V-Flyer

Hi Virgin faithfuls!

We're flying LHR - MIA for our Honeymoon in August, and flying Upper Class (Not only because it's our HM, but because who wants to sit in a normal seat anymore!?)

We've flown UC before but never from/To LHR. We want to use the wing but will be in a private car transfer.

Has anyone done the drive through check in before? How long does it actually take from car to lounge?

And for anyone that's done it in a private (Non Virgin arranged) car - How did you find it? Did you find that when you gave them the car reg, they took it and met you at the car door with boarding passes still?

Finally - what are you favourite things to do / must do's in the LHR lounge?

Thanks all!

It's absolutely fine. We always stay nearby in a hotel and use a taxi to dtci. Always met on arrival and processed swiftly. You should be in lounge within 30 minutes.
Just phone before your arrival to give virgin the details of the car you'll be using.
Enjoy.

Just realised I didn't answer a couple of your questions re the DTCI.
To find it head for terminal 3. You will go through the tunnel and should keep to the left on exit. The road bends to the right and you will see the terminal in front on the left. Before you reach the terminal building and drop off area the slip to the entrance to DTCI is on the left. It is signed. The car has to go into the entrance and wait for the number plate to be read and the barrier to be lowered. You then follow the drive around and stop outside the entrance. There is no waiting there after unloading.
As far as the lounge goes I think that's very much a question of taste. I enjoy a good breakfast and a few cocktails before the flight but it my be best to have a look at the website and explore when you arrive.
have a great time!

I might have been incredibly lucky but I can usually do car to lounge in 10 minutes or less.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.47008 ... 6656?hl=en

Here is a link to street view. Slip road on your left.
Dick D

I did it this morning in under 15 mins that was stopping to take photos too ........

There are two barriers; the first a relatively flimsy job at which you announce yourself which then lets you in to a small holding bay to the second, more robust, barrier.

At the top of the ramp you will be met by a staff who will have your printed boarding cards to hand and who will whisk away your luggage.

my personal record is 7 minutes from car stopping to walking into the club house. Longest is probably 20 minutes as there was a slight queue at security.

90% of the time i arrive at the wing in a private transfer. never an issue. Even if you haven't phoned ahead with your registration, it takes them about 3 minutes to check you in and print your boarding pass

Thanks all for the replies - very helpful.

In terms of being in the lounge, this will be our first time in the LHR lounge and will be the last for the foreseeable. We want to be able to experience it all to it’s full, so what time would you recommend getting in there for a flight departing at 11:35?

I - and many other V-Flyers - would be there for opening at 6.30! All being well you’ll be boarding at about 10.45 so that gives you a good four hours for a leisurely breakfast, spa treatments, a spot of shopping if required and a Redhead or three.

If that’s a bit too early for you fair enough, but by 8 it starts getting pretty busy as the first wave of departures approaches.

jr17 wrote:Thanks all for the replies - very helpful.

In terms of being in the lounge, this will be our first time in the LHR lounge and will be the last for the foreseeable. We want to be able to experience it all to it’s full, so what time would you recommend getting in there for a flight departing at 11:35?

We are going via Heathrow next year and I had thought about a hotel by T4 and getting the tube.
Now I'm really thinking DTCI is something we ought to do as like you this may be it for a while for us.
Last year at Gatwick we were the first in CH for a 1 p.m. flight.

Dick D

gumshoe wrote:I - and many other V-Flyers - would be there for opening at 6.30! All being well you’ll be boarding at about 10.45 so that gives you a good four hours for a leisurely breakfast, spa treatments, a spot of shopping if required and a Redhead or three.
.

Seconded, and for such a departure time, unless you live really, really close to LHR or have other commitments, I’d book a hotel locally for the night before. You could still get a taxi and do DTCI.