A few days ago I had some extra time at JFK, so I decided to check out the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Terminal 4. Back in the day I visited this Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse all the time, though it had been years since I’ve been there, so I’ve been curious to return.
What makes this lounge unique is that it’s accessible by both Priority Pass and Plaza Premium guests during select hours, and I’d consider this to be the best Priority Pass lounge in the United States.
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK has a fun vibe and decor, great views, friendly service, and a la carte dining. This lounge is a real treat, if you can access it. Virgin Atlantic does a phenomenal job with its lounges, with the best lounge in the network being the Clubhouse London Heathrow.
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK location
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK is located in Terminal 4. This terminal is primarily occupied by Delta (Virgin Atlantic’s joint venture partner), but is also used by many other international airlines.
Once you clear security at Terminal 4, take the escalator down to the main concourse level, and turn left. Follow the signage toward gates A2-21.
Once you’re near gate A5, you’ll see stairs and an elevator to the left, leading up to lounges. There are three lounges here — the Air India Lounge, the Emirates Lounge, and the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.
Once you’re on the upper level, you’ll see the entrance to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse right by the stairs.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK hours
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK hours are a bit confusing, since the lounge is used for different purposes over different hours:
- The lounge is open from 5AM until 8AM, operating as a lounge for Virgin Atlantic passengers and select Plaza Premium guests
- The lounge is open from 8AM until 1:30PM, operating exclusively as a Priority Pass lounge
- The lounge is open from 3PM until 10:30PM, operating as a lounge for Virgin Atlantic passengers and select Plaza Premium guests
As you can see, the lounge is open from 5AM until 10:30PM, except from 1:30PM until 3PM, but not everyone can access the lounge at all times. Clear as mud, right? 😉
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK entry requirements
If you thought the hours are complicated, let’s talk about the lounge’s current access requirements. First of all, a huge shoutout to the lovely Arlene at the front desk of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, for taking some time to explain the entry requirements to me (since they recently changed, and are kind of complicated).
In the middle of the day, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK operates exclusively as a Priority Pass lounge. This applies from 8AM until 1:30PM, and of course there are lots of premium credit cards offering Priority Pass memberships. Guests can stay for up to three hours.
During all other hours, here’s who can access the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK:
- As you’d expect, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers, as well as Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members and SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling on Virgin Atlantic same day, can access this lounge
- Singapore Airlines sends its first class passengers, as well as Solitaire PPS Club and PPS Club members, to the Clubhouse; “regular” business class passengers are sent to the Air India Lounge
- With Virgin Atlantic having recently joined SkyTeam, this is a standard SkyTeam lounge, so SkyTeam long haul business class passengers, as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling internationally, can use this lounge
- The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse can be accessed through Plaza Premium; however, only Capital One cards offer access to this lounge, and not American Express cards; note that this access is also only offered on a space available basis, and in the afternoons this lounge can get crowded
I should also mention that there’s a hard cutoff when this becomes a Priority Pass lounge. In other words, when this operates as a Priority Pass lounge, other eligible travelers can’t access the lounge, and vice versa.
For what it’s worth, I accessed the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in the morning using my Capital One Venture X Card (review). Interestingly I was the only passenger that morning accessing the lounge through Plaza Premium, as I was the only non-Virgin Atlantic passenger.
In general I’d expect fewer capacity constraints for Plaza Premium guests in the mornings than in the evenings, given that Virgin Atlantic has a single daytime flight to London, while there’s lots more crowding in the afternoons. The lounge was quite empty during my visit.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK seating & layout
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK is around 10,000 square feet, and has a super fun vibe. Even though the lounge is more or less in a rectangular shape, the space is divided into a few unique areas, so the layout feels totally different.
When you enter the lounge, you’ll find the largest part of the lounge right in front of you, which also has the most fun decor. This area has a pool table, several couches in unique shapes, benches, and some individual seats.
Deeper into the lounge is another sitting area, with a long bench and some seats.
The bar is also located in this part of the lounge. You can either order a drink here directly, or one of the friendly servers in the lounge will be happy to bring one to wherever you’re sitting.
The second part of the lounge is inside the entrance and to the left. This area has dozens of seats arranged in rows facing one another, some semi-private couches, several chairs with ottomans, and some high-top seating.
This part of the lounge also has the best views, as it faces the central apron around Terminal 4.
Then inside the entrance and to the right is the third area of the lounge. This is where the dining area is, featuring around a dozen tables. You can enjoy a meal here, or you can be served food anywhere else in the lounge.
This area has plenty more seating options, including swiveling chairs and several couches. While this part of the lounge also has views, there’s not as much movement on the apron here.
Even though this lounge has been open for a decade now, and there haven’t been any major design changes, it still feels fresh, modern, and fun. While the lounge has a slight W Hotel vibe, the furniture is actually pretty comfortable.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK food & drinks
Food and drinks at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK are almost entirely a la carte. In the morning there was a small beverage station with some coffee, tea, orange juice, and water. Other than that, everything was available from a server.
