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Los Angeles Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Mindfulness as a Travel Theme Takes Flight in L.A.
FlightHub, a Momentum Ventures subsidiary and leading online travel agency that allows consumers to book cost-effective travel services, recently released new survey findings uncovering the correlation between travel and wellness services The study, conducted with 2,000 U.S. respondents, highlights the growing impact and prioritization of mindfulness and wellness when travel decisions are being made. While traveling to destinations for less expensive, high-end medical or cosmetic procedures is nothing new, more and more travelers are making overall well-being and mindfulness the themes of their travel, which runs from the destinations, lodging and activities selected to the travel experience itself. While the concept of traveling for medical procedures is not new, the rise of cosmetic and wellness tourism has introduced a new layer to travel planning. 'Our findings show that cost, social influence and wellness trends are shaping how people think about travel in the context of personal enhancement,' said Henri Chelhot, CEO of FlightHub. Beyond cosmetic procedures, wellness travel continues to gain traction, with 66% of respondents expressing interest in visiting a destination for a traditional wellness or relaxation retreat. Over half (57%) of those surveyed believe the rise in wellness tourism is reshaping destinations, turning them into wellness-centric hubs, while 52% said they are now more likely to choose travel locations based on their health and self-care offerings, such as yoga retreats or holistic healing centers. Spending habits reflect this growing interest. On average, respondents are willing to spend $1,857 on a wellness retreat, with those considering such trips budgeting closer to $2,047. Los Angeles is a distinct destination option for wellness tourism with an array of spas and relaxation centers. For those looking to get away for their mindfulness retreat, there is a unique new portal to mindfulness with the recent launch of the new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX. Designed with wellness in mind, the lounge offers exclusive amenities, spaces and experiences tailored to enhance the preflight experience for eligible customers. The Clubhouse, located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, is a multi-sensory experience designed to soothe the senses at twilight with thoughtful touches to aid relaxation. The lounge features local artwork and sunsetinspired mood lighting to create a serene retreat. Day-to-night transitional lighting helps to align circadian rhythms, encouraging mindfulness and setting the stage for a restful journey on the airline's three overnight flights to London Heathrow. Guests can relax, work and dine in the Ruby Room, a Hollywood-inspired space with its own cinema featuring wireless headsets connected via Bluetooth, or retreat to The Royal Box, a destination for VIPs featuring adjustable mood lighting and a secret menu. For those needing a quiet space to focus, The Wing's acoustically sealed work pods give a nod to Virgin Records' legacy, named after iconic studios like The Manor, Olympic Studios and Sunset Sound, where legendary artists once recorded. The Clubhouse's '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 reenergize 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 personalized welcome video from Virgin Atlantic founder, Sir Richard Branson, setting the stage for a curated experience. In celebration of the Clubhouse opening and to lull travelers into a pre-flight dream-like state, Virgin Atlantic has partnered with actor Alan Cumming to narrate the airline's first-ever original bedtime story. 'ReLAX and Unwind with Alan Cumming' invites travelers to immerse themselves in a soothing narrative that highlights the personal touches of Virgin Atlantic's in-flight experience, perfect for setting the tone for a restful flight. 'I travel between the U.S. and the U.K. all the time, and I honestly adore a long-haul flight,' said Cumming. '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 (within reason of course – treachery is always a no!), 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.' The opening of the LAX Clubhouse and its partnership with Alan Cumming reflect a broader trend of American travelers seeking calm and relaxation before a flight. A recent survey by Virgin Atlantic found that 44% of Americans are anxious about getting good rest on flights, and 59% use stories, podcasts or meditations to unwind before they travel. With the LAX Clubhouse, Virgin Atlantic continues to offer a premium experience, personalized to help travelers relax and recharge before they take to the skies. Corneel Koster, chief customer and operating officer for Virgin Atlantic, commented, 'We're bringing the Clubhouse experience to the West Coast with new spaces and surprises that are unique to Los Angeles. Everything about the Clubhouse at LAX is intentionally designed and pays homage to both our British roots and local Los Angeles tastes. L.A. is a global hub for wellness, and this new Clubhouse caters uniquely 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? It is so us to add a little fun and flair. Our awesome team can't wait to pamper our L.A. guests before they cross the Atlantic in style.'
Business Insider
23-04-2025
- Business Insider
I visited airport lounges from Delta One and Virgin Atlantic. Both had nice perks, but one impressed me way more.
