Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – Tom Bradley International Terminal
…Trendy space with nice amenities – at a cost for Priority Pass members, with access restricted during peak hours
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX is a great space with a cool LA vibe, great food, inventive décor and amenities. Priority pass members cannot access between 5 and 8 PM and must pay $35 to enjoy the all the lounge has to offer. Entry restricted to 3 hours before departure.
The summary
The lounge is on Floor 6 of the TBIT, right next to the Star Alliance lounge. From 5 to 8:00 PM, Priority Pass members are not admitted due to the timing of Virgin’s flights to London and the overall small space of the lounge.
The lounge is on Floor 6 of the TBIT, right next to the Star Alliance terminal. From 5 to 8:00 PM, Priority You cannot miss the red/purple of the Virgin Atlantic branding at entry. The staff politely explains access policy for Priority Pass members.
After reception, you will immediately notice the Virgin Atlantic (VA) vibe. The VA clubhouses look like no other lounges and resemble a cross between a sleek hotel bar, nightclub, and traditional airline/airport lounge. This lounge is nicer than its counterpart in San Francisco, which is notable considering the LAX clubhouse has no tarmac views. This lounge exemplifies how a designer can take a smaller enclosed space and make it special.
The small lounge is broken up into several areas, all characterized by a certain color -infused plush vibe. To the immediate right, there was a red room with BBC on the television, some comfortable seating, a reserved alcove, and a display called “retail therapy” – presumably offering items for sale.
Straight ahead was the bar and buffet. The bar is what you would expect from Virgin: it looks like a New York or London hotel bar. Not only are there charging stations throughout, but there are wireless charges on the bar! Kudos for the mocktail made by the bartender (pineapple included).
The buffet is modest in size but is the healthiest buffet I have ever come across: farro salad, popcorn, wild rice and veggie salad, nuts, mediterranean quinoa salad, chips (ok not the healthiest), and fresh fruit.
The main attraction is the made to order food that will be brought to wherever you are sitting (order via QR code). This type of made to order cooking is becoming more common. Since I ate at the Star Alliance Lounge, I did not order any food. I will include snapshots of the extensive menu. I appreciate the fact that there is a special menu for young travelers. I have not seen that anywhere else. Nor have I seen a made to order dessert menu,
Across from the bar – and to the left after reception – was another attractive seating area with tables and cool looking chairs. In addition, there were a few private phone rooms and offices in this area. I like when lounges have this feature – nothing is worse than hearing some yappy caller who never heard of a “library” voice.
Go past this seating area and your walk ends in a small hallway. Here you will find the washrooms, showers, and the “Zen” room. The Zen room is, as was explained, a quiet meditation and yoga room. Interestingly, to access the men’s shower, you must enter through the men’s washroom.
Whether it’s worth $35 (for up to 3 hours) to enjoy this lounge is up to the individual traveler, and the charge may set a bad precedent for Priority Pass. However, I prefer one up front charge as opposed to separate charges for elevated food, drinks, and a shower. It should be noted that with an Air France Lounge, a Delta Sky Club, a Delta One Lounge, and a Korean Air Lounge, Skyteam members now have many options at LAX.
The wrap
…The details. Date – May 10, 2025, Rating: Very fine. Access: Priority pass
..What I like: The décor, healthy buffet, outlet availability, made to order food.
..What I don’t like: The limited hours make it a challenge if you are departing from other terminals or ones not immediately adjacent to the TBIT
