V-Flyer

Hello again,
I dont want to bore the pants off everyone, but it has to be said that I am tres excited about my forthcoming trip down under. Its been booked for months and now its just round the corner I cant physically wait. [8D] (I hope that after reading a few TRs it wont be an anticlimax and the staff are their usual fab self!)

It will the be the first time I have travelld UC (have flown business, but am thinking no comparisen?) , so I have a few questions (they are a bit random thats me Im afraid - so bear with me[:#] )


I am a 30 something female travelling alone, am I going to look a like a saddo in that CH on my own? [?]
Any tips/advice on making the most of it, as I will be there for a good few hours, as I have to fly in from Cork first?
What is suitble attire for said CH? I like to think that as I work in fashion I am quiet stylish, but whilst I dont want to appear like a Wannabewaghag, I dont want to be scruffy either?
What PJs are deemed suitable onboard?
It is advisable to take a change of clothing on board to relax in for such a long flight?
In fact any tips or advice that can be offered would be grately accepted as this is the longest flight I have ever taken.

Thank you [y]

Oh, where to begin.....

First of all, try to book a treatment in the CH now. You might be lucky and get one.

Arrive in plenty of time to make use of the CH. Food and cocktails are not only an option, but a requirement. At least 2 mojitos are mandatory along with champagne.

There is no dress code so wear what you are comfortable in. You've paid your money, so who cares. I prefer practical over style (not that I have much) for a long flight, bearing in mind the far end weather forecast.

On-board, I have stopped using the sleep suits in preference to a pair of bought cotton PJ's. Much more comfortble as breathable, no static and you know they will fit.

Try to break the flight up and the bar makes an ideal place to do that. You get to have a chat with other pax without intruding on their suite and the crew too. My last trip, the captain served me!!

Above all else. ENJOY!!!

Thanks Darren, that's great, still umming and urring on the treatment front!

Originally posted by Kittymins
Thanks Darren, that's great, still umming and urring on the treatment front!

Oh you should have one, even though my treatment was rubbish I still enjoyed by pampered and a good gossip with the BT.

You will not look out of place being in the CH on your own, I imagine a good % of the pax in there are lone travellers going away on business etc and there are so many different areas for you to sit you can hide yourself away in a corner if you want.

And wear what you want (within reason of course), you will see all kinds of dress from suit and tie, to jeans and hoody, whatever you are comfortable in.

It will the be the first time I have travelled UC (have flown business, but am thinkingÉ no comparison?)

UC is a business class product, and whilst it is a good J class offering it isn't the same standard as say First Class.

Thanks Neil,

I will defo have a treatment, just picking one now!

No I realise that it isnt first, as in all singing and dancing, but I haven't used business class since 99/00/01, so I can imagine it will be soooo much better than then.

Thank for the comments[y]

OK, as a lone 30+ (x2 [:I]) female traveller I am perfectly qualified to assure you that you will not look like a saddo on your own in the CH. There will be plenty of people, especially business men and women travelling alone so you won't stick out like a sore thumb.

I see you are flying in on the 712 which will give you loads and loads of time in the Clubhouse. When we travelled we came in on the 722 which still gave plenty of time there. As everyone says, book a treatment. This link will give you an idea of the treatments and if you scroll down the page there is a booking request form. If they do not have the time you select as available they will give you one at another time if possible and will know what time your flight is so will book appropriately.

You will be able to have a late lunch and/or an early dinner. A tip for you. Ask in the Clubhouse for the menu for your flight. I find that helps me decide what I'm going to eat in the clubhouse. Highly recommended are the burger, Eggs Benedict and I think, the shepherd's pie. There is also a deli section there. Champagne and mojitos are de riguer [:w]

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. No-one takes any notice of what you are wearing.

On board sleep suits (often referred here as ninja suits) are available but some choose to bring their own as the older ones were too warm. The newer ones are made with a higher cotton mix and are better. Change into them once on board and you need not worry about bringing a change of clothes.

At HKG you will have to disembark the aircraft as it will be cleaned etc. You will be segregated from the pax leaving at HKG and diverted to the Clubhouse there, where if you're quick you can get a shower.

Oh, yes, on board Tanqueray Ten and tonic with a slice of lime (not lemon although sometimes lime isn't available [V]) is highly recommended.

Most of all, sit back, relax and enjoy the experience.

When you come back start saving like mad as you will never want to travel any other way again!!

Sound advice Honeylamb thank you so much.[:D]

You're right of course, saving up already!!!

Originally posted by Neil
And wear what you want (within reason of course), you will see all kinds of dress from suit and tie, to jeans and hoody, whatever you are comfortable in.

Just because you were in there in a hoody the other week does not mean that it's de rigueur Clubhouse wear. However, Neil does still make a valid point - wear more-or-less what you're most happy in. I generally go for shirt/jacket/trousers that are half a size too large, which means that they'll fit perfectly about 2 hours into the flight...


