Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - Clubhouse access LHR - how long before flight?

Just booked my first leg on VS. I'm flying in PE on VS7 to LAX in September but i am eligible for clubhouse access by virtue of my Status with Virgin Australia. Having never been to the clubhouse i'm keen to maximise my time there (i'm tossing up between staying at airport hotel or coming in on a flight and connecting that morning).

A few questions for VS veterans...

What time does the clubhouse open? I read 7am somewhere is that current/right?

Is there any rule about how long before your flight you can enter the clubhouse - particularly if your entry is governed by your status with a partner and not your ticket class?

Anyone got any tips for 1st timers in the VS LHR CH?

Haven't been in for a while, but 7am was always the opening time. And there's no rule about how early you can enter so far as I am aware. Book a treatment (some are chargeable), have a cocktail, eat some food (much better than you'll get on the plane), play some pool or a video game etc. Plenty of info on the VS website (http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/travel-information/airport-guides/london-heathrow/clubhouse.html).

BC

I go as early as I can, they open at 7am. As long as you're flying the same day they'll let you in. I'm not sure if you can get free services at Cowshead Spa if you're not ticketed in UC, you might have to pay for a haircut or massage. Anybody know for sure?

Book your haircut with Sandy (tell him Dr. Steve the Chiropractor says hi and I'll see him on July 10th) or John or get a scalp massage (which is heaven).

Its super comfortable and the food and drinks are great. It sure beats sitting around with the masses coughing on your neck.

Steve


Just booked my first leg on VS. I'm flying in PE on VS7 to LAX in September but i am eligible for clubhouse access by virtue of my Status with Virgin Australia. Having never been to the clubhouse i'm keen to maximise my time there (i'm tossing up between staying at airport hotel or coming in on a flight and connecting that morning).

A few questions for VS veterans...

What time does the clubhouse open? I read 7am somewhere is that current/right?

Is there any rule about how long before your flight you can enter the clubhouse - particularly if your entry is governed by your status with a partner and not your ticket class?

Anyone got any tips for 1st timers in the VS LHR CH?

Thanks everyone. Looking forward to it. It's not til September but am trying to work out my travel plans (specifically connecting that morning from AMS or coming in the night before and staying somewhere near LHR). I think i'll do the latter so i can spend the morning in the clubhouse. Always been keen to check it out.

I can't personally vouch for how early you can get there, but in terms of how late...

A couple of years ago I had a case of "alarm clock failure". Woke up 3 hours later than I intended to. Arrived to T3 about 50 minutes before departure. They miraculously allowed me to check in my luggage (was bringing a bottle of whisky so couldn't carry on). I then proceeded through security, made a quick deviation to the clubhouse to use the loo, have a glass of water and a smoothie, and then off to the gate. :D

Glad I made it onto the flight, but wouldn't have minded having a bit more time in there...

I can't personally vouch for how early you can get there, but in terms of how late...

A couple of years ago I had a case of "alarm clock failure". Woke up 3 hours later than I intended to. Arrived to T3 about 50 minutes before departure. They miraculously allowed me to check in my luggage (was bringing a bottle of whisky so couldn't carry on). I then proceeded through security, made a quick deviation to the clubhouse to use the loo, have a glass of water and a smoothie, and then off to the gate. :D

Glad I made it onto the flight, but wouldn't have minded having a bit more time in there...

No miracle. Check in for UC pax is T-40 mins at LHR (but I wouldn't want to cut it that fine!)

http://virginatlantic.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/396/kw/check%20in/related/1

No miracle. Check in for UC pax is T-40 mins at LHR (but I wouldn't want to cut it that fine!)

http://virginatlantic.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/396/kw/check%20in/related/1

Good to know for future reference, though I also wouldn't want to cut it that close. Would the same have applied to Y pax with BMI gold cards (that was my situation at the time)? :p

Another near miracle that day - I was able to flag down a cab on a quiet Saturday morning in Hammersmith (I had planned to take the tube since I lived 5 minutes walking from the Piccadilly line then) and had just the right amount of cash for the fare!