Virgin Atlantic unveils Clubhouse at LAX

Above: Emmy-award winning Alan Cumming lends his legendary voice to an exclusive bedtime story, guiding travelers on a relaxing journey through the Clubhouse.
Courtesy PRNewsfoto / Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd

Travelers can unwind at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is thoughtfully designed with wellness in mind,  with exclusive amenities, spaces and experiences tailored to enhance the preflight experience for eligible customers.

The Clubhouse, located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, is a multisensory 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.

Exclusive experiences
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 personalised welcome video from Virgin Atlantic founder, Sir Richard Branson, setting the stage for a curated experience.

Dining
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, including some designed to promote sleep and wellness, combining lion’s mane, magnesium, ashwagandha and L-theanine with an infusion of nature’s botanicals.

ReLAX and Unwind with Alan Cumming
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.

Alan Cumming said: "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. So I feel honoured 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."