Comments on: Observations from the World’s Ultimate Airport Lounge

By: Johnny

Johnny — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 23:17:39 +0000

Very nice! I fly to and from Thailand often and with Eva Air they have a very generous frequent flyer program. I got upgraded from their basic class to the next class up within two or three flights and from that point on I get access to their Evergreen VIP Lounge at all airports (expect for SFO).

I usually fly from San Francisco to Bangkok with a layover in Taipei, Taiwan, where I go to their lounge to take a shower (they provide a kit with a towel, shampoo and soap) which is very relaxing after a 13 hour flight. Then I enjoy their free buffet, magazines, internet, but skip the free bar since I don’t like drinking while flying. But they do have Jonnie Walker Black label for those who do!

By: Michael F.

Michael F. — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:59:56 +0000

Chris, agree with you re Virgin clubhouses, but may I provide a correction that you and your readers may benefit HUGELY from?

Especially for non-US residents, it is worth joining BMI’s FF scheme, called Diamond Club, and is also part of Star Alliance, instead of USAir/Continental/United.

BMI has some big benefits over the Yankee schemes –

1. superb points redemption value using their miles plus cash option
2. the low threshold for status – silver is 15k and from there to gold (and to retain it) is 38k, which is pretty low
3. BMI Gold get to use ALL Star Alliance lounges regardless of class of travel, including domestic US lounges
4. BMI Gold also get to use the Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow (not sure about other ones) when flying with Virgin, regardless of class of travel!

May I add that the BA Gold/First Lounge at Heathrow T5 is lush and has a free Elemis spa. The Swiss First Lounge in Zurich is also amazing, and the El Al King David Lounge in Tel Aviv is nice too.

By: Cristiana Jurgensen

Cristiana Jurgensen — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:40:33 +0000

Chris,

Our family loved this article on lounges. We have lived and traveled abroad for 10 years and have spend A LOT of our time in airports. One of the best ones for us was the British Airways lounge in the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria. The lounge itself was your standard issue lounge (I mean no free haircuts or anything!) but what made it so great was the alternative was so bad! Sometimes the awfulness of an airport makes any respite VERY welcome.

By: Que

Que — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:53:12 +0000

Hey Chris:
I found this site after googling for a way to buy a buddy pass.
(A plain ticket I can use for 1 year for a specific price)
I have not been inside a premium lounge , but always wondered how it differed.
I use the military USO which is about the same without the alcohol
These lounges do aloud you to get to the airport a couple f hours early without dealing with the crowds.
Trying to find a seat, and keeping an eye on your luggage.
After reading your article I know now that I would never pay to party.

Safety 1st
Que

By: Merijn

Merijn — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:50:38 +0000

As for headphones (tech-alert), I really like noise cancelling ones, for instance:
Creative HN-700: http://bit.ly/42MeCB (redirects to trustedreviews).
They are not too big, and with switching on the headphones, you switch off the train, bus or airplane.
Even better and smaller were my sennheiser ones, but they broke down and were rather expensive to replace.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:43:15 +0000

Yep, I’ve been there several times. It’s one of my favorites, but still not as nice as Virgin’s flagship lounge.

By: Dan Pierson

Dan Pierson — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:40:03 +0000

Hey Chris,

Next time you’re in Hong Kong, check out the Wing, Cathay Pacific’s lounge. Easily the most elegant, lavishly appointed place I’ve ever been to (and for free!). You should be able to get in with your OneWorld Emerald status.

Happy flying,
Dan

By: xenia

xenia — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:40:22 +0000

having never been in an airport lounge, I am gratified to learn I’m not missing much! But as a tip to other travellers, if you’re looking for a high-class experience during frequent travel – I have made my own way to be “pampered”.

- Find a coffee shop that makes the same drink everywhere – Starbucks for example, or any number of local alternatives where they have a million branches and all make it the same way. Find a drink you like from their menu, that way, no matter where you are, you’ll always have your “favourite” drink to hand, made just the way you like. My favourite’s the Mocha Frappuccino.

- Get some music, and some comfy headphones. If you can find some music you like that you can also work to, all the better. That way you won’t have to worry about volume control or insufferable muzak.

- Find an armchair. There’s something about armchairs that make them so much more luxurious than hard chairs. Starbucks often has armchairs. Yes, you pay $300 for the coffee (or $6) but you get the armchair time! Curl your feet up and enjoy your personal soundtrack. They almost never ask you to take your feet off the seat – I personally have never once been asked to do so.

- If you can find a book you like, or a magazine, or a newspaper, or a website … find something to engross yourself in, and float away. Favourite drink, favourite music, comfy seat, and a great novel: 2 hours drifts by like nothing … who needs fancy-schmancy Club lounges, anyway?!?

By: al

al — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Was recently in this Virgin Club Lounge before a trip to NYC and was blown away. Certainly the best I have been in. I didnt know about half the things available though (spa, hairdresser, etc.) if I had have known I would have arrived hours before I did that’s for sure! Excellent speedy meal, offers of regular Champagne without leaving your luxurious seats, nice spacious lounge with a variety of seating options. This was a great experience and one I’d like to repeat. And it certainly beats the Virgin lounge at JFK.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:21:13 +0000

The British Airways lounges in both Manchester and Heathrow are pretty decent too, although Virgin has them beat…I think there’s actually a Molton Browne spa in one of the Heathrow lounges, but of course it was in a different terminal than the one I was in. That said, I hate British Airways with a passion due to several bad experiences and only end up in their lounges when there’s no Admiral’s Club – which vary a lot among different airports, seemingly regardless of the airport itself (SFO is depressing while SJC despite its 80s style is comfortable and spacious).