Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, New York JFK

One of the temptations of visiting London or New York is that the other city is only 7-8 hours away. Compare that to the usual 24-hour trek from Australia’s east coast, and suddenly, zipping across the Atlantic makes a whole lot of sense. If you do happen to be traversing the world’s most premium air route, keep Virgin Atlantic in your sights, and its magnificent New York Clubhouse.

Mere Virgin Australia Velocity Gold status can get you inside. But this isn’t any normal lounge. It’s effectively a First Class lounge, just by another name. In fact, it’s one of the very best airport lounges that Velocity members can access via their status, anywhere in the world.

What makes the Virgin Atlantic New York Clubhouse so special? I’m glad you asked.

Location, layout and seating

To start with the basics, Virgin Atlantic’s New York Clubhouse sits in Terminal 4 of JFK Airport. You’ll find it along Concourse A, above gates A4 and A5. From outside, the lounge is quite unassuming. The entrance is flagged by a plain white wall, merely emboldened with the name of the lounge. But once you’re welcomed beyond, everything changes.

A pathway leads you into the space, where you encounter the first real hints of flair. Clever designs divide the floorplan into smaller nooks and zones, without boxing things in. As you meander through, you can’t help but notice the style and panache covering everything in sight. There isn’t a single chair, a section of the floor or a lamp that hasn’t been considered.

This isn’t your typical space filled with chairs and tables. The seats don’t at all resemble what you might expect to find inside an airport lounge – and that’s a compliment. The hardest part of this journey is deciding where to settle in. Will it be the lively semicircular sofa in Virgin Atlantic’s signature red? Perhaps the steel-themed enclave with hints of Virgin Galactic? A place by the window in the tufted purple leather chairs? There are no seat assignments here – set your curiosity free.

I’ve visited this lounge twice in the last couple of years, so allow me to share a tip. Sure, there’s a dining room, and that’s oh so practical… but it’s oh so standard. In fact, I spent most of that first visit there. I couldn’t help but wonder what all the fuss was about. What was the big deal about the Clubhouse? This is just food served to a table.

But this visit, I take a different path. Rather than pulling up a normal chair and wondering where the ‘personality’ was, I made a point of seeking it out. On a quiet day, I made a little den my own personal space – and quickly found that waiter service follows. This is the atmosphere I was seeking. This is what makes Virgin Atlantic’s New York Clubhouse its North American flagship.

Food and beverage at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, New York JFK

Here at JFK, Virgin Atlantic takes an interesting approach to service with its Clubhouse. To make the greatest use of the space, it effectively operates in two modes: ‘Clubhouse mode’ and ‘Priority Pass mode’. Let me explain.

Virgin Atlantic has a flight to London Heathrow departing around 8:20 am. But then, Virgin’s next Blighty-bound service doesn’t leave JFK until 6:30 pm. Would the airline really leave the lounge sitting empty for most of the day, in such a busy airport? Not a chance. Until 1:30 pm each day, Priority Pass members can access one of the coolest lounges in North America. (Just don’t expect the usual restaurant-style dining and premium beverages!)

But let’s focus on Virgin Atlantic, and the premium experience curated when the lounge runs in true ‘Clubhouse mode’. On this most recent visit, I’ve just wandered over from cocktails at the nearby TWA Hotel, so an afternoon latte is in order. I don’t have to approach a counter to order: a waiter regularly pops by to check on me, without being intrusively attentive.

Knowing what’s in store, I’ve come prepared. I may be flying to London in Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy, but I plan to dine exclusively in the lounge. It’s not just a savvy step to eat a meal at dinnertime and depart JFK dozing off – the food here is worth arriving early for at any time of day.

Dinner at Virgin Atlantic’s JFK Clubhouse

Here’s the thing about the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. Unlike its home turf rival British Airways, Virgin Atlantic doesn’t offer First Class. Instead, it cheekily names its Business cabin ‘Upper Class’, to cover everything above Premium Economy. That same catch-all concept also applies on the ground in New York, where all eligible premium passengers are pointed towards Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse. In other words, everybody gets the airline’s flagship lounge experience.

This isn’t a lounge of toasted sandwiches and self-serve chicken curry. There’s a sophistication to the menu that’s found only among the crème de la crème of airport lounges. It’s not a question of whether you should arrive early. The only matter for pondering must be how early to arrive. Check-in opens four hours before departure… take that hint and lap up every minute.

Not convinced? Tonight’s dinner begins with duck lettuce wraps. They’re deliciously served with hoisin sauce and lime, carrot, spring onion and coriander. Given the citrus twist, it’s only fitting to pair the course with a Virgin Redhead. This ‘Virgin’ drink is alcoholic, ahem – mixing gin, berry liqueurs, lemon juice and Prosecco. If you’d prefer a glass of Champagne, the house drop is Nicolas Feuillatte Brut (NV).

I continue with the pan-fried seabass. It’s served atop crushed peas and kale, with capers and a lemon butter sauce. With this course, I match a lively 2022 Santa Christina Pinot Grigio from Venice (Italy, not Los Angeles). I take a moment to remind myself that this is an airport lounge, not an outside restaurant: at which these dishes would fit right in.

