In September 2014 I wrote about how Virgin Atlantic will be opening a Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport. At the time they had only announced the intentions to open a Clubhouse, though hadn’t yet given a timeline for it opening.
Well, it seems they acted pretty quickly, as the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX is now open. The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is located in Terminal 2 at LAX, which is otherwise a not-so-exciting terminal (I’d much rather fly out of Tom Bradley International Terminal). Virgin Atlantic has two flights a day between Los Angeles and London, and then their joint venture partner Delta operates one flight a day in the market.
Virgin Atlantic posted some pictures of the new lounge on their blog:
Via TravelSkills, the new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX is roughly 4,000 square feet, and has a partnership with LA restaurant Hinoki & The Bird for their catering. Unlike the New York JFK and London Heathrow Clubhouses, the Los Angeles Clubhouse won’t have a spa.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse New York JFK spa
As is the norm, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse access is available to Upper Class passengers, as well as Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members, and Delta SkyMiles Diamond, Platinum, and Gold members traveling on Virgin Atlantic flights.
I love Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses, so am very excited about their expansion to LAX. While there are more “luxurious” lounges out there, Clubhouses consistently have such a fun vibe, great cocktails, and sassy staff. What more can you ask for, really?
They’re probably my favorite lounges to spend time in. While I love the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt and Thai Airways First Class Lounge & Spa in Bangkok, I don’t actually get any marginal enjoyment out of staying there four hours rather than two hours, for example. That’s not true of Virgin Clubhouses. They’re actually fun to be in, so I always like to arrive way early and work from the Clubhouse, as the vibe of the lounges is that fun.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse New York JFK bar
Here’s to hoping they’ve hired staff which are at least half as sassy as the ones in New York.
Is anyone planning on checking out the new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX anytime soon?
I flew LAX to LHR in July 2016 and visited the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge -- briefly. The seats were uncomfortable; the "background music" was loud and intrusive -- I moved seats three times to try to get away from the overhead speakers (without success); the menu was very limited and definitely not outstanding. I stayed about 30 minutes, couldn't take the noise any longer, then headed across the hall to the Air Canada lounge...
I flew LAX to LHR in July 2016 and visited the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge -- briefly. The seats were uncomfortable; the "background music" was loud and intrusive -- I moved seats three times to try to get away from the overhead speakers (without success); the menu was very limited and definitely not outstanding. I stayed about 30 minutes, couldn't take the noise any longer, then headed across the hall to the Air Canada lounge where it was peaceful, the food choices far more varied, and the seats very comfortable and relaxing. "Trendy" Virgin may be, but a seasoned traveler, who is not looking for a flashy faux nightclub atmosphere, will prefer another quieter airline lounge. I may travel Virgin Upper Class again but wont be going back to their LAX lounge.
Is this the old NW club, which became the AF club (with the same furniture)?
If you are traveling from LAX to Australia using Virgin Australia in Business Class can you use the Virgin Clubhouse?
@ Bill Meier -- I don't believe so. Only the Star Alliance Lounge.
@Joey - You would have to go outside and clear security again to switch from T5 to T2.
I can almost swear folks who fly Delta metal to LHR would have access to the VS LAX clubhouse as well since I know that's the case for entry to JFK clubhouse. From looking at LAX terminals, however, I noticed Delta operates from Terminal 5 whereas the VS clubhouse is in terminal 2. I don't use LAX often but can one transfer from one terminal to another airside at LAX, or does one have to go outside, take the shuttle, transfer, then go thru security again?
It doesn't make sense for them not to allow Virgin Australia premium cabin passengers access :(
I don't believe VS clubhouses are open to DL GMs... just PM and DM
@ PC -- I believe it's open to Gold members as well:
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/where-we-fly/flight-partners/virgin-atlantic-partnership.html
Ben- What lounge does Virgin Australia use in LAX?
@ John -- They use the Star Alliance Lounge LAX:
https://onemileatatime.com/review-star-alliance-business-class-lounge-los-angeles-airport-lax/
So what are the fines in the US for disrupting a trans Atlantic flight? Suspect they would higher than the ones this guy got in Ireland
http://clareherald.com/2015/04/29/man-due-in-court-following-incident-on-flight-56209/
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/limerick-court-fines-man-1000-after-disrupting-flight-to-tune-of-100k-674943.html
http://www.northernsound.ie/news/a-28-year-old-american-man-has-been-fined-1000-euro-after-a-norwegian-air-flight-was-forced-to-divert-to-shannon-airport/
Guess the Irish just wanted to get rid of the drunken fool.
So what are the fines in the US for disrupting a trans Atlantic flight? Suspect they would higher than the ones this guy got in Ireland
http://clareherald.com/2015/04/29/man-due-in-court-following-incident-on-flight-56209/
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/limerick-court-fines-man-1000-after-disrupting-flight-to-tune-of-100k-674943.html
http://www.northernsound.ie/news/a-28-year-old-american-man-has-been-fined-1000-euro-after-a-norwegian-air-flight-was-forced-to-divert-to-shannon-airport/
Guess the Irish just wanted to get rid of the drunken fool.
Hi Lucky,
Any word if it is available to Virgin America first class passengers or Elevate members as it the case with the SFO Clubhouse? Thanks
@ Dan -- Haven't heard anything yet one way or another. That would be awesome.
I saw that Conde Nast covered the opening today. Can't wait to check it out, I'm flying VS from LAX in July.