Take some fresh, cotton PJs with you (sleep suits are just too awful) and get yourself nice and comfy - preferably, as HL points out, with a T10&T (with lime!) in hand. It's a long flight, so you might as well be as relaxed and comfortable as possible.

Hi Kittymins, I did this flight about four weeks ago, so fresh from that memory here are my comments, similar to those that have gone before!

Originally posted by Kittymins
I am a 30 something female travelling alone, am I going to look a like a saddo in that CH on my own? [?]

Absolutely not, a high per cent of people there are flying alone likely for business purposes. The whole experience works perfectly for a single travelling, from eating, relaxing, watching TV, enjoying the spa etc.

Originally posted by Kittymins
Any tips/advice on making the most of it, as I will be there for a good few hours, as I have to fly in from Cork first?

Treatments, absolutely, also make time to sit down to eat - I think it's more enjoyable doing this semi formally rather than balancing plates on your knees like a lot do, also go into the library and spend some time on the PCs mailing your friends about how fab it is!

Originally posted by Kittymins
What is suitble attire for said CH? I like to think that as I work in fashion I am quiet stylish, but whilst I don't want to appear like a Wannabewaghag, I don't want to be scruffy either?
What PJ's are deemed suitable onboard?

My travel attire is a pair of All Stars, jeans (always Diesel), tshirt and a casual jacket, rarely do I see people in formal business attire, most are casually comfortable. On VFlyer there have been many quips about velour tracksuits, but few actually wear them! Onboard I do use the sleepsuits and on the Sydney flight change as soon as boarding at LHR then again into a clean set on boarding in HKG. But any PJs are fine ...

Originally posted by Kittymins
It is advisable to take a change of clothing on board to relax in for such a long flight?

I think this depends on whether you want to shower in HKG in which case I say absolutely, in my case I would take a change of underwear and a clean tshirt. Twelve hours in a plane, plus all the time before boarding is equivalent to at least a full day in one set of clothes (with the PJs thrown in).

Originally posted by Kittymins
In fact any tips or advice that can be offered would be grately accepted as this is the longest flight I have ever taken.

Search the trip reports, there are several there!

Thanks Slinky, very helpful. I was planning on doing the dash for the shower, is there usually a long wait, what is it, 90mins turnaround, should be long emnough for all thoses wanting to shower?

What's the hydo pool in the CH like is it worth bothering?

Originally posted by Kittymins
Thanks Slinky, very helpful. I was planning on doing the dash for the shower, is there usually a long wait, what is it, 90mins turnaround, should be long emnough for all thoses wanting to shower?

What's the hydo pool in the CH like is it worth bothering?

Sure it is - you might even find some pictures on the site! There's little in the LHR ch NOT worth bothering about, unless it does not interest you. You might not enjoy flipping through 100 pound coffee table books with lots of pictures, or playing early 80s style space invader games, or playing 8ball, but if you do, it's there, it's good, so use it!

I have to tell you, I've never gotten to spend more than three hours there, and i absolutely feel that's not enough!

Have you selected your seat yet? If not go into Amend Booking in the Shortcuts section of the VS homepage and enter in your 6 digit PNR (mixture of letters and numbers). This should bring up your booking and you can then select your seat. Be aware that you will be flying on the 346 and in some window seats you will be facing other people and in others a wall. If your row is D or G you will always be facing someone.

It is possible that you may get a message to say that you cannot view the map. This will be because the 60% of seats available for pre-selection will have been reached in which case you should go for OLCI as soon as it opens as more seats are released then. If you are lucky to choose a seat then remember it is a request and may still be changed

As you can tell, we all love trips by proxy.

Just makes everyone else what to go as well. I can almost taste the mojitios and No.10. [:)]

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
As you can tell, we all love trips by proxy ...
[:)]

Quite true, but isn't that part of the fun here?[:D]

I remember my first trip on Virgin and the anticipation of actually flying on Sir Richard's airline. It was an amazing experience.

Echoing what others have said, comfort and relaxation should be your uppermost thought. The sleep suits can't compare with my well worn 'jammies'. As for the Clubhouse it is nearly always a fun and satisfying experience. By all means enjoy as much as you can, including a treatment. 'Rhinestone Cowbow' is my favorite, not that you'd be asking for a shave, mind you!

You are so fortunate, not only to be traveling in difficult economic times, but to be luxuriating in Upper, the Clubhouse and, at the far end, Sydney. Enjoy it all!

Chuck-

Originally posted by Kittymins
Thanks Slinky, very helpful. I was planning on doing the dash for the shower, is there usually a long wait, what is it, 90mins turnaround, should be long emnough for all thoses wanting to shower?

What's the hydo pool in the CH like is it worth bothering?

