LHR CH crowds

So here I am at 8am in the Heathrow Clubhouse and it is absolutely full. Every table is taken and many people are reduced to eating food off their laps. And I just know that when I get up to grab a haircut someone is going to 'steal' my seat.

OK, I guess early February doesn't count as 'Spring 2006' -- has anyone heard of a more definite opening date for phase 2? It is sorely needed...

BC

[Nottingham Nick]

I was told last week that it should open in March.

After we fly in Feb. [:#]

Nick

Thanks Nick -- too late for my next flight too, but maybe my IAD visit in late March will have better luck. I may be getting bored and jaded in my old age, but to be honest I think I prefer the old lounge to this crowded cavern. However, I'm hopeful that the mix of space in the extension should recapture the previous ambience.

BC

[Nottingham Nick]

You aren't alone, BC. It was VERY crowded when we were there in November.

It is, after all, a 'half completed project' so we should wait, before passing too much judgement, I suppose.

Nick

BlackCat have a good trip[y] mate and I look forward to reading your T.R.

OK, so the expansion will be complete by the time the sixth NY service goes live but I'm still concerned... I am even more worried about JFK when they have two departures half an hour apart!

Ahhh you see. You should all fly to LGW destinations, then you wouldn't have the frustrations of waiting for phase 2 CH to open:D:D:D

Paul

[Decker]

Like that never gets too busy

Guess, what no seats after my haircut. Now sitting squashed into the big table and frankly the CH is bulging at the seams -- not a pleasant environment.

BC

[Decker]

Sorry to hear that BC. I'll be in there tomorrow but as I'm on VS03 I expect it to be more empty.

Have a good trip, sure there will be a lot more space on the aircraft,unless you are in Y:D.

Ahem... I have never flown VS Y!

10:00am, VS19 not yet called, and absolute chaos here in the lounge. Sure, it is a Monday morning, and phase 2 will no doubt make it much better, but frankly the environment is doing nothing to give people a good representation of Virgin.

BC

Ahem... I have never flown VS Y!

Incidentally, its now 10:30 and the VS19 and VS5 have both been called and there is a little thinning out. However, if you have a morning flight and you are travelling on your own then I would advise you book your V.Touch treatment early so you can grab a table afterwards.

BC

[fozzyo]

Originally posted by BlackCat
Ahem... I have never flown VS Y!

10:00am, VS19 not yet called, and absolute chaos here in the lounge. Sure, it is a Monday morning, and phase 2 will no doubt make it much better, but frankly the environment is doing nothing to give people a good representation of Virgin.

BC

Lets hope they are pushing to get it opened up as soon as possible!

Mat xxx

Last time I was there, just after New Year, getting the BOS flight, it didn't seem too busy at all. But the time before, when I was on the VS7, it was heaving. As it turned out, my VS7 that day was delayed until 1600, so I got to see it empty out again. There's that little cluster around 11am (VS19, VS5, VS21), and it does get a lot easier once the Tokyo flight has gone (gets called around 12.30pm).

On that busy day, the visitor book on the bar was chock full of stroppy/arsey/downright depressing comments from FC Gold and UC customers complaining about having to stand at the bar, and there being nowhere quiet.

While I accept it's a work in progress, I can't help feeling they've bitten off a little more than they can chew. In hindsight, and if it were my decision, I'd have probably not gone the whole hog with the spa, if that was possible, until phase 2, and instead given that area over to seating - offering a temporary or reduced spa service during the refurbishment.

Cheers,
Mike

[ChuckC]

When I was there last week the lounge was fairly quiet at 0815. By 0915, however, the "joint was jumpin'". Mind you, I wasn't put off by the numbers, as people were being fairly quiet. But the activity level was high and I can well imagine that some FC Golds and others would be put off by this, particularly when thinking of the CH as one's personal domain.

Perhaps it was the Cowshed spa treatment, or perhaps the excellent English breakfast that soothed away my normally jaundiced view of the semi-noisy environment. As I walked the long trek to my gate and saw one boarding scrum after another, I was feeling very fortunate to have enjoyed the CH as I had for over two hours.

Chuck-

I am suprised that with the CLUBHOUSE being so busy, that Arrivals remains managable!

It is no better in the evenings at 20:00 with flights to JNB, DEL, BOM, HKG and EWR pax all piling in.

I am suprised that with the CLUBHOUSE being so busy, that Arrivals remains managable!

I probably visit revivals about 1 in every 5 flights back into LHR.Reasons being no time, it's shut or we are traveling on other than UC tickets and have junior with us,can't really leave her outside:D.
On the other hand every flight I have taken with VS in the last 5 years has included a trip to the clubhouse Often with guests.

Originally posted by Svenska
I am suprised that with the CLUBHOUSE being so busy, that Arrivals remains managable!

Last time I was on the V22 I had to wait 20 minutes for a shower... it's not always a haven of calm in Revivals.

BC

Surely as time goes on the number of FC_Gold customers will continue to steadily increase? 1 rtn flight every month in PE is all thats needed to get you to FC_Gold. Whilst VS wont want to give their numbers out, but as UCS is limited number on all planes, surely the need for a larger CH is reflected by increasing numbers of FFs more so than say UCS selling out...
Until the 2nd phase is finished & the current CH pax are dispersed more, surely its hard to say how busy it actually is.

Also, selling access through VH seems a little bizarre - when others paying more for their flights cant get in!!! (even in if your on an N fare through VH, you can add on CH access for a fee, something PE pax cant do if booking through VS direct!!)

Originally posted by ChuckC
When I was there last week the lounge was fairly quiet at 0815. By 0915, however, the "joint was jumpin'".

Tee hee! Love the choice of words Chuck!!

John