The HfP guide to Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses

Virgin Atlantic has never been one to follow the pack, so when it opened its first business class lounge at Gatwick Airport in 1990 it was called the Clubhouse. The name has stuck ever since.

Back in 1990, the first Clubhouse was located landside (rather than airside) and designed to look like the bar at Raffles hotel in Singapore. It was also one of the first airport lounges to serve food, with silver service no less.

In the 34 years since then, Virgin Atlantic has opened – and indeed closed – a number of Clubhouses. They continue to be regarded as some of the best airport lounges available with the Heathrow Terminal 3 Clubhouse (review here) garnering particular praise.

In 2024, Virgin’s Clubhouses continue to showcase modern design as well as a la carte menus, showers, bars and, of course, a range of seating and entertainment options.

There are signs of stagnation though, with the Manchester Clubhouse plans scrapped and Boston closed following the opening of a new Delta Sky Club. One bright spot is a return to Los Angeles next year.

Where can you find a Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse?

There are currently five Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses located in airports around the world:

• London Heathrow Terminal 3 (review here)
• New York JFK Terminal 4 (review here)
• Washington Dulles Terminal A
• San Francisco Terminal A
• Johannesburg OR Tambo Terminal A

Virgin Atlantic also operates an arrivals lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 3 but this is not branded as a ‘Clubhouse’. Our most recent review of Virgin Atlantic’s Heathrow arrivals lounge is here.

What’s new?

Since we last wrote about the Clubhouse network 18 months ago, there have been a lot of changes:

• Access rules for the Clubhouses were adjusted following the entry of Virgin Atlantic into the SkyTeam airline alliance

• The outsourcing of the management of the non-UK Clubhouse lounges to Plaza Premium was scrapped

• The Clubhouse at Newark Liberty was finally closed. Despite Virgin Atlantic moving all of its flights to New York JFK, it was still being used as a third party lounge for other airlines. This is not now the case.

• The Clubhouse at Boston Logan was closed following the opening of a new Delta Sky Club in the airport

• Plans to open a Clubhouse at Manchester Airport were abandoned, even though the space had been earmarked in the Terminal 2 extension and (we understand) it being partially fitted out. It was originally due to open as far back as 2020.

• A new Clubhouse was announced for Los Angeles, to open in the first quarter of 2025. This will replace the old LA lounge which closed during the pandemic and will re-use the old Etihad space.

• The Head of Clubhouses, Rami El-Dahshan, recently left Virgin Atlantic to become Managing Director of No1 Lounges

What can you expect at a Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse?

Each Clubhouse aims to offers a unique and stylish environment, with a range of amenities to help you relax and recharge before your flight.

At a minimum, you can expect a range of different seating areas designed for working or relaxing (or both); there’s free Wi-Fi; a complementary a la carte menu and bar (more on that below); shower facilities and luggage storage.

Some Clubhouses, such as the one at Heathrow, offer additional amenities such as an outdoor terrace.

Of course, they all feature the same Virgin red throughout – with the exception of the San Francisco Clubhouse, which has a cool blue look.

What’s on the menu at Virgin’s Clubhouses?

Most, if not all, Virgin Clubhouses offer a fully a la carte menu with no buffet. This is a particular step up compared to most lounges, as many airlines reserve a la carte dining for first class lounges.

The menu varies depending on what time of day you’re there. In the mornings, you can expect freshly made Eggs Benedict, a Full English and more.

In the evenings, you can choose from dishes such as chicken katsu curry, shepherds pie, grilled salmon, a chicken burger and a range of salads and other accompaniments. I particularly rate the vegan burger, which I have to say matches or even beats the standard burger they serve.

Everything is included and you can choose from the full range of beers, wines and spirits provided, as well as order cocktails from the bar staff. Virgin Atlantic tailors its offerings to each country; in San Francisco, you’ll find Californian wines whilst in Jo’burg it’ll be South African. There’s even English sparkling wine available at Heathrow.

Who can access the Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow?

Access to Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouses is exclusive to eligible passengers – you cannot buy access- but varies slightly from Clubhouse to Clubhouse.

Heathrow Clubhouse access via your ticket type:

Anyone flying in the following cabins will automatically get access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse:

• Upper Class passengers on Virgin Atlantic (including one guest who must be travelling on Virgin Atlantic or Delta, on any flight in any cabin)
• Delta One passengers on Delta (no guest)
• Clase Premier passengers on Aeroméxico (no guest)

Other SkyTeam business class passengers do NOT get access.

Heathrow Clubhouse access via your SkyTeam status:

Only the following elite status passengers can enter the Clubhouse if they are not flying in Upper Class / Delta One / Clase Premier:

• Virgin Flying Club Gold, flying on a Virgin Atlantic, Delta or Aeroméxico flight in any class (including one guest)
• Delta SkyMiles Diamond or Platinum Medallion, flying on a Virgin Atlantic or Delta flight in premium economy (including one guest)
• Air France / KLM Flying Blue Platinum, flying on a Virgin Atlantic or Delta flight in premium economy (including one guest)

Heathrow Clubhouse access via your credit card:

Holders of Virgin Atlantic credit cards in the UK can choose to receive Clubhouse entry vouchers as their annual reward for hitting their spend target, although arguably it is better value to choose the flight upgrade or 2-4-1 redemption options.

The following people do not have access to the the Heathrow Clubhouse but can access alternative lounges:

• Delta SkyMiles Diamond or Platinum Medallion, flying on a Virgin Atlantic or Delta flight in economy
• Air France / KLM Flying Blue Platinum, flying on a Virgin Atlantic or Delta flight in economy
• All other SkyTeam Elite Plus members flying on Virgin Atlantic, Delta or Aeroméxico flights in economy or premium economy
• Virgin Australia Velocity Club Gold, Platinum and The Club members flying Virgin Atlantic
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold, Solitaire PPS Club and PPS Club members flying Virgin Atlantic
• Air New Zealand Gold or Elite members flying on Virgin Atlantic to San Francisco
• Passengers connecting to La Première on Air France (due to Air France moving to Terminal 4)

What about Clubhouses outside the UK?

The rules vary by airport. You do NOT necessarily get access if you are travelling on a SkyTeam airline apart from Virgin Atlantic or Delta Airlines.

The full rules, and details about the entire Clubhouse network, are on this page of the Virgin Atlantic website.

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How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (April 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Virgin Points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

You can choose from two official Virgin Atlantic credit cards (apply here, the Reward+ card has a bonus of 18,000 Virgin Points and the free card has a bonus of 3,000 Virgin Points):

You can also earn Virgin Points from various American Express cards – and these have sign-up bonuses too.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for a year and comes with 20,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 20,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 50,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 50,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

Small business owners should consider the two American Express Business cards. Points convert at 1:1 into Virgin Points.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Virgin Points.