Escape to Luxury: Unwinding in Style at Virgin Atlantic’s LAX Clubhouse

By Ethan Coolridge

Travelers looking to escape the hustle of La La Land can unwind in style at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Thoughtfully designed with wellness in mind, the lounge offers exclusive amenities, spaces and experiences tailored to enhance the preflight experience for eligible customers1.The Clubhouse, located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, is a multi-sensory experience designed to soothe the senses at twilight with thoughtful touches to aid relaxation. Paying homage to the City of Angels, the lounge features local artwork and sunset-inspired mood lighting to create a serene retreat. Day-to-night transitional lighting helps to align circadian rhythms, encouraging mindfulness and setting the stage for a restful journey on the airline’s three overnight flights to London Heathrow.

Guests can relax, work and dine in the Ruby Room, a Hollywood-inspired space with its own cinema featuring wireless headsets connected via Bluetooth, or retreat to The Royal Box, a destination for VIPs featuring adjustable mood lighting and a secret menu.

For those needing a quiet space to focus, The Wing‘s acoustically-sealed work pods nod to Virgin Records’ legacy, named after iconic studios like The Manor, Olympic Studios, and Sunset Sound, where legendary artists once recorded.

Spaces throughout invite cozy collaboration for those looking to get some work done before they depart. However they choose to spend their time, guests can stay connected throughout, with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and plenty of places to plug in.

The Zen Den is an immersive space featuring relaxation, movement and mindfulness sessions powered by the FORME Studio, an award-winning smart fitness mirror. A unique way to wind down, refresh, refocus or reenergise before crossing the Atlantic in style. Guests can explore three exclusive categories – Mind, Body, and Spirit – each offering a selection of guided sessions from FORME’s extensive library. The experience begins with a personalized welcome video from Virgin Atlantic founder, Sir Richard Branson, setting the stage for a curated experience.

When it’s time to spruce up, shower and body products from Flamingo Estate’s Garden Essentials collection elevate the sensory experience, including a Rosemary and Clary Sage Body Wash and Hand Soap, nourishing Rosemary Shampoo and Tulsi Conditioner, and Clary Sage and Ionian Bergamot Body Lotion. All products are made from natural ingredients, sourced from a network of over 125 farms using regenerative practices.

Those looking to fuel up before their flight can enjoy table service from their preferred spot, available at every seat. Guests will delight in signature dishes and wholesome options that cater to all dietary needs, including a tuna poke bowl, California roll, tofu pho, Californian fig salad and much more. Convenient and health-conscious bites like Mediterranean quinoa salad, raw vegetables and hummus, citrus kale salad, and trail mix are also available for self-serve at the brasserie.

The beverage menu features low and no-alcohol offerings like TRIP Mindful Blend, designed to promote sleep and wellness, combining lion’s mane, magnesium, ashwagandha and L-theanine with an infusion of nature’s botanicals. For those who prefer a more spirited wind down, cocktails crafted by Virgin Atlantic’s in-house mixologist include the Twisted Angel, created specifically for Angelinos, featuring Aperol and gin with a cheeky nod to the ethereal halo that lights the bar.

In celebration of the Clubhouse opening and to lull travelers into a pre-flight dream-like state, Virgin Atlantic has partnered with Actor and Emmy-winning TV Host Alan Cumming to narrate the airline’s first-ever original bedtime story. “ReLAX and Unwind with Alan Cumming” invites travelers to immerse themselves in a soothing narrative that highlights the personal touches of Virgin Atlantic’s in-flight experience, perfect for setting the tone for a restful flight.

“I travel between the US and the UK all the time, and I honestly adore a long-haul flight. It’s one of the few times I have just for myself and so I treat it like a spa day in the skies! I have a rule that I am not allowed to say no to anything I am offered (within reason of course- treachery is always a no!), so from the pre-flight champagne onwards everything is welcomed with open arms. And as the lights dim and I change into my PJs and fluff my pillows, I actually enjoy it more than bedtime at home,” said Cumming. “So I feel honored and agog at the idea of lending my voice to a story that will soothe and delight passengers as they’re sipping a cocktail or a cuppa, tucking themselves in and being lulled to dreamland in the skies on Virgin Atlantic flights going all over the world. See you in the Clubhouse. Mine’s a vodka martini!”

The opening of the LAX Clubhouse and partnership with Alan Cumming reflect a broader trend of American travelers seeking calm and relaxation before a flight. A recent survey by Virgin Atlantic found that 44% of Americans are anxious about getting good rest on flights, and 59% use stories, podcasts, or meditations to unwind before they travel. With the LAX Clubhouse, Virgin Atlantic continues to offer a premium experience, personalized to help travelers relax and recharge before they take to the skies

“We’re bringing the Clubhouse experience to the West Coast with new spaces and surprises that are unique to Los Angeles. Everything about the Clubhouse at LAX is intentionally designed and pays homage to both our British roots and local Los Angeles tastes. LA is a global hub for wellness, and this new Clubhouse caters uniquely to that mindset in a way that only Virgin Atlantic can. Who else has a Zen Den and Alan Cumming reading a bedtime story in The Royal Box? It is so us to add a little fun and flair, our awesome team can’t wait to pamper our LA guests before they cross the Atlantic in style.”

Virgin Atlantic is a purpose-led organization, driven by the belief that everyone can take on the world. Bold in its ambition and grounded in the responsibility to do what’s right for the communities it serves, Virgin Atlantic is proud to welcome active-duty firefighters with the Los Angeles Fire Department into the LAX Clubhouse before their flights as a thank you for their tireless service in recent months. Guests must be traveling the same day on a Virgin Atlantic operated flight and should be prepared to show their active-duty firefighter ID upon check in.*

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX is currently open daily from 11:30am PDT. For more details on the Clubhouse and hours of operation, visit the LAX Clubhouse page on VirginAtlantic.com.

Customers with the new Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard can collect Virgin Points towards their next reward flight across the pond with Virgin Atlantic. Los Angeles residents can also apply those points towards their next Virgin Voyage.