OREANDA-NEWS. Delta and Virgin Atlantic launched NY-LON, the airlines’ new lounge bar at The O2 Tuesday night when senior executives from both airlines hosted more than 300 guests and frequent fliers.  

The aviation-inspired lounge is set within the U.K.’s premier music and entertainment venue and was created to celebrate the route at the heart of Delta’s joint venture partnership with Virgin - New York to London Heathrow - the world’s busiest.

Bringing New York’s chic style to London’s East End, the evening featured live music from the iconic hip-hop DJ Grandmaster Flash, alongside new talent and neo-soul artist Lion Babe. Guests were welcomed with Prosecco on arrival and a selection of signature cocktails were served throughout the evening to showcase the head mixologist’s take on the classic Manhattan, Whiskey Sour and Tom Collins.

The evening’s canap?s, including mac & cheese, salted cod and Brooklyn crab salad, offered guests a taste of NY-LON’s menu, which pays homage to favorite British and American dishes.

Tim Mapes, Delta's Senior Vice President-Marketing, told guests: “Delta and Virgin constantly strive to find new ways to serve our customers. NY-LON is one of many exciting examples of our joint commitment to innovation that meets our guests’ needs in the air and on the ground.”

Reuben Arnold, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Customer Experience at Virgin Atlantic added: “It’s a fantastic space to meet friends pre- and post-concert, pop by for an afternoon coffee or even grab an after-work bite to eat. More than anything, NY-LON offers a taste of the innovation, style and incredible experience you can look forward to when you fly Virgin Atlantic or Delta.”

The NY-LON lounge is open seven days a week offering a luxurious bar with a difference. Operations behind the bar are run by Levy Restaurants UK, the sports, leisure and hospitality division of Compass Group UK & Ireland. Levy is well-versed in delivering design-led concepts across a range of renowned venues across the U.K. including Somerset House. 

The Virgin Atlantic and Delta  joint venture partnership launched in 2014, creating an expanded trans-Atlantic route network, enhancing competition between the U.K. and North America and providing seamless onward connections. The partnership provides 10 flights a day between London Heathrow and New York – with eight to New York-JFK and two to Newark.