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Review: Virgin Atlantic’s new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

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This is our review of the new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge in Los Angeles.

Virgin Atlantic opened its latest Clubhouse business class lounge last week, fulfilling (just!) its promise of a Q1 launch.

The Los Angeles Clubhouse is Virgin’s first new lounge for some time; the last Clubhouse to open was (ironically) the old LA Clubhouse in 2015. This was located in Terminal 2 and closed in 2021 when it was subsumed into the Delta Sky Club as part of a terminal refurbishment.

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

It is the fourth Clubhouse in the United States, in addition to those at New York JFK, San Francisco and Washington Dulles.

I popped over to Los Angeles this week to take a look. Virgin Atlantic provided me with a free Upper Class flight as I missed the official media trip due to my India visit (more to come on that!).

Where is the Virgin Atlantic LA Clubhouse?

Although Virgin Atlantic’s flights depart from Terminal B – the Tom Bradley International Terminal – check in is at Terminal 2, home of partner and part-owner Delta.

From Terminal 2 it’s a 5-10 minute walk through the connecting walkway to Terminal B, where you are dropped off on the fifth floor right by the escalators up to the sixth floor and the Clubhouse:

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

Walk straight ahead from the escalator and you’ll see the plum red colours of the Clubhouse:

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

Virgin Atlantic LAX Clubhouse access requirements

Unlike the Heathrow Clubhouse, the Los Angeles Clubhouse will be open to SkyTeam elites. Here are the full access eligibility requirements:

  • Passengers flying in Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic + one guest travelling on Virgin or Delta
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold card members + one guest, when travelling internationally on Virgin Atlantic or Delta
  • Delta One customers on a Delta Air Lines flight
  • SkyTeam Elite Plus members travelling on a Virgin Atlantic or Delta flight plus one guest travelling on an international flight operated by a SkyTeam airline

If you are connecting domestically then you must be travelling the same day on the same itinerary and ticket.

The Los Angeles Clubhouse is open from 11:30am daily. It closes after the last Virgin Atlantic flight of the day departs, which is currently around 9:30pm.

Inside the Los Angeles Clubhouse

Virgin Atlantic has separated the space into several different branded areas, from the ‘Ruby Room’ to ‘The Wing’. But make no mistake: at 408 square metres this is a small lounge, just about big enough to cater for the airline’s three daily flights in summer.

The lounge bar and dining area is the first thing you see on entering the space:

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

The overhead ceiling panel light is supposed to mimic the light of the day, starting off blue-ish in the mornings before fading into a spectacular sunset in the evening and bathing everything in the warm glow of pinks and oranges.

Underneath the bar you’ll find plenty of gold coat hooks as well as loads of charging sockets for your devices including USB-C ports.

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

A lower bar area creates a divider between the dining area and the Ruby Room, which Virgin says is a “Hollywood-inspired space with its own cinema featuring wireless headsets connected via Bluetooth”:

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

Whilst a funky idea, it doesn’t seem very practical in this day and age when everyone is streaming content to their own devices. It was notably empty during my five-hour visit until all other seats had been occupied. My suggestion would be to turn this into a more general seating.

On this side you’ll also find the ‘Royal Box,’ an exclusive booth with a ‘secret menu’ as well as a little display showcasing Virgin’s merch:

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

On the other side of the bar you have a range of seating options, from low armchairs and sofas to tables and chairs:

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

and

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

This was by far the most popular part of the Clubhouse with guests. Parallel to this are a series of sound-insulated pods should you want to work or take a call in private. These are named after iconic studios like The Manor, Olympic Studios and Sunset Sound where Virgin Records’ artists once recorded.

There are no exterior windows in the lounge because it’s part of the interior lounge pavilion. This is unfortunate but Virgin has got around this with clever use of lighting.

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

Finally, at the very end of the lounge, you’ll find the bathrooms as well as ‘The Zen Den’, a small wellness space.

This may have been designed at the behest of Richard Branson, who at Virgin’s 40th Birthday celebrations last year announced that Clubhouses were all getting fitness spaces, much to the surprise of Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss!

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

I’ll let Virgin explain what you can do in The Zen Den:

“The Zen Den is an immersive space featuring relaxation, movement and mindfulness sessions powered by the FORME Studio, an award-winning smart fitness mirror. A unique way to wind down, refresh, refocus or reenergise before crossing the Atlantic in style. Guests can explore three exclusive categories – Mind, Body, and Spirit – each offering a selection of guided sessions from FORME’s extensive library. The experience begins with a personalised welcome video from Virgin Atlantic founder, Sir Richard Branson, setting the stage for a curated experience.”

Again, I didn’t see anyone use this space during my visit.

Male and female bathrooms are on either side of The Zen Den. Each features an accessible toilet with wetroom shower. These are stocked with Flamingo Estate toiletries rather than the airline’s usual REN Skincare products you find in London and on board.