Each table in the lounge has a QR code with a menu that you can scan, and through that you can place all food and drink orders. Below is what the breakfast menu looked like.
As much as I would have loved to order a bunch of things for the pictures, I just got back from a trip to Europe where I ate way too much, so you’ll have to forgive me for exercising restraint. I simply ordered the coconut yogurt and berry pot, with mixed seeds and agave syrup. As you can see, there are all kinds of more substantial options.
I also ordered a cappuccino. While not particularly artfully presented, it was barista-made and tasted great.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK service
Back in the day I was on a first name basis with just about everyone at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK. While I didn’t see any familiar faces this time around, the staff here were just as lovely as I remember.
They’re friendly, fun, and proactive. In the short time that I was in the lounge, someone checked on me on five different occasions to see if I wanted anything. And that’s not even accounting for the fact that you can order whatever you’d like through the website that the QR code directs you to.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK bathrooms & showers
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK’s bathrooms and showers are in the back of the lounge, down a hallway with cool mood lighting.
All the bathrooms are in their own rooms, which is nice. Each bathroom has a sink and toilet.
There are also a couple of shower suites, featuring walk-in showers, sinks, and toilets.
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK used to have an awesome spa area and hair salon. Unfortunately much like at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LHR, this area has been shut down. Instead there was just a model of a Virgin Voyages cruise ship, and some curtains.
Hopefully something is eventually done with this space, even if it’s not a spa.
Bottom line
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK is an excellent lounge, with a fun layout and decor, beautiful views, friendly staff, and a huge selection of food and drinks.
While this is a nice lounge for Virgin Atlantic passengers, it’s especially nice to be able to visit this lounge through Plaza Premium. If departing Terminal 4 in the morning (before 8AM), I’d highly recommend making this the lounge you visit. I can’t imagine there will be many space constraints, and this is in my opinion the best lounge experience in the terminal.
What do you make of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK?
I'm Amex Skymiles Platinum Gold member. It looks like I have access for me and a complimentary guest to the Virgin Club in JFK. I will be travelling with 3 kids in addition to my wife. Does anyone know if I can pay for my kids access in addition to the complimentary access? Thank you.
FYI for anyone accessing during priority pass hours - they no longer provide plated dining options (at least for breakfast), offering only light bites like a croissant, banana, etc. Drink options seemed to be limited as well. The croissant was very good but we ultimately left in search of heartier dining options.
Hey great review. We visited during priority pass times and the menu is extremely limited, with just 6-7 vegetarian items. Being from india where lounges have extensive meal options, I was a bit disappointed with the food. However the decor and ambience made up for it.
For those flying Delta One, is there a restriction on how soon before your flight you can enter the lounge? Like Delta Sky Club restricts customers to three hours prior to departure if you're not connecting. Thanks!
We will be in T4 traveling on long haul business on KLM. Based on the Virgin website, only Delta One and Upper Class Virgin allowed in this lounge. Based on your article, I could enter this lounge with KLM business. Do you know if that’s true still?
BTW, Ben, you totally failed to mention another excellent lounge in JFK T4; The Amex Centurion Lounge. I heard that it was updated during COVID.
I have used this lounge when flying Singapore AIrlines First Class. The experience was excellent (although my best experience in lounges was the Qatar Airways lounge in SIN, particularly the dining quality and service was out of this world!).
However, I believe that during Priority Pass access hours, the food choices are very limited and not that great at all (experienced first hand at Virgin Clubhouse in EWR). Although the lounge area is great to relax.
I am
Not that familiar with JFK but will be departing from the BA terminal in the evening. Is it even possible to get from this lounge and terminal in the day time the. over to depart from the BA terminal ?
Interestingly the same toiletries are used in both the lounge toilet and onboard
One nice thing is Virgin does is putting the menus of each lounge online.
One of if not my favourite VS Clubhouse locations but SFO is up there too. IAD can be hit and miss food wise and BOS is my least favourite. The station manager at JFK was a great friend but all the regulars have gone now and my work seem to be warming to BA as they are price matching less 10% on fares across all carriers on the US network.
Is the menu picture you posted up to date? When I visited a few weeks ago, the menu offerings were completely different from what they used to be and the food was sadly nowhere near as good as previous visits. I picked at my food before heading to the Centurion lounge, whereas in the past the food here was superior to the Centurion lounge.
Ben, I just want to point out this is also bookable via Lounge Buddy at $75/person (Lounge Buddy times are much better). I personally wouldn't pay that much but I have booked random lounges at the end of year when I forgot about the $100 Lounge Buddy credit that comes with the AMEX Green.
@Lucky
You, and seems everyone else too, missed one group of eligible access.
