V-Flyer

Just wondered if anyone could tell me a bit about the Virgin lounge in Boston - have not flown with them through Boston for years and used to share nasty Northwest lounge
Hope things have improved!

Still the NWA lounge.

DPing is only something that is done at home, not here on VF

Originally posted by pianoperson
Just wondered if anyone could tell me a bit about the Virgin lounge in Boston - have not flown with them through Boston for years and used to share nasty Northwest lounge
Hope things have improved!

I was in it just over a week ago, and can say that, IMHO, its still nasty. Better than nothing I suppose. The VS staff do their utmost to stop pax from other airlines raiding the buffet, leaving it to the last minute before putting out the food.

I was in the VA Boston 'Lounge' this Monday 29th of May with my parents. Nasty is an underestimate for this lounge. It was packed to the rafters, very hot and stuffy with uncomfortable seats and inadequate toilets, that would not go amiss at our local bus depot. The food served up was of poor quality (compared to the standard Virgin Fare) and snapped up by the hoards of other non Virgin Customers in the lounge. There only seemed to be one Virgin Rep in the lounge who didnÕt venture beyond the front desk. And didnt seem interested in doing more than the minimum required. The 'Lounge' was also dark and poorly lit. The contrast after using the Heathrow Club House on the way out is shocking. In the end it was just too much and we went and sat in the level 2 Area (Below the main departure area after security) which was at least quiet and calmer and cooler, even the plastic bench seating seemed more comfy.

We purchased food and drink from Au Bon a Pan (who could provide Milk for there tea!)

I was embarrassed for my parents and it put a dampener on what had been an excellent holiday. I was last here 5 years ago and it has not changed at all.This is quite easily the worst Virgin lounge I have used.

I am very tempted to complain and would be interest to know what other think I should do?

PS. Arrivals had no hot water again, so we passed on this to. All in not a very pleasant VA experience.

Jaydun,
I flew from IAD on Monday and the showers were working in rivivals
Although I was told they weren't working at IAD.

Virgin did invest a lot of money in a brand spanking new Clubhouse in Boston Logan ... if memory serves me correctly, it was in Terminal C.

It closed down when they moved away from that Terminal and the CH was no longer accessible.[n]

I have no inside knowledge but would imagine that, although it would be great to have a Clubhouse in every VS airport, MCO, LAX -and maybe even MAN - are in greater need than BOS [:#][:#]

Nick

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
it would be great to have a Clubhouse in every VS airport, LAX

ReLAX

Originally published on VS.com

Flying Club Gold members and Upper Class passengers can now take full advantage of the fantastic new International Lounge at Los Angeles International airport. Newly renovated and hosted by Air New Zealand, it really is the place to relax and unwind before your return flight.

But it isn't a Clubhouse [8D]

But is double the size and features more but still not a proper CH
Business Zone with broadband access, PCs and printing, fax and photocopying facilities
Refresh Zone complete with bar and shower suites
Relaxation Zone where you can take a breather before your flight or browse books in the library
Replenishment Zone offering fresh food, spirits and wine, all inspired by the flavors of New Zealand

Okay Ben, :D that may put LAX below MCO (and MAN) in the list.

VS have been using the ANZ lounge since 15th April, but I can't remember reading any first hand V-Flyer experience of it. I think it is becasue all V-Flyers come back from the West Coast out of SFO by habit now. [8D]:D

Nick

Thats my hope Nick. Get the word out and maybe people will start leaving from LAX. Maybe GB could ask for a tour?

Oh dear, I am facing the prospect of a bad lounge experience then in BOS when I return next week [:(]

Graham

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
Okay Ben, :D that may put LAX below MCO (and MAN) in the list.

VS have been using the ANZ lounge since 15th April, but I can't remember reading any first hand V-Flyer experience of it. I think it is becasue all V-Flyers come back from the West Coast out of SFO by habit now. [8D]:D

Nick

I did!
I really should do that return TR but with the GCSE'S im a bit busy[V]. The new ANZ lounge is really nice its light and modern with good amenities, its also really quiet andhas some nice food on offer. The best bit for me was when i talked to the VS rep and saw that she had a V-Flyer calling card![y] BUT... its not quite the LHR clubhouse, once youve seen that nothing compares!
Its located next door to the Air Canada lounge by the way.
It looked a lot better than the Air Canada lounge that i, oh accidentaly walked into (just to compare you no![:I])

Have written a polite compliant to Virgin, complementing them on the service and clubhouse outbound but complaining about the lounge and Revivals on the return leg from Boston. I will let you know what happens.

