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Virgin Atlantic's new Clubhouse at Los Angeles (LAX) opened its doors back in March, and to anyone who enjoys stylish, swanky design and a quiet space to relax before hitting the road, this one has a lot of potential. The good news now is that this lounge — which is generally reserved for the most exclusive flyers in premium cabins — is now accessible via lounge memberships broadly available to the general public.
Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouses are billed as iconic, and indeed they are. If you've been to any of the very few locations scattered around the globe, you'd instantly recognize the brand. While all lounges are uniquely different, they are all beautifully designed in what I can best describe as a Mad Men evocative vibe.
You can find them in London Heathrow (LHR), New York (JFK), Johannesburg (JNB), San Francisco (SFO), Washington D.C. (IAD), and the newly opened Los Angeles (LAX), located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
A Look Inside Virgin Atlantic’s LAX Clubhouse
This modern design lounge has it all. An incredibly good-looking bar with mixologist-created drinks, as well as an area to enjoy a sit-down dinner with table service, with real food on the menu, apart from a buffet area.
If you need some peace and quiet, head to The Wing, a row of acoustically sealed pods to get some work done without being distracted by the other guests.
There's a VIP box that's a bit more secluded, called The Royal Box, where you can enjoy everything the lounge has to offer, including some additional privacy.
Or, if you're feeling more energized, you can head to the Zen Den, where you'll find space for both relaxation and exercising, complete with workout equipment.
The lounge has showers and changing rooms so you can freshen up after a long day of travel, or if you just want to shed your work clothes for something more comfortable.
How to Access Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses
Most airline premium lounges are usually reserved for the most exclusive flyers in premium cabins or those travelers with top-tier elite status. Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse locations are no exception, but they do offer some alternative ways to access them.
When flying or connecting:
- Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic, plus a guest traveling with Virgin Atlantic or Delta.
- Delta One on a Delta Air Lines international flight.
- Connecting on international flights, on the same itinerary, on the same day.
With status:
- Flying Club Gold members plus a guest flying internationally with Virgin Atlantic or Delta Air Lines.
- SkyTeam Elite Plus members flying Virgin Atlantic or Delta Air Lines, plus a guest flying on the same flight.
- Virgin Australia Velocity Club Gold, Platinum, and The Club cardholders flying on Virgin Atlantic.
- Air New Zealand Gold or Elite members flying on Virgin Atlantic.
With Priority Pass or Lounge Key membership:
It's worth noting that Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse locations in New York Kennedy, San Francisco, and Washington Dulles are all accessible with a Priority Pass and Lounge Key memberships. Access is granted within 3 hours of scheduled departure on your boarding pass — so no squatting allowed. No additional charge is collected at these three locations.
How to Access the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX
Starting at the end of April 2025, you no longer need to be flying in a premium cabin — or even on Virgin's own planes or partners — to gain access. As long as you have a Priority Pass or Lounge Key membership, you're invited to go in… albeit with an additional fee.
The top-up fee is $35 to access all of the Clubhouse's amenities. Just think of it as a co-pay. If your Priority Pass or Lounge Key allows guests, you can bring them, but each guest pays the extra entry fee.
Is the co-pay worth it?
Paying more for lounge access, despite already having a membership, isn't ideal, but I’d likely still do it.
The lounge offers à la carte dining, table service, and an impressive cocktail bar. There are also showers to refresh after travel and quieter areas to get work done. I could see myself booking a longer layover just to enjoy the full lounge experience. And yes, I’d want to get my money’s worth.
If you’ve been to an airport, you know a beer and a fried meal can cost over $35 per person. So, the co-pay for the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse isn't too unjustifiable.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
Bottom Line
The newest Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX Tom Bradley International is now part of Priority Pass. This is great news, even though it requires an additional fee to enter. Airport restaurants often charge high prices for questionable food. In contrast, the lounge offers a quieter, cleaner, and less crowded space. It can be a great place to relax, work, or enjoy a bite to eat.
Just make sure you have enough time to enjoy the lounge experience to make it worth the additional charge.
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