bsb
Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2012
- Posts
- 423
Last night I flew SFO NAN on FJ and thought I’d add a quick mini review of the SFO Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, partly because it’s interesting and partly as a warning to unsuspecting punters.
I knew beforehand that I’d be using this lounge and had arrived in plenty of time at SFO. Last night the air train wasn’t working, so it was a shuttle from the rental car area which knocked off another 40 mins, but I still had plenty of time.
Thankfully FJ check in was quick and I was in the lounge 10 mins from arriving kerbside. For those not aware, this lounge is landside which I haven’t seen since the beginning of time, but you need to be aware of this (more on that later). The entrance is via a lift just to the left of security and was a little hard to find, but the info desk in close and they quickly directed me.
Upon arrival I was met by the happiest lounge dragons I’ve ever come across. I was handed a menu and welcomed into the inner sanctum
What really intrigued me was that there was no buffet of any sort. Not even snacks. But this was ok because only seconds after I found my seat a waitress came up to me and asked what I needed. She was surprised when I insisted I’d already eaten and didn’t want food, but I did have a serve of blackberry gelato, which became 2 as I decided this was about the most amazing gelato I’d ever had.
The food that was coming out looked good and I kind of wished I hadn’t eaten earlier. Not being much of a drinker, I can’t really comment on the liquor or champagne - I had herbal tea which was nicely presented (i can hear many lounge champagne experts sigh with disgust). For what it’s worth I noted the bottle on the counter was Lanson, not sure if that’s any good but the label looked like it might be ok stuff. The bar tender was busy a la Tom Cruise, making fancy coughtails which seemed to be in high demand from the dozen or so pax.
The lounge was mostly empty and staff were super attentive asking regularly if I needed anything. There were ample power points which I like.
It’s divided up into 3 zones, one sort of dining area, the bar and window seat area and a larger lounger area. I sat in the bar area as I like the big red chairs and the view of the tarmac, although the weird purple glass screens made it a bit difficult to see out at night. It was all very Virgin and despite not being able it see out properly, I felt this was a great space and tied into the Virgin brand very well
90 mins prior to departure they made a boarding announcement for FJ. I really wanted a shower so decided that I’d have plenty of time and took a quick one. The shower rooms were large and clean with nice white fluffy towels and were well ventilated (Qantas, esp SIN HKG LAX, take note!!!). I was quick and heading to security less than 15 mins earlier.
Thank goodness for J class as security was a hot mess! I know US airports suck at the best of times, but this was worse than I’d ever seen. They sperate Priority pax a little way down the line which is weird and in typical US fashion means more people doing a job one person could do...but I digress.
QF to SYD was departing 15mins prior and QF pax were pushing through the crowd which was annoying. Eventually a QF employee rounded them up and pushed past everyone and got them through security which resulted in yelling and screaming from other pax. To be honest it annoyed me but then again it made me realise flyingQF has its advantages.
I arrived at my gate well into boarding- I would never had made it if I hadn’t had the J priority queue. 4 pax didn’t make it and their bags were offloaded. I felt sorry for them as it was a nightmare.
All in all I was quite impressed with the Clubhouse. I liked the personal and attentive service, thought not having a buffet made it more ‘club’ like and was very comfortable in the space. I did not like being landslide for obvious reasons and if I can advise anything, if you’re intending to use this lounge, get there super early so you can enjoye it - and don’t eat beforehand.
I fly FJ J twice a year (great cheap J fares to he US), usually in and out of LAX. Despite SFO being a better city if I’m stopping for a night or two, LAX is much easier and I love the QF Flounge so will probably stick with that route. It is always good to try something new though.
Sidenote: a friend was on the QF SYD flight and had the nightmare of dealing with the AF lounge. It will be interesting to see what happens when QF has their MEL 787s arrive and FJ soon to be part of OW ‘lite’. One can only hope that QF does their own SFO lounge!
I knew beforehand that I’d be using this lounge and had arrived in plenty of time at SFO. Last night the air train wasn’t working, so it was a shuttle from the rental car area which knocked off another 40 mins, but I still had plenty of time.
Thankfully FJ check in was quick and I was in the lounge 10 mins from arriving kerbside. For those not aware, this lounge is landside which I haven’t seen since the beginning of time, but you need to be aware of this (more on that later). The entrance is via a lift just to the left of security and was a little hard to find, but the info desk in close and they quickly directed me.
Upon arrival I was met by the happiest lounge dragons I’ve ever come across. I was handed a menu and welcomed into the inner sanctum
What really intrigued me was that there was no buffet of any sort. Not even snacks. But this was ok because only seconds after I found my seat a waitress came up to me and asked what I needed. She was surprised when I insisted I’d already eaten and didn’t want food, but I did have a serve of blackberry gelato, which became 2 as I decided this was about the most amazing gelato I’d ever had.
The food that was coming out looked good and I kind of wished I hadn’t eaten earlier. Not being much of a drinker, I can’t really comment on the liquor or champagne - I had herbal tea which was nicely presented (i can hear many lounge champagne experts sigh with disgust). For what it’s worth I noted the bottle on the counter was Lanson, not sure if that’s any good but the label looked like it might be ok stuff. The bar tender was busy a la Tom Cruise, making fancy coughtails which seemed to be in high demand from the dozen or so pax.
The lounge was mostly empty and staff were super attentive asking regularly if I needed anything. There were ample power points which I like.
It’s divided up into 3 zones, one sort of dining area, the bar and window seat area and a larger lounger area. I sat in the bar area as I like the big red chairs and the view of the tarmac, although the weird purple glass screens made it a bit difficult to see out at night. It was all very Virgin and despite not being able it see out properly, I felt this was a great space and tied into the Virgin brand very well
90 mins prior to departure they made a boarding announcement for FJ. I really wanted a shower so decided that I’d have plenty of time and took a quick one. The shower rooms were large and clean with nice white fluffy towels and were well ventilated (Qantas, esp SIN HKG LAX, take note!!!). I was quick and heading to security less than 15 mins earlier.
Thank goodness for J class as security was a hot mess! I know US airports suck at the best of times, but this was worse than I’d ever seen. They sperate Priority pax a little way down the line which is weird and in typical US fashion means more people doing a job one person could do...but I digress.
QF to SYD was departing 15mins prior and QF pax were pushing through the crowd which was annoying. Eventually a QF employee rounded them up and pushed past everyone and got them through security which resulted in yelling and screaming from other pax. To be honest it annoyed me but then again it made me realise flyingQF has its advantages.
I arrived at my gate well into boarding- I would never had made it if I hadn’t had the J priority queue. 4 pax didn’t make it and their bags were offloaded. I felt sorry for them as it was a nightmare.
All in all I was quite impressed with the Clubhouse. I liked the personal and attentive service, thought not having a buffet made it more ‘club’ like and was very comfortable in the space. I did not like being landslide for obvious reasons and if I can advise anything, if you’re intending to use this lounge, get there super early so you can enjoye it - and don’t eat beforehand.
I fly FJ J twice a year (great cheap J fares to he US), usually in and out of LAX. Despite SFO being a better city if I’m stopping for a night or two, LAX is much easier and I love the QF Flounge so will probably stick with that route. It is always good to try something new though.
Sidenote: a friend was on the QF SYD flight and had the nightmare of dealing with the AF lounge. It will be interesting to see what happens when QF has their MEL 787s arrive and FJ soon to be part of OW ‘lite’. One can only hope that QF does their own SFO lounge!
