Virgin Atlantic just opened a beautiful new Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Let’s take a look at the latest SkyTeam Lounge that will give the Delta One Lounge a run for the money.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Los Angeles Review (LAX)
I generally don’t attend media events, but I happened to be flying out on the day this lounge opened, March 28, 2025, on a SkyTeam carrier on an international flight. I thought I’d have access, but it turns out I did not…we’ll start with that.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX Location + Hours + Access
The lounge is located in Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT or “B” on airport signage) on level six. It’s on the same level as the Star Alliance Lounge and the home of the former Etihad Lounge (Etihad discontinued service to Los Angeles during the pandemic).
The lounge is open from 11:30 am till 12:00 am daily (generally, the lounge will open four hours before the first Virgin Atlantic departure, though per SkyTeam and Virgin rules, access is only technically permitted three hours or less prior to departure, unless on a connecting itinerary). Access is reserved for:
- Passengers flying in Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic + one guest (traveling with Virgin Atlantic or Delta Air Lines…it does not have to be the same flight)
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold Tier members + one guest (traveling internationally with Virgin Atlantic or Delta Air Lines)
- Delta One customers on a Delta Air Lines international flight
- SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling on Virgin Atlantic or Delta + one guest traveling on an international flight operated by a SkyTeam carrier (so you, the SkyTeam Elite Plus member, must be traveling on Delta or Virgin Atlantic, but your companion need not be)
- Virgin Australia Velocity Club Gold, Platinum, and The Club card holders traveling on Virgin Atlantic
- Air New Zealand Gold or Elite members traveling on Virgin Atlantic
- Passengers that are transiting or connecting
- Passengers connecting domestically must be traveling same-day on the same itinerary and ticket
- One segment must be in Virgin Atlantic Upper Class or Delta One
- Passenger must be a Flying Club Gold member, Platinum, Diamond or Gold medallion member or SkyTeam Elite Plus
- SkyTeam Elite Plus must be departing on a SkyTeam member carrier
I was flying Scanadainain Airlines in business class and hold SkyTeam Elite Plus status with SAS. Even so, I did not have access (had I been flying on Delta or Virgin Atlantic, I would have had access with my SkyTeam Elite Plus status, even if I were in economy class). I asked if I could have a tour of the lounge and was obliged. I was even invited to stay for coffee…but I did not want to press my luck and start ordering food!
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX Seating
At 4,401 square feet, the lounge is small (this may explain the rather strict access rules), but the space is very nicely utilized and divided into several areas:
The Ruby Room – a Hollywood-inspired space with its own cinema featuring wireless headsets connected via Bluetooth: this is one of two main seating areas in the lounge.
The Royal Box – a small VIP area featuring adjustable mood lighting and a secret menu (chocolate-covered strawberries and additional cocktails)
The Wing – more seating plus a trio of acoustically-sealed work pods named in nod to Virgin Records’ legacy after iconic studios like The Manor, Olympic Studios, and Sunset Sound
Plugs, including USB-A, USB-C, A/C, and wireless charging, are available throughout the lounge.
One feature I chuckled at: if you’re walking by the lounge outside, you’ll see the frosted window gives way to an opening allowing you to peer into the lounge bar: Lara Fleat, Virgin’s Design Manager for this lounge says this is to promote the “FOMO effect” (FOMO stands for fear of missing out: a worried feeling that you may miss exciting events that other people are going to…).
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX Service
I was given the grand tour by Glen Nielsen, Virgin’s Regional Manager of Clubhouse Experience for North America, who pointed out the various features I highlighted above and clearly articulated how every detail was carefully considered in the construction of this lounge.
For example, the mood lighting in the lounge (blue light in my pictures above) is meant to provide “a multi-sensory experience designed to soothe the senses at twilight with thoughtful touches to aid relaxation.” At sunset, the colors begin to change, mimicking the actual sunset with the goal of preparing passengers for rest onboard.
I also had the chance to meet Jane Godfrey, a Customer Experience Duty Manager based in Heathrow who has been out to Los Angeles for the opening.
What a dynamic duo those two were and I loved both the banter and the insight. Virgin Atlantic is in great hands with leaders like this.
I love the enthusiastic leadership behind this lounge and the commitment to excellence.
But the entire staff was lovely…everyone had a smile on their face and was eager to serve.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX Food + Drink
Virgin is trialing something new in this lounge: a small self-serve eating area it calls the brasserie. This is a first for a Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, but Nielsen said this is by customer demand.
The buffet selection includes:
- Mediterranean quinoa salad
- Raw vegetables and hummus
- Wild rice + roasted veggie salad
- Farro salad
- Citrus kale salad
- Truffle popcorn
- Trail mix
- Terra chips
- Fruit salad
Full bar service, inclding a coffee-bar with barista-made coffee is available. The featured cocktail is the Twisted Angel, featuring Aperol and gin “with a cheeky nod to the ethereal halo that lights the bar.” The bar is in the center of the lounge and also includes a handful of tables for two.
Here’s the complete a la carte and drink menu:
You can order directly from a waitress or you can order via QR code from your seat.
