My Favorite Airport Lounge: the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow (REVIEW)

A recent mileage run to London gave me the opportunity to visit my favorite airport lounge: the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow Airport. The food is great, cocktails delicious, and service fantastic inside a fun atmosphere with plenty of seating.

Certain Delta flyers receive complimentary access and can take advantage of this amazing club.

This was my second time visiting the LHR Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse — and I already can’t wait for my third.

Gaining Access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR

Travel credit cards won’t score you admission to the Virgin Clubhouse. But all is not lost.

Select Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines passengers may enter. 

• Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers (with same-day tickets)
• Delta One passengers (with same-day tickets)
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members (with same-day tickets)
• Delta Diamond and Platinum Medallion members traveling on a same-day Delta or Virgin Atlantic nonstop transatlantic flight between the U.K. and North America, regardless of fare class. Plus, you can bring a guest! Make sure to bring your Medallion membership card to show proof of status, just in case.

So DMs and PMs taking the Virgin Atlantic mileage runs should be able to spend a some time in the Clubhouse.

Where is the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR?

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is located inside Terminal 3.

Adjacent right of the Sky Priority check-in desk is an elevator (lift) designated for invited guests.

This elevator takes you to a private security screening area separate from the general security cluster.

You’ll likely be sped through security in about five minutes. As the woman in front of me learned, this isn’t the US and Heathrow security doesn’t care if you have PreCheck. You must remove anything bigger than a cell phone (tablets and laptops) and any liquids and sprays must fit into a small bag.

From there, follow the “Lounges” signs. The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is located in lounge space “H.”

After about five-ish minutes, you’ll hang a left and see this sign.

Take the elevator/lift to the second floor.

There’s a sofa inside the elevator in case you need a take a load off during the brief ride.

Take a left out of the elevators and you’ll see this sexy beast:

Proceed to the check-in area and present your boarding pass to one of the friendly agents working the door.

Walk into the enormous lounge and enjoy!

Inside the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR

This place is massive. You’ll find pretty much any chair and setting for your needs, where it be lounging by yourself, visiting with friends, dining, or working.

The customer service staff announces when Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines flights begin boarding. Just a heads-up that your Fly Delta app while probably say your flight is boarding about a half-hour before it actually does — so don’t hurry off to your gate.

There’s also an outdoor patio and games room. You can literally spend hours having fun here.

There are eight private restrooms: four for men, and four for women. (Although the place is so darn big there could be more I didn’t find)

Food and Beverage at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR

Arrive hungry. And thirsty.

Plenty of food and beverages await you inside the Clubhouse.

There’s a staffed buffet with cheeses and smoked meats.

There’s also cereal, oatmeal, and yogurt.

And the usual selection of fruits you’ll find at most airport lounges.

The Clubhouse’s ham (buried under the bread) and Swiss cheese could be the best I’ve ever tasted.

A friendly, prompt table staff serves food and drinks you can order off a menu. All of it is complimentary and you can order as much as you want (within reason, I guess).

I’ve visited only during breakfast hours — but was darn tempted to miss my flight and stay for lunch.

Here’s what a friend and I enjoyed during my visits.

When I asked if there’s a specialty drink I should try, the served asked, “Well, sir, do you fancy a Virgin Redhead?”

There’s just no good way to answer that question. The staff seems to take special delight in asking guests if they do, in fact, want a Virgin Redhead.

A Virgin Redhead, it turns out, is the Clubhouse’s signature cocktail.

It’s very strong. The drink packs punches of sweet and tart. It consists of:

Bombay Sapphire Gin
Fresh lemon juice
Cassis
Framboise
Raspberry puree
Simple syrup

Here’s a look at the menu:

There’s sort of a “porch” area behind the bar. It’s slightly quieter than the rest of the lounge and offers some decent planespotting.

Pamper Yourself at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR!

Desperately need a haircut before departing London? Want to get a massage or other treatment while waiting for your flight? The Clubhouse has sort of a pop-up spa and an Aveda salon on-premises.

Services may be paid by money (via credit or debit card only) or Flying Club miles.

Here’s a look at the menu:

Sad To Leave

I was excited for my LHR to ATL flight because it gave me another opportunity to review Delta’s new Main Cabin international experience. But I was bummed to leave the Virgin Clubhouse. This honestly is a “destination lounge.”

Get to Heathrow hours early before your flight — simply to enjoy the Clubhouse.

— Chris