New Virgin facilities at Gatwick?

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Recieved a promotional magazine (Your World) from Virgin this morning which announced a couple of facilities at Gatwick which I've not heard are available for all passengers before: Drive-thru check-in the day before you fly and access to the Virgin Clubhouse (lounge) for economy passengers.

The magazine states that Drive-thru check-in needs to be booked in advance, and your tickets are checked and luggage checked-in the day before your flight. This will be useful for people who live close to the airport, or those who stay overnight at nearby hotels. I suppose this is a bit like Twilight check-in, but without having to park and lug all your stuff to the Virgin desks in the terminal.

The magazine also states that access to Virgin's lounge, The Clubhouse, can be pre-booked for £20. This gives access to the complimentary bar, bar snacks, library, cinema, hair and beauty salan (extra charge), shower and washrooms. Minimum age is 12 years.

Anyone know any more details about these?

Regards

Rob

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

Hi Rob

Visiting the Virgin Lounge on the 25th, so a report will follow.

David

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I've used the Clubhouse before and it is nice. An oasis of calm compared to the scrum outside in the South Terminal departure lounge. At £20 a visit I would say that it is just about worthwhile if I had to pay. And that would be just for the two of us. Any more than that travelling and it adds a fair amount to the cost of your holiday, money that could be spent on park tickets, a nicer hotel or a couple of splash-out meals.

However, the new drive-thru check-in means that we will not have to turn up early to check-in, so I will have less time to kill at the airport. I guess that on any one trip we would use either drive-thru check-in or access to the Clubhouse, but not both.

Regards

Rob

 

[neilybealy]

the drive-thru checkin is a definite bonus

we used twilight checkin last sept and we had to park in the short term car park which you need a second mortgage for !

especially as we had 4 cars in our group

 

[Eastender]

Virgin tell me that drive-thru is for Upper class only which means I won't be using it! (unless I win the lottery)

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I did look very carefully through Virgin's magazine to see if there were any restrictions on drive-thru check-in (like having to travel in UC!) but I didn't spot any small print. Also, drive-thru check-in has been available (on the day of travel) to UC passengers for some time (although suspended post-11 Sept).

This makes me think that this might be a new service. Perhaps the person you spoke to at Virgin didn't have the latest info (although it is possible that I mis-read the Virgin magazine)?

Regards

Rob

 

[neilybealy]

i took it to mean they're extending the drive thru facility to economy passengers

they did stop this pre sept 2001 but have started it again

 

[Mpet]

Rob

I don't know if I have finally cracked, but I received the Your World Magazine yesterday, and couldn't find a mention of the drive thru check in.

Where exactly was it in the mag?


Maxine

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

From memory it was on page 2 or 3, taking up at least half a page.

Regards

Rob

 

[UKAnnie]

Anyone know where you go for the drive-thru check in? Are there signs as you approach the airport? We're leaving 30th Jan and have used twilight check-in as we stay in a hotel the previous evening. The drive-thru sounds even more convenient! Thanks for the info and any extra details.

Ann

 

[UKDEB]

We paid £20 each to use the Clubhouse Lounge in October. There were 8 of us (2 families of 4), but we figured that by the time we'd paid airport prices for breakfast, we probably wouldn't be too much out of pocket.

We loved it - attentive service and very acceptable food. We spent a good couple of hours there and the food and drink was non-stop. Our hostess wouldn't take 'no' for an answer! My brother (who's a Customs Officer and happened to be working at Gatwick that day, even though it's not his regular gaff) popped in to see us and she even made him have breakfast, coffee and Buck's Fizz!

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by rob@rar.org.uk
From memory it was on page 2 or 3, taking up at least half a page.

Regards

Rob

Actually it's on page 3, and not quite half a page - more like a quarter! So much for my memory...

Ann, the magazine doesn't give any more details other than it must be booked in advance. Best to get in touch with Virgin to see what the procedure is, and if there are any restrictions.

Regards

Rob