fab time in NYC!

Thanks,
Sarah

[Bazz]

Sorry that it wasn't open guys, I was really looking forward to your report and maybe some pics (if they are allowed?).

[Pete]

Just to reassure everyone who's hoping to use the new facilities over the next couple of weeks, I checked with Virgin Atlantic, and the new dedicated security is indeed opening today, however it is a phased opening and just a selection of flights will be able to use it initially. Over the coming days the number of people funnelled through will increase until it's running at 100%.

Sorry you didn't get to use it guys - hopefully I'll have more luck next Wednesday.

Pete

Hi all,

I'm on a Z class Fare can i still use this checkin?:) No limo dropping me off, just my cousin!

Originally posted by k3nnis
Hi all,

I'm on a Z class Fare can i still use this checkin?:) No limo dropping me off, just my cousin!

Yes - anyone in UC or FC Gold will be able to use the new security zone when it is open.

Originally posted by Pete
Just to reassure everyone who's hoping to use the new facilities over the next couple of weeks, I checked with Virgin Atlantic, and the new dedicated security is indeed opening today, however it is a phased opening and just a selection of flights will be able to use it initially. Over the coming days the number of people funnelled through will increase until it's running at 100%.

Sorry you didn't get to use it guys - hopefully I'll have more luck next Wednesday.

Pete

Pete, any idea what are the chances for the VS19 on the 14th

-Steve

[Pete]

Well, it'll be better chances than the 2nd

My understanding is that they are starting by choosing the lighter-load flights so they can keep it manageable. By the 14th I'd suspect that they would have ramped up a fair bit, but I don't think they make the actual choice of which flights to put through until the day before, so difficult to predict with any certainty. That said, the VS19 on the 14th is straight 7s on availability at the moment, so it may be ripe for selection if they're still filtering.

[mitchja]

I hope they let the VS200 flight though on the 11th. Although the flight is chocker at the front [:?]

Regards

[Pete]

Now sitting in the Clubhouse, and I can report that the dedicated security channel was open this morning.

It's like a Fast-Fast Trak. Absolutely no queue for me as I went through, and it exits behind the regular security lines, so you can see all those people having to queue.

[Darren Wheeler]

Cheers Pete. An idea on whether you can check-in, pop up to Travel-Ex to collect currency and then come back down and through security?

Originally posted by Pete
Now sitting in the Clubhouse, and I can report that the dedicated security channel was open this morning.

It's like a Fast-Fast Trak. Absolutely no queue for me as I went through, and it exits behind the regular security lines, so you can see all those people having to queue.

Great Stuff [y].
Pete, what time did you go through this morning?
-Steve

Live from the Club House and I can confirm that the new security is just about the best fantastic thing VS have done in ages.

The ramp isn't open yet so coming through the ground floor you head to the lift to the right of UC check-in. The lift interior has been refurbished to a larger, lighter version of the CH lifts, up to the first floor and a sharp left - there's a locked door with a scanner to read the bar code on your boarding pass and you hear a 'chunk' when it's released and you're through. A lovely waiting VS person says hi and I could see the new DTCI area (beautiful and looks like it will be a total pleasure when open) then a right turn down a corridor for boarding pass check then into the security zone.

I was the only one - straight through in 30 seconds [:0].

Better still, at check in they put a UC/Gold sticker on your boarding pass and with this you can by pass the shoe circus.

Building works are still ongoing so there are a few rough edges around downstairs. Apparently the scanner is being a bit unreliable too but there are staff on hand.

I love it, arrival to lounge in less than 10 minutes is something VS should scream from the chimney tops!!! Even better, no shoes off (this for some reason has really really irritated me from the start!).

Thanks slinky. Now for a slightly odd question. I am travelling on VS19 in UC (Z fare no limo) while my friend will be in Y. I take it we can both check in at the UC desks? If this is the case then once we checked in, i go through the dedicated UC security while my friend goes through the circus?

And then do i need to meet my friend separately outside the clubhouse to invite him in with my UC BP?

Cheers,
K.

Originally posted by slinky09
Live from the Club House and I can confirm that the new security is just about the best fantastic thing VS have done in ages.

The ramp isn't open yet so coming through the ground floor you head to the lift to the right of UC check-in. The lift interior has been refurbished to a larger, lighter version of the CH lifts, up to the first floor and a sharp left - there's a locked door with a scanner to read the bar code on your boarding pass and you hear a 'chunk' when it's released and you're through. A lovely waiting VS person says hi and I could see the new DTCI area (beautiful and looks like it will be a total pleasure when open) then a right turn down a corridor for boarding pass check then into the security zone.

I was the only one - straight through in 30 seconds [:0].

Better still, at check in they put a UC/Gold sticker on your boarding pass and with this you can by pass the shoe circus.

Building works are still ongoing so there are a few rough edges around downstairs. Apparently the scanner is being a bit unreliable too but there are staff on hand.

I love it, arrival to lounge in less than 10 minutes is something VS should scream from the chimney tops!!! Even better, no shoes off (this for some reason has really really irritated me from the start!).

[Pete]

k3nnis,

You can take through 1 guest per Upper Class/Gold pax - so you should be fine.

Pete (who is now in LA, after a very pleasant flight on VS007 today)

Originally posted by slinky09

Better still, at check in they put a UC/Gold sticker on your boarding pass and with this you can by pass the shoe circus.

Im rather shocked by that- does that mean BAA/VS have decided that no person posing security risk will fly UC?!?

No less than the fact that they do not scan shoes at T1 at all.....

[Pete]

VS passengers can still have their shoes (randomly) checked - the stick just shows the shoe circus behind the normal security lines that you don't need to be selected.

Originally posted by Pete
VS passengers can still have their shoes (randomly) checked - the stick just shows the shoe circus behind the normal security lines that you don't need to be selected.

Not everyone "needs" selecting anyway, I've often been directed straight past the shoe scanner.

jules.