Virgin LAX Lounge

[Dave R32]

I transiting LAX on the way to Vegas at end of October. Sounds like I shouldn't get my hopes up for a short immigration process !

Cheers
Dave.

 

[Fruitcake]

I transiting LAX on the way to Vegas at end of October. Sounds like I shouldn't get my hopes up for a short immigration process !

Cheers
Dave.

Depends... on my flight about six weeks back I was amongst the first in Y+ to disembark and did immigration, customs, TSA, check-in/bag drop and was in the Sky Club within 25 minutes of the aircraft door opening.

 

[cssaus]

Depends... on my flight about six weeks back I was amongst the first in Y+ to disembark and did immigration, customs, TSA, check-in/bag drop and was in the Sky Club within 25 minutes of the aircraft door opening.

When I recently flew VA1 to LAX the flight attendant told me that VA deliberately staggers the departure times for VA flights from all Australian ports so that they don't get multiple flights arriving at the same time and to also not clash with the DL flight from SYD. In the two times I've flown VA to LAX the immigration arrivals hall was empty and it was only the passengers on the flight I was on that were being processed.

 

[mella2007]

When I recently flew VA1 to LAX the flight attendant told me that VA deliberately staggers the departure times for VA flights from all Australian ports so that they don't get multiple flights arriving at the same time and to also not clash with the DL flight from SYD. In the two times I've flown VA to LAX the immigration arrivals hall was empty and it was only the passengers on the flight I was on that were being processed.

agreed. Our VA11 flight was the only one that had arrived at the time, 10 min wait in immigration hall and bags had already come out by the time I had passed through. Seems to be getting better all the time.

 

[pythonisman]

agreed. Our VA11 flight was the only one that had arrived at the time, 10 min wait in immigration hall and bags had already come out by the time I had passed through. Seems to be getting better all the time.

Better experience than me.

The DL "Flight from NRT" had landed just before VA1 for me, and I had a pretty solid 60-90 minute wait to be processed by customs. Those with "Purple Cards" (from what I could tell, J pax, and WP/SG) were given these on the flight (as Y+ I was not, despite receiving an express pass in Sydney)

Like with anything I assumed this was close to as bad as it got. After a long flight, being half asleep it didn't feel amazing to stand in a queue but whatever.

Would love for VA to get into a new terminal with a more up to date system. Oh well. It's a means to an end right! (And it wasn't any worse than the queue I had at the rental car company, despite having a pre-booking)

 

[ff-jr]

On my Y+ VA11 flight in May, even without an express pass, I cleared immigration and customs fairly fast (I was waiting at the carousel within 15 minutes of the cabin door being opened). This was, however, negated when I discovered they'd lost my checked luggage.

I flew back on VA2 yesterday. The LAX lounge certainly isn't awful but it definitely pales to all domestic lounges I've experienced (both aesthetically and in terms of product). That said, T5 is just an awful location and I hope they're holding off on a full lounge service with the intention of relocating at some point soon. For the record they weren't serving drinks in the lounge but I did get a pass for free drinks at the restaurant downstairs.

I'd love for them to commit to their presence in LAX with a full service lounge in a nice, functioning terminal. All I want for Christmas is...

 

[VA777]

I went through LAX T5 last week, and it was a breeze until I needed to get a boarding pass from DL at the domestic bag drop area. They did not have enough staff actively working to process the queue that was there. Best experience arriving in LAX (much better than TBIT and T4).

Flew home departing Wed of this week. VA introduced a shuttle bus from T5 to T3 which meant I didn't need to walk outside of security, a big bonus. Needed to get a boarding pass at T3 departure area counter, was offered card to Lounge, and if wanted a drink an unlimited voucher to the bar and comp Wifi access details. Bar was too busy, just went up to the lounge, which is a bit of a low level construction zone whilst a refurb is underway.