I had the first coffee in the lounge as a guest…a delicious flat white.
Virgin Atlantic is using Gaviña coffee, an organic Cuban coffee roasted in Los Angeles.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX Restrooms + Showers
Restrooms are available (they are gendered) with each restroom having a shower suite. Shower and body products from Flamingo Estate’s Garden Essentials collection, a Southern California company.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX Zen Desk
The Zen Den is an “immersive space featuring relaxation, movement and mindfulness sessions powered by the FORME Studio,” a smart fitness mirror. I gave this a test drive and have to admit it’s really cool: after a welcome from Sir Richard Branson, guests can explore three exclusive categories – Mind, Body, and Spirit – each offering a selection of guided sessions.
It’s also a very practical changing room…something I wish more lounges would have.
Merchandising Coming Soon
At some point, Virgin-branded goods will be for sale in the lounge including duffel bags, small leather goods, t-shirts, pins, and even those “pinched from Virgin” salt & pepper shakers.
CONCLUSION
Well done, Virgin Atlantic. This is a stunning lounge that thoughtfully maximizes the limited space to create a very comfortable area for passengers to wine and dine ahead of their Virgin or Delta flight.
Next week, I’ll compare this lounge to the Delta One Lounge in Terminal 2.
Finally, as a fun walk down memory lane, below is my review of the old Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse that was in Terminal 2 and closed permanently during the pandemic. This review was published on August 21, 2018:
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX is visually stunning. But how does it rank as as a Priority Pass lounge?
The lounge is located on the upper level of Terminal 2 at LAX on the secure side. Priority Pass cardholders are admitted daily between 5:00 A.M. and 10:45 A.M.
Perhaps I just arrived at the perfect time in the morning (around 8:00 A.M.) but the lounge was practically empty and just beautiful with the morning sunlight shining in. There’s plenty of seating including plush couches and chairs. I love that you can look out at the LAX Theme Building from the windows.
In terms of food…well, the lounge disappoints greatly (even when compared to what the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Washington Dulles offers to Priority Pass customers). But perhaps I’m just too picky.
A breakfast spread included:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Juice
- Soft drinks
- White wine
- Red wine
- Yogurt
- Cornflakes
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Potato Chips
- Danish
- English Muffins
- Muffins
There are unisex private restrooms, but no showers:
When the Priority Pass Lounge Becomes a Clubhouse
The lounges closes at 10:45 A.M. and all Priority Pass members are kicked out. Then, the lounge transitions into a true full-service lounge.
Here’s a look at the impressive a la carte menu for Virgin Atlantic passengers:
CONCLUSION
This lounge is a nice option in Terminal 2 at LAX, especially considering Barney’s Beanery does not open to Priority Pass members until 10:30 A.M.
do they have a better health rating at least compared to the Skylounge across the hall?
Did not see a posted rating.
It looks it could be the lobby of a freaking Moxy hotel.
As a side note, that breakfast spread is a whole lot better than the AC transborder lounge at yyz.
LOL on the Moxy hotel. Indeed, you’re right. But this millennial likes it!
I wonder if these lounges that open to Priority Pass members with greatly reduced service standards realize that they are hurting their brands. Lets be honest the vast majority of priority pass lounge visitors likely have little idea what a great lounge looks like. So they visit the VA or BA lounge and think that’s the norm, that’s what they can expect. Which doesn’t exactly encourage them to spring for tickets on that airline.
You make a great point.
hello – do you know if LAX have a separate entrance for Upper Class passengers like they do at Heathrow?
They do have special check-in lines, but same security checkpoint.
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX is THE WORST priority lounge I have been in; a total waste of admission cost. We had a 12:15pm flight. They threw all guests out at 10:30am so they could put real food out for Virgin Atlantic members after offering a worst breakfast than a budget highway hotel. There was no protein – no eggs, no cheese, no meats – nothing warm at all. Just toast and bagels and eng. muffins and yogurt. Oh yeah, don’t forget the cornflakes and instant oatmeal. DO NOT USE THIS LOUNGE AND COMPLAIN TO PRIORITY PASS to get them to change the lounge at LAX. After this I don’t even want to fly Virgin Atlantic for them being so cheap.
Great review of the new Virgin LAX clubhouse – I know are you comparing to the Delta One next week – I was wondering how it compares to the New Air France lounge in TBIT. Also – with the KAL lounge also near the new Virgin lounge – wondering if that will reopen to priority pass. Seems like all the new skyteam lounges are nicer than the KAL lounge.
The shower curtain versus a solid glass divider seems cheap/tacky like Motel6.
Good Idea on the ‘mood lighting’ to anesthetize pax so they’ll pass out on the flight and consume less items, resulting in less work for F/A’s resulting in smaller crewing levels !
Interesting – Delta economy passengers, but with Gold+ status, will have access to this young on these Delta flights:
Cancun
Mazaltan
Paris
Puerto Vallarta
San Jose
Cabo
Shanghai
Sydney
Tokyo
Auckland
Brisbane
Melbourne
Nice design to the lounge, warm and cozy…something lacking in so many lounges these days.