Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Heathrow Review: The Ultimate 2025 Guide

We've used the Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow several times over the past couple of years, and honestly, it's spoiled us. Not in a champagne-and-caviar way (though there is champagne), but in the "oh god, we have to use a normal lounge now?" kinda way.

There are only five Virgin Clubhouses worldwide: Heathrow, JFK, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Johannesburg, with LA opening in 2025. We haven't ticked off the others yet, but Heathrow remains the flagship for good reason. It's massive, it's stylish, and crucially, it makes the whole airport experience feel less like a chore.

Here's why we love it, and what you need to know before your next Upper Class flight from Heathrow.

Jump to the good bits

Getting In: The Upper Class Wing Makes All the Difference
The Clubhouse Itself: Style That Actually Functions
The Food: Proper Meals, Not Sad Sandwiches
The Bar: Legendary for a Reason
Showers, WiFi, and Other Practicalities
What's Changed (and What Hasn't)
Who Can Get In
Do we love the Virgin Club House? The Verdict

Getting In: The Upper Class Wing Makes All the Difference

We've experienced both entry routes into the Clubhouse, and there's a clear winner.

The Upper Class Wing offers a separate entrance with private security, getting you from car to Clubhouse in roughly 10 minutes. When your car pulls up (you need to arrive by car or taxi for the full experience), Virgin staff meet you, take your bags, process check-in, and guide you through their private security channel. No queues. No stress. Just straight through.

If arriving by public transport, you can still access the private security line by checking in at Zone A in the main terminal, then taking a lift up to the Upper Class Wing. It's not quite as seamless as the car drop-off, but you still skip the main terminal security chaos.

The Details:

• From car drop-off to lounge: 8-12 minutes
• Staff assistance: Full service from curb to security
• Public transport option: Available via Zone A check-in
• Queue times: Virtually none vs 30-45 min standard security
• Bag handling: Staff escort luggage through entire process

WORTH IT? Yes, absolutely. The Upper Class Wing alone justifies booking a car instead of taking the Tube. Standard Terminal 3 security can take 45 minutes during morning peaks. The Wing takes 10.

The Clubhouse Itself: Style That Actually Functions

The Clubhouse occupies a huge space in Terminal 3, featuring multiple seating zones, floor-to-ceiling windows with runway views, and an outdoor rooftop terrace. It doesn't feel claustrophobic despite the size, mainly because Virgin has broken it up into distinct areas.

There's the main bar (more on that shortly), the brasserie with proper table service, work stations with plenty of plugs, a TV lounge with comfy chairs, and upstairs, a games room with a pool table. Not bad for an airport lounge.

There are plenty of red accents (it's Virgin, after all), ficus trees, and Eames chairs. It's stylish without being pretentious, which is a tricky balance to strike.

The rooftop garden offers fresh air and close-up views of aircraft taking off. Perfect for a pre-flight wander when you need five minutes away from screens. We've spent more time out there than we'd like to admit, watching A350s taxi and sipping coffee.

Space Breakdown:

• Main lounge area: 200+ seats across multiple zones
• Brasserie: Table service dining with 60+ covers
• Rooftop terrace: Outdoor seating with runway views
• Work stations: Dedicated desks with power outlets
• TV lounge: Comfy armchairs with large screens
• Games room: Pool table upstairs (yes, really)
• Bar: Full-service cocktail bar with signature drinks

Best seats? Window tables in the brasserie for runway views, or any of the outdoor terrace spots when weather permits. The work stations are properly quiet if you need to get things done.

The Food: Proper Meals, Not Sad Sandwiches

This is where the Clubhouse properly stands out from other airport lounges. You can order from their full à la carte menu whether you're seated in the brasserie or anywhere else in the lounge. Just scan the QR code at your table. No getting up. No queuing at a buffet. They bring everything to you.

The menu changes throughout the day (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner), and the quality is consistently good. We've had everything from full English breakfasts to chicken tikka masala to berry pavlova, and it's all been several notches above standard lounge fare.

Vegan, vegetarian, and kosher options are always available. If you've got allergies or specific dietary needs, the staff are genuinely helpful about accommodating them. Just ask.

There's also a small self-service buffet with salads, cheese, and cold cuts if you prefer to graze, but honestly, the table service is the whole point. Why queue when someone will bring it to you?

What we've ordered:

• Breakfast: Full English with poached eggs, smoked salmon with crème fraîche, avocado toast
• Lunch: Chicken tikka masala, beef burger with proper chips, Caesar salad
• Dinner: Pan-fried sea bass, vegetarian gnocchi, sticky toffee pudding
• Service time: 10-15 minutes from order to table

WORTH IT? Yes. The food quality alone makes arriving early worthwhile. This isn't airport food. It's restaurant food that happens to be in an airport.

The Bar: Legendary for a Reason

The bar stocks a fantastic list of spirits, and their signature cocktail is the Virgin Redhead (vodka, peach, cranberry, and champagne). It's become a pre-flight ritual for us. Everything is complimentary, from beer and wine to cocktails and premium spirits.