See news bites for details of proposed BOS lounge.

What good timing Virgin! Maybe some-one read this post and thought they should make the press announcement sooner rather than later [8D].

The NWA Lounge at Boston is definately nothing special, even by NW standards its not that nice. Their lounge at Detriot (addmitedly a base) is a big improvement to that in Logan.

Re the Revivals Hot water problem, this is due to BAA doing some refurbishment work... VS have tried to find a work around but the best they could find is to offer use of a nearby hotel which should be happening.

Oh dear, I am facing the prospect of a bad lounge experience then in BOS when I return next week

Sorry about that but the terminal is quite small anyway. My rec is not to get there too early--and if you must, wander over to terminal C where there's a very nice Legal SeaFoods and some good shopping (street prices). If you have less time, hang out at Dine Boston before security, a great bar for people -watching and excellent food from various Boston restaurants. After security, afraid there's not much but if you can find an empty rocking chair by the harbor window (and if there isn't one when you arrive--there will be once the Aer Lingus, Paris or BA flights leave) and enjoy one of the loveliest airport views anywhere...much better than being in the basement in the NW lounge.
V, exciting about the new VS lounge, and quite generous as there are only the 1-2 flights a day out of BOS.

RR

With reference to my earlier post in this thread, I sent VA a written compliant by fax and post on the 1st of June but have not yet received a reply.

At the start of this week I emailed customer relations asking them to confirm its receipt, to which I received a holding email, but no further reply or confirmation of receipt of my compliant.

Is this normal? How long should I expect to wait for a response or should I be on the phone asking them what is going on?

The lack or response is just adding to my dissatisfaction of my last VA flight experience

Originally posted by Jaydun
Is this normal? How long should I expect to wait for a response or should I be on the phone asking them what is going on?

Allow at least a month, regardless of what media. That's my advice.

Sometimes, you're lucky and get a quicker response, and if the contents of your letter need verification and research, then expect longer - especially if you've written back saying you're dissatisfied with the boilerplate and want "real" answers.

Cheers,
Mike

I used to do BOS a lot, haven't for four years. Returned last night and had the unfortunate experience that is the NWA lounge. Horrible, dirty, smelly, nasty and any other 'y' you can think of. Food naff too.

So, hasten the new Club House I say. Though fortune will probably dictate that I'll spend the next couple of months doing BOS a lot then not again for two years as soon as the CH opens [:#]

Hi

Received a reply to my letter of complaint about the NW Lounge Facility (See earlier in this thread) after 4 weeks and three emails asking for confirmation of receipt (none of which received a response).

The letter ignored most of my complaint and was, as others have described on here a Õboiler plateÕ response giving a general sorry that I was disappointed on this occasion and offering 15K miles. They even tried to tell me that the Boston Lounge offered similar facilities to other Virgin Lounges and thatÕs why they use it! I think not!!

The issues of the poor quality food, other lounge occupants eating it all, the high temperature of the room, uncomfortable seats, poor toilet facilities and lack of Virgin Staff were all ignored.

A further letter has been sent asking why these comments were not addressed and asking what the similarities are between this and other Clubhouses are.

I will let you know what response I get.

Jaydun

I searched around the site for "Boston lounge" and only found this old thread. I wonder what happened to the plans for a new lounge at BOS.

On Wednesday, I was sent to the Aer Lingus "lounge" which seems to have supplanted the NWA lounge. It is IMO even worse than the NW offering, having all the charm of the waiting area in the out-patients department of my local hospital. I found it even hotter & stuffier than the old lounge, smaller, overcrowded, poorly laid out, hardly any tables, most of the chairs were hard dining chairs.

The only plus point was that the choice of beers was better, Guinness being available of course.

Next time I have to depart from BOS I think I'll bring a folding armchair!

I have a friend working on the BOS CH project - it's due to open this Oct.

Thanks
James

Yep the Aer Lingus offering
is worse than the North worst one,didn't think that was possible, the new clubhouse will be most welcome.The BA lounges are also in this windowless basement area near the EI and both terraces and F lounge are hot and stuffy,does anyone know where the VS CH will be located?