- Score: 👨🤝👨👨🤝👨👨🤝👨👨🤝👨 (4/5)
- Summary: Welcoming, Spacious, Indulgent ✈️
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?" 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.
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.
Joe in front of the Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class wing display at Heathrow Clubhouse
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 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. Pretty cool for a 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.
There's also 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.
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Lounge outdoor terrace at Heathrow with seating and runway views
The Food: Proper Meals, Not Sad Sandwiches
This is where the Clubhouse properly stands out. 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.
Breakfast dish served in the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Lounge at Heathrow
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.
The Bar: Legendary for a Reason
The bar stocks a fantastic list of spirits, and their signature cocktail is the Virgin Redhead. Everything is complimentary, from beer and wine to cocktails. Virgin tailors offerings to each location.
The bar staff are excellent. Friendly, efficient, and genuinely seem to enjoy what they do. It's a small thing, but it matters.
Joe drinking champagne in the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Lounge at Heathrow
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, 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.
Access is allowed from three hours before departure, though this doesn't apply if you're connecting through Heathrow. Plenty of time to settle in, eat, and decompress before your flight.
What's Changed (and What Hasn't)
The lounge has opened up to more SkyTeam members since Virgin joined the alliance, which was a concern. Would it become overcrowded? Virgin has kept access tightly controlled to maintain the experience. We've visited mainly on weekday mornings, and whilst it does get busy, it's never felt uncomfortably packed.
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, Delta Diamond and Platinum Medallions.
You can't buy your way in, which keeps the crowd smaller. 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.
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.
It's comfortably the best business class lounge we've experienced at a UK airport. Sorry, BA.
The Upper Class Wing makes the whole experience worthwhile. Private security alone justifies the effort of booking a car instead of taking the Tube. Add in proper food, excellent drinks, comfortable seating, and that rooftop terrace, and you've got a lounge that actually enhances your journey rather than just providing somewhere to kill time.
If you're flying Virgin Upper Class from Heathrow, arrive early. Not because you need to, but because you'll want to.
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