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Virgin Atlantic has long been known for its small, but distinctive, portfolio of Clubhouse lounges.
Whilst many airlines seek to adopt a consistent design theme across their lounges, Virgin has always pursued a unique identify for each lounge. Here are some now former Clubhouses, as the airline has either suspended routes or closed lounges.
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Boston Logan International Airport
Boston was the first airport where Virgin Atlantic launched a Clubhouse outside the UK, in 1993. A Virgin Touch salon was added in May 1997.
The last Clubhouse lounge in Boston, unfortunately located in the basement of Terminal E with no natural light, is now closed.
Designed by Bergmeyer Associates, the main lounge featured leather and mohair banquette seating across one wall and Arne Jacobsen-designed swan chairs. The lounge also included a separate brasserie and deli.
Hong Kong International Airport
Virgin Atlantic’s first Clubhouse in Hong Kong International Airport opened in July 1998.
A new Clubhouse designed by Collaborate opened in December 2004. It closed in February 2017 after Virgin decided not to renew its lease.
London Gatwick South Terminal
Virgin opened an Upper Class lounge at Gatwick in May 1990, to coincide with launch of a new route to Los Angeles.
The first Clubhouse branded lounge opened at Gatwick in September 1998. As well as a bar, spa, showers, business centre, and study, the 2,200 square feet lounge also included an observation room with telescopes, a games room and cinema.
A revamped Clubhouse opened on 23 December 2009. At 795 square feet it featured a restaurant & lounge with leather-clad Eames dining chairs, an oak and granite clad bar, a Cowshed spa and internal rock garden, entertainment lounge & business area, snug and family area.
London Gatwick North Terminal
Virgin’s last Clubhouse at Gatwick opened in the North Terminal in January 2017 following a reorganisation of airlines at the airport.
Lounge features included a marble bar, dining area with complimentary brunch menu, floor to ceiling windows with views of the airport’s apron, a woodland themed play area and a Clubhouse spa.
The lounge closed in 2020 after Virgin withdrew all flights from Gatwick.
London Heathrow Terminal 3
After Virgin secured access to London Heathrow in 1991, it opened its first Clubhouse branded lounge in 1993.
Designed by the late Rodney Fitch, the 900 square metre lounge was separated into zones, likened to rooms in a house. Lounge features included a library, a video games area, a sound proofed music room, a barber & beauty therapy area. Another unique feature was a train set with trains carrying snacks for passengers.
This underwent a refurbishment in 1996 with the addition of “drive thru” check-in for Upper Class passengers.
The current Clubhouse, designed by Softroom, opened in two phases from March 2006, extending into space formerly occupied by Air Canada next door. This also coincided with the opening of a new Upper Class Wing at Terminal 3, dubbed by Virgin at the time as a “terminal within a terminal”.
Los Angeles Terminal 2
Virgin’s former Clubhouse at Terminal 2 of Los Angeles International Airport opened in April 2015.
Designed by Slade Architecture the 4,000 sq ft triangular shaped Los Angeles clubhouse offered views of the airport’s apron and Hollywood Hills.
The lounge was lined by a sculpted Corian and copper Flow Wall that featured a copper lined bar. Lounge furniture included Swan chairs by Arne Jacobsen, Walter Knoll Turtle chairs, Eames chairs, and a surfboard inspired counter sculpted from layers of bamboo.
At the apex of the lounge was a pre-flight dining area lined with bamboo walls and a video installation by artist Diana Reichenbach.
Manchester
Not so much a former Clubhouse, but one that didn’t come to fruition.
In 2019, when Virgin had significant ambitions to grow at Manchester following the collapse of Thomas Cook, it announced plans to open a new Clubhouse the following year.
This was scrapped following COVID-19.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Virgin’s first Clubhouse at Newark opened in July 1996.
The most recent design was by Slade Architecture in 2012. It closed in 2020 after Virgin suspended what was its first transatlantic destination.
New York JFK
Virgin’s first Clubhouse at New York JFK opened in November 1995.
Another Clubhouse, opened in Terminal 1 in May 2000 with a 14 feet high and 120 feet wide view of the airfield.
Virgin’s first lounge at Terminal 4, opened in 2004 and was located landslide. Designed by ShoP Architects, unlike most airport lounges this was not fully enclosed.
The 7,000 square foot lounge featured a waterfall where the water tumbled into a 90 foot L shaped pool, intended to mask the noise from the terminal. Also featured was furniture from Pierre Paulin, Eero Saarinen and Charles & Ray Eames.
The current Clubhouse, designed by Slade Architecture, opened in 2012.
Tokyo Narita
Virgin Atlantic first Clubhouse at Tokyo Narita opened in May 1999.
The last lounge designed by Klein Dytham architecture opened in 2007. It featured a graphic bamboo forest and anime images by Japanese artist and director Koji Morimoto. Virgin suspended its route to Tokyo Narita on 31 January 2015.
