I enjoyed the TG J lounge experience in BKK quite a bit more. That's one to consider.

The TG lounge has nice food ...but I still think the Clubhouse in London is far nicer. I don't remember any spa/salon services available at TG, but they do offer everything from different types of massages to haircuts/shaves to Virgin customers. And the food I've eaten in the Clubhouses in the US and UK are comparable to fine dining experiences. New Englanders close your eyes, but I think the New England clam chowder made at the BOS clubhouse is the best clam chowder in the region.

I haven't been in a Middle Eastern airline's lounge in a home city (ala Emirates on their home turf), so I suspect that may be better, but I've been to many lounges in the Americas, Asia, and Europe, and still will argue that the Clubhouse is the best.

As far as the in-flight lounge, many people are writing about how that's a big perk. I think it was cool to step up to the bar and order a drink while being somewhere over the Atlantic, but beyond a few minutes, it wasn't that remarkable. The inflight lounge is small and crowded and the seats at the bar are uncomfortable. I'd rather enjoy my drink from the comfort of my seat/bed than I would the "lounge." Now if it has been an in-flight breakfast buffet or omelet station, that would have been impressive :) But if you enjoy having a drink in cramped quarters, just have a sip of your favorite drink in a galley with your FA's.

Ya gotta look harder. ;)

They do offer spa services to C passengers. :-:

Your experience in LHR is VASTLY different than mine when it comes to the food.

The EK C lounge in DXB is widely regarded as being pretty awful, actually. TK in IST is supposed to be pretty impressive; I'll see the new version in person in a few weeks.

It was entertaining, to say the least. Particularly when the FAs weren't there and they didn't mind that I played bartender and poured for everyone. But that's also part of the problem with it. The crew were so disinterested that the experience was bad. And I had the same experience on multiple flights, so if it was an isolated issue it wasn't isolated enough.

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I am doing VS as opposed to CO. I have done both, numerous times, and I happen to love the Flyways Clubs as opposed to the United Clubs and especially in LHR as its always been the SkyTeam Lounge. I love having my hair done or a massage and I love the sauna/jacuzzi also. The food in the VS lounges is outstanding. The FAs are so young and cheerful and NO attitude as I sometimes experience on with the EWR based crews to LHR.

I like the inflight product better also. I guess it is subjective but I am always very pleased with my VS flts. Going in January and looking forward to it.

Cheers

Cheers!

I was just going to reply that my vote is for VS.

I don't know what's in the CO Kool-Aid, but apparently it's pretty strong stuff.

VS wins by quite a bit - the Clubhouse in LHR IS great (and one of the best C lounges around) and the food quality on my LHR-JNB flight was great, as were the flight attendants. The bar in the back made it amazing as well - the attitude of everyone on Virgin were simply great, but the food and experience on the ground and in the air would make me go VS every time - CO just isn't that consistent.

-jeremy

When does the new food product roll out? I am doing Virgin in Jan its almost 1k less than CO. From what I see, on the upper class fare I still get the 150% mileage and bonus. I've flown Co BF quite a bit so am looking forward to trying something new.

I certainly would not make decision on what carrier to fly based on lounge facilities in transit, unless a long layer over is an obligatory part of it. I would focus on the long hours in the plane.

While I like VS, two VS flights back to back probably not my cup of tea. For such I would put service over glitz and likely go with CO.

I suppose though CO miles not of interest to you as the VS flight won't get you EQMs to Tokyo.

Have you considered ANA? Much better than either CO or VS and can coddeshare with CO.