Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Los Angeles Lounge
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Los Angeles is a great light bright airport lounge.
In the morning it operates in 'Priority Pass mode' when anyone can buy access. In the afternoon, there is access to Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers only.
Los Angeles Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge review
Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse lounge in Los Angeles operates in two modes.
In the morning before midday, it accepts all passengers with Priority Pass and other lounge membership cards. In the afternoon it is just for Upper Class (business class) passengers and those with frequent flyer cards.
Firstly though you have to find the lounge. There are few signs for it after security. Instead, head half way along Terminal 2, and then go up the staircase in the middle of the concourse, or take the lift marked to the Delta Sky Club. Oddly, there are no signs to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse even though it will take you straight there.
Virgin Atlantic has invested over £2.5m in its latest Clubhouse lounge, and Slade Architecture designed the 4,000 square foot lounge, which boasts original works by British artists, a slight tint of gold which the airline assures us "reflect the famous L.A. sunshine". It occupies the old Air New Zealand lounge space, and as such it has great panoramic windows overlooking the iconic Hollywood sign and the mountains beyond. Looks somewhat to the left about 30 degrees when you are looking straight out of the windows.
On one wall there is an installation by California-based digital artist Diana Reichenbach, whose work is shown alongside a hand drawn mural from British artist, Vic Lee. Indeed, much of the Virgin lounge takes its design influences from the USA's west coast landscape and also incorporates artwork from British artists in the dining area.
Food
Premium food is not available between 5am and Midday. Nope, at this time, there is a very simple buffet with yoghurt, Corn Flakes and bread with a do it yourself toaster. IF you arrive early enough there are bagels and cream cheese nearby, and some very nice few pastries.
And yet in the evenings, The Virgin Atlantic food and drink concept for the Clubhouse itself takes inspiration from the clean, healthy west coast lifestyle. The idea is to have a tasting snack menu, which the airline says "allows customers to taste and share several dishes, creating a relaxed, sociable atmosphere".
The menu comes from Hinoki and the Bird, one of LA's most exciting and innovative restaurants, which capitalises on the produce available throughout California.
Despite this one of the most popular items in the lounge is the Clubhouse burger. It comes with tomato chutney, cheese, lettuce, English mustard mayonnaise, and pickled cucumber. Naturally there are chips with ketchup on the side.
The formal dining area is at the far end of the lounge, with a few tables lining the windows, but these go very quickly. Never the less you can eat at any place in the lounge.
Bar
Poor when in Priority Pass mode.
However in Virgin Atlantic mode the curtains over the copper-lined bar are drawn back and it becomes a key part of the Los Angeles Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. The bar features natural Californian produce and plants as well as Virgin Atlantic's iconic bar service featuring fabulous cocktails.
Californian brand The Juicery provide healthy juice options infused with seeds and spices.
Don't miss the the airline's signature Clubhouse cocktail, called a Virgin Redhead. With sparkling wine, Bombay Sapphire Gin and fresh raspberries, it is amazing.
Business Facilities
Free wifi, and it is quite fast. However the lounge wifi is quite fickle and sometimes doesn't connect to devices. The lounge staff have a sheet of A4 with troubleshooting information listing many devices.Bathrooms
In Lounge, and these have a certain wow factor: just check out the tiles!There are also showers.
Access
In the morning it operates in 'Priority Pass mode' when anyone can buy access. In the afternoon, there is access to Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers only.
Priority Pass and other lounge memberships are only permitted to access the lounge between 5:00 am - 10:30 am each day. At these times, only basic alcoholic beverages are available, with just some basic beer and wine between 0500-1000. Premium food is not available to Priority Pass members.
The new Virgin Atlantic Los Angeles clubhouse lounge is open from 1500 to 2200 daily, now that Virgin Atlantic are now increasing flights to Los Angeles, and fly three times a day.
Video: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
