The lounge opened in late March and is in Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). It replaced the old Etihad Airways Lounge, which closed a few years ago.

It felt quite small at about 4,400 square feet, with no exterior windows. I learned that it can apparently only accommodate about 70 to 80 people, which kind of gave it an air of exclusivity.

The Ruby Room showcases old Hollywood glamour.

I loved the red carpet and midcentury-modern decor, with cozy velvet chairs, gold loungers, and colorful couches.

The space's colors are aesthetically appealing, and the walls are lined with artwork depicting iconic Los Angeles landmarks.

This tiny nook is typically reserved for VIPs or guests celebrating a special occasion.

The Royal Box has its own special menu, which includes chocolate-covered strawberries and the Drama Queen — a Champagne cocktail with mixed berries and gin. True to its theatrical name, it's served with a bubble of smoke on top.

I found so many vegetarian options at the lounge's grab-and-go bar.

It was nice to be able to choose light, fresh-sounding bites like fruit salad, citrus kale salad, raw vegetables and hummus, and Mediterranean quinoa salad.

The pleasant colors of the dining room almost had a calming effect on me.

Table service is available at every seat, and guests could order their meal by scanning a QR code on the table.

The lounge menu has both small and large plates, as well as desserts.

Many of the dishes are inspired by California cuisine, and each of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses has its own unique menu.

Some items that stood out to me include the chicken tikka masala and California fig salad.

While there, I sampled the lounge's signature smash burger.

Made with venison, each burger is stamped with Virgin Atlantic's logo. It was quite tasty, and definitely felt on par with what I could get from a gastropub or bistro.

Virgin Atlantic's bar feels sleek and chic. I liked the transitional lighting, which mimics the light changing throughout the day.

The Wing has three studio pods that are acoustically sealed, kind of like modern-day phone booths. They seem like a convenient spot to take a phone call or get work done without distraction.

Taking inspiration from Virgin Atlantic Airways founder Sir Richard Branson's roots in the music industry, the pods are named after his iconic recording studios. Each one is adorned with music memorabilia, including Prince's "Purple Rain" album and a plaque with information about Sunset Sound Studios.

Upon walking in, I was greeted by a FORME Studio smart fitness mirror, which features a touchscreen display that streams on-demand fitness classes or live one-on-one training.

I tried a selection of guided yoga and meditation sessions during my visit.

The Zen Den is currently available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Zen Den vanity has a sink, mirror, and extra lighting, making it a convenient spot for a quick refresh before returning to the main lounge.

Truth be told, I didn't want to leave the Virgin Atlantic lounge.

I was enamored with its decor and the space's general emphasis on wellness. It felt like an homage to LA's past and present.

The lounge is located in Terminal 3, adjacent to the Delta Sky Club.

I liked that I could access it from the arrivals level and use the concierge check-in service.

In my opinion, this easy access to a private TSA screening is one of the biggest perks of Delta One's lounge.

Although you can also use the screening area if you want to visit the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse as a Delta One passenger, you'd have to take a long walk (or shuttle) to get from Terminal 3 to Terminal B.

The lounge is about 10,000 square feet, much larger than the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. I appreciated the colorful mural near its entrance.

The room had a soothing atmosphere, with eight private relaxation pods equipped with zero-gravity chairs and full-body massage chairs.

It wasn't long before I hopped into one of the full-body massage chairs and fell into a trance as soothing ocean sounds filled my ears.

Generally, lounge guests can reserve a 15-minute massage in advance.

Whether you prefer a cozy booth or a cushioned chair, there are comfortable spots to relax throughout the living-room area.

The dining area has plenty of booth and chair seating, and Delta One offers attendant service for all food and drink in the lounge.

Unlike at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, I wasn't able to order via QR code from my table.

I loved the bar's leather and walnut accents, which, paired with quartz and onyx, gave it a sleek, sophisticated look.

The sushi bar felt like a nice touch, with options like California rolls, spicy tuna rolls, and hand rolls with salmon ceviche.

Delta One's offerings include light fare and larger entrées, from tacos to salmon, and a variety of bento boxes.

I loved that the clever cocktails were inspired by many of Delta's destinations, from the Raspberry Tulip for Amsterdam to the Sleepy British Bee for London.

I paired the street-corn pizza with How D'ya Like Them Apples?, an apple-flavored whiskey and ginger beer drink inspired by Boston.

My meal was delicious — I had never tried street corn on pizza before, and I'm still craving it.

