Logan Upgrade: The Virgin Lounge Opens

Last week, Bostonista was invited to attend the opening party for Logan’s new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. Always up for an airport trip—pick ups, drop offs, whatever, it’s all wonderfully Love Actually to us—we hopped in the car and headed to East Boston.

By now, most avid travelers are familiar with the Virgin brand, epitomized by its swashbuckling mogul Richard Branson, clubby mentality, and cool gimmicks (in-flight IM, anyone?). The airline’s Heathrow flagship lounge is near-legendary for its modern design, Bumble and Bumble salon, jacuzzi, and limitless champagne. Needless to say, we were eager to check out the Boston branch.

Carved out of a drab area on the lounge floor of Terminal E, the Clubhouse is a world away from your typical waiting area. Designed by local firm Bergmeyer Associates, the $2 million space was purportedly divided into four “zones”—a library/business center, a brasserie, a deli, and a lounge. Really, though, it’s just one big room, dotted with cushy leather benches, hanging silver beads, and bright red chairs. One wall is comprised of a stocked bar and refrigerated prepackaged sandwiches, parfaits, and sodas. At the far end is a fancy deli counter (we had crab salad, a tasty cheese plate, and, ok, two blondies).

The whole lounge is fully wired and everything is free. Or, rather, free once you buy an $8,000 to $10,000 Upper Class Boston-London fare. Only first-class tickets holders and Virgin Gold Card customers are allowed in. Ever. Period. As usual, exclusivity comes at a high cost.

Knowing it might be years before we re-entered the polished glass doors, we were determined to enjoy ourselves. The two coolest parts of the event? The imported “staff” made up of impossibly gorgeous, impeccably turned-out, real-life Virgin flight attendants, crisp British accents included. And exclusive parking in Terminal E’s limo lot, directly across from the airport doors; never has moving from car to ticket counter been easier. Sigh.

Now if only someone would makeover the Air Tran terminal…

Virgin Atlantic Boston Clubhouse, Terminal E, Logan Airport, virgin-atlantic.com.