On Feb. 5, Virgin Atlantic closed its Clubhouse lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. With only one daily flight, the airline found it financially unsustainable to continue operating the facility despite a 2015 refurbishment and stiff competition from other lounges at the airport. Virgin Atlantic elected not to renew the lease on the Clubhouse space for cost reasons.
Eligible customers — including Flying Club Gold members and Upper Class passengers — will receive complimentary access to the Plaza Premium Lounge on Level 7, the departures level of Terminal 1. The Plaza Premium Lounge is open 24 hours and provides amenities such as showers, a bar, private resting areas, hot and cold meals, a selection of drinks and WiFi.
“It’s a difficult decision to close the Clubhouse, and we’re working closely with Plaza Premium to continue to provide a dedicated space within the lounge, where Virgin Atlantic customers can relax before their flight and enjoy a range of hot and cold meals, drinks and WiFi,” said a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson. The airline emphasized that the closure does not affect its Hong Kong route, which has been part of its network for more than 20 years. Virgin Atlantic continues to operate a daily service between Hong Kong and London Heathrow using one of its Boeing 787 aircraft.
Virgin Atlantic will maintain Clubhouses at several other major airports, including New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Johannesburg Airport, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport.