Virgin Atlantic has revealed the first phase of a redesign of its Heathrow Clubhouse, introducing new spaces and services aimed at improving the pre-flight experience for Upper Class passengers.
The updated Heathrow Clubhouse now includes a private VIP area called the Royal Box, a redesigned cinema, dedicated work pods and a refreshed Gallery space overlooking the runway. The airline has also added new wellness features, including meditation pods and spa treatments, as it places greater focus on how passengers spend time before boarding.
The Royal Box is an invitation-only area designed as a secluded retreat within the Heathrow Clubhouse. It features runway views and a central table described as a “Cabinet of Curiosities”, where guests can find changing food and drink options including sweets and champagne. The design draws on references to popular culture and the airline’s brand identity, with a strong use of red throughout the space.
For passengers who want to work before a flight, the Heathrow Clubhouse now offers two new work pod studios called The Townhouse and The Manor. These are named after historic Virgin Records studios and include desks, power points and visual details inspired by music production spaces. Each pod also features “on air” signs that indicate when the space is in use.
The Gallery, which is one of the most popular areas in the Heathrow Clubhouse, has been redesigned to accommodate more guests while maintaining views of the runway. The space includes a mix of seating options for individuals, groups and business travellers.
Its design references London’s transport system and incorporates artworks by UK-based artists, including pieces made from recycled materials such as a former inflight magazine. Lighting has been produced in the UK and is designed to create a warmer atmosphere, while added planting and acoustic features aim to improve comfort.
The cinema has also been updated, with a focus on creating a quieter and more immersive environment. Inspired by private screening rooms in London, the space includes improved sound through acoustic panels, as well as seating with built-in charging points and access to screens via Bluetooth headphones.
Alongside these design changes, Virgin Atlantic is testing new wellness services in the Heathrow Clubhouse. Until May 31, 2026, passengers can use Somadomes, which are enclosed pods offering guided meditation combined with light and sound therapy. Each session lasts around 20 minutes and is designed to help travellers relax before flying.
The airline has also partnered with Secret Spa to offer treatments such as massages, facials and manicures until April 30. Therapists use products from brands including OSKIA and OPI, as well as Korean beauty products, reflecting the airline’s new route to Seoul. These services are available to book within the Heathrow Clubhouse.
Juha Jaervinen, chief customer officer at Virgin Atlantic, says: “The Clubhouse is an iconic part of the Virgin Atlantic experience, and we’re proud to be unveiling a bold new chapter at Heathrow. This investment reflects our commitment to continually innovating for our customers, combining wellbeing, entertainment and /distinctive design in a way only Virgin Atlantic can.
"From our Royal Box to our new wellness partnerships, we’ve reimagined the pre-flight experience to deliver something truly memorable. And this is just the beginning - with even more exciting plans to come, including new ways for guests to make the most of plane spotting while soaking up the London sunshine from our roof terrace.”
The Heathrow Clubhouse redesign forms part of a broader strategy by airlines to improve ground experiences as well as onboard products. By adding spaces for relaxation, work and entertainment, Virgin Atlantic is aiming to offer a more varied airport experience that reflects changing passenger expectations.
Emirates, the world's largest international airline, has opened a new luxury lounge at London Stansted Airport, marking a significant expansion of its premium services in the UK.
The £4 million investment showcases the airline's commitment to enhancing customer experience both in the air and on the ground.
The 900-square-metre facility, capable of accommodating up to 125 guests, is now available to First and Business Class passengers, as well as Emirates Skywards members.
This addition brings Emirates' total number of dedicated lounges in the UK to six, ensuring that premium customers at all London airports served by the airline can enjoy world-class hospitality before boarding.
Mohammed Mattar, divisional senior vice president Airport Services at Emirates, says: "Emirates has been serving London Stansted since 2018, and the airport remains a very important gateway for our customers across the southern region of the UK. The new lounge is a testament to our brand promise of always flying customers better – in the air and on-ground."
The lounge, situated in Satellite 1 adjacent to the departure gates, offers a range of amenities including new furnishings, dedicated seating areas for dining and relaxation, complimentary wifi, and shower facilities.
A unique feature is its proximity to the aircraft, with a short two-three minute walk to boarding.
In a nod to local partnerships, Emirates has collaborated with Sussex-based Full Circles Farms to introduce a "farm to table" food concept in the lounge.
This initiative promises seasonal menus featuring fresh, organic vegetables and locally-sourced dishes, alongside premium spirits, fine wines and Moet & Chandon champagnes.
Gareth Powell, managing director at Stansted Airport, says: "The opening of Emirates' new world-class lounge is fantastic news for London Stansted and passengers using Emirates services to Dubai and beyond, and once again demonstrates the airline's commitment to the airport and the wider region."
The launch of this lounge comes as Emirates continues to strengthen its presence in the UK, a market it has served since 1987.
The airline currently operates 133 weekly flights to the country, including a double-daily Boeing 777 service to and from London Stansted.
British Airways’ highly anticipated Whispering Angel bar, located in the airline’s lounge in Terminal 5 at the B gates, has opened in time for the peak summer season.
