Virgin Atlantic DIY Check In Heathrow

brunlea99

Hi there,

Has anyone used the Virgin Atlantic DIY Check In for Heathrow via their internet site ? If so, is it any good and is it worth it - is it quicker than normal check in ?

Many thanks in advance.

Barcode

I don't know about VA, but whenever DIY check-in is available, I make the most of it. Usually, it's with BA and I print out my boarding pass at home, then take my luggage to the 'fast bag drop' - takes a few minutes and is preferable to waiting in a really long que. I imagine VA's procedure is similar.

paulie558

Yes,we used the Virgin DIY online check in a few weeks back before flying heathrow-New York.
When we got there,we still had to queue ,but the line wasnt as long as the normal one.
The check in procedure seemed the same as normal,even though we had answered many questions on the website.
So it saves a bit of a queue,but thats about it.
Security is everything these days.

pin

It also means you get to select your seats before you get to the airport, so you can snare better seats.

Moomin

Unforutunately, a lot of people check-in online these days - so by the time you get to Heathrow to do a fast-bag drop, you still have to queue for this. And there aren't as many bag-drop counters (3-4 I think) as there are normal check-in counters. But you do get to pick your seat in advance.

Donnie

It also allows me to roll up at the airport as late as possible. Will try their new Heathrow lounge on my next flight, so I'll get there as early as possible. :)Booked my seat months ago.

Bob63

Donnie wrote:

It also allows me to roll up at the airport as late as possible. Will try their new Heathrow lounge on my next flight, so I'll get there as early as possible. :)Booked my seat months ago.

The new Virgin lounge at Heathrow is out of this world - much much better than the old one which was pretty difficult to better.

One tip is to book your "treatment" in advance. The hairdressers and masseuses tend to get booked up and if you turn up on the day expecting a bit of pampering you might be out of luck. You can book up to 8 weeks in advance. If you are really lucky you will get an on-the-ground massage as well as an in-flight massage. When I went to Australia with Virgin last year I managed 6 in 1 return trip!

As for online check in I don't use it but colleagues who do say it is excellent.

Mike

Donnie

How do I book the treatments in advance?
I'll take a look for myself, but you may come up with the answer more quickly.

Bob63

Donnie wrote:

How do I book the treatments in advance?
I'll take a look for myself, but you may come up with the answer more quickly.

Treatments can be booked in advance up to eight weeks ahead of departure, by calling 020 8897 5055 or email cowshed.heathrow@fly.virgin.com

Mike

Donnie

Thanks for that, Mike.

Not sure what I'd like to try, but who doesn't like to be pampered?
I'll think of something.