Virgin America First Class
New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX)
On the Ground: I arrived at JFK International Airport about 90 minutes before my transcontinental flight. At check-in there was no line for first class, though a group of travelers had mistakenly spread six bags across the premium area and briefly delayed service. The agent handled the situation with patience and professionalism and had me on my way within minutes.
Pre-Flight: Virgin America does not operate a dedicated lounge at JFK, and I didn’t initially ask about lounge options. I later discovered that the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse was available for a small fee. Instead, I cleared security and explored the terminal shops. The gate area was busy, but priority boarding moved quickly and I was aboard and settled before most passengers.
In-Flight: For anyone who enjoys the occasional celebrity sighting on flights to Los Angeles, this trip delivered: I happened to be seated across the aisle from an Academy Award winner. I kept the encounter discreet and didn’t attempt a conversation.
The first-class cabin filled up and we pushed back on schedule. Virgin America’s white leather seats offer a 55-inch pitch and are comfortable for relaxing, watching movies, or catching up on work. While the seats don’t recline fully flat, they suit a daytime transcontinental flight. The Red in-flight entertainment system is intuitive and well stocked; I was pleased to find the movie adaptation of Water for Elephants available after recently reading the book. Onboard Wi-Fi was straightforward to purchase and use at a reasonable price.
Meal service offered two choices: a chicken entrée and mushroom ravioli. As I was seated among the first passengers, the chicken had already sold out by the time I ordered and, since I don’t care for mushrooms, the ravioli was a disappointment.
I had checked a bag due to packing scissors and other items not allowed through security. Although I deplaned quickly and reached the luggage carousel soon after arrival, my priority-tagged suitcase took considerably longer than expected to appear.
The Experience: Aside from a few minor hiccups—the lounge oversight, the meal selection, and the delayed arrival of my priority bag—the Virgin America first-class experience was highly enjoyable. The cabin, service, and in-flight entertainment made for a pleasant coast-to-coast journey, and my return flight a few days later was similarly positive. I would choose Virgin America again for future cross-country trips.
GT Checklist
- Friendly and helpful agents
- Priority-tagged bags
- Priority boarding
- Helpful and courteous in-flight staff
- Pre-flight beverage service
- Top-shelf wines and liquors