Rommie2k6

Delta Plat here, and I checked that I am eligible to use the Virgin Atlantic clubhouse at LHR.

My question is that I will be arriving JFK-LHR, but I want to use that lounge (and not the smaller arrival lounge that is after security). Will I be able to do so? I'm not sure how LHR Terminal 3 works wrt to custom clearance?

I've never been to LHR, and I'm reading/inferring that after customs you get booted out of the sterile area? So in order to get to the clubhouse, do I go from my plane directly to the clubhouse, then when I am done go through customs and exit the secured area?

flyerCO

You physically won't have access. Also you don't receive access to it as an arrivals lounge. Only the arrivals lounge can be used as an arrivals lounge.

Rommie2k6

Are you saying there is no physical way of reaching the Virgin Atlantic clubhouse? I don't see any stipulation in the terms that you need to have an outbound boarding pass to access the lounge as a Delta Plat/Diamond.

flyerCO

1)no physical access
2)Clubhouse is not an ARRIVAL lounge. You only get access when originating or connecting. Very clearly defined policy, that matches STE+ policy.

AntonS

To get back to the terminal after arrival, you will need to go through security checkpoint, at least in my experience in LHR.

​​​​You maybe able to get back to sterile area of the terminal if you convince security check that you have connection, but it's not guaranteed (few weeks ago I had no problem going through connection security at T3 without showing boarding pass or printout, but I also saw other people stopped at checkpoint without itinerary). Even if you get to the terminal, you can be denied access to clobhouse without connecting flight.

The real question is why even try????

What's wrong with Revivals Lounge for a quick shower and breakfast before heading to town?

LondonElite

SDQBound

The issue is more to leave the secure area than to access. Transfer desks are right after security so you could technically go past security without a boarding pass. Now, to leave T3 is a bigger challenge.

tennessetom

highpeaklad

LondonElite

You won't get into the departures area without a T3 boarding pass. I don't know what you mean by 'leaving the secure area'. You can certainly leave the secure area of T3 and leave the airport..

AntonS

I was connecting from T3 to T4 a few weeks ago and did not have connecting boarding pass. I explained it to the agent at security checkpoint and she waved me through, but I have seen other people asked to show itinerary.

It still not worth the hassle.

What's wrong with Revivals Lounge?

CarmenOM

ijgordon

"Before you depart" the airport!

But seriously, unlike in the US, it's not easy to just walk out of the departures are back to landside. I'm pretty sure there's no border control upon exiting the UK (like Schengen), but there's no public "path" back to landside because there's generally no need. However, I believe an airport staff member can escort you (there's probably just a door somewhere, but it's probably fire-alarmed for emergencies, because obviously you DO have to leave a way for people to exit the building in adverse circumstances).

But I think the "real" issues are (1) getting through security back into T3 departures without proof of an onward flight, and (2) whether the lounge policy actually allows DL Plat/DM to use the Clubhouse without an onward boarding pass.

Rommie2k6

Ok, it looks like too much hassle to work this, I did not know arrivals and departures were two separate areas at LHR? That's so weird, because there's no such thing in any of the US airports that I've traveled to. I mean logistically how does it make sense at all? If half of the terminal is dedicated to arrivals, that's "wasted space". After offloading passengers does the plane need to taxi to the departure part of the terminal to load passengers?

The revivals lounge is problematic because it closes at 1.30pm. I arrive at 10am, and plan to lounge hop until like 6-7pm. Also it only serves breakfast, I wanted to try the other items on the menu. As for the ToC, I wouldn't interpret it that strictly. It was phrased to include "suggested usage", but did not have specific wording like you need a *departure* boarding pass. In places like PDX restaurants, a *departure* boarding pass is specifically mentioned.

Also I'm looking from the angle whether if this is possible, not what the "intended" use of the lounges (arrival/departure) are...

pvn

London has lots of bars and restaurants, why not "hop" in town?