For the return flight I was flying from London to San Francisco on Virgin Atlantic's noon flight in Upper Class. I was actually flying home with Tiffany's 15 year old niece (Tiffany and her husband were staying in Europe, and I was flying back to the US for a couple of days). I was excited…
Continue reading: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse London Heathrow Review
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I do wish people would stop saying things like "it's only a business class lounge"
This is Virgin Upper Class the service is pitched as something more than business class and is often Thousands of pounds more than a comparable business class flight in BA or AA and as such you would expect better facilities and service.
It has to be viewed in a class of its own somewhere between Business and First in my mind at which point the ground service and soft product on board still score highly but the hard product is very poor.
Very impressive lounge for "biz" class usage. (What partner airlines are there in T3 to allow access? lol)
This puts BA F lounge both in T3 and T5 to shame.
(maybe BA's wine and alcohol selection is better in F lounge.. there is still blue label if all wine fails..), and agree the showers look horrendous in BA side.
When/if you review the flight, would love to hear about Tiffany's niece's impression being her first time in the front.
After the raving review of VS at LHR comes the moment of truth: the flight itself!
After some negative comments on FT and other fora, could you please shed light on the evidence of cost cutting on maintenance, cleaness, food quality and quantity, aminities, i will be flying them next week from (AMS-)LHR-LAX vv.
The BA Galleries Club Lounge in T3 always makes me think of Margaret Rutherford in the V.I.P.s
Can you access this lounge on a non Virgin Atlantic ticket or on a connecting ticket on another airline? It is a shame that Virgin pretty much only flies longhaul so you could only stop here on back to back long hauls or you are pretty much showing up to LHR early just to take advantage of the lounge. Am I missing something? It's not like the LH FCT where you can intentionally build in a long connection.
I apologize for the lack of commas in my previous post.
I did some research and it looks like Delta DMs and PMs get in, even on Y flights. You could also book an DL J award ticket CDG, AMS, FCO, MXP-USA with a long layover.
I'm a Oneworld guy, so usually fly BA -- but last year, couldn't pass up a great J fare on DL/VS, so gave it a try. I was blown away by the Virgin ground experience at LHR, as well. Our car did pull up to the secret gate where they have to buzz you in, but you drive right up to the Upper Class wing and someone is there waiting for you with your boarding passes as you exit your car. What a great first impression.
And then I agree with everything you said about the Clubhouse -- it's fantastic. The pics don't even do it justice, since the vibe in there is so relaxed yet lively. It feels civilized and refined. The antithesis of the BA lounges at LHR.
Funny, though, that I spent a couple hours in the Clubhouse but never realized there were upper levels to it! I don't know if the Skydeck and Garden are new since my visit or I just didn't know they were there, but they look really cool. I guess I'll have to fly VS again so I can check them out myself!
The VS hard product on the flight itself isn't the best, but they make up for it with great service and style. Just imagine what BA would be like if they could also provide great service and pizzazz on top of their somewhat-better hard product. One can only wish!
Ok looking for a flight home from Europe in 2 months. When it comes down to flight do we come home on VS or BA First Class? I'm AMEX PLAT, Citi Prestige member doesn't that get me into other lounges? Or where else can i come home from on what airlines Upper Level to ATL/DFW or IAH? HELP!! I really am about the experience!!
Virgin used to market their Upper class as a "First class product at a Business class fare" and it was a very good product for a number of years.
The First class reference was removed a good 15yrs ago,it was not living up to its hype!
The size of the airline now and calibre of some crews lack of professionalism would not place Upper class in a "First class" quality.
Virgins magical years are very much in the past now sadly.
I'll be flying VS in 2 months as well and I've read wonderful things about The Wing and their Clubhouse.
I'm just wondering, I assume you kind of need to bring your own bathing suit if you want to enjoy the hot tub?
I've flown many airline in C class, but this is one flight (especially the Wing and Clubhouse) I'm very much looking forward to!
I need to know if I need to make a reservation for the showers at T3. I also need to know if there is a price to use the showers? I have 7 clients flying, Two of them have no status while the other 5 are diamond, gold and platinum. Does that matter? All of them will be flying first class so can they all take a shower?