LHR Layover

Hello, I've flown several times across the pond on LH (of which I am a fan) but this is my first VS flight, and my first time to LHR and I have a few questions.
1. Does VS deplane from both front and back of the plane at LHR?
2. Coming off the back of the plane, how long should I expect it to take to get through customs? Coming in from EWR on VS 2.
3. I have booked through Orbitz and am connecting on an Alitalia (yuck) flight to FCO, will my bags be transfered for me?
4. If you had never been to London before and had about eight hours between flights would you go into town (looks easy enough on Heathrow Express) and what would you do?
5 I know VS does not have in flight internet like LH but other than that how does VS service compare to LH overall?
thanks in advance, and great site.

[Decker]

Hi RMW Jr, and welcome to the site!

What tends to happen with multiple questions is that people will address the answers they know so you'll get answers in dribs and drabs!

VS2 is a flight I've taken quite a lot but I'm a UK National so can't comment on 2.

1) Front only
2) NC
3) Do you have one record locator/PNR or do you have a reference per airline? If you have one you should be able to have your your luggage checked through. If you have two you'll need to pick the bags up then check them in again.
4) I'd be tempted to go into town and either pick up a tour bus OR get a ride on the London Eye. Or Both.
5) I'm assuming you're flying coach? Service can be great - I'd go so far as to offer a stereotype that it will be much smilier. Mind you I haven't flown LH for years.

Originally posted by rmwjr
Hello, I've flown several times across the pond on LH (of which I am a fan) but this is my first VS flight, and my first time to LHR and I have a few questions.
1. Does VS deplane from both front and back of the plane at LHR?
2. Coming off the back of the plane, how long should I expect it to take to get through customs? Coming in from EWR on VS 2.
3. I have booked through Orbitz and am connecting on an Alitalia (yuck) flight to FCO, will my bags be transfered for me?
4. If you had never been to London before and had about eight hours between flights would you go into town (looks easy enough on Heathrow Express) and what would you do?
5 I know VS does not have in flight internet like LH but other than that how does VS service compare to LH overall?
thanks in advance, and great site.

1. I have never seen a VS flight de-plane from the rear door ... always from the front door(s). Even on the remote stands (ie, those that require stairs - and a coach trip to the terminal building), they always use the front door.

2. It depends upon where the aircraft parks. Some stands are a long walk, some are quite close. The remote stands have a coach (several!) which take passengers to the terminal.

Some stands (eg, 323, 325, 326) are quite close, and it would take less than 10 minutes to get to the immigration queues. Some stands (eg, 342, 336, or 318 and 319) would take about 20 minutes to walk.
Anywhere on the remote stands (ie, the '500s - all on terminal 5) it could take up to 30 minutes.

3. It depends upon how you booked.

4. I would agree with the trip on the London Eye

5. I don't know, I work under the floor in the aircraft, they don't let the likes of me upstairs!

Originally posted by Biggles

2. It depends upon where the aircraft parks. Some stands are a long walk, some are quite close. The remote stands have a coach (several!) which take passengers to the terminal.

Some stands (eg, 323, 325, 326) are quite close, and it would take less than 10 minutes to get to the immigration queues. Some stands (eg, 342, 336, or 318 and 319) would take about 20 minutes to walk.
Anywhere on the remote stands (ie, the '500s - all on terminal 5) it could take up to 30 minutes.

Thanks for both great responses thus far! Looks like the London Eye might be the place to go. I think I am safe w/ an eight hour layover to squeeze that in.

I guess I did not spell out my second question very well...I was wondering how long a delay I could expect waiting in customs...for example here in the USA at my home airport (CLT) it takes about 40 min to go through the US Citizens line when coming in on the the afternoon Frankfurt USAir flight but only 20 min coming in on the LH Munich flight becasue of less internationl traffic at that time. VS 002 arrives at LHR at 0905, is it crowded at that time?

It will be busy coming through but - I'd give it up to 45 mins on a bad day (cd be longer unfortunately), quicker if you beat most of the pax to the immigration hall.

If you're booked on a single reference for your connecting flight you'll have plenty of time to get into London, say you land on time, take an hour to get through the airport to the Heathrow Express, 20 mins into London, another 20 mins on the tube from Paddington to Waterloo, acres of time for the London eye and back.

If you're not booked through you might have to check your bags in again, and I think Alitalia fly from T2 (?) - which alone might take you 20-30 mins to get to from T3 where Virgin arrive. Though if you do go into London on the HEX the underground station serves both stations.

Enjoy your trip!

This link will take you to the "original tour" website which is a tour bus company that looks quite good.

VS.

the big bus tour are also very good!