Delta and Virgin Atlantic have a transatlantic joint venture, and as a result they’ve tried to create as much “metal neutrality” as possible, including with lounge access, upgrades, gates, etc.
As of September 2016, Delta and Virgin Atlantic fully moved in together at London Heathrow Terminal 3, while previously some of Delta’s flights also departed from Terminal 4. This was great news because it made connections easier, and also good news because Virgin Atlantic’s incredible Clubhouse is located in Terminal 3.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse London Heathrow Terminal 3
I consider the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse to be one of the world’s best business class lounges. It has a la carte dining, a spa and salon, an outdoor terrace, and more than anything else, a really fun vibe. It’s simply a fantastic lounge.
However, it’s not surprising that Delta and Virgin Atlantic had to put some access controls in place, given the number of people who would have access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. At the time Delta said that Diamond, Platinum, and Gold members would be advised to use the No1 Lounge at Terminal 3, rather than the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.
No1 Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 3
However, Virgin Atlantic has slowly been undoing these access limits. Today it was announced that Delta SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallion members flying in economy or premium economy on Delta or Virgin Atlantic out of Heathrow will once again have Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse access.
Diamond members actually had reinstated Clubhouse access as of February 2017, so what’s new here is that Platinum members once again have access. Per Delta’s announcement:
Starting June 1, 2017, Platinum Medallion Members plus one guest who are traveling in Delta Main Cabin, Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy or Virgin Atlantic Economy cabin are able to access the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse located in Terminal 3 in London-Heathrow. As a reminder, Diamond Medallion Members began receiving the same level of Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse access on February 16, 2017.
The full suite of London-Heathrow lounge benefits for SkyMiles Medallion Members and Delta One® customers are as follows:
- Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members traveling in Delta Main Cabin, Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy or Virgin Atlantic Economy cabin and passengers traveling in Delta One or Virgin Atlantic Upper Class are all eligible to access both the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and No1 Lounges, Heathrow, both located in Terminal 3.
- Gold Medallion Members traveling in Delta Main Cabin, Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy, or Virgin Atlantic Economy cabin are eligible to access No1 Lounges, Heathrow.
- All Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members receive complimentary access to the Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge upon arrival at London-Heathrow Airport regardless of cabin of travel. The Revivals Lounge is also complimentary for Delta One and Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers.
- Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion Members also enjoy access to the SkyTeam lounge located in Terminal 4.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse London Heathrow Terminal 3
This is awesome news for those members, though I do wonder how this change is being accommodated. Presumably the lounge still has the same crowding issues, so I’m not sure how room is being made for additional passengers. Is overall demand for the lounge down, are they just fine letting it get more crowded again, or…?
Regardless, this is good news all around, as visiting the Clubhouse is a real treat.
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