I visited both the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and Delta One Lounge at LAX. I loved that both seemed to give nods to old Hollywood glam with their decor and amenities. Overall, I preferred Virgin Atlantic's more intimate vibe over Delta One's larger lounge. The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and Delta One Lounge are two of the newest arrivals at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). I've always been a fan of airport lounges, so I was excited to check them out. Both of these lounges are open to Delta One passengers flying internationally and Virgin Atlantic upper-class customers, so I wondered which would be a better option for my next trip. Here's how the two compare, and which is my favorite. I recently visited the new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX. The lounge opened in late March and is in Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). It replaced the old Etihad Airways Lounge, which closed a few years ago. It felt quite small at about 4,400 square feet, with no exterior windows. I learned that it can apparently only accommodate about 70 to 80 people, which kind of gave it an air of exclusivity. First, I entered the lounge's Ruby Room. A special feature of the Ruby Room is the Royal Box. This tiny nook is typically reserved for VIPs or guests celebrating a special occasion. The Royal Box has its own special menu, which includes chocolate-covered strawberries and the Drama Queen — a Champagne cocktail with mixed berries and gin. True to its theatrical name, it's served with a bubble of smoke on top. I appreciated the options at the self-serve brasserie. I found so many vegetarian options at the lounge's grab-and-go bar. It was nice to be able to choose light, fresh-sounding bites like fruit salad, citrus kale salad, raw vegetables and hummus, and Mediterranean quinoa salad. The dining room looked like a comfortable spot to enjoy a meal. The pleasant colors of the dining room almost had a calming effect on me. The menu features a variety of cuisine. The lounge menu has both small and large plates, as well as desserts. Many of the dishes are inspired by California cuisine, and each of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses has its own unique menu. Some items that stood out to me include the chicken tikka masala and California fig salad. I tried the smash burger, which is a signature dish in the lounge. While there, I sampled the lounge's signature smash burger. Made with venison, each burger is stamped with Virgin Atlantic's logo. It was quite tasty, and definitely felt on par with what I could get from a gastropub or bistro. The bar itself is also stunning. Virgin Atlantic's bar feels sleek and chic. I liked the transitional lighting, which mimics the light changing throughout the day. There's an alley to the left of the bar called The Wing, which has studio pods. The Wing has three studio pods that are acoustically sealed, kind of like modern-day phone booths. They seem like a convenient spot to take a phone call or get work done without distraction. Taking inspiration from Virgin Atlantic Airways founder Sir Richard Branson 's roots in the music industry, the pods are named after his iconic recording studios. Each one is adorned with music memorabilia, including Prince's "Purple Rain" album and a plaque with information about Sunset Sound Studios. One of my favorite features at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is the Zen Den. Upon walking in, I was greeted by a FORME Studio smart fitness mirror, which features a touchscreen display that streams on-demand fitness classes or live one-on-one training. I tried a selection of guided yoga and meditation sessions during my visit. The vanity inside the Zen Den felt like a nice touch. The Zen Den vanity has a sink, mirror, and extra lighting, making it a convenient spot for a quick refresh before returning to the main lounge. After checking out the amenities, I headed back to the bar for a farewell cocktail. Truth be told, I didn't want to leave the Virgin Atlantic lounge. I was enamored with its decor and the space's general emphasis on wellness. It felt like an homage to LA's past and present. A few months ago, I attended the opening of Delta One's Lounge at LAX. After checking in, I proceeded through a private TSA screening area. In my opinion, this easy access to a private TSA screening is one of the biggest perks of Delta One's lounge. Although you can also use the screening area if you want to visit the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse as a Delta One passenger, you'd have to take a long walk (or shuttle) to get from Terminal 3 to Terminal B. Once through TSA, I took an elevator up to the Delta One Lounge. The lounge is about 10,000 square feet, much larger than the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. I appreciated the colorful mural near its entrance. Walking in, I was immediately drawn to the wellness room. The room had a soothing atmosphere, with eight private relaxation pods equipped with zero-gravity chairs and full-body massage chairs. It wasn't long before I hopped into one of the full-body massage chairs and fell into a trance as soothing ocean sounds filled my ears. Generally, lounge guests can reserve a 15-minute massage in advance. The living room seemed like a welcoming spot. The dining area felt spacious, with plenty of room for travelers to spread out. The dining area has plenty of booth and chair seating, and Delta One offers attendant service for all food and drink in the lounge. Unlike at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, I wasn't able to order via QR code from my table. I felt drawn to the fully-stocked Icon Bar. I loved the bar's leather and walnut accents, which, paired with quartz and onyx, gave it a sleek, sophisticated look. The lounge even has a sushi bar. The sushi bar felt like a nice touch, with options like California rolls, spicy tuna rolls, and hand rolls with salmon ceviche. I thought the menu had a great mix of classics and more creative fare. Delta One's offerings include light fare and larger entrées, from tacos to salmon, and a variety of bento boxes. I loved that the clever cocktails were inspired by many of Delta's destinations, from the Raspberry Tulip for Amsterdam to the Sleepy British Bee for London. I decided to try a Boston-inspired drink and the street-corn pizza. I paired the street-corn pizza with How D'ya Like Them Apples?, an apple-flavored whiskey and ginger beer drink inspired by Boston. My meal was delicious — I had never tried street corn on pizza before, and I'm still craving it. Unlike the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, this lounge has a skydeck. I decided to enjoy my meal on the Delta One Skydeck, which overlooks planes on the runway. It was nice to be able to get fresh air and sit outside while at an airport, which is quite rare. I'd happily return to both lounges, but I preferred Virgin Atlantic's. If I had to choose to spend time in one lounge over the other, I'd go with the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. Although I loved the Delta One Lounge's amenities, such as the skydeck and sushi bar, I found I preferred the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse for a couple of reasons. First, it really impressed me with its stylish vibe, which felt like stepping into a swanky lounge or speakeasy. I appreciated its size, which felt more intimate and less overwhelming than a larger lounge. The wellness amenities, like the Zen Den and grab-and-go bar stocked with healthy-sounding snacks, also appealed to me. And if given the opportunity, I'd go back to that Royal Box in a second. That said, I enjoyed my experience in both lounges (especially my food and beverages) and would happily wait for a flight in either.
Forbes
02-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Luxury Clubhouse Lounge Lands At LAX
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.
