This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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We had 3 nights in New York in which we managed to cram in a huge amount of walking and sightseeing. All the walking was at the expense of my feet, by our final day I was walking at snails pace, each step agony and I was very much ready for our flight home and a bit of luxury!
We had planned to be at the clubhouse early, to make full use of it. While in New York there was a subway accident affecting the line to JFK so we left lots of time for a slightly disjointed subway journey. We arrived at JFK a little before 2PM and headed straight for the Upper Class check in desk only to be told we were at the Virgin America desk instead, doh!
We walked back to the actual Virgin Atlantic desks only to discover they weren't open yet. We'd checked in online but had problems checking in for our Edinburgh flight, so wanted to use the desk to try and get it sorted. Soon all the ladies in red appeared and we were ushered to the desk, but not before some man tried to walk straight up to the desks before us. The check in staff acknowledged we were waiting and served us first. She managed to get it all sorted, and issued us with boarding cards for both flights.
We walked to the priority security line, pleased there wasn't much of a queue in front of us, compared to the main line. Unfortunately the assistance line and our line were sharing a single security guy who was asking every passenger their name and where they were going and inspecting each face in great depth before letting any one through. This was also the line all the airline and airport staff were going through, and they were able to push to the front - it must have been shift start as more than a dozen staff did this while we waited. This meant it took a lot longer than we'd originally expected, however I'm sure it was still a little quicker than the main line.
We headed in the direction of the lounges and after a little walk found the lift up (I was in no fit state for the stairs
) only to discover we were there before the clubhouse opened too. It was only a few minutes until 2.30 though so we hung around. We saw the doors open and were welcomed in by a lovely gentleman. We dumped our luggage in the bag room and were given a brief tour of the clubhouse. We were seated in the main dining area and our orders for drinks were quickly taken. We ordered, as advised on here, two Virgin Redheads. I ordered the burger and my hubby ordered the gnocchi plus one of the flat breads for us to share. It took a little while to arrive, but the drink came quickly as did the refills!
After a lovely meal we moved over to the comfier chairs as we'd heard about the 'kitchen table' dessert, and seen it listed on the Virgin website. I went up to the bar only to be told they no longer did it (and hadn't done for almost a year) - silly as it seems, we were both a little disappointed, as we had been keen to see what it was. We sat back down and my husband ordered one of the listed desserts. Pete decided to try a 'Manhattan' cocktail while I opted for a 'Mojito'. I hobbled over to the beauty treatment area and booked a facial. The time was a bit later in the day, although no one seemed to be getting a treatment then. I had a walk around, coming across the lovely pens in the business area (one of which some how fell in to my bag and made its way home with me).
The treatment was lovely when it came to my spa visit. Before long, we'd read the papers, had a couple more cocktails, sampled the chips and curry sauce and it was approaching boarding time. Being new to all this Upper Class malarkey we headed toward the gate so that we weren't late. We waited around for a bit but nothing was happening, and the cocktails had worked there way to my bladder so I had to rush upstairs, ask to be let back in and use the facilities. I then went back down to wait some more before we were eventually called for boarding (with some guys who'd just headed downstairs walking right in front of us in the queue! My British queue instinct was being tested) . Next time we fly Upper Class
I'll know to wait in the lounge until we called for, and once the initial queue has gone! We boarded much more relaxed than on the outbound trip. We had originally planned for 8A and D but thanks to our seat change on the way out, we'd gone online in our hotel and requested 10A and 11A, meaning we were facing no-one and next to each other.
We sat down and I saw the FSM go around a few seats only (I imagine Gold card holders), with our menus already on each seat. We were offered a champagne, which I of course accepted and I sat down to relax, and ready for take off. My entertainment system wasn't working to begin with, but I was assured it would fix itself on take off. I decided instead to take advantage of a window seat this time and watch out the window as we left. It wasn't as awkward to do this as I'd imagined. I think we left a bit late, but when you are comfy and reclining you don't care!
After take off our orders for the evening meal were quickly taken and we were asked about our morning preferences. I opted not to be woken, as I felt I'd be lucky to get to sleep so didn't want disturbed if I'd managed it, and we intended to go to Revivals anyway.
The meal was served (I had the beef steak) and was lovely. I had been watching Anchorman 2 since take off (it had fixed itself) and during the meal, so once it was finished I decided to go to sleep. In reality, I think I tried too early as it was barely 9PM New York time. I had my bed made up and tried to head for some zzzz but could not get comfy. My feet were throbbing and hitting against the edge of the foot rest and my restless legs were getting fidgety. After a while of trying I headed to the bar and asked for the bed to be turned back!
I then tried to recline and sleep. This helped my legs and I did prefer that to the bed, but I still couldn't sleep.
I ended up going to the bar where two guys had been making their way through the whole flights beer supply since we'd taken off (they weren't overly drunk - just had a large collection of empties!) Sat and got some pepsi and joined in the chat with the FSM and the boys. I told the story of my win. I must say I'm surprised that I haven't been asked about my trip, for some quotes, photos etc by Virgin for publicity. It was all booked by Virgin themselves so I even thought there might be a little shout out (to tell the rest of the flight how fab Virgin are) but no one in the crew/check in teams had any idea we were prize winners (except for me mentioning it).
Before long the crew were starting to prepare breakfast, and I was asked if I wanted anything. I ordered some fruit and ate it at the bar as the rest of the cabin were woken up.
I went back to my seat with a drink to speak to hubby and started watching a TV program to pass the time.
I went to the toilet to change back in to my clothes and think some one had been a little sick
but it had partially been cleaned up (probably one of the two bar boys!). On the way back to my seat I noticed a man who appeared to have ordered everything on the breakfast menu and only nibbled some of it having his tray collected... How wasteful! We landed on time and were off quickly and we headed towards Revivals.
On the whole I absolutely loved the clubhouse, and it really made the journey. I loved the flight, but was gutted I hadn't managed to sleep. It wasn't the flight we wanted due to it being so early, but must have been the only reward flight left.
- and indeed I was prepared to pay for the HKG-SYD leg - and indeed we could with a stopover included in both directions. 
