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High-style waiting areas give more reasons to check in early
Airline VIP lounges have been around almost as long as commercial flying began. And, for the most part, if you want to shell out a few hundred dollars a year to become a member, they'll let you join. But in the last few years, a number of international airlines have gone upscale in a big way, figuring that if they can keep their highest yielding, first-class passengers happy on the ground, they just might own them in the air as well.
In the U.S., membership in domestic airline VIP lounges isn't based on class -- but checkbook. If you pay annual fees of about $450 or more -- you can become a member of lounges like the American Airlines' Admirals Club, United Airlines' Red Carpet Club or Delta Airlines' Crown Room. At American, a lifetime membership last year was running around $6,000, but is no longer offered.
And once you've paid your membership, don't get too excited. Many services at these VIP clubs are a la carte. Want wireless? It'll cost you. A meal? Get out your wallet. And liquor isn't free, either. What you're paying for is your own small piece of real estate where you can sit, outside the chaos of the gates, and wait for your flight.
However, with a number of foreign-based international carriers, the lounge experience can be dramatically different. Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa don't charge a membership fee -- you have to be invited. If you're flying in the front of the plane, you get access. And these lounges are so much fun, you may want to get to the airport early just to max out your time there.
First, let's start with the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. Virgin just renovated its two-story Clubhouse at London's Heathrow Airport. It covers more than 8,000 square feet, but this isn't just any lounge... Imagine a place where you get a spa pool, a multi-screen cinema, a game room and a salon. Want a facial, shoulder massage, manicure/pedicure? Or how about a wet shave for the men? It's all there. And yes, you can even get a haircut. If you've got work to do, the Clubhouse is fully wireless (and free) and offers Sony laptops, printers and recharging stations.
In Hong Kong, you'll find The Wing. This is Cathay Pacific's amazing First Class lounge. It comes complete with a full restaurant, bar and even a Häagen-Dazs bar. You'll also find cabanas with resting areas and showers, libraries, state-of-the-art computer workstations, and relaxation areas.
Last, but definitely not least, is a very special airline first-class lounge. In fairness, it's not just a lounge, but an entirely separate, dedicated VIP first class terminal, offered by Lufthansa at the Frankfurt airport. This is such a special facility that some passengers actually arrive four to five hours early for their flights... and with good reason.
Consider this: The 19,000 square-foot first-class terminal has its own immigration, customs and its own security. But that's just the beginning. The restaurant is first-class, featuring ham from Spain, smoked salmon flown in from Scotland, and the finest cheeses air-freighted in from France and Italy. This place even has its own bakery! And if you're getting in late, not to worry; food is served around the clock.
The bar itself may be worth the visit -- this lounge stocks more than 80 hard-to-find single malt whiskey brands, and that's just the whiskey. You'll also find a cigar bar, private bathrooms with soaking tubs, private office units and rest areas with daybeds. And then comes the fun part: going to the plane.
About 15 minutes prior to the posted departure time, when most of us would already be on the plane, an attendant dedicated only to you arrives with your passport, boarding pass, along with all of your completed immigration forms (you've already gone through private security when you entered the terminal), and escorts you to an elevator. Is there one of those carts to take you through the terminal to your gate? Not exactly.
When the door opens on the ground level, a line of Mercedes S Class sedans or Porsche Cayennes is waiting for you, with drivers. Pick the model you want, and off you go, around runways, tarmacs and taxiways, as you are driven directly to your plane. Leave it to the Germans to time this perfectly: With all the other passengers boarded and the plane ready to go, you are deposited planeside by your driver and escorted up the back stairs to your flight. And the second you board, they waste no time -- the aircraft door closes behind you, and off you go. Now, THAT is first class!
