SQ to share LHR T3 Zone A check-in AND UC wing..

Was just reading over at SQ Talk...

SQ to move from Zone E to Zone A in Terminal 3 at LHR.. and allegedly sharing UC check-in and the express security channel (for SQ F/C pax).

Great news for when travelling SQ... not so when travelling VS..
UC check-in already has a tendency to get rather busy.

Maybe it is part of a renewed cooperation. I can see the boardrooms now. 'Guys lets us use your exclusive UC wing and we will give you the secret to providing an acceptable food deliverence on board'[:D]

Iain

[Decker]

and add in the 5 figure membership base of UK Amex Centurion who are being given VS Gold as part of the Centurion refresh as mentioned elsewhere here by Mr Mannion - could see the Clubhouse getting a lot busier.

[preiffer]

Isn't it about time SQ built their own sodding facilities? (Well, ones that their OWN customers actually want to use?)

SQ lounge? Why bother? - they're all in the CH.
SQ check-in? Why bother? - the VS wing is much better, we'll have that too.
Fast track security? Why bother? - we'll bung in with the VS channel instead.


I know SQ are a huge shareholder, but really - for a 'world class airline', how pikey can you get?



(/soap box)

This could be an interesting development if true. Certainly seems to contradict the rumour mill/press articles of late, all claiming that SQ wanted out.

I can see where preiffer is coming from, everything seems to be one way SQ at the moment. SQ's management are very clever and clearly know how to run a good airline. I just cannot believe that SRB was so desperate to sell the 49% that he agreed to the 'no Virgin branded competition clause' for example. Surely there must come a point when VS will say 'no, its diluting our brand the exclusivity of the J product'. On the other hand maybe we are not seeing what SQ are giving back in return. Of course SQ may well be paying VS for the use of the UC Wing, which could be a large sum and welcome at this time.

[honey lamb]

Can you imagine what it'll be like in the morning with all the VS flights AND an A380 checking in!! [:0]

[Darren Wheeler]

Serious dilution of the product coming?

I can see the queue for security getting out of hand.

Not good news, I can see some VS manager rubbing hands with glee at SQ dosh flowing through and not giving a damn about the effect on their own customers. Shame a good thing can't be just that, without diluting it.

Wonder if it will make any difference to the horrendous problems I have had in the past getting access to SQ lounges across the world with the VS Gold card. So may SQ lounge staff just don't know the rules and won't let you in.

VS announced this ages ago on their internal website - but i have now been informed by my ex colleagues they're no longer checking in SQ! The words he used were 'lost the contract' but who knows!