RTW16: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK

Introduction
United Economy Plus SFO-ORD-LGA, New York City
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK
Singapore Suites JFK-FRA
Lufthansa Senator Lounge FRA
Singapore Suites FRA-SIN
Singapore, The Private Room SIN
Singapore Suites SIN-SYD
Sydney
Thai Royal First SYD-BKK
Thai Ground Services BKK
Thai Royal First BKK-HKG
Macau and Hong Kong
ANA Business HKG-NRT, Hilton Narita
ANA Business NRT-IAH
United Economy Plus IAH-ASE, United First ASE-SFO

Singapore Suites Checkin

Upon arriving at JFK’s Terminal 4, I proceeded to the Suites checkin desk where I encountered a minor speed bump. Since I’ve only been to countries where no visa is required in the past few years, it didn’t even cross my mind to get an e-visa for Australia. The checkin agent informed me of this minor technicality and told me that I could go quickly apply online, or they could do it for $50 at the counter. 15 minutes and $15 dollars later, I had my e-visa and was able to complete checkin. One of the three agents then escorted me to security, through the crew/employee line, to the front of the line, so it took less than a minute to get through document check. Unfortunately Singapore Airlines doesn’t participate in precheck, so I was stuck taking shoes and jacket off and both my laptops out. But that’s a small price to pay for Singapore Suites.

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

Shortly thereafter, I got to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, which has great views of the ramp, unfortunately overlooking the babybus area where Virgin America planes park. In line with the Virgin brand, the lounge tries very hard to be a hipster lounge. Lots of really colorful lights and impractical, but apparently hip, furniture. Even though that isn’t my style, it is still a fantastic lounge. There is a full service restaurant, incredibly proactive waiters roaming about the lounge, and a small bites menu (and I think they will probably serve a full meal at any of the tables, but I didn’t try that out). There are several shower/bathrooms, for which there was a short line for when I arrived.

As one might assume, the lounge filled up in the time leading up to Virgin Atlantic departures and then was empty in the following half hour or so before the next flights’ passengers started showing up. This went through a couple cycles, so for around an hour (in two chunks), there were only a few passengers in the lounge, far outnumbered by the wait staff.

After a quick shower, I just sat at a seat overlooking the ramp, watching random videos YouTube and doing some work. I only drank Coke and water throughout my stay, soas not to ruin my appetite for the flight. Two and a half hours after arriving, I caught the last couple minutes of the Broncos/Steelers game on my way out the door.