Dessert and a nightcap

As it happens, today brings only a transit through JFK. Aside from a detour to the TWA Hotel, I don’t even have time to leave the airport. It’s one thing that makes me smile about the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – even those in my shoes can enjoy a New York restaurant without forgoing the lounge experience.

But given the day’s travel plans, I need something New York-inspired for dessert, if only to make me smile. I’m thrilled to find a baked New York cheesecake on the menu. Drizzled with a blueberry compote, this NYC signature is thoroughly enjoyed with a glass of port. I choose the Christian Brothers Ruby Port from California – because not only am I just in New York for one day, I’m in the United States for a mere day, too. Such is the life of a busy traveller.

After my feast, I retire with a non-alcoholic mocktail. The Nightcap on the Rocks blends three virgin spirits: ‘calming’, ‘woody’, and ‘mellow’, balanced out with an orange twist. After enjoying a glass of something with every course, I appreciate that the post-meal options are more exciting than just tea and coffee. This is especially so given that I plan to step on board and head straight to sleep.

During this whole visit, I don’t have to approach the bar or counter to place an order. Waiters are ready to help whenever they’re needed, and there’s a QR code near every seat to order your next round if you don’t want to wait. This is well beyond the typical airport lounge experience. But then again, this is Virgin Atlantic’s New York Clubhouse – it comes with the territory.

Amenities in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, New York JFK

The Virgin Atlantic flair doesn’t end with the food and beverage. This Clubhouse has a few extra tricks up its sleeve. If you’re the type of traveller who, shall we say, enjoys a little extra privacy, one corner of the lounge can be curtained off as a VIP space. Don’t fret, you’ll still get your airport views.

Out in the main space, a pool table brings some camaraderie to the atmosphere. When I first arrive, there’s a well-battled competition happening—it’s all part of the fun.

I appreciate that Virgin Atlantic’s design flair also carries through to the washroom walkways. What’s normally a boring space is made colourful: enhanced even further by funky colour-changing lighting. The shower suites come well-appointed and prove a godsend after a day spent hauling myself from Sydney to Honolulu, onwards to Phoenix and then to New York, where I’m bound for London.

Hopefully, you’re not visiting Virgin Atlantic’s New York Clubhouse only to sit on a work video call. But if that’s your day, expect the stream to run smoothly with Wi-Fi speeds around 92Mbps up and down.

Access

This could well be a First Class lounge… but it isn’t. The guest list at Virgin Atlantic’s New York Clubhouse is a little complex, and even varies by time of day. But trust me on this, it’s worth the effort to decipher and discover.

• By cabin class:
  • Virgin Atlantic Upper Class.
  • Delta One (international flights only), Singapore Airlines Suites, China Airlines First and Business Class, and Air Europa Business Class.

• By frequent flyer status:
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold and UNIQ travelling internationally on Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines or Air Europa.
  • Virgin Australia Velocity Gold, Platinum and Beyond departing on Virgin Atlantic.
  • SkyTeam Elite Plus members departing on Virgin Atlantic, Delta or Air Europa only.
  • Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Club members departing on Virgin Atlantic and Singapore Airlines.
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold and PPS Club members departing on Virgin Atlantic only.

• By membership:
  • Priority Pass members travelling with any airline, but only between 5 am and 1:30 pm daily. The lounge reopens at 3 pm and closes at 11:30 pm, but Priority Pass members won’t be admitted during this afternoon and evening period.

Guest policies vary between airlines and memberships. Eligible Velocity members, for instance, are permitted one complimentary guest who must also be travelling on Virgin Atlantic. Velocity members cannot use this lounge prior to Singapore Airlines flights.

Note that Etihad Airways previously used this space, and when it did, eligible Velocity members could access it when flying Etihad. Now, Etihad uses the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, which occupies the space of Etihad’s former New York lounge.

The verdict

I practically spend all year looking at airport lounges – and to put it kindly, most of them follow the same theme. There are the usual ‘cookie cutter’ zones for dining, working and relaxing. There’s the typical buffet spread, where I’m lucky to find more than two hot options. There’s either a line for the coffee or a line for the bar, and so on. You get the idea.

Virgin Atlantic’s JFK Clubhouse, on the other hand, is anything but routine. It’s practically a First Class lounge but with a Business Class guestlist – and that’s partly what makes it special.

Rather than expecting the lounge to be this good, you’re pleasantly surprised. The whole journey gets off to a great start… and that’s what the very best airport lounges are all about. Particularly for Australian travellers, the JFK Clubhouse is one of the finest lounges you can visit using Velocity status, anywhere in the world. Take it from me – I’ve experienced a fair few.

Also read: Velocity Platinum gets you into Etihad’s new First Class Lounge (until June 2025)

Featured image courtesy of Virgin Atlantic. Other photography by Chris Chamberlin. Chris accessed the lounge using (earned) Velocity Frequent Flyer status while travelling at Point Hacks’ expense.

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