Another London flight question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If flying Polaris with UA to LHR, there is an Arrivals Lounge (with hot showers, the day's newspapers, and a hot breakfast) at LHR. It makes a huge favorable difference if one takes the earlier flight and has business meetings the first day in London.

The BA arrivals lounge is also great. A shower and bacon sandwich sets you right.

Is it gauche to say that the Virgin business arrivals lounge at LHR is also very nice? It is, I was surprised when we used it, thought I would just want to get out of the airport. But a bit of food, coffee, brush teeth, etc was very nice. Also allowed us to time it out nicely to the Elizabeth Line schedule into London. Virgin actually has pretty reasonable points cost for their business class on a lot of their flights, and they are transferrable from Chase, Amex, Capital One, etc.

[Anonymous]

We booked the 10:30. But Virgin cancelled it and moved us to the 6:30pm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If flying Polaris with UA to LHR, there is an Arrivals Lounge (with hot showers, the day's newspapers, and a hot breakfast) at LHR. It makes a huge favorable difference if one takes the earlier flight and has business meetings the first day in London.

The BA arrivals lounge is also great. A shower and bacon sandwich sets you right.

Is it gauche to say that the Virgin business arrivals lounge at LHR is also very nice? It is, I was surprised when we used it, thought I would just want to get out of the airport. But a bit of food, coffee, brush teeth, etc was very nice. Also allowed us to time it out nicely to the Elizabeth Line schedule into London. Virgin actually has pretty reasonable points cost for their business class on a lot of their flights, and they are transferrable from Chase, Amex, Capital One, etc.

Virgin used to be the best lounge. Back in the day I even got a free manicure in the lounge after showering, etc. And I loved their breakfasts.

[Anonymous]

Later flight helps with time adjustment. Take later flight and then go to bed at you normal hour London time.

[Anonymous]

We are flying to London in the fall. I chose the later flight. Better for falling asleep and also better, at least for me, to get there later. I'd rather land in a the city with the day in full swing than be jet lagged landing in early morning with the whole day yawning before me. Better all around.

[Anonymous]

Day flight

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also - you can book the hotel room for the day before and check in early

We have a million people with us so we are staying in an apt rental, but they let us drop off luggage at 1030am and if no one stayed the night before let us check in then too. So hopefully that works out.

You can always get a day room at one of the airport hotels as well. If you come in at 7am and check in at your regular hotel is later in the afternoon and you feel gross and need a shower and a safe space for a bit rather than hitting the road with tourist stuff immediately, that can be a good option.

[Anonymous]

I like the early evening flight - sleep as much as you can, early check in, allow yourself to nap for 1-2 h max, and then have a whole day in front of you. On the way back, I like the late afternoon flight. Go to sleep early, wake up for the last few hours of the flight, arrive at home, have a light meal and then go to bed. We’ve been able to send the kids to school the next day by taking the late afternoon flight.

[Anonymous]

Late is good because the airport is dead. Lines are short and everything is much calmer. Restaurants and duty frees might be closed/closing, but who cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the early evening flight - sleep as much as you can, early check in, allow yourself to nap for 1-2 h max, and then have a whole day in front of you. On the way back, I like the late afternoon flight. Go to sleep early, wake up for the last few hours of the flight, arrive at home, have a light meal and then go to bed. We’ve been able to send the kids to school the next day by taking the late afternoon flight.

OP here: Sadly, I am not a person that can nap for 1-2 hours max. I think if i attempted this I would sleep all day lol. I am more of a get myself into the sunshine (possible in London?) and pump myself full of sugar lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you prefer an early evening (around 630pm) or late evening flight (around 1030pm? We would get into London at 655am or 1040am. I kind of thinking the later flight because then more of a chance of sleeping? But then maybe earlier is better if there are delays? This is for summer.

Just keep in mind whatever you pick could easily be changed by the airline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you prefer an early evening (around 630pm) or late evening flight (around 1030pm? We would get into London at 655am or 1040am. I kind of thinking the later flight because then more of a chance of sleeping? But then maybe earlier is better if there are delays? This is for summer.

Just keep in mind whatever you pick could easily be changed by the airline.