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

And that’s it. As I said above, this is a small space. With two departures within about an hour of each other in the evenings it is busiest around 7pm before passengers on the 8pm flight leave.

Food and drink in Virgin’s LA Clubhouse

Like all of Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouses there is table service throughout, although there’s a small selection of salads and snacks you can help yourself to:

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

You can order via one of the QR codes or by waving over one of the many lounge staff. When I first arrived there were more staff than guests but service was exceptional throughout my stay.

The menu is impressive. It contains a mix of Clubhouse classics as well as California-inspired dishes available only at this Clubhouse:

  • Venison smash burger with monterey jack, pickle, chips
  • Fish & chips with crispy beer batter, mushy peas, tartare sauce
  • Chargrilled chicken cobb salad with bacon, egg, avocado, blue cheese dressing
  • Chicken tikka masala with raita, mango chutney, basmati rice
  • Tuna poke bowl with avocado, edamame, spring onion, ginger
  • California fig salad with goat’s cheese, sundried tomato, walnut, balsamic glaze
  • Beyond burger cheese, mustard mayo, chips
  • Tarka dhal with cauliflower, mango chutney, basmati rice
  • Tofu pho with soy cured egg, shiitake, spring onion, kimchi, sesame, rice noodle

I was very tempted to order the fish and chips which looked excellent, with a big fillet freshly battered, but instead opted for something a bit more healthy: the cobb salad:

Review: Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport

There’s an additional menu with small plates as well as for children.

When it comes to drinks you can order whatever you fancy thanks to the fully staffed bar which will rustle up any drink you can think of with premium label spirits. The champagne served is Nicholas Feuillatte.

Conclusion

Virgin Atlantic’s new Los Angeles Clubhouse takes its iconic business class lounges in a new direction. You get a plush red, pink and gold colour scheme and seductive mood-lighting.

It’s a darker, sexier interpretation of the Heathrow Clubhouse that embraces the space’s lack of natural light and size, wrapping you in a velvety red cocoon.

Service in the lounge was exceptional and dare I say it over-staffed, at least initially when the lounge was empty (to be fair, the 3pm flight had been cancelled.) That may also be because the lounge has just opened and is still getting into the swing of things.

Food and drink is also excellent and – dare I say it – possibly even better than in London?

The bottom line is that Virgin Atlantic’s first new Clubhouse in a decade is a masterclass in lounge design and operation, even if it is a relatively small space. Fingers crossed we don’t have to wait another ten years for the next one!

You can find out more about the LA Clubhouse on Virgin Atlantic’s website here.

Head for Points made a financial contribution to the Woodland Trust as part of this trip. The Woodland Trust creates and manages forests in the UK in accordance with the Woodland Carbon Code.


Getting airport lounge access for free from a credit card

How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (May 2025)

Here are the six options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.

Your best value option (but no points):

The cheapest route to a Priority Pass airport lounge card is via the Lloyds Bank World Elite Mastercard.

The credit card has a fee of £15 per month, and comes with a Priority Pass which gives unlimited free access for the cardholder. If you add a free supplementary cardholder, they will also receive unlimited free access.

Unlike the version of Priority Pass you receive with American Express, the Lloyds Bank version also lets you access £18 airport restaurant credits.

Even better, the credit card has 0% FX fees and comes with 0.5% cashback. Full details are in my Lloyds Bank World Elite Mastercard review.

Lloyds Bank World Elite Mastercard

A Priority Pass, 0% FX fees and up to 1% cashback for £15 per month Read our full review

Lounge access via American Express cards:

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,500 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.

You also get access to Eurostar, Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines lounges.  Our in-depth review of The Platinum Card from American Express is here.

You can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.

Additional lounge visits are charged at £24.  You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card review here.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

Lounge access via HSBC Premier credit cards (Premier account holders only):

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free Priority Pass card, allowing you access to the Priority Pass network.  Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £290 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

A good package, but only available to HSBC Premier clients Read our full review

Got a small business?

If you have a small business, consider The American Express Business Platinum Card which has the same lounge benefits as the personal Platinum card:

The American Express Business Platinum Card

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

You should also consider the Capital on Tap Pro Visa credit card which has a lower fee and, as well as a Priority Pass for airport lounge access, also comes with Radison Rewards VIP hotel status:

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.

Comments (24)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Novice says:

    Good review Rhys.

    If only they hadn’t scrapped the idea of a MAN clubhouse.

    • NorthernLass says:

      Quite! They have more flights departing MAN than LAX, it continues to be a kick in the teeth really.
      However, I did really like the 1903 lounge; let’s hope they don’t downgrade to Escape like BA did!

    • jamestg86 says:

      As I’ve said on here many times, Virgin have destroyed Manchester (even more than Manchester’s own management). They duplicated every route that Thomas Cook offered, inevitably making TC go bankrupt, and then cut all the routes back.

