Virgin Atlantic says it will operate the world”s fastest airport check-in, with the introduction of its new Upper Class Wing.
Announcing the news this morning (17 October) at London Heathrow”s Terminal 3 ” the airline says the new Wing will open on 2 November and claims business class passengers will be able to access its lounge from the complimentary limousine in less than ten minutes, while also able to use a dedicated security channel.
And in an unusual move, those Upper Class passengers or Flying Club Gold members not taking advantage of Virgin”s limo service, will be able to check-in at T3”s Zone A, before taking a priority lift straight to the security channel.
The development is a rare piece of good news for the embattled Heathrow, as it struggles against an avalanche of bad publicity, generated by over-crowding and security delays.
Virgin”s addition of its Upper Class Wing forms part of BAA”s ”1bn ($2.03bn) investment programme for T3 during the next ten years, while the airline says it will also launch new premium economy and economy check-in areas later this year.
And airport operator BAA was understandably bullish about the news, having endured a barrage of brickbats this year. "BAA has exciting plans for Terminal 3 and Virgin Atlantic's new Upper Class Wing is a fantastic addition to Heathrow,” noted Heathrow managing director, Mark Bullock.
In line with many carriers, Virgin adds that it expects 80% of its passengers at Heathrow to use online or kiosk check-in by the end of 2008. Other improvements at T3 being undertaken by BAA include the multi-million pound forecourt redevelopment that will open by the end of the year.
Passengers using T3 at the moment face a daunting obstacle course as improvements gradually take shape, but Virgin is promising to eliminate a fair proportion of the hassle associated with moving through the building.
Upper Class passengers, who have already supplied check-in details to their limo driver, will be driven up a curved ramp onto a 22m wide arrival area. After being welcomed by a Virgin Atlantic host, check-in formalities will be completed before passengers walk through a new hotel-style lobby area and into the dedicated security channel, that is itself near to the airline”s renowned Clubhouse lounge.
”At last, our business class passengers can speed through Terminal 3 within minutes,” said Virgin Atlantic chief executive, Steve Ridgway, who clearly believes the Wing will put pressure on competitor carriers operating from T3.
”It will be a fast, efficient and stress-free experience, which will save precious time at the airport. It will be very quick and refreshing for our travellers, compared with other airlines.”