Heck, it's even in one of your pictures.
Temporary access for SkyClub Members, Reserve Card, Delta360, and DeltaOne.
From 8am to 1:30pm daily.
You heard it here first. (maybe few blogs and travelers have picked it up too, it's in very plain sight)
Very nice. I used to be DL elite plus but feel unappreciated by DL. I do like AF, and I'm debating whether to return to SkyTeam. I used to fly Virgin Atlantic a lot, but never cared for lounges. Now, I'm more used to lounges. I'm thinking of doing a Pk match to VS and trying out the Clubhouse.
That pool table looks inviting. Would it asking too much for a snooker table, also?
Some...
Very nice. I used to be DL elite plus but feel unappreciated by DL. I do like AF, and I'm debating whether to return to SkyTeam. I used to fly Virgin Atlantic a lot, but never cared for lounges. Now, I'm more used to lounges. I'm thinking of doing a Pk match to VS and trying out the Clubhouse.
That pool table looks inviting. Would it asking too much for a snooker table, also?
Some other table games would be nice too. How about a casino?
I mean, anything that would not attract families with loud babies and toddlers with strollers and diaper changing and dinging electronic toys, who always seem to set up camp next to me even when I am sitting at an alcoholic bar station. So many lounges are like child day care camps, these days, for me, an adult bleisure traveler.
I love how good you are at seeing the positives, Ben! You loved the Chelsea Lounge, too, which almost all actual F pax hate with a vengeance.
Thank you :)
Ben, do you know if the F&B offering is more limited during "priority pass" hours as in some other airline lounges that participate?
I'm flying on Delta metal in DeltaOne (booked with Virgin miles during special last year) in June. As my wife and I both have Venture X and AMEX Plats we shouldn't have any restrictions between Priority Pass/Plaza/biz class. So I'm curious for any feedback/tips as I'm thinking my ranked lounge choices are: VA Clubhouse (never visited), AMEX Centurion (18 and 20 year old kids will have to be left out but we like this lounge),...
I'm flying on Delta metal in DeltaOne (booked with Virgin miles during special last year) in June. As my wife and I both have Venture X and AMEX Plats we shouldn't have any restrictions between Priority Pass/Plaza/biz class. So I'm curious for any feedback/tips as I'm thinking my ranked lounge choices are: VA Clubhouse (never visited), AMEX Centurion (18 and 20 year old kids will have to be left out but we like this lounge), Sky Club (the Sky Deck is fun but otherwise meh).
What did you fly to and from Europe?
Hi I will be traveling in a few days and have a 7 year old. I have both amex plat and priority pass. I think the time I'm traveling, the lounge will be operating via priority pass. Does anyone know if my kid gets complementary access or if I have to pay? Thanks
What did you fly to and from Europe?
Lucky, what sort of catering is on offer during the priority pass hours?
I stopped through this lounge during PP hours last Friday, but also during breakfast hours. The offerings are a quite paltry compared with the menu Lucky shows above. Yogurt, fruit salad, British Breakfast or everything bagel (without the salmon) were the only choices.
I can see why you like this lounge. Parts of the lounge are a little dated and could use a refresh. I’m only saying this because it is the Virgin Clubhouse & they typically look very cutting edge funky in a good way.
God save us from the "refresh." Just give me a laptop space with plug-ins, top-shelf alcohol, and low-salt/low-fat food. I'm spending my own money/points/miles on this Clubhouse, and I don't want Clubhouse management misdirecting its budget to a "refresh."
I'll give it another year. But, seriously, I do better with my laptop at a nearby empty gate and my own granola bar or a concourse restaurant. I might not be in the credit card...
God save us from the "refresh." Just give me a laptop space with plug-ins, top-shelf alcohol, and low-salt/low-fat food. I'm spending my own money/points/miles on this Clubhouse, and I don't want Clubhouse management misdirecting its budget to a "refresh."
I'll give it another year. But, seriously, I do better with my laptop at a nearby empty gate and my own granola bar or a concourse restaurant. I might not be in the credit card target demographic that demands a "refresh."
As a frequent traveler out of JFK with some dietary issues, this is by far my favorite lounge. The menu has lots of options for me and the staff are incredibly accommodating with ingredient changes. The food here has already justified the Venture X Annual Fee.
Did the Amex Platinum access situation change in the last few weeks? I was able to enter the lounge at 7am on March 12 using my amex lounge and was subsequently asked to leave when the lounge switched to "priority pass mode" at 8am.
@ Ryan Kingsbury -- That's what I was told, yep. I believe it's a change in the past couple of weeks.
I guess this makes sense. Better economics to force Amex customers into the Centurion or SkyClub. Most Plaza Premium lounges do not "compete" in this proximity to a Centurion Lounge, and I'm sure there was significant bleed to VS at a per visit cost to Amex.