      Now they have the audacity to promote ‘new’ routes, which aren’t new. And the clubhouse cancellation. Final nail in the coffin. My miles went on 3 VV cruises where I made sure I didn’t spent a penny of my own money, which gave me a lot of satisfaction. Useless company.

      Nearly as bad as BA, but that’s for a different post 🙂

      • MKCol says:

        You do know Virgin Voyages and Virgin Atlantic are different companies, right?

      • NorthernLass says:

        You know I got 2 x UC MAN-MCO for 21k points plus taxes, right? That gave me a lot of satisfaction in the light of the abandonment of the proposed Clubhouse!

  • Charlie says:

    After yet another aircraft swap by Virgin from an A350 to a 787-9 – the fifth time this has happened – I’m not feeling that well disposed towards them. And while the new Clubhouse looks good, I would still give the Delta One lounge the edge – with its own private check-in and security lane, huge windows over the runways, great cocktail menu and rather classy menu.

    • Chris W says:

      They should be focusing on updating their 787s before opening new lounges!

      • tomtom135 says:

        My thoughts exactly, I’ve had the dreaded last minute UC switch to a 787-9 a few times and complained. Maybe not enough people are bothered by it but I fail to see how anyone who has experienced turning left with other airlines wouldn’t be extremely disappointed with that cabin especially on a cash ticket.

        • Novice says:

          Only sat on virgin once a couple years back and it was a cash ticket and seriously will not be going back anytime soon. The fact that it is flying a coffin seat now in 2025 when others are updating and improving their business class offering doesn’t make it worth my money.

      • HampshireHog says:

        Absolutely 787 a crap upper class, vastly prefer PE

  • Dan says:

    With only 2 departures… and it gets a longe yet Manchester can have more departures per day and doesn’t have a lounge. It’s pathetic and shows how little they care about the Manchester base.

    • JDB says:

      Is it not caring or simple economics?

      • HampshireHog says:

        Hanging their hat on one market, the US looks an increasingly precarious bet

      • NorthernLass says:

        I don’t know – prices for UC from MAN are eye-popping!

      • memesweeper says:

        Short term economics may need to rule for Virgin at the moment. But long term brand consistency is vital for a brand to mean anything — Virgin positioned themselves as an alternative to other airlines, similar pricing, but a better product, including an outstanding lounge offering. Failing to provide that at a major base is a mistake.

        Fixing the seating in US on the older planes is harder, as it is going to be hugely expensive and operationally disruptive. It’s not the worst long haul business seat, but it definitely isn’t fitting the brand positioning anymore.

  • jj says:

    Good to see them trying a different aesthetic from your standard airline lounge. And every bar everywhere should take note of how useful those brass hooks can be; it’s really annoying to have to sit on your coat in a crowded bar.

    But, sadly, the food looks as unappealing as the ready meal freezer shelf in Asda. I suspect that every menu item is ultra processed, and your ‘salad’ is really a plate of meat with a couple of token tomatoes. It reminds me why I like to eat in Italy and Greece so much.

  • Alastair says:

    Looks great, but suspect I’ll still go for dinner in Delta One and then amble over to the Clubhouse for a sharpener before boarding and then sleep (at least for the late 11pm or so departure).

  • Jon says:

    A real sense of what could have been in Manchester, had Virgin not decided to scrap their plans for a Clubhouse in Terminal 2.

    Their neglect of Manchester which they claim is ‘our home in the North’ is disgraceful. How I wish we hadn’t seen the decline of VS over the last few years.

    Lets hope all is not lost & things improve for their Northern based travellers.

  • RC says:

    Lots of Northern whingers here. LAX maybe have 2 flights BUT it is a Delta focus city (Manchester isn’t), and LAX has large premium cabins, not 16 seat ones on the Virgin beach fleet.
    I suppose all these posters prove that some in Manchester live up to their chip on shoulder stereotype.

    • Flying Fish says:

      New York, Vegas and Atlanta are hardly beach destinations. Silly comment.

      • RC says:

        No. Let’s look at facts.
        Check out the 16J configuration frequently used from Manchester. VA call it ‘beach fleet’ as that’s where it mainly goes, plus low premium routes (ie from Manchester).

    • memesweeper says:

      In addition to not many premium passengers, there isn’t a lot of competition against Virgin in Manchester either, which no doubt crossed the minds of those that decided not to spend the money.

  • PH says:

    Can you choose between Delta One lounge and Clubhouse if flying Upper Class? I saw an IG reel of the former at JFK and it looks impressive…miles ahead of what BA/AA offer J pax without higher status and better than my experience (albeit some years ago) of VA Clubhouses

    • Eric says:

      If flying from LAX, the way to go is to check in at the Delta One facility in T3 (Arrivals level!) and enjoy the private security and lounge (which has a nice F&B offering). Then walk over to the Clubhouse when it’s time for a change of scenery.

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