What was supposed to be a smooth connection at Heathrow quickly turned into something else. Two hours and twenty minutes should be more than enough time between flights, but Heathrow has a life of its own. Security at Terminal 3 moved at a painstaking pace—around five minutes per person—so our buffer disappeared fast.
Read our review of the actual flight from London to New York with Virgin Upper Class.
Check-in and first impressions
Accessing the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse also took longer than expected. The system was slow, and we needed new boarding passes issued. Staff apologized several times as the clock kept ticking.
When we finally entered the lounge, it was already busy. As a family of four, finding seating can be challenging, but we eventually found a quiet corner in the back with comfortable chairs and a calmer atmosphere.
Fun detail: Richard Branson was sitting right there when we arrived.
Food and drinks at Virgin Clubhouse
Ordering food and drinks is done through a QR code menu, though there is also a counter where you can point and choose. We opted for burgers and drinks. The drinks arrived quickly, while the food took a bit longer than expected—long enough that we had to eat faster than we would’ve liked.
The burger was simple but tasty. Not gourmet, but definitely better than typical fast food. With more time, I think the food experience would have been even better—the Clubhouse is meant to be enjoyed slowly.
Atmosphere and Facilities
Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow is undeniably stylish, with a unique personality and plenty of character. It also feels distinctly British—part luxury, part quirky, occasionally bordering on tacky.
The bathrooms are excellent: clean, spacious, and well maintained. The food and drink selection is broad, appealing, and clearly a strong point of the lounge.
I did manage a quick lap around the lounge to take photos, explore, and even say hello to Richard Branson (as one does). And then our time was up.
Related reading: Review from The Points Guy
Departure and boarding Experience
Gate 17 is a decent walk down one of the piers, so we picked up the pace. Once we arrived, boarding started within two minutes. The boarding process is mentioned in the review of the flight.
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Conclusion: Is the Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow worth Iit?
Virgin Clubhouse is a genuinely impressive lounge—stylish, comfortable, and with a strong food and drinks offering. But to fully appreciate it, you need time. Our visit was shaped by slow security, delays at check-in, and a tight connection, all of which limited how much we could enjoy the space.
I’d gladly return—but next time, I’ll make sure Heathrow doesn’t steal half my lounge experience before I even get inside.