Journey to Elite Retreat - Virgin Upper Class is the business

Posted by Al on April 2nd, 2008 .

My journey to Elite Retreat begins, the started at 3.45AM though I did manage to get a bit of shut eye in the taxi on the way to the airport. For this trip I bit the bullet and decided to donate some of my earnings to Sir Richard Branson rather than Mr Taxman by flying first class and so far it is exceedinging expectations.

Normally when I fly from London Heathrow I spend at least an hour queuing to check-in and then queuing at security before joining the queue for the x-ray machine. This time however, I’m checked in within minutes, pass straight through security and x-ray and am in the Upper Class lounge within 15 minutes of arriving at the airport, cool.

The Virgin Upper Class Lounge at Heathrow is the coolest lounge I’ve ever been in. There’s a free bar, a la carte menu (I had toast and marmalade :) ), free phones, pool table, games consoles, arcade game tables, a free bar, toilets that don’t stink of piss, sky news, sport, etc and did I mention there’s a free bar.

As checkin was so fast I’ve had a bit of time to manage emails, sites and do the odd blog post, I’ve also finally signed up with Twitter (influenced by fellow late starter Patrick) so as well as blogging at ER I will also be twittering (if that’s the word or it). You can follow my twitterings over at www.twitter.com/alcarlton but be warned I’m a Twitter virgin with 4 hours sleep.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 and is filed under Miscellaneous . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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9 Comments »

Comment by Tim Nash from Tim Nash SEO Subscribed to comments via email
2008-04-02 11:56:40

I think you are missing the major advantage of flying with Virgin and not BA your baggage is going with you ;)

Comment by Matthew from GadgetVenue Subscribed to comments via email
2008-04-02 13:06:00

I was thinking that exact thing this morning. What a mess BA have made at T5.

 
Comment by Al from Al Subscribed to comments via email
2008-04-02 22:29:37

Good point Tim and Matt I am now at the hotel with laptop and BOTH bag, must be a real shitter to be flying cattle with your bags a few days (weeks) behind :)

 
 
Comment by Mubin Subscribed to comments via email
2008-04-02 12:10:30

Fast Track Lanes are the best.

I can’t stand to queue up with all the normal people in Manchester.

The upper class lounge does leave something to be desired though. Not nearly as good as hethrow’s

 
Comment by Michael Dunlop from Make Money Online Subscribed to comments via email
2008-04-02 14:41:00

Hey Al!

Just was in Virgin Upper Class today :P View: http://www.retireat21.com/blog/internet-marketers-fly-first-class/

Its so amazing, isn’t it! Haven’t heard from you in ages, have a fun trip!

Michael

Comment by Al from Al Subscribed to comments via email
2008-04-02 22:33:02

Nice pictures there Michael ad it was only 3 weeks since we last chatted, though weeks is likely ages for somebody your age I suppose :)

 
 
Comment by Mikael from Basement Bathroom Subscribed to comments via email
2008-04-03 08:19:40

Toast and marmalade Al? *LOL* So much for flying upper class :)

 
Pingback by A couple of whys
2008-04-03 18:51:48

[...] weren’t enough things i have to do daily… But others seem to like the thingy, like Al and Patrick. What’s the catch, i don’t get [...]

 
Comment by Justin from The Gay Subscribed to comments via email
2008-04-04 16:00:12

Sounds like fun ,ahha?

 
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