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Priority Pass has added two Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses to its network of lounges. You can now access the Virgin Clubhouse at Washington DC Dulles International IAD, and the Virgin Clubhouse at Newark Liberty International EWR. One thing to note is that there are some severe restrictions on the times you can access both lounges.
Washington DC Virgin Clubhouse
- Priority Pass members can access the lounge from 06:00 am to 01:30 pm
- Maximum stay is 3 hours
- Children under 5 are admitted for free
- Alcoholic beverages are restricted to beer and wine
Newark Liberty International Virgin Clubhouse
- Priority Pass members can access the lounge from 02:00 pm to 06:00 pm
- Maximum stay is 3 hours
- Children under 5 are admitted for free
- Alcoholic beverages are restricted to beer and wine
Guest Policy
There is no mention of guest access on the Priority Pass website, whether this means you are allowed the typical number of guests your card entitles you to, or not is unclear.
Things May Not Be So Rosy
A quick search on the Virgin Atlantic website and it is clear that in both cases, access to the Clubhouses ends 4 to 5 hours prior to the departure of Virgin’s own daily flights (6:20 pm from Washington and 10:30 pm from Newark). With no Virgin passengers in the lounge at the same time as Priority Pass members, will the Clubhouses’ experience be the same? Or will the spa be unavailable, the a la carte restaurant replaced with a buffet, and more? It is highly probable that Virgin will water down the service at the Clubhouses and then ramp it up later for its own passengers.
Our Take
Virgin Clubhouses are some of the best airport lounges around and offer great facilities and amenities. No doubt the jewel in the crown of Virgin clubhouses is the one at London Heathrow Terminal 3, which includes a great a la carte restaurant, and a spa. Hopefully, Priority Pass will develop its relationship with Virgin and add more Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses (without too much of a watered down service) to its network. So, which Clubhouse would you like to see join next?
Source: The Points Guy
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Children under 5 are admitted for free – Thanks didn’t know that .
It’s always good news when new lounges are added.
Have experienced this PP feature in Terminal 2 at LAX.
Offerings are greatly reduced from normal, but it’s a nice alternative to the general terminal gate area one floor below.
I’ll take it!
hope it doesn’t become too crowded
“Hours restrictions” …. definitely something to be aware of.
Another good add.
It is more about VS getting returns on its assets; good move for them 🙂
Those hours certainly are restrictive.
I am based at IAD, but I never fly during those hours. Virgin will be the 3rd of 4 priority pass lounges at the airport with those time restrictions. Fortunately, the Turkish Airlines lounge is open to PP members all hours and is really nice.
I think this really paints lounges/airlines in a poor light when they limit what they offer to their own customers. Maybe not everyone realizes that during Priority Pass hours, it isn’t the full offering. If someone thinks that Virgin is super premium, but then has nothing but crackers and fruit in the lounge, it goes against the brand image they are trying to present. Just my two cents.
Although I suppose additional options are always welcome, with such restricted hours you do wonder if it is really worth the bother of Priority Pass to add them.
I wish they would open one up in KEF (since I’m traveling there later this year-my own selfish reasons. 🙂 ). Traffic is growing there on a yearly basis. I agree with Juliana’s assessment. Priority Pass has done a lot for those who use it over the last couple of years.
Not thrilled w/the limited hours but happy with these additions.
The chances of this being useful seems low given the restrictive hours.
Given how many people now have PP, the more locations the better to help ease the flow.
I personally prefer the new restaurants they add. You can choose what you want and will have much more in the way of offerings.
Hm — cautious optimism? I’m always happy to have more options.
Priority Pass is doing good things for us travelers. I hope its business model is sustainable over the long run.
Although I have yet to personally experience it, it is my understanding that offerings are pared down during Priority Pass access hours.
Nice to have this option, although the hours of access are quite limited
Certain amenities might be watered down, but spreading the fixed costs of a lounge across a larger number of guests probably helps in the long run to keep standards high. Interesting to watch…
I heard that the food and services will be different.
Wow…..you weren’t joking about restrictive hours. Can’t complain about new options, but sheesh!