I have a few questions I am still trying to answer for a friend flying AF from BOS-CDG. I was mistaken that he had Skyteam Elite +, he doesnt, he is just flying C Class on AF.

Can he access the WC as well since he is on a Bix Class ticket?

Also...

Does Virgin put out food and champagne for thier flight, I didnt see anything posted recently about this? What if anything do they put out that can be had be all in the WC?

He would need to be either flying BC on NWA or flying on a NWA BC ticket on a code shared flight

WC's do not put our heavy food or champagne but they do have a full self service bar and cheese/crackers/fruit/cookies/bagels/donuts/juice

Sorry I was referring specifically to the BOS WC that is also used by Virgin Atlantic. I had read they put out a nice food spread and champagne before thier flight but that anybody in the WC can have at it.

Also, I thought that if one was travelling on a Skyteam airline in BC then you could use the skyteam lounges?


I dont know much about Skyteam so that is why I ask!

Your friend could just go and ask. The agents at the Worldclub in BOS are really nice, and the worst scenario is that they say, Sorry, sir. But I don't believe that C (business class) on AF - a three class airline - is equivalent to a WBC ticket, nor Business First on CO, nor yet BizElite on Delta, all of which are two class airlines...

[rant] It's my understanding that AF is responsible for a lot of the unpleasant inconsistencies in how status-holding members of various Skyteam airlines are treated, especially in the realm of lounge access. Apparently AF were so disdainful of BizElite compared to their wonderful First Class, that they refused any reciprocal lounge agreements based on fare class. [/rant]

Anyway, the BOS Worldclub does indeed have champagne (and better champagne than Delta serves in its BizElite lounges), and some extra snacks, during the departure period for the Virgin flight. I've only been in that club a few times during the right hours, but it was the case each time.

GG - how recent was your last trip to the BOS WC when you saw the VS food spread? I've been there around 5-6pm a few times (most recently in April), and didn't see this spread.
Were they 'guarding' the food to make sure only VS UC customers were sampling it?

^ regarding the Virgin food, i was at the boston WC in June and there was a very n ice spread of food, including marinated cold pork tenderloin, grilled vegatables, gourmet cheeses, fresh fruits, smoked salmon, and other good apps. don't remember the champagne but then i do'nt like the stuff...

the food was located on the far wall beyond the bar with no one watching. the desk agents can't even see the table.

^ from airfrance.com:
Air France now has a number of private lounges equipped with everything you need, all around the world: beverages, newspapers, Internet access, and more. You can also take advantage of our international network of more than 300 lounges through our many partners.
You can use Air France�s and SkyTeam�s lounges if:

you fly in L�Espace Premi�re (First) or L�Espace Affaires (Business),
you are a Flying Blue Gold or Platinum, SkyTeam Elite Plus, or Club 2000 member,
you travel as a first class or business class passenger on an international SkyTeam flight.

^ according to the airfrance site, the boston nw lounge has a shower, really?? where i wonder....there is also the delta and continental lounge that your friend can try...

bostonbali: (btw, that's MUCH sexier than LEX-SAN) - in March, but NOLAnwGOLD's info seems to bear me out.

But... showers? we wonders, yes.

You're correct. From the SkyTeam site:

SkyTeam member airlines operate over 391 lounges worldwide.
� All international First and Business Class passengers traveling on a same day flight operated by a SkyTeam member have access to these exclusive facilities.

Yes, the BOS WC still has the Virgin buffet. Don't be afraid to eat, I always plan on it as my dinner when taking an evening flight out of BOS. However, I did get scolded in the Westin lounge at DTW recently for eating the BA evening meal. I was surprised when the bartender starting asking for the "blue card". I pretended that I didn't speak English.

Funny you mention that because I just stumbled upon that "lounge" on my last trip through. I usually sneak over to that area of the Westin to pick up the free wifi signal. I had no idea that it was roped off for BA's use around the time of their LHR flight. I stuffed myself with ham sandwiches and took 2 bottles of water for the road.

I actually made it out with a ham sandwich.

I would have been pretty upset as a customer of the hotel if I couldn't use the only lounge in the place because they pimped it out to BA.

Boston WC also allows you to bypass the regular gate cattle call and board the plane (or at least get to the jetway) from the WC level.

I will be there next weekend. I am excited to hear that they still are offering the buffet. I had it once back in December '03. It was very nice, beef tenderloin, pate, smoked salmon. I am taking a flight out on the 8th and was planning on that for dinner!! I will report back when I get back on the 9th.

Jeremy

My buddy noted that near 6PM about an hour before the Virgin flight deaparts there is a small cold buffet set up near the service entrance to the kitchen by the coffee bar area. He noted there were a few salads, cheese, etc...overall a small buffett with snacks on two little tables. Also noted in the main bar area there was some inexpensive French champagne as well. He did not end up trying the AF lounge but noted that with all airlines such as Alitalia, Virgin, etc. the WC was fairly crowded around 6.