Sodexo Live! Selected as Hospitality Partner for Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses in the US
March 21, 2023
Reimagined food and beverage offerings to elevate traveler experience for Virgin Atlantic customers in NYC, and three additional US gateways
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Sodexo Live!, a global leader in hospitality, events and airport lounge services, today announced a new multi-year agreement to service the renowned Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses in the United States. Customers visiting the airline’s North America lounges will continue to enjoy a complimentary a la carte menu featuring five-star dining, plus a wide selection of signature cocktails, wine and soft drinks.
The move is part of a larger expansion of services for Sodexo Live!, which continues to manage the best-in-class Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse London (LHR). Sodexo Live! will now service Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses in New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington (IAD). With a culinary team led by Executive Chef Babu Badhrinarayanan, the team will provide reimagined best-in-class hospitality and elevated dining experiences in some of the world’s most sought-after destinations for international travel.
“We’re pleased to appoint Sodexo Live! as our hospitality partner in our US Clubhouses. From years of experience working together, especially at our flagship Clubhouse in London Heathrow, we know Sodexo Live! will help us deliver the US side of the world-class service our much-loved Clubhouses are known for,” said Rami El-Dahshan, Head of Clubhouses, Virgin Atlantic. “Our expansion of partnership with Sodexo Live! will enable us to delight many more customers with our distinctive Virgin Atlantic flair.”
The menus at the Clubhouses will reflect the diversity of the United Kingdom and United States, and a health-conscious focus for travelers preparing for flights – everything from Chicken Tikka Masala to Kale Cauliflower Macaroni Cheese to Beyond Burgers and Prawn Laksa.
Whether customers want to toast their journey with a cocktail or find a quiet spot to work, Virgin Atlantic’s award-winning Clubhouse lounges have a space to suit. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class customers, Flying Club Gold Card Members, and Delta Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Medallion members can enjoy stylish, peaceful spaces designed to allow them to relax before their flight, away from the bustle of the main airport.
“We are honored to expand our relationship with Virgin Atlantic, an organization that truly operates with the highest standards of elegance and service,” said Suzy Kitcher, CEO, Airport Lounges, Sodexo Live!. “Each traveler is unique. Their visit to the Clubhouse is a moment of respite during their journey. Our mission is to ensure their greatest and smallest needs are met, every step of the way.”
With close local ties to regional suppliers, strong staffing bases in these cities and the ability to train hospitality professionals in best-in-class standards, Sodexo Live! looks forward to exceeding all expectations in this next chapter together with Virgin Atlantic.
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2022, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the sixth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs over 7,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 28 destinations across four continents. Virgin Atlantic recently continued its expansion in the US, announcing a new route to Tampa from November 2022, following the launch of flights to Austin in May 2022.
Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. On 3 February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Virgin Atlantic joined global airline alliance SkyTeam on 02 March 2023. It is SkyTeam’s first and only UK member airline, opening up a global network of airlines for customers to earn and redeem points. The airline’s Flying Club members can now utilize a raft of new benefits through SkyPriority services.
Sustainability remains central to the airline, which is committed to achieving net zero by 2050. To meet this goal, Virgin Atlantic welcomed the first of 16 A330-900neos in October 2022. The A330-900neos are equipped with the most fuel-efficient engines and designed to be 11% more fuel and carbon efficient than the A330-300s that they replace and deliver a 50% reduction in airport noise contour. These investments reaffirm the airline’s dedication to flying one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies, resulting in the reduction of carbon emissions by 20%, increasing to 30% in 2027.
For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic.
About Sodexo Live!
Sodexo Live! manages prestigious conference, cultural, and sporting venues and major events all over the world. With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, Sodexo Live! offers clients a range of bespoke catering, sales, and event management services – including at over 100 airport lounges for 30 million travelers every year – helping to transform the consumer experience into unforgettable memories. Sodexo Live! commits to unlocking customers’ full potential while favoring local communities. Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, the Rugby World Cup and soon the Paris 2024 Games, and showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Hard Rock Stadium, the Scottish National Gallery, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.