On our long route back home from Necker Island (EIS-SJU-JFK-SFO), we had the opportunity to visit the Virgin Atlantic Lounge at JFK (operated by Plaza Premium) using the Amex Platinum card. Our flight was at 6 pm, so our plan was to lounge hop Bobby Van’s Steakhouse, Centurion Lounge, and Virgin Atlantic. After we picked up our to-go order at Bobby Van’s, it was 3 pm, so the Virgin lounge had just opened. We decided to go there first since it was further inside Terminal 4 than Centurion, which was right next to security. But the minute we stepped inside the lounge, we scrapped all plans to go to Centurion.

Design

First of all, the interior design of the Virgin Atlantic lounge is super classy, modern, and FUN. It feels nice without being too stuffy or traditional. Nice view of the Virgin Atlantic A350 parked at the gate too. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves:

Facilities

There’s a play area for kids, showers, pool table, plenty of types of lounging areas, a bar, and a dining area. There’s also a massage service that is currently closed.

Menu

Here’s the menu, as well as the digital version you can order from.

  • Virgin Atlantic JFK Lounge Menu
  • Virgin Atlantic JFK Lounge Menu
  • Virgin Atlantic JFK Lounge Menu
  • Virgin Atlantic JFK Lounge Menu
  • Virgin Atlantic JFK Lounge Menu
  • Virgin Atlantic JFK Lounge Menu

Food

We tried a variety of the food, and all of it was delicious. The presentation was simple yet beautiful too, it felt like a classy restaurant. It kind of reminds me of eating at the Qantas First Class Lounge at LAX.

Funny story: as we were ordering, the waitress said, “Do you want to sit at a bigger table?” LOL we were ordering so much food that the little 2-person table we had was not going to fit all the plates.

Cocktails

I tried some of the non-alcoholic Seedlip cocktails and they were really good! I also had a turndown toddy, which was a fun hot alcoholic drink.

Turndown Toddy – hot regular or malted milk, Nutella, mini marshmallows, Bacardi 8 year old rum, shortbread biscuit
Peas of Mind (non-alcoholic cocktail) – Seedlip Garden, tonic, peas

Bottom Line

I felt there was no need to go to Centurion as the VS lounge is worlds better. When we went to JFK Centurion on the way down to Necker, it was a zoo! It was so crowded and difficult to find seating. The VS lounge was spacious with plenty of seating and dining.

My British friends scoffed when they saw that the VS lounges are operated by Plaza Premium, because apparently the proper VS lounges are even more incredible. I wouldn’t say the VS lounge is the best lounge I’ve ever been to (maybe Al Safwa?), but it certainly is one of the best lounges available to most travelers in the US…assuming everyone and their mom pretty much has a Priority Pass card now.

VS is a 5-10 min trek past security in Terminal 4, but it’s well worth getting to the airport early to enjoy it.