By RamonWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Ramon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight review, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further.
Lounge Overview
The food, drink, and service at this lounge was the best I have had at any airport lounge. Pros- Tasty A La Carte Menu, Creative Cocktails, Good Champagne, and Fantastic Service Cons- Dated Decor, Funky Seating, and Dirty Bathrooms First Class Honeymoon Trip Report First Class Honeymoon Overview Delta Sky Club DCA Review Delta CRJ 900 DCA-JFK First Class Review Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse New York JFK Review Singapore Airlines A380 JFK-FRA Suites Review Singapore Airlines A380 FRA-SIN Suites Review JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach Review Singapore Surprise Singapore Airlines 737-800 SIN-MLE Business Class Review The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort Review Etihad Airways A320 MLE-AUH Business Class Review Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Dubai Review The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Review Exploring Abu Dhabi Etihad Apartments A380 AUH-JFK Apartments Review 
Singapore Airlines JFK Check-In
Location and Check-In
Our Delta CRJ900 flight from Washington Regan National (DCA) arrived at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal 4. While our flight on Singapore Airlines to Frankfurt (FRA) also departed from JFK Terminal 4. JFK Terminal 4 is known as JFK's international terminal and also houses Delta Airlines long JFK haul flights. Shortly after arriving we collected our bags and headed to the Singapore Airlines check-in desk. We arrived about four and a half hours before our fight to make sure we could soak up the entire Suites experience and enjoy the airport lounge. Singapore Airlines begin online check-in 48 hours in advance unlike the standard 24 hours in advance for U.S. airlines, however, because we were flying from the Untied States we could not access our boarding passes until 24 hours in advance. When we arrived at the check-in desk there was no one waiting in line and only one check-in area was open. Because we were early the Suites specific check-in was closed and there was no one else in line for the general check-in. The woman who served us seemed to be German and was training another check-in agent. The trainer was very matter of fact and not very friendly. The check-in experience was fast but didn't really feel very welcoming. The best part of the check-in was when we received our white and gold colored boarding passes which had Suites written on them. It felt like we just received a golden ticket. 
JFK Terminal 4
Since we were flying in the Singapore Airlines Suites we were invited to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK which serves as Virgin Atlantic's JFK airport lounge. The lounge is located on the upper level of Terminal 4 between gates A4 and A5 next to the Air India Maharaja and Emirates lounges.
International Airline Lounges Sign JFK Terminal 4
On our way to the lounge we spotted the A380 which was going to be our ride to Frankfurt then on to Singapore. We were in awe by the size and design of the aircraft which had a hump like a whale.
Singapore Airlines A380
Access and Hours
All Virgin Atlantic lounges worldwide including the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK are temporarily closed due the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to COVID-19 this lounge was open daily 4:15-7:15 am and 2:30-10:30pm. This lounge was accessible to a number of passengers including the following passengers:
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK Entrance
Decor, Amenities, and Seating
My first impression of the JFK Clubhouse was not a positive one. I found the seating and decor to be dated. The majority of couches and seating in the lounge were worn and in need of refresh. Despite this poor first impression I did like the mood lighting and hip music playing in the lounge which felt very on brand for Virgin Atlantic. The JFK Clubhouse is much larger than the Washington Dulles Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and at the center is a large bar flanked by funky seating and a pool table. 
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK
In addition to the funky seating near the bar the lounge also had strange wallpaper with tractors and apples on it. In general, I found the lounge's decor to be too funky for me.
 Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK Wallpaper
Near the windows facing the tarmac was a dining area and additional couches. When we first entered the lounge it was fairly empty, however, as the night went on and the boarding times approached for multiple Virgin Atlantic flights the lounge filled up. Very few people were seated in the dining room and instead most people were seated on the various couches and chairs. We decided to spend our time in seated on a brown leather couch near the windows with a view of the tarmac including the Virgin Atlantic planes. Something we found really annoying was the lack of power plugs. It was hard to find plugs and they were not nearly as accessible as the Delta SkyClub DCA. This was ironic since the Delta SkyClub DCA only serves domestic passengers and this was an international business passenger lounge. This pointed to the need for a renovation. One interesting seating option was a Herman Miller chair. I had never heard of this type of chair but Christina noticed it walking around the lounge. This chair costs around $5,000 and it seemed to be occupied the vast majority of the time we were in the lounge. When I saw the chair was free for a few minutes I decided to try it out. It felt very comfortable but I still didn't think it is worth $5,000.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK Seating
The lounge also had several amenities including a wellness spa which offered some complimentary treatments for Virgin Atlantic passengers along with paid treatments for all passengers. Since we were flying Singapore Airlines we didn't have access to the complimentary treatments and decided not to pay for any treatments. The lounge also had a small business area with several computers and printers. Additionally, about half of the bathrooms had showers that were stocked with Cowshed amenities. These bathrooms were dirty and needed repairs.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK Bathroom
Food and Drinks
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK serves restaurant style a la carte meals and drinks including non-alcoholic drinks, beer, wine, champagne, and spirits. When we sat down on the sofa we were immediately greeted by a very friendly server who asked us if we wanted anything to drink. Christina asked for cocktail recommendations and the server recommended we get some tequila cocktails which were a special for Cinco de Mayo. We both took her up on her offer and we loved the creative drinks including the Pink Slipper which had Codigo 1530 Tequila, Rose Wine, agave syrup, and lemon. 
