Lounge Review: Virgin America Loft LAX (CLOSED)

Since Alaska Airlines took over Virgin America I started to use this carrier as well as I can now earn miles on Alaska’s Mileage Plan. My flight out of LAX was on Virgin America and what’s better than visiting the Virgin America Lounge in Terminal 3. This saves me the hassle of going to another terminal back and forward and losing time on the long walks.

Virgin America calls their lounges “Loft” and this was my first visit to one of them.

The Loft is located on the 4th floor of the terminal building, one level above the gates. You can take the elevator or stairs there. The way to the loft is not very clearly marked. Near the stairs, you see a stand advertising the Virgin America Loft, but these are everywhere in this terminal. This might let you miss the stairs behind it. See the location tab below.

Once upstairs, the lounge is right across from you. If the door is closed, press the buzzer button located to the left of the door and they will let you in.

I was the only one to check in at that time. I got greeted with a smile from the staff and got some more details about my flight. My flight will be actually the first one which leaves on time that day. My flight is at 3:45 p.m. so that means a bunch of flights got delayed. That’s also the reason why the lounge was so crowded.

The don’t make announcements for on-time flights but a staff member will walk through the lounge and announce the boarding of delayed flights. You can ask at the check-in counter as well about your current flight status and updates. There is a flight monitor located across from the snack bar.

The lounge is pretty small for LAX and has a pretty dark setting. They have bright floor to ceiling windows along the front side of the lounge, which gives you a great view of the tarmac and runway. However, because of the layout, the light doesn’t get very far inwards to the lounge.

The centerpiece is the bar in the middle. You can order your drinks and food here. For ordering food use the tablets located around the bar do make your selection and pay for your order. A server will come through the lounge saying your name and bring it to you.

There is quite a bit of seating available but it was hard to get a spot to sit down today. It’s probably just because of all the delayed flights today. I can imagine that the lounge is pretty crowded during peak times.

Service was quick and the cleaned the seats and tables in a timely manner.

They have a second exit, which also doubles as an entrance if you know how to get there. The above two ways are the easiest and quickest once coming from the security checkpoint.

If you are in the lounge you can exit through the door to the left of the check-in counter. You will see it if you follow the small hallway to the restrooms. This exit is most convenient for the gates 35 – 39.

Bottom Line

Not a fancy lounge with a lot of extras but if you fly out of Terminal 3, this one is ideal. The food selection is pretty amazing. However, you have to pay for it but they at least give you the choice of buying food.