Task Force DL

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA - There isn't a comparison to make here! This was my first time in the Virgin CH in almost half a decade.

Where do a I begin:

SERVICE: Servers actually serve you at the table and address you by name

BAR: The bar is better than most decent hotels with higher end whiskeys, a couple of cognacs, 8-9 vodkas, and OK wines. They also have *WOODFORD* and *MAKERS* The wines are about the same as the Skyclub or maybe a little better (still really cheap $10/bottle crap).

FOOD: They have a full menu of tapas, dinner, and flatbread pizzas. No hummus or Tillamook in sight here

GENERAL AMBIANCE: High energy but not loud or busy, very stylish, very civilized. I am early here so maybe it gets crowded later.

SKYDECK: None here - I would give the Skyclub the win on that single metric.

Thanks to all that suggested trying this out on my DL JFK-LHR tonight. Is well worth the walk. I'll now spend my flight in 1A asleep since I have had far better food drink here on the ground that have ever had on DL in the air or on the ground!

TFD

whooperatw

Agree - no comparisons.

If I remember when I was there in October they had a pool table for those interested in some old school gaming. Am I mistaken in this memory? (The extended visit may have resulted in a few fuzzy memories)

fliesdelta

I was there a week ago, they have a pool table.

355F1

That is just simply awesome.^



I recently departed out of JFK and took two friends into the SC with me who have never even traveled anywhere in FC or J and they absolutely thought the SkyDeck was the coolest thing ever! I know I enjoy it!

Task Force DL

Yes it is here, and the operators of the pool implements are already sloppy

Task Force DL

...now I am on the return leg so I figured I would post a final update...

My flight from LIS-LHR in "Business" was a joke (and two hours late). So now I only get three hours in the Clubhouse instead of 5

The LHR Clubhouse is even more over-the-top than the JFK one.

Anyone flying out of T3 on DL in J should just go straight here.

Please note that you can also use the "Clubhouse Wing" security and a DL BP scans just fine to open the magic door to the "Clubhouse Wing".

TFD

MSPeconomist

Sorry, but IMO you lose all credibility when you claim that the wines served in DL SCs would be OK in a decent hotel bar. DL SC wines are not decent, and I doubt that they cost even $10 per bottle in most states.

Wines in domestic FC tend to be *slightly* better while BD/D1 tends to usually have at least one wine that's much better than what is found in the SC and in domestic FC.

If you have a DL flight from T4 at LHR, can you use the Clubhouse?

Task Force DL

[QUOTE=MSPeconomist;24886508]Sorry, but IMO you lose all credibility when you claim that the wines served in DL SCs would be OK

Huh? I believe that i referred to them as "crap" in my original post. Perhaps I could have composed the post better, but I meant that the liquor and beer was on par with a decent hotel bar. The wines are a joke.

FWIW - I generally don't ever drink wines on airplanes or in lounges except for in F on SQ and EK. So, you are right, I have no credibility commenting on the Skyclub plonk.

fliesdelta

Or if you are GM and above and flying Y.

rylan

Heartily agree with the OP, and yes the LHR clubhouse is certainly something to experience. Did you take advantage of any of the spa services?
The shoeshine guy at the entrance to the clubhouse does a great job too.

MSPeconomist

The phrase in your post that I quoted was "and OK wines" in referring to Clubhouse wines. You then go on to say "The wines are about the same as the Skyclub". From this I conclude that you think that SC wines are OK too.

I also don't drink SC wines, but from looking at the bottles, I don't need to taste them to know how bad they are. I do drink FC and BE/D1 wines on board because wine goes better with meals than other beverages. Of course, certain foreign airlines offer better wines. In fact, SQ has some rather good wine in the lounge (TPR). In addition to your list, I've had good German dessert wine on LH. KE and MH were disappointing, despite being Asian full service airlines that get some pretty high ratings (but I would disagree--not impressed at all). I avoid longhaul AF and KLM because of their horrible business class seats on most aircraft.

31693884

Thought it was only PM+?

SFTNYC

I think this would be tough landside (getting through landside Security at T3 with a T4 boarding pass).

Once you are already in the secure area of T4 however, you can take the transfer bus to T3 (follow the signs for "Airline Service Desks") and they will let you through transfer security without a T3 boarding pass (the assumption being that individuals proceed to the transfer desks immediately after security). This also works if you're transiting (just follow the signs for T3 connections rather than taking the bus to T4).

In my experience, Delta passengers are checked into the LHR clubhouse using printed manifests and manually checking names off a list. They obviously wouldn't have the manifest for a flight leaving from T4, but that doesn't mean you can't show your credentials and still get in...

Keep in mind that airside transit between terminals, due to the need to clear security and wait for the bus, can take up to an hour in each direction... If I had a very long transit (~4+ hours) I would probably give it a try - it really is something (and they do have an outdoor terrace too!)

CarmenOM

SkyTeam Elite+ can use the JFK Clubhouse when flying to the UK on DL or VS. Only PM and DM can use the LHR Clubhouse.

DLATL777

I see no point in this comparison. Taking a wonderfully beautiful lounge run by a superior carrier with more stringent entry requirements and comparing it to an adult day care center is always going to be an unfair comparison.