LHR - Upper Class Check in trial

Currently in the Clubhouse on our way to Boston, as part of my wife's surprise 40th Birthday trip.

She had no idea where we were going until the concierge said we'll be calling the Boston flight at 13:40 !

This week the UC Checkin has been moved upstairs to the Drive Through checkin area as part of a 2 week trial.

Singapore Airlines have taken a few desks which has resulted in this trial. It has been going for a few days, and appears to be going ok from what I could gather.

The music was a little too loud today, but I thought the check in experience was a little better than downstairs, it's just a little friendlier without the big counter.

We also managed to switch to 18A and 18C, so a good result.

Mark

[Nottingham Nick]

Thanks for that, Mark [y]

Enjoy Beantown. Would be interested to know what the loads are like, please.

Nick

I know PE has 15 empty seats.

So how do you get to the drive through check in area, if you don't have a boarding pass to let you through the door?

[fozzyo]

quote:Originally posted by locutus
So how do you get to the drive through check in area, if you don't have a boarding pass to let you through the door?


Just wondering the same question!

quote:Originally posted by fozzyo
quote:Originally posted by locutus
So how do you get to the drive through check in area, if you don't have a boarding pass to let you through the door?


Just wondering the same question!


When I was at LHR a few weeks ago I thought I spied a flight of stairs at the very left hand side of the VS check-in area that might lead to the CDC area but ISTBC

quote:Originally posted by tontybear
quote:Originally posted by fozzyo
quote:Originally posted by locutus
So how do you get to the drive through check in area, if you don't have a boarding pass to let you through the door?


Just wondering the same question!


When I was at LHR a few weeks ago I thought I spied a flight of stairs at the very left hand side of the VS check-in area that might lead to the CDC area but ISTBC


How will that work with luggage [:?] I DON'T travel light [:I]

[Neil]

Surely if you get in the lift to the security channel next to where UC check in usually is, that takes you right by the drive thru check in doesn't it?

Neil

quote:Originally posted by Neil
Surely if you get in the lift to the security channel next to where UC check in usually is, that takes you right by the drive thru check in doesn't it?

Neil


The lift exits into the public area and then you scan your boarding pass to get you into the Upper Class corridor.

[Neil]

quote:Originally posted by locutus
quote:Originally posted by Neil
Surely if you get in the lift to the security channel next to where UC check in usually is, that takes you right by the drive thru check in doesn't it?

Neil


The lift exits into the public area and then you scan your boarding pass to get you into the Upper Class corridor.


Ah yes, I remember now - oh well I'm stumped too, lets hope Mark can enlighten us all[:)]

When did this trial start? I've got a flight on Sunday, so do tou go to the normal upper class check in desks and the VA staff direct you upstairs from there?

There is a member of staff there to open the door if you are UC / Gold and without a boarding pass.

The 'old' UC desks are now Economy ones, PE appears to be in the same place, with more Economy ones to the left as you look at them.

There are signs directing you upstairs, but to be honest it was n't that clear.

Just head to the lift which is adjacent to the old UC area and head to the lounge as if you already had checked in.

There were plenty of staff on hand at 11am this morning.

Mark

Interesting I always thought it would be nice if they could do all the check in upstairs for UC as I can imagine it is fairly quiet most of the time. However as others have how would you get to it without a BP.

I checked in for SQ on the A380 2 weeks ago and it seemed clear to me that SQ have had to exceed their allotted area since all the nice separation that's been put in gets forgotten about near the desks as tape barriers skew towards the VS direction, taking 2 or 3 desks that must've been intended for VS.

I defer to others with experience, but this sounds all a bit messy and half thought to me ... perhaps VS should have planned for UC check in upstairs from the outset and had an escalator put in for that purpose?

quote:
How will that work with luggage [:?] I DON'T travel light [:I]


neither do I! maybe we are related Hackneyguy ![:D][:D]

Does anyone know when this trial finishes?

quote:Originally posted by s1990
Does anyone know when this trial finishes?


C. 2 weeks from today. I would start a trial on a Monday but who knows.

I guess they are trying to make this a lot more like the 'private' areas F passengers get at T5 with BA and the J private check in area that NZ have in AKL (IIRC).

Think its a good idea, especially as comments on here seem to suggest that the current J check in looks a bit shabby and not that special compared to the PE desks.

Escalators and lifts would have been nice. This does seem rather haphazard. If I stay at a local hotel I often just get the bus into Heathrow Central and walk over to T3 with light luggage, maybe I'll try walking up the car ramp next time ... see how that one works!

[preiffer]

Sounds like a complete mess, TBH [n]

Maybe they should print bar codes on Gold cards and find some way to allow others through without having to have someone stand at the door all day.

Since it's a trial there's no harm in having someone at the door. I don't see why if it's a success they won't simply put an escalator in (or get rid of the door since there's an escalator close by outside). If it goes well it sounds more slick than what's there now where for foot PAX it's a multi step process - VS checkin, BAA lift, VS security suite.

Willd

I agree - UC check-in was v 'ordinary' when I checked in a few weeks ago - not even any carpet or ropes. PE pax were cutting across the front of the UC queue too. There waqs absolutly no 'exclusivity' for UC pax. Even the lift to the private security channel is distinctly 'ordinary'.

Well I'm really not sure we could go up an escalator with our bags - since we will have 5 or 6 full of cruising clothes. There must be an alternative surely? What about those with mobility issues?

[fozzyo]

If they decide to go with it, then I guess they will direct you the lift next to the checkin desks which will then take you to the UC wing. Remove the barcode scan requirement so you can walk straight in. Then I guess a welcome person inside to direct you to check-in.

I definately like the idea of it - its an Upper Class wing so why can't we all use it? Even those of us with our Z's and G's with no limo's.

The only difficulty is ensuring adequate signage and support staff downstairs to direct UC pax to the lift.

Mat