V-Flyer

ok - I am teasing a bit.
Yes it is to close but for a major refurbishment and will re-open later this year.
I take this as a positive commitment by VS on the LHR-HKG route after axing the SYD route.
It is almost certainly linked to the two DL flights coming soon (SEA and NRT) and the use by EVA air.
Interesting that other airlines will have far more flights than VS from their own lounge. I am wondering if it is gong to be co-branded with DL.

Interesting, I wonder what they'll do to it. Maybe take out some of the showers given that it no longer serves its primary role as a transit lounge for LHR-SYD passengers during the short layover.

When exactly is it due to shut?

gumshoe wrote:Interesting, I wonder what they'll do to it.

Hopefully, they will sort out the male lavatories; every visit to the lavatories, before boarding, has been accompanied by a warning from someone that the flush in the stall nearest to the door isn't working.

I hope it's not co-branded and in fact I hope it doesn't really change at all -- it's a marvellous facility with fantastic staff. The best change of all would be the reinstatement of the VS238.

I doubt they'll remove the showers -- after a long day in HK in the summer, you really really need those showers.

When exactly is it due to shut?

This! Due to be flying back from HK in early August and was particularly looking forward to an evening in the clubhouse before the late flight.

Hope it stays open for another week so I get to see it :-(

I've not been to the HK Clubhouse - but have visited HK in late March a few years back & we were very lucky with the weather, i.e. hot dry and humid. We were very grateful for the late checkout from the hotel so we could swim & shower late afternoon before heading to the airport for the late evening departure (did not have any lounge access back then due to Y travel).

Showers in a lounge in a location like HK are essential. They were also very welcome in JFK too - even if the water was stone cold - after a hot & humid day sightseeing before the late VS10 departure. Also liked the way they handed out sleep suits for J pax in the JFK Clubhouse so those in the snooze zone could board and really maximise sleep time the instant the seatbelt sign pinged.

To clarify I didn't suggest taking out all the showers - just some of them. They won't need as many now the surge in demand during a very tight timeframe is no longer there. But yes, absolutely there should still be showers and I'm sure there will be.

What will VS use as an alternative while the Clubhouse is closed? SQ? Or AF/KL?

SQ lounge is also closing for 6 weeks refurbishment so it will not be that.

If I had to guess where we will go it would be the AF lounge as it is next door to the current CH and because of the DL/skyteam influence.

I should have probed deeper but I had been enjoying the hospitality in the CH and was feeling 'tired and emotional'

I was in the HK clubhouse last night. Despite quite a full UC cabin the lounge seemed empty and lacking its usual spark. There was no sign out for EVA so I wondered if they had moved. Hope it is updated well - my favourite clubhouse for service.

at240 wrote:I hope it's not co-branded and in fact I hope it doesn't really change at all -- it's a marvellous facility with fantastic staff. The best change of all would be the reinstatement of the VS238.

Yup

I'm trying to find out approx dates from VS. No luck so far. Apparently, they don't know anything about it and I don't know who else to ask.

jamie wrote:I'm trying to find out approx dates from VS. No luck so far. Apparently, they don't know anything about it and I don't know who else to ask.

I'm heading there this afternoon to fly back to LHR so I will try to find out!

Nice one - Thank you.

It does seem to be shrouded in mystery as even the PAMS team didn't know about it.
However, as in all good leaks, I stand by my source which will remain anon.
(It wasn't Ed Snowden).

Virginlondon wrote:I was in the HK clubhouse last night. Despite quite a full UC cabin the lounge seemed empty and lacking its usual spark. There was no sign out for EVA so I wondered if they had moved. Hope it is updated well - my favourite clubhouse for service.

No word yet. It's a very empty lounge tonight. EVA were in earlier but they have now all vanished. I think there is about 15 passengers here ATM!

The referb is due to start next week (although they have been saying that for about a year now).
So for the rest of June we will have access to the Hong Kong Airlines lounge - can hardly wait !

From the VS Website:

We’re giving our Clubhouse a new look. It’s to celebrate our fantastic new 787 aircraft, soon flying the Hong Kong-London route.

That means we’ll need to partially close the Clubhouse until 7 June. We’ll still be serving food and drinks but the washrooms and showers will be unavailable.

We’ll also need to fully close the Clubhouse 8 - 30 June. We’ll invite you to use the Hong Kong Airlines VIP lounge next to Gate 23 instead.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience and we look forward to welcoming you to our refreshed Clubhouse soon.

Gutted that it closed today!!! I'm in HK right now and flying back tonight so missed the clubhouse by a day. I'll report on the HK Airline Lounge when I get to the airport.

Anyone got pics of the 'refreshed' HKG clubhouse? It seems the VS website has an update, including events about Wimbledon and a Pop-Up Spa with UK therapists but not any pics!

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/tr ... class.html

Hope the VS website last sentance about the HK CH closing at 23:00 is wrong, especially as the VS207 now departs later than the VS201 and gates are usually only 5 mins away.

Has anyone used the HK Clubhouse since the refurb back in June? Am flying our of HKG next week and was wondering what the updated lounge is like. Also does anyone know the Clubhouse menu. The VS site does not have it listed under its "Peckish" heading on the HK page

Used it a few times since the refurb. Not sure 'refurb' is the right term - more of a refresh (don't think they spent a lot).
Slight re-jigging of the bar area/tv area but the rest looks pretty much the same apart from new chairs which look like they came from Ikea. They are much more comfortable than they look in fact and, apparently, the airport imposes strict rules on what they can be made from, hence they are 90% metal with a sort of cushion to sit on. I would have thought at an airport there were bigger risks than the composition of the cushion on a chair but no doubt the 'chair committee' would disagree.
New showers, slightly altered menu (all very small snacks but then it is 11pm).