If memory serves me right (my trip to SYD was a year ago) there are two showers in HKG so 'run Forest, run'.Jacuzzi is fun (but enjoy it before your hairdo or treatment). Lone woman in the CH- no problem. Wear what you feel comfortable in.Ninja suits are still (as of last month) still 65% polyester 35% cotton.[:$]Lots of blue sparks[:0].Favourite seat 3,4,5K ( grab if still available).
CH 'must dos' -mojitos, people watching,more mojitos treatment/hairdo, more mojitos,eat,more mojitos.Get the drift??[:D] .
Onboard drink of choice is T10 +T (with lime of course).
Hope you have a great trip.
DL

Don't forget, site rules mean you must do a full and in-depth trip report afterwards. Every juicy titbit to be included

Originally posted by MarkedMan
playing early 80s style space invader games

WHAT? I missed that one [:(]

Originally posted by daharris

Originally posted by MarkedMan
playing early 80s style space invader games

WHAT? I missed that one [:(]

Well, I never actually did it, but I seem to remember that they had some old school videogame counters around the pool table - retro video game consoles as they were described on the VA website. I was a pool fanatic, the wife, not really, so we don't do that when together, and if alone i feel a bit daft grabbing the pool table for myself when many couples actually enjoy it. So I have never actually taken a close look at the tables/games. I could be mistaken that the games themselves are old school - but the tables certainly have that twenty year old look and feel.

Originally posted by MarkedMan

Originally posted by daharris

Originally posted by MarkedMan
playing early 80s style space invader games

WHAT? I missed that one [:(]

Well, I never actually did it, but I seem to remember that they had some old school videogame counters around the pool table - retro video game consoles as they were described on the VA website. I was a pool fanatic, the wife, not really, so we don't do that when together, and if alone i feel a bit daft grabbing the pool table for myself when many couples actually enjoy it. So I have never actually taken a close look at the tables/games. I could be mistaken that the games themselves are old school - but the tables certainly have that twenty year old look and feel.

There was certainly a space invaders machine in there back in August (sit down version as opposed to the ones that you stood up and played).Certainly looked like the ones I merrily queued (for hours) to get 'a turn on' 25 years+ ago. Dragonbaby laughed her head off when we explained that at the time it was cutting edge stuff.Ah, nostalgia.[:)].

Originally posted by MarkedMan

Originally posted by Kittymins

or playing early 80s style space invader games, or playing 8ball, but if you do, it's there, it's good, so use it!

I have to tell you, I've never gotten to spend more than three hours there, and i absolutely feel that's not enough!

i love those tables wish i could have one in my house, they have origional street fighter and 1940 thru 1945 it couldnt get any better![y][y][y]

cheers
alex[:D]

To echo and add to what's been said:

Book your treatment NOW. The facial / eyebrow shape is excellent (this coming from a 40-year-old bloke!).

Grab a pate selection from the deli, and some sushi - if only to nick the groovy metal chopsticks. Definitely get a meal at the CH - the onboard grub cannot even slightly match up.

Champers is de rigeur but not being a mojito fan myself, I'd heartily recommend the espresso martinis and the manhattans.

It's also worth venturing upstairs to sit in the white leather sofas! Or maybe the hanging bubble chairs overlooking the tarmac.

A word about the pool tables - you obtain the cues by handing your boarding pass to the concierge as a deposit.

Onboard, hit the champagne early as it tends to run out...

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for all the tips it has been a great insight!

I have booked my seat already, I had a peek at seat Guru ages and ages ago befoe I even knew about this site, so I hope I have ok ones, outward I am 2a and inbound 7k??? Seat Guru had 2a as excellent seat and v private, 7K is a good seat so I'm hopeful they will be ok[?]

I most certainly will be furnishing you all with a TR, I thought Neil's report was fabaroo, must ask him how he got his photos in it?[|:)]

Also, regarding the shower dash, is it best to take your own toiletries with you and are they easy to find???

Thanks!

KittyM [:)]

In 2A you will be facing someone. If you were on 2K you would be facing the wall which makes it more private but is next to the loo. 3 or 4K is better. I'm not to sure about 7K as it's round about there that the centre aisle changes direction and I don't know if you will be facing the wall or a person. Others may have the answer.

The showers are just to the right as you go inside the HKG clubhouse. Just ask the concierge when you check in there. there will be toiletries there as well as towels etc.

Please don't give Neil a swelled head about his trip report. He's bad enough as it is [}:)] The true TRmeister is mdvipond. You don't know how we count the days for him to go on a trip and report back. Already we are salivating like Pavlov's dogs at the thought of his trip in 4 weeks time

Originally posted by honey lamb
The true TRmeister is mdvipond. You don't know how we count the days for him to go on a trip and report back. Already we are salivating like Pavlov's dogs at the thought of his trip in 4 weeks time

I reckon folk are just glad to see the back of me...

Make no mistake though, Miss Kitty, Neil is indeed 'fabaroo'.

7K is the last seat facing the wall. It is, however, pretty close to 8D which is a bassinet position.

Originally posted by Kittymins
I most certainly will be furnishing you all with a TR, I thought Neil's report was fabaroo, must ask him how he got his photos in it?[|:)]
KittyM [:)]

Why thank you Kittymins[:)] Although I am not quite sure myself how I got the photos in[?]

HL is quite right (as usual) and Mdvipond is the true TR master, I am already counting down to his return so we can read one another one of his legendary TR's[oo]

Neil