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Menu
The service in the lounge was fantastic and we leaned heavily on our server's recommendations with the exception of any spicy food she recommended. Next up we ordered the ribs which I must say were the best dish I have had in any airport lounge.
Dried Rubbed Beef Spare Ribs
Without us asking our server sent over croquets and a salad. The croquets were great while the salad was okay. I thought the salad we had earlier in the day from the Delta SkyClub DCA was better.
Croquets and Pink Slipper Cocktail
Our server asked us if we wanted anymore food and when we said yes, she ordered us a 50/50 burger which was half beef and half chicken. This was the first time I had such a burger and I only ended up getting to try the chicken half since Christina liked the beef half so much she ate it before I could try it. The burger also came with fries on the side but the best part was the BBQ sauce which came with the fries. The sauce was sweet and we really liked it.
50/50 Burger and Fries
For dessert we ordered the pumpkin pie, Christina's favorite, and a muffin. After this we were stuffed and stopped ordering food and instead turned to champagne for the rest of our time in the lounge. The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK served Lanson Black Label champagne which was lovely. We realized that we both really appreciate good champagne and that would be our go to drink on our honeymoon.
Lanson Black Label Champagne
The food and drinks at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK were very impressive featuring a wide variety of options, amazing service, and five-star restaurant quality. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK food and drink service really impressed me and I found it to be the best offering of food and drinks I have ever had at any airport lounge.
Take Away The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK had the best food, drinks, and service of any airport lounge I have ever visited. Despite its dated decor, lack of power plugs, and unimpressive seating I would hesitate to visit the lounge again. Passengers taking off in the Singapore Airlines Suites from JFK have a reason to get to the airport early. I really hope the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK access continues after COVID-19 pandemic has ended.
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By RamonRamon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight review, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further. Lounge Overview This lounge featured great, decor, a relaxing atmosphere, a wide variety of alcoholic drinks, and was the best domestic Priority Pass lounge I had experienced. Pros-Impressive Decor, Relaxing Atmosphere, Great Tarmac Views, Wide Variety of Alcoholic Drink Options, Private Bathrooms Cons-Limited Hot Food Options, Limited Amenities, Restricted Priority Pass Hours Relaxing in Cancun Report Relaxing in Cancun Overview Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Washington Dulles Review Delta 737-800 IAD-CUN Flight Review Hyatt Zilara Cancun Review Location I cleared security quickly and headed towards the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Washington Dulles. This lounge is located next to Gate 22 in the A Concourse. Dulles has four Concourses A, B, C, and D. The A and B Concourses house all non-United Airlines flights. The airport was empty and very quiet as I headed to the lounge and I found the lounge relatively easy to find.  Dulles Airport A Concourse Access and Hours Normally this lounge serves Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers along with some elite members of Virgin Atlantic partner airlines including Delta, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia, and Air France/KLM when traveling on a Virgin Atlantic flight. However, I had access to the Lounge through my Priority Pass membership a benefit of my Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. The lounge is only open to Priority Pass members from 6 am-1:30 pm. This allows the lounge to bring in additional revenue from the lounge outside of the hours it serves Virgin Atlantic and partner airlines flights.  Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Entrance Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Dulles The lounge contains two levels all set in a circular pattern with the bar and food stations at one side, a variety of seating at the center, and bathrooms at the end farthest from the check-in desk. The lounge had a few amenities including a luggage storage area and a modest business center with computers, telephones, and a printer.  Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Dulles I was very impressed with the decor and design of this lounge. Everything in the lounge felt upscale and refined. The lounge also had great views of the tarmac and our group decided to sit down at the comfortable brown leather chair and take in the view of the tarmac. I really appreciated that while the lounge was small it never got cramped and had a relaxing atmosphere.  Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Dulles Food and Drinks The lounge offered a variety of cold food options for breakfast including fruits such as melon, pineapples, apples, pears, and oranges. Moreover, the lounge offered vanilla yogurt parfaits, packaged cereal, assorted muffins, assorted pastries, assorted bagels, and croissants. Where I think the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse really shined for breakfast was the wide selection of self-serve alcoholic drinks available during the Priority Pass hours. Despite the early hour Virgin Atlantic offered two types of red wine, including my favorite Malbec, sparkling wine, three types of beer. Given the early hour and the fact that the lounge was only serving Priority Pass customers Virgin Atlantic could have skimped on the alcohol and I appreciated that they did not. On the non-alcoholic side the lounge offerings included orange juice, cranberry juice, flavored water, and coffee.  Cold Food Options The lounge also offered one hot option which was a made to order breakfast sandwich. This sandwich came with egg, American cheese, dijon aioli, and the option of sausage on an English muffin.  Breakfast Sandwich Option I ended up ordering the breakfast sandwich without sausage and having a piece of chocolate bread. I enjoyed the chocolate bread and found the breakfast sandwich to be fresh but too spicy for my taste which I believe was due to the dijon aioli. While I wished there were more hot food options I liked that Virgin Atlantic offered a hot made to order option something that it not typical for breakfast in a Priority Pass lounge.  Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Dulles Breakfast Overall, I found the food and drinks options for breakfast to be good for a Priority Pass lounge and above average compared to domestic airport lounge options.
Take Away On my trip to Cancun The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge at Washington Dulles was the best Priority Pass airport lounge I had experienced. The lounge has a relaxing atmosphere, impressive decor and design, great tarmac views, a wide variety of seating, and a relatively large alcoholic drink selection. I would recommend going to this lounge for breakfast and if I pass through Washington Dulles during its Priority Pass hours I plan to check it out again. |
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