The bar staff are excellent. Friendly, efficient, and genuinely seem to enjoy what they do. It's a small thing, but it makes a difference when you're being served by someone who remembers your order from last time.

What's on offer:

• Champagne: Ayala Brut Majeur or Laurent-Perrier
• Wine: Decent selection of reds, whites, and rosés
• Spirits: Premium brands across gin, vodka, whisky, rum
• Cocktails: Full cocktail menu including Virgin Redhead signature
• Beer: Peroni, local craft options
• Soft drinks: Full range including fresh juices

Service style: Table service throughout the lounge or order directly at the bar. Bartenders will make anything you fancy, not just what's on the menu.

WORTH IT? The cocktails alone would cost £50+ at a London bar. Here, they're included. We've never had a bad drink.

Showers, WiFi, and Other Practicalities

There are five shower rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis. We've never had to wait more than 10 minutes, even during busy morning departures. They're clean, well-stocked with toiletries (Cowshed products), and come with proper towels, not those paper-thin things you get at budget hotels.

The WiFi is fast and reliable. We've had Teams calls from the work station area without any issues. There are power outlets everywhere, so you're never hunting for somewhere to charge your phone or laptop.

The practical details:

• WiFi speed: Fast enough for video calls and streaming
• Power outlets: USB and standard UK plugs at every table
• Shower wait time: Typically under 10 minutes
• Toiletries: Cowshed shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion
• Towels: Proper bath towels and hand towels
• Access time: Three hours before departure
• Capacity: Rarely feels uncomfortably busy

Work facilities:

• Dedicated work stations with desks and task lighting
• Multiple quiet zones away from the bar and TV areas
• Printing services available (ask at reception)
• Meeting rooms bookable for business calls

WORTH IT? If you've got an early morning flight and need to freshen up, the showers are brilliant. The WiFi is better than most hotel business centres.

What's Changed (and What Hasn't)

The lounge has opened up to more SkyTeam members since Virgin joined the alliance in March 2023, which was a concern. Would it become overcrowded like some BA lounges?

Virgin has kept access tightly controlled to maintain the experience. We've visited mainly on weekday mornings and occasional weekend afternoons, and whilst it does get busy around 9-11am, it's never felt uncomfortably packed. There are always seats available somewhere, even if your first choice spot is taken.

What's improved:

• Menu variety has expanded with more vegan and vegetarian options
• Bar service has gotten even better with more staff during peak times
• The outdoor terrace has new furniture and heating lamps for cooler months

What's stayed the same (thankfully):

• The Upper Class Wing private security remains just as efficient
• Food quality hasn't dropped despite increased capacity
• Staff friendliness and service standards are consistent
• The signature Virgin warmth that makes this lounge special

Who Can Get In

Access is granted to Upper Class passengers on Virgin Atlantic (plus one guest flying Virgin or Delta), Delta One passengers, Flying Club Gold members, and Delta Diamond and Platinum Medallion members. Flying Blue Platinum members travelling in Premium Economy or higher can also access the lounge.

If you don't qualify, Priority Pass holders we've covered the benefits of the American Express Platinum Card here can access Terminal 3's My Lounge or No1 Lounge instead.

Guest policy: Upper Class passengers can bring one guest who must also be flying Virgin or Delta that day. The guest doesn't need to be in Upper Class.

Access window: Three hours before departure. This doesn't apply if you're connecting through Heathrow on separate tickets without flying Virgin or Delta on your onward journey.

Do we love the Virgin Club House? The Verdict

We genuinely look forward to arriving at Heathrow when we're flying Upper Class, which is not a sentence we ever thought we'd write about an airport experience.

It's comfortably the best business class lounge we've experienced at a UK airport. The Upper Class Wing makes the whole thing worthwhile. Private security alone justifies the effort of booking a car instead of taking the Tube. Add in proper restaurant-quality food, excellent drinks service, comfortable seating across multiple zones, and that rooftop terrace with runway views, and you've got a lounge that actually enhances your journey rather than just providing somewhere to kill time.

What makes it special:

• Private security through the Upper Class Wing (8-12 minutes vs 45 minutes standard)
• Restaurant-quality à la carte dining with table service anywhere in the lounge
• Proper cocktails made by bartenders who actually care
• Staff who remember you and genuinely seem happy to help
• Multiple distinct zones so you can work, relax, or socialise
• Rooftop terrace with actual fresh air and plane spotting

What could be better:

• Shower availability during peak times (though we've never waited long)
• Some seating areas can get busy between 9-11am on weekdays
• Distance to gates if you're flying from the far end of Terminal 3

Worth arriving early for? Absolutely. Not because you need to, but because you'll want to. We typically arrive two to two and a half hours before boarding just to enjoy the Clubhouse properly.

If you're flying Virgin Upper Class from Heathrow, this is one of the best parts of the journey. Book that early car. Order the Virgin Redhead. Sit on the terrace. Watch the planes. This is what airport lounges should be.

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