V-Flyer

Good morning all,

My partner and I are off to JFK on the VS9 next Monday 17th, unfortunately just in Y , although I did decide to book some exit seats!

I am debating whether it's worth paying the extra for the No 1 Lounge, I see I can book it via the VS website for £22.50 pp.

Does anyone have experience of whether this is worth it, and also how busy it's likely to be on a Monday afternoon?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Matt

I've used it a number of times in the past, and I'd say it's very good. You get three hours which you can fill fairly easily.

Facilities wise it's nice and clean, plenty of seating, a games room, showers and a spa. I've not used the spa myself but the showers were very nice. Food wise - choice is a little limited. I've only ever been there for breakfast so I can't comment much on the lunch offerings, but whilst the choice was limited (and you only get one free selection) it was very tasty. There was a breakfast buffet out as well with cereals, pastries, cheeses and meats - again, whether there is a lunch equivalent I'm not sure. Bar was well stocked too. I'd definitely recommend it if the CH is not an option and you can't access any other lounges. There's also a decent view out of the window onto the tarmac too!

I have not been to the T3 lounge but I have used No1 at Gatwick and Edinburgh several times.
I definitely think its worth it. It can get crowded but I have always found a place to sit and relax in much more comfort that outside with the masses.

Dick D

Many thanks for the replies, some very useful info.

I shall give it a go, I didn't think the price was too bad, even just to have a couple of hours in a comfy seat away from the madness of T3 departures!

Matt

One slight variation on your plan. You could:

Sign up for a 3 month membership of Gourmet Society for £1 using this link https://www.gourmetsociety.co.uk/join.php?o=cruk3

Go to the No1 Lounge website and make a cardholder booking (selecting Gourmet Society from the list). Select a glass of champagne for both of you from the options on the right. This should come to £15 for the champagne with £30 payable on the door (2 for 1 entry).

Total cost is £46, pretty much the same as the Virgin method but you end up with 2 glasses of Champagne which you won't get with Virgin. Up to you to decide if the extra step for the card is worth the trouble, FWIW I get great value out of my card by taking the family to Beefeater and getting 50% off the bill.

Remember to cancel your Gourmet Society before the 3 months is up.

I started my trip there. I paid in advance a total of £35 which was for 2 of us.
It was really good lounge - but quite busy. A Family of 4 walked in 5mins after us & struggled to find a suitable area. We moved for them, so they could be seated together (luckily a leather sofa for 2 had just been vacated).

Alcohol is served at the Bar & the pantry food is an open buffet style, except for the menu where you are limited to a single 1 item.

Cold drinks/non alcoholic are kept in fridges under the pantry tables & are help yourself... so might be worth grabbing one or two to slip in your bag for the flight or once landed.

If you like a few drinks before flying, then IMO it is well worth it. Especially with the food. I caught the end of breakfast (had already eaten in the hotel though) and the start of lunch. I just picked one or 2 items (cant remember what) as I knew I would be eating lunch on the plane soon anyway...

Food Menu
http://www.no1traveller.com/menus/summer-2015.aspx

Drinks Menu
http://www.no1traveller.com/images/menus/Drinks%20Menu.jpg

Many thanks for those links Eggtastico, I have purchased via the VS site last night.

We'll aim to get there at about 1pm to maximise our time there. Does anyone happen to know if there's a limit to how early we can use the bag drops at check in? If we're aiming to arrive at the lounge at 1pm I'd ideally like to drop the bags off and get through security just after 12pm. Is 4hrs before the flight too early?

Not at all. Bag drop is open all day.

Remember boarding usually starts about 50 minutes before departure so if you aim to be in the lounge 3 hours before departure you'll actually only be in there for just over 2 (which is plenty IMHO).

Many thanks gumshoe, much appreciated!