Opening of the New London Heathrow Clubhouse

In March 2006, we officially opened our redesigned Clubhouse at London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3, introducing a substantially expanded premium lounge experience for Upper Class passengers. The £11 million flagship facility was developed by our in-house design team in collaboration with London-based architectural practice Softroom, with interiors inspired by the atmosphere of a private members' club. The project built on our established Clubhouse concept, providing a more spacious and varied environment for passengers before their flights. The new Clubhouse brought together dining, relaxation, entertainment and personal services within a single facility. Features included a 14-metre cocktail bar, a brasserie, a cinema, a games area and a dedicated spa offering Cowshed treatments. Passengers could also use a hair salon, sauna, steam rooms and spa pool, alongside quieter areas for working or relaxing. Virgin Atlantic worked with Soho House on aspects of the service experience, complementing the architectural design with a hospitality-focused approach. The opening represented a substantial investment in our premium ground services, recognising that the airport experience was an important part of long-haul travel. By offering a wider range of facilities and personalised services, the redesigned Clubhouse gave passengers more choice in how they spent their time before departure and became the centrepiece of our Heathrow lounge offering.