New Years Eve Flight Advice?

Well, this is my first post to v-flyer, though I've recently been on the site quite often for TP and fare code info (v helpful!).

Anyway, I'm tempted to book a flight on 31 Dec, JFK-LHR, since there are no seats available on 1 Jan (at least short of D class), but I am curious to know what it's like to fly on a NYE flight - anything special? Most likely I will be flying UC (using mileage upgrade from PE), in the hopes that at least the bar will provide some form of entertainment [:)]

Thanks in advance for sharing stories of boredom or revelry...

Cheers,
Michael

[ChuckC]

Welcome to V-Flyer, Michael, and thank you for becoming a member.
Although I haven't flown that route on New Year's Eve, one thing is for certain: champagne will be flowing! As you suspect, the bar will likely be as it often is, a focal point of entertainment.

Please file a trip report so that we can share the flight's detail.

Again, welcome aboard.

Chuck-

If you are lucky to get that upgrade I am sure it will be fun. Depending on when you fly you could celebrate multiple times too! If say you depart on the VS004 then UK New Year will come very quickly, followed a few hours later by US New Year.

I used to fly on Christmas day to the States a few times - a partner in retail meant it was the best plan ... I recall on AA (which we used to fly) there was never any mention of Christmas let alone extra cheer in the form of food or drink. I am sure VS will be different on New Year's eve.

Last year we flew out to DXB on Christmas Eve in Upper it was nothing special however, we did have a marathon session in the clubhouse which we thoroughly enjoyed, I think we clocked up 8 hours and we're never bored . We flew back on NYE in Upper, and it was nothing special! We sat at the bar and chatted with another couple for a few hours and the staff an no one else came near the bar. Obviously it was an early morning flight but I was surprised at both flights as no mention was made of either occasion.

Originally posted by sojourner

Well, this is my first post to v-flyer, though I've recently been on the site quite often for TP and fare code info (v helpful!).

Anyway, I'm tempted to book a flight on 31 Dec, JFK-LHR, since there are no seats available on 1 Jan (at least short of D class), but I am curious to know what it's like to fly on a NYE flight - anything special? Most likely I will be flying UC (using mileage upgrade from PE), in the hopes that at least the bar will provide some form of entertainment [:)]

Thanks in advance for sharing stories of boredom or revelry...

Cheers,
Michael

Welcome to the site Michael -
I'd like to think it would be a 'party bus' atmosphere but back in the real world my guess is that the cabin heat will be turned up to inferno level and the crew will slope off for hours on their breaks [;)].Travelled out on New Years Day with VS this year.The Clubhouse had run out of lots of stuff because of the holidays (including fresh mint, so the mint for my Mojitos was obtained from elsewhere [y]). The staff in the clubhouse were fab despite the early hour (bang on 7am[:w]) but the cabin crew were underwhelming and gave the impresion they'd rather be somewhere else.
Still I'd rather be on a plane than suffering the enless onslaught of fireworks which seem to go off from midnight for hours and hours...Bah humbug..just call me Ebebeezer.

One of my best flights ever was on New Years eve LAX -> LHR a couple of years ago on an A346 with only 42 passengers and a full crew.

It was an extra flight as one had gone tech the day before so there were 3 flights from LAX that day.

It departed quite early, around 3:00pm, the captain put the world service on the PA so we could hear big ben at midnight and toast the New Year.

I flew BOS-LHR last year, and i can tell you the crew did not want to be on that flight, the worse flight ever with VA[:0]

I love VA but really typical Virgin inconsistant.......

Slightly OT but one of the best new Years eve parties I have experienced was stuck on the Ramp at Arlanda in Stockholm on a Pulkovo TU134 with 5 crew and 6 PAX. A snowstorm had given us a 4 hr delay. Rather than go back to the terminal we decided to stay on board with the crew. The hot food was servred luke warm, but the vodka was ice cold. Followed by the Baileys, Gin and XO cognac. We drank the entire on board bar trolley. The flight crew did not drink, but the stewardesses were trollied to say the least.
When we arrived in LED at 4am we were buckled, but at least it gave immigration a laugh.

Iain

I flew last year from London to Shanghai on New Years Eve- Sadly only in Y, so no sitting at the Bar getting quietly sloshed, but I too was surprised at the lack of a mention from anyone.
It was a very quiet and dull flight.

Many thanks for the helpful comments! I will definitely try to write a trip report. Originally, I was going to reserve the 7:45p JFK flight, but after Slinky's suggestion of two new years celebrations on VS004, I think that is a much better idea! I have a feeling DragonLady may have pegged the mood best, but I will just have to see for myself. Glad to hear that the staff are better at commandeering mint for the CH than they are managing a slice of lime for my G+T in economy [:(!] Not exactly the most exotic garnish on earth...but I digress.

It certainly will be nice to be back in UC, looking forward to some fun at the bar, hopefully with the soothing sounds of the world service to help us ring in the new year [:)]