Virgin Atlantic today unveiled exactly what business travellers have been waiting for with the official opening of the new Clubhouse at Heathrow. The �11m flagship lounge, which is over 2,500 square metres in total, has been created by the Virgin Atlantic design team with the help of Softroom, the London based architectural practice, with interiors designed to feel like a private members� club. To complete this approach, Virgin Atlantic worked with Soho House, the established private members� club, on service design.

� Features include spa pool, multiscreen style cinema, pool table � Have a haircut in the Bumble and bumble salon � Choose a spa treatment in the Cowshed � Concierge service at the touch of a button

The Clubhouse provides the ultimate pre-flight experience for every passenger with an array of exciting new and unique areas. Passengers can enjoy a stylish haircut in the salon from Bumble and bumble; relax in the spa pool or sauna; choose from a range of Cowshed treatments; enjoy a game of pool in the Den; a blockbuster film in the Cinema; enjoy a delicious cocktail at the 14 metre long bar; and choose from the extensive Brasserie menu for a richer dining experience before their flight.

Speaking from the new Clubhouse at Heathrow, Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic commented: �Our Upper Class passengers now have the ultimate pre-flight experience and something truly unique. Our Clubhouses have always led the industry in offering luxury and innovation and with this sumptuous range of new and remarkable features, we believe that passengers will want to arrive at the airport earlier to make the most of their time there!�

The Clubhouse team is headed by Clubhouse general manager Jean-Michel Dixte, formerly of the Savoy Group. A concierge team is on hand to book hotel rooms or restaurants for passengers, or simply offer advice and are stationed at their red leather desk just by the entrance to the lounge. Alternatively passengers can press a concierge button on any phone situated around the lounge for service at their seat. THE DETAILS

The space has been kept as open as possible, to maximise the Clubhouse�s grand sense of scale. The layout features a series of �landmarks� and �vistas� to encourage passengers to stroll and explore their surroundings.

The Den is the dedicated games area and is equipped with a burgundy pool table, retro video games consoles and a state of the art multiscreen style cinema, which shows a variety of television programmes, films and the biggest sporting events. The area is furnished with aubergine leather and velvet covered chaises-lounges and extra-deep sofas so that passengers can be entertained in comfort.

The Sky Lounge is located at the top of a white staircase that leads through the �clouds� of the ceiling to offer a hideaway mezzanine which has deep-pile sky-blue carpet, champagne leather seating, yellow loungers and tan leather �Hockney� day beds. Full-width sloping windows sit beneath a dramatic skylight, offering views of departing aircraft. Underneath the skylight is a low blue glass table set into the floor, which provides a viewpoint onto the Den�s pool table below.

From the Sky Lounge passengers can access the Roof Garden, unique to any business class lounge in the UK, this outside space is adorned with trees and plants, and is the perfect place to watch the airport action or relaxing before departure.

Adjacent to the Den is a special dedicated Playground. The brightly decorated room has a wide selection of toys and games for children of all ages as well as a TV with dedicated children�s channels showing through the day. The Lodge has a convivial apr�s-ski vibe. The oyster shell of the enclosure has rough-hewn limestone blocks, set in angled cliff like bedding on the outside and topped by a fringe of tinted glass. It is lined with iridescent mosaic tiles and houses cushioned banquettes with blush leather bolsters.

Tucked away behind a glass partition are The Office and Library . With a rich timber ceiling and velvet wall panelling, this business centre features eight work stations with dark green leather Eames �Soft Pad� executive chairs and is equipped with faxes, telephones, printers, photocopiers and recharge stations. The Clubhouse, which is fully wireless, offers 8 Sony laptops with internet access as well as lap top points dotted around the space for the passengers� convenience. The Observation Deck, facing south-west and outwards is orientated to take advantage of the views towards the runway and the setting sun. White leather �Karuselli� chairs and shapely �Gigi� seats alternate with club chairs and daybeds covered in a range of soothing greens, each lit by classic floor lamps.

For more views of the airport, relax in the Gallery behind the bar part of which has has been dedicated to The Fumoir, which provides passengers with the perfect environment for that last cigarette before departure. The Poolside Lounge is also an oasis of tranquillity. A ceiling to floor Japanese water wall runs gently into the pool, �Globe� lights float above the water and soothing images play on the plasma screen, next to �Swan� chairs and �Bubble� hanging seats. Beyond the water wall is the new spa, Cowshed at the Clubhouse. With its dark grey, Welsh slate floors, black glass mosaic tiled walls and splashes of autumnal colours, passengers will instantly feel like they have entered a haven of tranquillity and luxury. Cowshed is the Soho House spa brand and passengers can now treat themselves to a selection of exclusive Cowgroom treatments including a relaxing facial, shoulder massage, manicure, pedicure or wet shave for men, all using Cowshed�s acclaimed 100% natural products.

Situated within the spa area is a hairdressing salon, Bumble and bumble at the Cowshed with hairdressers offering stylish pre-trip haircuts and treatments from the New York stylists to the stars and fashion world. Upper Class passengers can also choose to take a dip in the spa pool, enjoy a sauna or use the steam room before setting off on their travels. For those in need of a pre-travel glow, passengers can also use the new St. Tropez tanning booth that is available within the spa area.

The new Clubhouse has a professionally equipped kitchen on site, offering meals and light bites to suit every taste. Upper Class Passengers can enjoy a wide selection from the brasserie menu and choose to have breakfast, lunch or dinner before their flight. Passengers can eat at their seat wherever they choose or for a more formal dining experience The Brasserie area has a continental feel with individual tables or raspberry velour lined booths. Passengers can also make a selection from The Deli where they can sit at the 7 metre long marble clad deli table or help themselves to drinks, treats, and healthy snacks from stations dotted around the lounge.

Upper Class passengers will find a 14 metre long cocktail bar framed by a rose tinted glass wall with bespoke solid walnut and leather seating. Passengers can take a seat around the bar or in the sunken lounge and sample a range of classic drinks and champagne cocktails.

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For further information please contact:

Virgin Atlantic Press Office

on 01293 747373

or log onto www.virginatlantic.com

Heathrow Clubhouse Contractors & Suppliers

Architects Softroom (softroom@softroom.com) Contact Chris Bagot or Oliver Salway Structural Engineers Atelier One (mail@atelierone.com) Mechanical & Electrical Engineers Atelier Ten (ms@ateliereng.com) Lighting Designers Isometrix ltg@isometrix.co.uk Quantity Surveyors PT Projects (pturvey@ptprojects.co.uk ) Audio Visual Consultants SM Contracts (steve@stevemoore.com) Furniture Consultants Invoke Ltd (kate@invokecontracts.com) Service Consultants Soho House Limited

Virgin Atlantic�s in house design team Hilary Clark Senior Design Manager Emma Lally Senior Designer Angus Struthers Head of Service Design