Review: Virgin Atlantic Arrivals Lounge London Heathrow

I believe the American Arrivals in LHR T3 has a la carte dinning. The food was locally catered and pretty good!

I hope as last there about a year ago, pre-refresh, when it was dingy and depressing — as tired as most of us pax.

Good to see it’s been revamped: that looks a lot more inviting.

I won’t miss the “spa”: as a treat I had a wet shave there. She used a Bic razer which left odd clumps of stubble behind. Keep it simple.

*I was there last about a year ago.

Dunno what happened to mangle that sentence.

I've never been to an arrivals lounge. Do they give you flip flops for the shower, or are you expected to bring your own? Or do you YOLO and ignore the risks?

Nice review Ben. One question - If you have luggage (ie, more than just a carry-on), is there a secure place to keep it while using the lounge or do you need to have it with you at all times?

I was a the Virgin arrivals lounge in Sept, and while it doesn't have quite the swank factor as the Clubhouse, its still a great way to start the day after the red-eye in from the USA. I usually arrive Saturday morning, and never had to wait for a shower, the food is always solid and the employees couldn't be any friendlier.

@Lucky: They had just closed the Spa when I was there, and a lounge employee said they were converting the Spa space to more showers. They said that the wait for a shower during the week can be up to an hour.

Nice review, can't wait to see where you went next!

American Airlines Arrivals lounge at LHR is great great great

It looks like the only renovated changes are some new chairs and the red double-facing sofa. The menu may have a couple changes since I was last there in December.

@James S: No slippers are provided. I put a towel down.

This lounge sure puts Air France to shame. The CDG arrivals lounge is one or two terminals away from all the incoming US flights. They make it so difficult to find that pretty much nobody uses it.

@Michael F

There are cubbies up by the front where you can put your bags. its not locked/secured so its at your own risk. That being said, its a small lounge for premium cabin customers. I leave mine there and havent felt worried.

@michael Yes there is a large open area just behind the reception desk where you can leave checked luggage on a trolley or place on shelves. There is no place to lock up hand baggage though you’d need to keep it with you. The showers are cleaned immediately ready after use by about 5 ladies. The waiter service is great

I love those Eames dining chairs. A timeless design but also exceptionally comfortable for an unupholstered chair. My family has a set purchased by my grandfather in the 60s from Herman Miller that are holding up great.

@Colin, many thanks for the info!

@Ben - have you never been to the AA arrivals lounge at Heathrow? It too offers ala carte dining (although not as extensive as this menu). And has the best showers of any lounge I've been at Heathrow.

Hey Lucky. Excellent review as always. Hate to be that guy, but I believe you meant to say sense, instead of the first since. "The lounge felt nice fresh and well maintained, which makes since, since I believe it was renovated a few months back."

I always wondered why is it still called "English breakfast" and not just breakfast is England. I mean in China they don't call it Chinese food, they just call it food.

Shoot, I had no idea they closed the spa and free facial massages. I love the VS Arrivals lounge...but I agree with other posters - the AA Arrivals lounge is the best.

A good article Ben, and I agree it's a great lounge and a pleasant way to freshen up on arrival. You didn't mention that Virgin Australia Platinum members can also use it, when arriving from HKG, even if they're not flying Upper Class.

On my last visit, there was a family of 10+ occupying the sofa area with kids toys, clothes, shoes, open suitcases...like they moved into the lounge. Very annoying.

But on the positive side, great space, facilities and staff. I don't eat carbs and asked for a custom order of sautéed spinach, scrambled eggs and a side of greens which was happy obliged. No hesitation. The showers are great but I do miss the spa. It was great to get in a :30 facial before heading into the city.

The AF Arrivals Lounge at CDG is really bad and dated. But, Terminal 2C was the original AF Long Haul terminal before 2E and 2F opened which is the reason why the lounge is located in a very remote location. It's unfortunate AF didn't build a new arrivals facility with the expansion of 2E and improvements AF has made to the CDG experience.

I go to the Revivals Lounge all the time - and I surely haven't noticed it being renovated at any point during the past five years? I have always thought it could use a little bit of upgrading - it looks a bit like something out of an IKEA catalogue and definitely doesn't carry any exclusive feel. But, Virgin probably doesn't want people to end up hanging around there for too long.

Have never had to wait for a shower there.

The service tends to be excellent and the menu is definitely amongst the better for an arrivals lounge. Agreed. The coffee amongst the most bitter around - it's CRAZY and quite distinct.

I’ve been there many times and I agree it is very nice. However, it can get very busy and I had wait time for a shower up to 45 minutes. Menu is good but more limited then the departure lounge. It is nice they can press your clothes while you shower so you can go straight to meetings.

Carmelized banana porridge Yummmmmmmmmm

I am a BA flyer but maybe someday will try VA out of LAX.

Having recently flown Upper Class fron LAS to LHR, I was disappointed to learn the lounge closes 15 minutes before this flight arrives. Why have an arrivals lounge if you aren’t open when the plane lands?

I'll add another nod to the AA Arrivals lounge at Heathrow. Food was good (not quite the size of menu you see here, however.) In my experiences, the staff have also been unfailingly pleasant.
I've also found the showers to be quite good - I can add that the times I have visited there has been no queue at all for the showers.

I used this lounge a few weeks back. I was particularly impressed with the shirt pressing service and the eggs royale, which I also had. I appreciated being able to access this lounge after flying on Delta metal

Pro tip: They have Champagne too [eg the nice one (tsarine) from main lounge]...

But you have to ask.

Rob,

I didn't know that! They certainly should serve "morning" alco drinks like bloody marys, mimosa's etc.

BA's arrival lounge doesn't have alco, as far as I know anyway, but at least you can bring in a guest - handy if someone is meeting you at the airport.

I haven't been to Revivals in a few years, but I have to say that other than the spa closing, nothing has changed since I started going in the late 90s.

I miss flying on Virgin Atlantic, although the herringbone seating is so outdated. I flown Virgin/Upper Class since the 90s so I've seen all types of seating in UC, The revivals lounge is nice but I too miss the spa treatments onboard and the lounge. Can hardly wait to try the A 350.

This is an excellent, excellent facility. I delayed my airport pick up so that I could enjoy the atmosphere and take advantage of the showers. Shower rooms are shiny clean and very nice towels. I was there at end of 2022 and this review continues to be accurate. Just was a little bummed that I couldn't get a guest in (my son).

Oh, and thanks for the excellent review!!!

Are you able to get your luggage and then go?

Yes, you can. Follow the signs after collecting your bags, you'll continue walking with baggage claims on you left and the elevator to the lounge will be on your right.