Um these sound like real airlines with established routes to London, the times of which haven't really changed in decades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you prefer an early evening (around 630pm) or late evening flight (around 1030pm? We would get into London at 655am or 1040am. I kind of thinking the later flight because then more of a chance of sleeping? But then maybe earlier is better if there are delays? This is for summer.

Just keep in mind whatever you pick could easily be changed by the airline.

Um these sound like real airlines with established routes to London, the times of which haven't really changed in decades.

Not true! Virgin has had 1 or 2 flights per day for a while, depending on season and a few other things. Those flights seem to fluctuate a lot between a 9:30 PM departure and a 6 PM departure. I know because I had a booking with them a few years ago through New York for a late departure, because on that day the Dulles departure was 6 PM and I didn't want that early window. I got a flight change notification maybe 4 months before departure, checked the Dulles schedule for that date, and they had indeed switched the schedule for that day to 9:30 PM, so I took that one.

In addition, United has had a daytime flight with an 8 AM departure on their schedule for a while, but pulled it during the pandemic, added it back in late 2021, and then removed it again in late 2023 and hasn't added it back since. And BA has added a 3rd daily departure around 7:30 PM most days, previously they had a 6 PM and a 10:45 PM departure, now they have one in between.

These types of routes definitely have more stability than a lot of domestic routes, but they still have some fluctuations based on demand, season, days of the week, and other variables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you prefer an early evening (around 630pm) or late evening flight (around 1030pm? We would get into London at 655am or 1040am. I kind of thinking the later flight because then more of a chance of sleeping? But then maybe earlier is better if there are delays? This is for summer.

Just keep in mind whatever you pick could easily be changed by the airline.

Um these sound like real airlines with established routes to London, the times of which haven't really changed in decades.

Not true! Virgin has had 1 or 2 flights per day for a while, depending on season and a few other things. Those flights seem to fluctuate a lot between a 9:30 PM departure and a 6 PM departure. I know because I had a booking with them a few years ago through New York for a late departure, because on that day the Dulles departure was 6 PM and I didn't want that early window. I got a flight change notification maybe 4 months before departure, checked the Dulles schedule for that date, and they had indeed switched the schedule for that day to 9:30 PM, so I took that one.

In addition, United has had a daytime flight with an 8 AM departure on their schedule for a while, but pulled it during the pandemic, added it back in late 2021, and then removed it again in late 2023 and hasn't added it back since. And BA has added a 3rd daily departure around 7:30 PM most days, previously they had a 6 PM and a 10:45 PM departure, now they have one in between.

These types of routes definitely have more stability than a lot of domestic routes, but they still have some fluctuations based on demand, season, days of the week, and other variables.

OK, a couple of things since you clearly like mansplaining. Virgin has like 40 planes, so they have to make decisions on flights/routing that BA and UA don't have to.

The two traditional UA London flights, the one in the 6pm hour and the one in the 10pm hour, have pretty much remained constant over many, many, many years. Yes, the daytime flight comes and goes as demand and plane availability warrant.

BA's flights, like UA, have traditionally also been in the 6pm and 10pm hour, fluctuating slightly. They recently added a third flight but the other two are still there.

So, my point still stands: even if you have a schedule change, it'll probably be pretty minor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like the early evening flight - sleep as much as you can, early check in, allow yourself to nap for 1-2 h max, and then have a whole day in front of you. On the way back, I like the late afternoon flight. Go to sleep early, wake up for the last few hours of the flight, arrive at home, have a light meal and then go to bed. We’ve been able to send the kids to school the next day by taking the late afternoon flight.

OP here: Sadly, I am not a person that can nap for 1-2 hours max. I think if i attempted this I would sleep all day lol. I am more of a get myself into the sunshine (possible in London?) and pump myself full of sugar lol.

It’s hard to wake up, but you can leave the shades up, the room lights on, and stay in some sort of clothes, not your pajamas, and lie on top of the bed as opposed to getting under the covers to trick yourself that it’s just a nap. Definitely do not draw the blackout shades and get too cozy! I’ve found that it’s the best way to start enjoying London right away from the us, especially on short trips, but I get that it’s tough. It’s easier to do if you are traveling with someone else because you can motivate each other to get up.