I decided to enjoy my meal on the Delta One Skydeck, which overlooks planes on the runway.

It was nice to be able to get fresh air and sit outside while at an airport, which is quite rare.

If I had to choose to spend time in one lounge over the other, I'd go with the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.

Although I loved the Delta One Lounge's amenities, such as the skydeck and sushi bar, I found I preferred the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse for a couple of reasons.

First, it really impressed me with its stylish vibe, which felt like stepping into a swanky lounge or speakeasy. I appreciated its size, which felt more intimate and less overwhelming than a larger lounge.

The wellness amenities, like the Zen Den and grab-and-go bar stocked with healthy-sounding snacks, also appealed to me. And if given the opportunity, I'd go back to that Royal Box in a second.

That said, I enjoyed my experience in both lounges (especially my food and beverages) and would happily wait for a flight in either.

Last spring, I flew to Germany to reunite with my husband after his military deployment. We splurged on an upgrade to the most premium class available for our flight home, spending an extra $699 each for Delta One.

The lie-flat seat was a luxury on our 10-hour flight, and the service was fantastic, but our plane seemed a bit outdated and worn. From the clunky entertainment system to the lack of privacy between seats, I felt our nearly-20-year-old aircraft showed its age.

We got elevated meals, amenity kits, and complimentary alcohol, but I expected more features or perks considering a Delta One upgrade often costs thousands of dollars.

Although our experience fell short of my expectations, I still think the upgrade was worth paying for to celebrate such a special occasion.

In the future, I would only justify the cost of Delta One if I knew I'd be on a newer plane with more state-of-the-art amenities. After all, some newer Delta One classes have suites with doors.

When returning from Europe last winter, my husband and I upgraded to Premium Select seats for $209 each on our nine-hour flight.

Premium Select upgrades are primarily offered on long-haul flights and come with early boarding (although my status already gets me into the same boarding group that this would).

We enjoyed the added legroom and additional recline of our seats, which made them noticeably more comfortable. The upgraded dining, larger entertainment screens, and in-flight amenity kits also elevated the experience.

However, we upgraded at the last minute, so our seat options were limited. Unfortunately, I ended up sandwiched in the middle seat next to a stranger. In hindsight, I wish I'd saved the money and kept my window seat in economy.

Being crammed in a middle seat for nine hours took away from the premium experience. Next time, I'd try to upgrade earlier so I could choose a better seat.

Overall, Premium Select strikes a solid balance between affordability and comfort with its thoughtful amenities and extra space. However, it's not always available on Delta flights, and I'd likely skip it if I couldn't get a spot next to a window.

A step above economy, Delta's Comfort Plus provides slightly more legroom and priority boarding. For domestic itineraries, this class also receives alcoholic drinks and a better selection of snacks.

With my status, I've received many complimentary upgrades to Comfort Plus.

Last fall, I flew in Comfort Plus from Seoul to Atlanta after one such free upgrade. As a tall woman, the extra legroom was an added bonus, especially on a 13-hour flight.

However, I've found you can get about the same amount of legroom in an economy exit row for a more affordable price.

I'm happy to accept a free upgrade to Comfort Plus, but I wouldn't pay extra for these seats, which I've seen cost $100 or more than economy.

And, on international routes, Comfort Plus receives many of the same in-flight amenities as the rest of the main cabin. That said, Comfort Plus does get reserved overhead bin space, which is always nice on a fully booked flight.

Most of my Delta flights have been in economy class, including long-haul flights to Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Although some complain about economy seats, I actually prefer choosing this affordable option. For starters, Delta's main cabin offers more seat choices, which gives me flexibility.

I can almost always snag my preferred seat next to a window, where I can lean on the side of the plane to sleep during the flight.

Plus, I often monitor the seating chart before international flights, and like that I can move near an empty row or seat whenever possible.

Although some also consider basic economy to be a cabin category, its seats are still in the main cabin, you just can't choose where you sit (and there are limitations with changing and canceling your trip).

I'd rather be able to select my seat before my flight instead of saving a few bucks.

Overall, I'd rather book a cheaper flight so I can spend money elsewhere on my trip.

A flight is just one of the many costs of a vacation. I also need to pay for accommodations, additional transportation, meals, and activities.

By booking affordable economy flights, I have more money to travel more often — and that's always my goal. Plus, I can almost always secure my beloved window seat if I book my trip far enough in advance.

However, I'm definitely still open to enjoying the occasional upgrade if the price, plane, and time feel right.