Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Luxury Clubhouse Lounge Lands At LAX

Forbes

02-04-2025

Award winning actor Alan Cumming relaxes in the Ruby Room at the new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse ... More Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport.
Virgin Atlantic has arrived in style at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, universally known as LAX. The British airline, founded by Sir Richard Branson, just opened its Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse for what it calls its 'Upper Class' passengers.
Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class is essentially their business class/first class offering. On board, Upper Class provides passengers with a premium experience with lie-flat seats, multi-course meals, pajamas, and extra baggage allowance. Passengers also get access to social spaces and lounges. That's where the new Clubhouse at LAX comes in, as a place for Upper Class passengers to relax and prepare for their flights.
After months of planning, the ribbon cutting for the Virgin Atlantic LAX Clubhouse took place on Thursday, March 27. Corneel Koster, Virgin Atlantic's Chief Customer and Operating Officer, who led the launch of the LAX Clubhouse, wielded the traditional giant scissors.
"Everything about the Clubhouse at LAX is intentionally designed and pays homage to both our British roots and local Los Angeles tastes,' said Koster. 'LA is a global hub for wellness, and this new Clubhouse caters to that mindset in a way that only Virgin Atlantic can. Who else has a Zen Den and Alan Cumming reading a bedtime story in The Royal Box?'
Virgin Atlantic is owned 49% by Delta Airlines, with the rest owned by Sir Richard Branson and other investors. Sir Richard, who founded the airline in 1984, was not at the grand opening but was there in spirit. His image leaped out of an electric screen like a Jack-in-the-box, welcoming guests to the intimate 'Zen Den,' a small but tastefully decorated workout and meditation space.
The "Zen Den" at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX. The "magic mirror" plays different workout ... More and meditation routines while passengers stretch, lift weight or meditate.
The Zen Den is an immersive space featuring relaxation, movement and mindfulness sessions powered by the FORME Studio, an award-winning smart fitness mirror. Guests can explore three exclusive categories – Mind, Body, and Spirit – each offering a selection of guided sessions from FORME's extensive library.
The irrepressible Branson did make a live appearance in Las Vegas recently, crashing the renewal of vows ceremony of two long-time Virgin employees. Sir Richard served as the officiant, alongside an Elvis impersonator.
As for the Clubhouse, our tour showed it to be well-appointed and beautiful, if, well, clubby . The 4400 square feet lounge has room for up to 80 guests. Compared to ginormous clubs like the Delta Air Lines Delta One Lounge at New York JFK, 36,000 square feet, or the United Club at Denver, 35,000 square feet with some 600 seats, the Virgin Clubhouse is on the intimate side.
But the Clubhouse is right sized for the airline, which currently operates three overnight flights each day from LAX to London Heathrow and Manchester. Virgin Atlantic flies the routes with both Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft. Its iconic but aging Boeing 747s were retired during COVID. At the Clubhouse, day-to-night transitional lighting helps passenger's align their circadian rhythms for a restful journey.
The Clubhouse is designed to provide a cozy, comfortably designed space for Upper Class passengers to relax, dine, have a drink, read or watch TV or shower as they await the boarding call. There are even telephone booth-sized individual working spaces with glass doors to provide soundproofing for calls or quiet work. The Wing's acoustically-sealed work pods acknowledge the legacy of Virgin Records. The pods are named after iconic studios like The Manor, Olympic Studios, and Sunset Sound, where legendary artists like Prince once recorded.
The Wing area of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse offers acoustic, sealed work pods for working or ... More private phone calls.
I particularly liked the Ruby Room, with its red-tinged furniture and subdued lighting, where guests can relax, work and dine. It's billed as a Hollywood-inspired space with its own cinema featuring wireless headsets connected via Bluetooth, so non-watchers won't be disturbed. Or guests can retreat to The Royal Box, a destination for VIPs featuring adjustable mood lighting and a secret menu. Wherever they choose to spend their time, guests can stay connected with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and plenty of places to plug in.
Similar attention is paid to signature dishes and various options including a tuna poke bowl, California roll, tofu pho, Californian fig salad and more. Health-conscious bites like Mediterranean quinoa salad, raw vegetables and hummus, citrus kale salad, and trail mix are also available for self-serve at the brasserie.
The beverage menu features low and no-alcohol offerings like TRIP Mindful Blend, designed to promote sleep and wellness, combining lion's mane, magnesium, ashwagandha and L-theanine. For those who prefer the real thing, cocktails crafted by Virgin Atlantic's in-house mixologist include the Twisted Angel, created specifically for Angelinos, featuring Aperol and gin.
When it's time to wash up and get ready to fly, the Clubhouse features products from Flamingo Estate's Garden Essentials collection, including Rosemary and Clary Sage Body Wash and Hand Soap, and Rosemary Shampoo and Tulsi Conditioner. The products are made from natural ingredients, sourced from a network of 125 farms using regenerative practices.
To further calm the restive passenger, Virgin Atlantic had Emmy-award winning actor Alan Cumming lends his legendary voice to a bedtime story. "ReLAX and Unwind with Alan Cumming' takes travelers on a relaxing journey through the Clubhouse,
Some of the food and beverage choices available at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX.
"I travel between the US and the UK all the time, and I honestly adore a long-haul flight. It's one of the few times I have just for myself and so I treat it like a spa day in the skies! I have a rule that I am not allowed to say no to anything I am offered so from the pre-flight champagne onwards everything is welcomed with open arms. And as the lights dim and I change into my PJs and fluff my pillows, I actually enjoy it more than bedtime at home," said Cumming.
'So I feel honored and agog at the idea of lending my voice to a story that will soothe and delight passengers as they're sipping a cocktail or a cuppa, tucking themselves in and being lulled to dreamland in the skies on Virgin Atlantic flights going all over the world. See you in the Clubhouse. Mine's a vodka martini!'
Virgin Atlantic LAX Clubhouse Access Eligibility
The Royal Box at Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX.