First Look: Virgin Atlantic Opens its Latest Clubhouse in Los Angeles

Just ahead of its public opening on March 27, I had the opportunity to preview the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This new space is the sixth addition to the airline’s growing lounge portfolio.

The Clubhouse takes over the former Etihad lounge within the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. It celebrates the reputation and passions associated with Los Angeles, featuring a strong focus on health and wellness, along with elements from the entertainment industry.

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

As Virgin’s Chief Customer and Operating Officer, Corneel Koster, noted just before officially opening the lounge, “We’re the only airline with a founder who has a Hollywood star.“

Like other exclusive venues in the area, the Clubhouse aims to inspire a bit of envy; its interior is visible to passersby through a glass wall. Virgin’s design manager, Lara Fleat, described it as “a sneak peek for those walking by, so you really get that sense of FOMO (fear of missing out).“

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

Overall, the cheerful and contemporary lounge space offers thoughtful, whimsical, and playful multisensory experiences. It encourages guests to unwind and relax before embarking on their long-haul flights across the ocean.

LA Inspiration

The lounge pays tribute to Los Angeles by featuring local artwork and mood lighting, creating a peaceful retreat from the bustling airport atmosphere. Accessed through the new Delta One lounge, which is separate from the main terminal, this setting enhances the feeling of tranquility.

Photo: Ruby Room. Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic

The day-to-night transitional lighting in the lounge aligns with the natural daylight outside, serving as a tool to help travelers adjust their circadian rhythms and prepare for a restful journey on the airline’s three overnight flights to London Heathrow.

Just off the lounge’s entrance from the main terminal is the Ruby Room, a Hollywood-inspired space complete with its own red carpet and a movie screen that offers Bluetooth wireless headsets.

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

Additionally, the Royal Box is a secluded alcove within the Ruby Room, designed as a private getaway for VIPs, featuring adjustable mood lighting and a special secret menu.

Wellness Focus

Set back from the entrance, quietly away from the work and dining spaces, is the Zen Den, an intimate room meant to promote physical and mental health. It’s the first space of its kind for Virgin, and exclusive to LA.

The room’s centerpiece is a magic-mirror like installation from new partner FORME, where Branson himself greets guests by way of a video message after they touch a welcome screen.

Photo: Zen Den. Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic

Travelers can explore touchscreen programming in three categories: mind, body, and spirit. Each category offers a selection of short guided sessions from FORME’s library, including jet lag workouts and meditations that range from five to ten minutes. The space also features gym equipment such as weights and yoga mats, along with a vanity table and mirror.

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

The shower and body products available in the lounge are sourced from Flamingo Estate’s Garden Essentials collection. These include rosemary and sage body wash, hand soap, rosemary shampoo, tulsi conditioner, and sage and bergamot body lotion. All products are made from natural ingredients sourced from the estate’s local gardens in Los Angeles.

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

In celebration of the new lounge opening, Virgin Atlantic has partnered with actor Alan Cumming to create and narrate an original bedtime story— a first for the airline. Titled “ReLAX and Unwind with Alan Cumming,” the soothing narrative captures the dreamy essence of the Virgin Atlantic in-flight experience. (Watch it here.)

Workspaces and Connectivity

Travelers can find suitable workspaces in the Ruby Room, dining room, lounge, and bar areas, all equipped with full connectivity, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, along with plenty of outlets for plugging in and setting up.

Photo: Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic

Additionally, there are three pod-like spaces called “Studios,” designed as private, quiet chambers for focused work. Each pod honors Virgin Records’ legacy, named after iconic studios such as The Manor, Olympic Studios, and Sunset Sound, which were once home to legendary artists. These spaces feature reproduction memorabilia for lively decor.

Ideal for private phone calls, the pods are acoustically sealed yet remain airy and well-lit, creating an intimate atmosphere without feeling isolating. “We want you to work, but also to channel your inner Virgin creativity,” Koster remarked during the opening event.

Food and Beverage

Table service is available at every seat—simply scan the QR code corresponding to your chosen location to get started. The menu features signature dishes and wholesome options to accommodate various dietary needs, typical of the LA dining scene. Offerings include a tuna poke bowl, California roll, tofu pho, and a Californian fig salad, among other fresh items.

Photo: Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic

As a pescatarian, I particularly enjoyed the fish tacos and found the fish and chips to be light and flavorful. The vegan mushroom bao was another standout dish—everything I tried was of top quality and incredibly delicious.

For those looking for convenient grab-and-go options, the self-serve buffet station offers health-conscious bites like Mediterranean quinoa salad, fresh-cut fruit, raw vegetables with hummus, citrus kale salad, and trail mix.

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

In addition to the standard cocktail menu crafted by Virgin Atlantic’s in-house mixologist, which features the “Twisted Angel“—a drink created specifically for the LA market using Aperol and gin—the drink menu also includes an innovative range of low- and no-alcohol offerings.

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

Though it was still morning and coffee might have been more appropriate, I decided to try a canned drink from TRIP Mindful Blend’s selection, designed to promote sleep and wellness. This drink, infused with lion’s mane, magnesium, ashwagandha, and L-theanine, was flavorful and satisfying.

Eligibility

Eligible passengers for the lounge include those flying in Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic with one guest traveling either with Virgin Atlantic or Delta; Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold Tier members plus one guest traveling internationally with either airline; Delta One passengers on international flights; and SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling with Virgin Atlantic or Delta along with one guest on an international flight operated by a SkyTeam carrier.

Photo: Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic

Passengers connecting domestically must be traveling on the same day within the same itinerary and ticket.

Additionally, there is a unique eligibility category for the LA market: in recognition of the wildfires that have recently impacted the area, Virgin Atlantic welcomes active-duty firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department into the LAX Clubhouse before their flights as a token of gratitude for their service.

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX is open daily from 11:30 AM PST.

virginatlantic.com