V-Flyer

The gorgeous one and I are off to Grenada for a couple of weeks of sunshine on VS051 from Gatwick on 12th March (PE)...our first flight on Virgin. I have to say I am looking forward to it, so many of the posts on here are really positive so THANK YOU for that.

Any tips to a 'add value' to our flights/the whole Virgin experience would be appreciated. We are planning to do the Twilight Check-In as we are at the Hilton the night before. For instance: should I take headphones (in which case can anyone recommend reasonable priced ones)? Should I do On-Line check in and use the Twighlight one as a bag drop? Is the flight likely to be full? All information/hints will be very gratefully received.

Thank you

PS Trip reports will be forthcoming on our return.[8D]

If it were me I would do OLCI to secure my seats and then do Twilight check-in as a bag drop.

With regard to headphones I can't comment on the PE ones but others may advise.

The flight in UC and PE is full enough with J1 and W1 showing on Expert Flyer. Economy is wide open

The headphones in PE are the same as in economy. This link will show you a picture of them.

I personally always use my earphones that I use with my iPod onboard as I find them much more comfortable and have better sound. At the end of the day, it's all down to your personal preference.

Have a lovely time. Grenada was my first long haul destination and I was enchanted by the place. Must get back.

I too have my first flight with Virgin Atlantic.

Im going on Wednesday from LHR to JFK on 003, and i cant wait.

Does anybody know what these flights are usually like, are they very busy or pretty empty i only ask as a friend of mine has recently done LHR to JFK but on a night flight and she said it was pretty empty in Economy and they had a few seats to stretch out on.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Hi dantpenny, the VS 3 is usually busy as people like to get to New York at lunch time. Your flight on wed is showing about five spare seats in economy at the moment and is on an A340-300.
Hope you have a fab first flight!

Oh, i was expecting an A340-600, i was looking forward to that, ah well.

Dan

Hope you found the tips I sent you useful.

Have a fab trip and don't forget to do a trip report when you get back !

Chris

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
The headphones in PE are the same as in economy. This link will show you a picture of them.

I personally always use my earphones that I use with my iPod onboard as I find them much more comfortable and have better sound. At the end of the day, it's all down to your personal preference.


I take the Sennheiser CX300 I use with my iPod. The rubberised 'in ear' doohickeys help keep the general aircraft noise out and the price of replacement won't make you weep if you lose them.

Paul

Echo what Paul says - the onboard headphones are about as cheap as the probably come. I tried them on my trip last year and got so much more out of V:Port with my own in ear ones!

tontybear - thanks for the guide, there is some useful info in there.

Its probably a silly question but would i be on the same aircraft on my way home VS 004 flight from JFK to LHR or do they aircraft change, i was really looking forward to going on an A340-600 so im hopeing that they change pretty often.

quote:Originally posted by honey lamb
If it were me I would do OLCI to secure my seats and then do Twilight check-in as a bag drop.

With regard to headphones I can't comment on the PE ones but others may advise.

The flight in UC and PE is full enough with J1 and W1 showing on Expert Flyer. Economy is wide open


Thank you, will do OLCI.

Thank you also to Tinkerbelle, Sealink (all I have heard about Grenada makes me wish we were going for three weeks rather than two!), pjh and flyerdavid for the comments and advice - Sennheisers ordered (would have multi-quoted but haven't yet worked out how to do it!!)

You may well be on an A340-600 as they do alternate. What date are you coming back?

quote:Originally posted by dantpenny
Oh, i was expecting an A340-600, i was looking forward to that, ah well.


Keep your fingers crossed for G-VSUN - it's the only 340-300 that has VPort!

Im coming home on Monday 1st May, i think we fly at 18.10, not 100% sure if the time is correct though.

Ive always wanted to fly on a 346 or a 747 so i hope i get the chance on the way home.

Thanks for pointing that out Tinkerbelle ill keep them crossed 100%

Depending on whether you fancy looking around duty free or grabbing some breakfast at LGW, maybe look into using a Servisair executive lounge:

http://www.executivelounges.co.uk

Very nice with free breakfast and drinks! Think its about 15-20 each and they have 2 lounges (one for adults only), makes it a lot more relaxing at that crazy time in the morning! Also got brilliant views of the runway so something to keep you occupied.

Shall be flying out the week after you! [:p]

I have another question, sorry guys you probably all hate me with the amount of questions im asking, haha.

With the online ESTA form, i have filled it all in and been accepted etc, but do i need to print it off and take it with me or do i just need to fill in the form on board the aircraft.

quote:Originally posted by dantpenny
I have another question, sorry guys you probably all hate me with the amount of questions im asking, haha.

With the online ESTA form, i have filled it all in and been accepted etc, but do i need to print it off and take it with me or do i just need to fill in the form on board the aircraft.


You don't need to print the ESTA off (although I do carry a copy with me, just in case) You still fill out the green visa waver form and the white customs form as before.

Thankyou Jaguarpig.

quote:Originally posted by HWVlover
The gorgeous one and I are off to Grenada for a couple of weeks of sunshine on VS051 from Gatwick on 12th March (PE)...our first flight on Virgin. I have to say I am looking forward to it, so many of the posts on here are really positive so THANK YOU for that.

Any tips to a 'add value' to our flights/the whole Virgin experience would be appreciated. We are planning to do the Twilight Check-In as we are at the Hilton the night before. For instance: should I take headphones (in which case can anyone recommend reasonable priced ones)? Should I do On-Line check in and use the Twighlight one as a bag drop? Is the flight likely to be full? All information/hints will be very gratefully received.

Thank you

PS Trip reports will be forthcoming on our return.[8D]

quote:Originally posted by HWVlover
The gorgeous one and I are off to Grenada for a couple of weeks of sunshine on VS051 from Gatwick on 12th March (PE)...our first flight on Virgin. I have to say I am looking forward to it, so many of the posts on here are really positive so THANK YOU for that.

Any tips to a 'add value' to our flights/the whole Virgin experience would be appreciated. We are planning to do the Twilight Check-In as we are at the Hilton the night before. For instance: should I take headphones (in which case can anyone recommend reasonable priced ones)? Should I do On-Line check in and use the Twighlight one as a bag drop? Is the flight likely to be full? All information/hints will be very gratefully received.

Thank you

PS Trip reports will be forthcoming on our return.[8D]


Try and get the bulkhead seats (AC) are the best for even more leg-room[y]

1st May is showing as an A340-600 at the moment.

Im just laid in bed at the travel lodge just off the M4 and i cant get any sleep, i have a feeling i will be on the red bulls later, ah well, not long until im up for my flight.

I have just completed online check-in, what a piece of cake, got the seats in the bubble I 'hoped for/requested' when I booked last year.

Next comes the worst bit; dropping the dogs off at their kennels - Boo Hoo (and I probably will).

Then a leisurely drive to Gatwick to check out the interpersonal skills of the check-in staff and the cuisine at the Hilton!

What fun.
[y]

Have a great trip - will look forward to a TR. [;)]

Nick