British Airways is the first airline to have a bespoke Whispering Angel bar, allowing customers to enjoy a chilled glass of the popular rosé wine that originates from the Provence vineyards of Château d’Esclans before their flight.
The opening of the exclusive bar marks the first phase of British Airways’ continued refresh of this lounge over the summer months, which will include new and reupholstered furniture across the lounge, as well as a new layout.
Across the rest of the airline’s Club (business class) lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick, eligible British Airways customers can enjoy the Pale rosé, which is produced by the same winemakers as Whispering Angel. Whispering Angel is currently available in British Airways’ Concorde, First and Club lounges.
Calum Laming, British Airways’ chief customer officer, says: “We are really excited to open the doors on our new original Whispering Angel bar, just in time for the start of the summer season. What’s more, the opening coincides with the exciting news that customers now have the option to pre-order Whispering Angel across all short-haul flights, to take the experience with them, from the ground to the skies.”
The Château d'Esclans team says: “We are ecstatic to finally be able to share our beautiful Whispering Angel bar with British Airways’ customers, and bring a touch of glamour to Heathrow as the world’s most glamorous rosé. We look forward to travellers being able to enjoy a delicious glass of Whispering Angel before they fly, in a space that really embodies the effortlessly chic nature of our brand.”
Elsewhere, the airline has introduced a rosé in its First cabin with Whispering Angel’s big brother, Rock Angel, now available for customers for three months and boasting more structure than its younger sibling.
Customers travelling on short-haul flights can also get a taste of Château d’Esclans’ creations, as Whispering Angel’s Provence rosé is now available to pre-purchase through the airline’s newly branded High Life Café (previously Speedbird Café), giving customers the option to taste a hint of summer whether they are travelling to Europe or further afield.
The Whispering Angel partnership adds to an expansive premium drinks offering, following British Airways’ appointment of a full time Master of Wine, one of only 415 in the world and believed to be the only one appointed by an airline.
In elevation of the onboard wine offerings to customers, in March 2023 British Airways introduced four new English Sparkling Wines served on board. Each wine is available on a quarterly rotation, changing every three months to customers travelling in Club World, including the current Champagne resident Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Silver Top Non-Vintage Champagne, and now an exclusive English Sparkling Wine option.
Château d’Esclans’ Whispering Angel boasts a delicate Provençal pink hue, spoiling customers with sun-kissed creamy flavours of peach and raspberries, with refreshing citrus undertones and a smooth, dry finish.
[dropcap size=big]V[/dropcap]irgin Holidays is planning to launch the world’s first seaside airport lounge, the Departure Beach, allowing travellers to enjoy the final hours of their vacation swimming in the Caribbean instead of at the airport waiting lounge or hotel lobby.
Located on Brownes Beach in Barbados, the Virgin-branded Departure Beach will have a private air conditioned lounge for keeping cool, a premium bathroom with showers, a beach bar and restaurant, and even Virgin Atlantic check-in desks.
Given the fact that most people have to check-out at midday and flights often aren’t until the evening, the final day of a holiday can be ruined when there is no where for people to refresh before the journey home or properly relax.
According to Virgin Holidays, this “lost day” is expected to account for a total of 2.4 million hours of British holiday-makers time annually. As the average British long-haul holiday is ten days – it equates to a solid 10 per cent of holidays being spent hanging around in hotel lobbies or dragging heavy luggage around city streets.
While business and first class passengers can use dedicated lounges with showers and free champagne in the airport, the Departure Beach is the first of its kind worldwide for a tour operator, and offers access to the sea.
Customers who wish to use the facility simply need to add it to their booking any point prior to departure. A Virgin Holiday transfer will then pick holidaymakers up from their hotel after breakfast and take their hold luggage to the airport. They can then check-in for their flight at the beach, pick up their boarding pass and relax.
Free beach towels are provided, along with a plastic bag to put anything wet into, as well as premium shower facilities.
When it comes to boarding, dedicated Virgin Holidays staff will collect travellers for their transfer at the correct time for seamless processing through the airport.
Nicki Goldsmith, head of Caribbean and worldwide product at Virgin Holidays, says: “Virgin Holidays has consistently launched ‘world-first’ concepts, and this latest innovation is no different.
"We believe that a holiday should be a pleasure from beginning to end and have been working hard to ensure we’ve removed as many pain-points as possible for our customers. We can’t wait to launch this very exciting development next year, and hope our customers are as excited about it as we are.”
Cheryl Carter of Barbados Tourism Marketing said: “Virgin Holidays is the largest British tour operator to Barbados with daily Virgin Atlantic flights departing from London Gatwick and multiple flights each week from Manchester and London Heathrow.
“We’re thrilled that they’ve chosen Barbados to pioneer such a revolutionary concept – and as it’s situated on one of the most picturesque beaches on the island why would you choose to waste that last day of your holiday?”
Construction for the Departure Beach will commence soon, with the facility due to open in May 2018. Entry is free for any customers staying at Savannah Beach in Barbados or those on a Cruise that terminates in Barbados. Other Virgin Holidays customers can add the Departure Beach to their booking for an opening promotional price of £20 per adult and £15 per child.
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