Virgin Atlantic tightens (even more) rules for access to London clubhouse
When the news had come out that Virgin Atlantic would be joining the Skyteam alliance for all intents and purposes, I had jumped [...]
Virgin Atlantic
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SkyTeam
LHR
When the news had come out that Virgin Atlantic would become a full-fledged member of the Skyteam alliance, I had jumped for joy. I, like the whole world of European frequent flyers: VA in Skyteam flying from the same London terminal as Air France and KLM opened up unthinkable scenarios to become regulars at the Clubhouse, Virgin's lounge and one of the best in the world.
In this article:
The dream, however, was short-lived, in fact very short-lived. A few days after the announcement, managers of the company founded by Richard Branson had clarified that the London lounge would remain outside from the reach of Skyteam passengers, or at least most of them.
When the move materialized last spring, the new rules and requirements for accessing the Heathrow Terminal 3 lounge had been released and were not at all generous.
Without any announcement, however, Virgin has further narrowed the And now to get in you have to fly with Virgin or almost.
The new rules
The first possibility is according to the ticket travelling
- Passengers traveling in Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic + guest traveling on Virgin Atlantic or Delta
- Passengers traveling in Delta One suites.
- Passengers traveling in Premier aboard Aeromexico flights.
The second possibility is according to status and class travelling
- Flying Club Gold Card members + one guest traveling with Virgin Atlantic, Delta or Aeroméxico
- Delta SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum + one guest traveling in premium on Virgin Atlantic or Delta premium
- Flying Blue Platinum members + one guest traveling in premium on Virgin Atlantic or Delta premium
In a nutshell, excluding those who hold the gold level in Virgin's Flying Club, one must at least fly premium conomy with Delta or VS to access this lounge.
Compared with the rules written last March, all passengers with Skyteam status flying Delta or Virgin in economy are therefore excluded from this lounge. Also excluded are members of VS partner airlines such as Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines.