 

[Justinf]

Hoping someone can help me and I didn't want to start a new thread for a small question. I can't really find the answer anywhere.
I am flying VA MEL-LAX arriving LAX in the morning. Then I have a Delta-booked flight LAX-PDX (12.25pm) on Alaska metal, booked separately to my VA flight. My question is, as a Gold Velocity member, can I use the Delta Skyclub at LAX while waiting for my flight Portland, OR even though I am booked with Delta, but flying Alaska metal? It would be nice to have a shower.

 

[Noob]

just went up to the lounge, which is a bit of a low level construction zone whilst a refurb is underway.

Great news!

 

[pythonisman]

Hoping someone can help me and I didn't want to start a new thread for a small question. I can't really find the answer anywhere.
I am flying VA MEL-LAX arriving LAX in the morning. Then I have a Delta-booked flight LAX-PDX (12.25pm) on Alaska metal, booked separately to my VA flight. My question is, as a Gold Velocity member, can I use the Delta Skyclub at LAX while waiting for my flight Portland, OR even though I am booked with Delta, but flying Alaska metal? It would be nice to have a shower.

I don't have first hand experience, but have wondered the same thing as you.

The AS flights from LAX operate out of Terminal 6, the DL Sky Club is in Terminal 5.
Now, while I'm not sure of anything, there may be a chance -- Wikipedia says T5 and T6 at LAX are connected Airside by an underground tunnel.

Los Angeles International Airport - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So you might be in with a chance?

 

[Justinf]

There is definitely a walkway between the two terminalsnthat eliminates the need to go through security again. I am just hoping i can gain access to the Sky Club without having to pay.

 

[haydensydney]

I think we might just have the first glimpse of the new lounge in LAX!

Shhh... First shot of Virgin Australia's new LAX lounge | flymefunky.com

 

[777]

I think we might just have the first glimpse of the new lounge in LAX!

Shhh... First shot of Virgin Australia's new LAX lounge | flymefunky.com

Was there on Wed night. Yes, new funky decor transformation in progress. Still no liquor license though so i took up the option of a bar tab downstairs. I have no idea how it works under Californian law but surely they could get a catering company or something that has a license to operate the bar/ food in the interim.

 

[Justinf]

Was there on Wed night. Yes, new funky decor transformation in progress. Still no liquor license though so i took up the option of a bar tab downstairs. I have no idea how it works under Californian law but surely they could get a catering company or something that has a license to operate the bar/ food in the interim.

Is the downstairs bar that coughpy, overcrowded fish restaurant/bar?
God inwas hoping to avoid this place at all costs.

 

[gwilli1]

This is now looking good for my expected travels to the US in Feb next year .

 

[Noob]

Has more of a "clubhouse" influence doesn't it? The colours look quite relaxing & calm - nice transition to the mood lit cabins of VA/VX

 

[Jousams]

Has more of a "clubhouse" influence doesn't it? The colours look quite relaxing & calm - nice transition to the mood lit cabins of VA/VX

Didn't VX recently introduce gold and silver tiers to elevate?


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[Noob]

Didn't VX recently introduce gold and silver tiers to elevate?


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

You're right they did - I'm not sure if VX include lounge access for some reason? I know the situation use to be (before they introduced status levels) that only First passengers could access the lounge at ports where there was a VS Clubhouse if they paid a entry fee.

Looking forward to seeing some more pictures

 

[777]

You're right they did - I'm not sure if VX include lounge access for some reason? I know the situation use to be (before they introduced status levels) that only First passengers could access the lounge at ports where there was a VS Clubhouse if they paid a entry fee.

Looking forward to seeing some more pictures

see: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ity/virgin-lax-lounge-41260-2.html#post665973

More pictures probably won't excite you too much - the reno doesn't go much further than the foyer just yet.

 

[LiamR]

see: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ity/virgin-lax-lounge-41260-2.html#post665973

More pictures probably won't excite you too much - the reno doesn't go much further than the foyer just yet.

They can make it as pretty as they want, but if they are still serving the same food with [no] booze, as well as no showers and dirty bathrooms. I'll still hate the place.