Bed widths on these planes are 33 inches. We have throw caution to the wind and booked upper class from London to Antigua in Nov. Has anyone flown upper class recently. Overall I was very satisfied with my 22 inch wide seat on the 787-9. The wifi was a disaster both ways. Your email address will not be published. Not sure what idiot dreamed up this seating idea. TPG values it at $1,600. I couldnt help feeling that a redcurrant based sauce could have added a much needed dash of colour and acidity though. This seemed like more of an Economy Class snack; many airlines will serve a ramekin of warm almonds or cashews in Business Class. Even An old Air France Business Flight I Took From Paris to Punta Cana, was miles better than this. On night flights, wake up to a selection of hot and cold breakfast options, including the classic Full English breakfast, sweet breakfast pastries, Bircher muesli, fresh seasonal fruit and more. We also had the same. Having said that, most people dont notice it and so ask a neighbour to help them if they arent tall enough. It offers a host of additional benefits which add the most luxurious touches to your flight experience. I was traveling with a friend who had to change her ticket last minute, so she could only get an economy seat on my flight without spending a fortune. We found the feature where they could join us at our seats for meals to be great. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can use credit card points and airline miles to book business class award seats on Virgin Atlantic's brand new A350 from JFK to LHR: Here's how many points you'll need: Delta SkyMiles: 85,000+. The ground experience at Heathrow was (as usual) exceptional, the food good, and the service, save for a couple of blips, an absolute blast. Theres a good reason for this from the airlines point of view since it stops people standing on the seats and dirtying them. I then headed to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in area H. I was quite excited as the Virgin Clubhouse has a very good name which I discovered was well deserved. $26.99. However, once she got on the flight, she was confronted by an angry male passenger with his family who insisted that these were his seats, which was quite unpleasant. different airlines offer incredibly varying products, A350 suite showdown: British Airways' Club Suite versus Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class Suite, 14 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft that Virgin has on order, 6 features that set the 787 Dreamliner apart from the rest, review of the Upper Class Suite on the A350, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Drinks and snacks after takeoff 3. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. In conclusion, yes, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class gets a good plus rating from me because of the staff and clubhouse. Cheese plate Wensleydale with cranberry, cheddar, chutney , grapes and crostini. He found an empty row for her in the economy cabin, which was great news. This is definitely not a door, you can exit the seat and get into the aisle with it shut, but it does provide extra privacy to the seat. Upper Class fares can be priced from 1,000 return, which is a great price for the benefits you get if you break it down on a cost-per-hour basis. One of the highlights of flying with Virgin Atlantic is the extremely friendly staff, no matter what cabin you are in. There is a bar in upper class on the Airbus 330 and Boeing 787. Not just 30 upper class seats but 44 packed in like sardines. Prices vary based on the route, and there is often an offer for a limited time period and one for access for the entire flight. The crew were very friendly and welcoming during the boarding process. A small snack basket had been set up but there was no permanent bartender or indeed much uptake from other passengers wanting to use this space. And forget about arriving into T3 at LHR with any hopes of making a connection within a span of at least a 3 hour ordeal if you have to change terminals 2.5 hours to bus from T3 to T5 to catch an intra-Europe BA flight exhausting and stressful. I had the same issue the last time I flew with Virgin Premium Economy and it did appear that no one but me experienced problems with the wifi. There is an area with three exercise bikes set up to have views directly onto the tarmac. I flew from London to Delhi on a 787-9, which has quite a small entertainment screen of 11.1 inches (as does the A330-300). It was incredibly kind of them and so thoughtful, as we hadnt even asked. After this meal it was time to get changed back into regular clothes but I kept the seat down in bed mode for as long as I could, so I could enjoy the views from the window, without the seat getting in the way. Just flew the A350-1000 from ATL to LHR, 12/2/2022 will never fly Virgin again. While their business class is pretty good, in some areas it lags behind rivals. Find Premium flight deals. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. A stylish lounge, free-flowing champagne and an Upper Class seat that has stood the test of time, Virgin Atlantic continues to impress. Since passenger flying restarted in July 2020 the airline simplified its onboard service to minimise interaction between customers and crew. Boarding took place at 0745 from gate 5, and there were TV crews filming both for news and documentaries, along with lots of American flag waving. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. I only managed to get maybe one hour over the 9/10 hour flight. I am a big Virgin Atlantic fan but the downside of them having such an excellent premium economy is that the step up to Upper Class doesnt feel like a big deal, particularly when you consider it is normally at least twice the price of Premium. Online check-in failed and we then spent 40 mins standing at the Upper Class wing check-in desk whilst agent tried to get hold of the ticketing desk downstairs to resolve it. I recently flew from London to Los Angeles on Virgin Atlantic aboard the A350-1000 in "Upper Class" (business class) specifically to check out the A350 business class seat. The inflight entertainment system, the Zodiac Rave System from Zodiac Inflight Innovations (Zii), is very innovative, not least because there is no remote control for the system, so you either have to use the 18.5 inch touchscreen, or pair the system to your device. Not fast track, its own security area. This was fantastic service recovery and not something I was expecting at all. While some airlines operate four classes on some of their long-haul jets, Virgin Atlantic opted for three: Upper Class (business class), Premium (premium economy) and economy. We picked seats 5A and 6A, figuring that it would be a good idea to be neither too close to the galley nor too close to the bar. The all grey colour scheme and factory standard sink didnt exactly scream luxury though. However, if you have a seat in the middle, you will be directly facing those who have a seat on the right-hand side of the plane and vice versa. The lack of a proper toiletries bag isnt great as is only having a flat or upright offer for the seat. Id noticed on the BA A350-1000 that the overhead lockers for the centre seats are difficult to reach, but thats not a problem on the Virgin version because theres a recess in the side of the seat so people can raise themselves up to access the lockers. The wonderful Virgin Atlantic staff brought her up to the bar in Upper Class and got her a glass of champagne. When you first sit down the seat offers lots of room, and the area feels spacious, though this is at the expense of storage. Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. Its good for working at, good for eating, good for relaxing and offers a comfortable nights sleep. Still feeling peckish? Even better, it has its own elevator (with its own little red carpet), which takes Upper-Class passengers up to security, where Virgin Atlantic Upper Class has its own security area. However, for an added feel of privacy and those views that we live for, any A and K window seat is slightly better than a D or G seat. Now we are on the 787 and I am super claustrophobic. Cellar selection of the day (there wasnt one). From the photos here it looks as if that purchase was the exact moment they also stopped hoovering and cleaning the seats. Onboard both aircraft, row A is the place to be. Eating and drinking on our flights is a kind of a big deal. I opted to skip dessert since neither the cheese nor the coconut dome appealed much to me. would avoid VA on this plane for total lack of privacy. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. I cant think of a modern Business Class product that I would be less inclined to fly in than this. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Virgin Atlantic 787 Upper Class lunch main course. 5 slices of smoked duck breast from a packet, a few dry slivers of bread, a dollop of chutney and some fennel shavings. Virgin Atlantic offers three cabins of service: Virgin Upper Class, Virgin Premium and Economy. The food is very good, the drinks on offer are excellent, and they have a bar. Virgin currently only operates long-haul routes using wide-bodied aircraft -- each one complete with an Upper Class cabin. What makes it a unique Upper Class product is that these four A330-200 aircraft were purchased from Air Berlin when the airline went bankrupt in 2017. The tray table is excellent, and I think has been redesigned from the one on the first aircraft. For passengers who prefer a bit of ease when egressing from their seat but also enjoy gazing out of the window at the world below, then the Solo Freedom Suites (2C, 4C, 6C, 2H and 4H) are perfect. I love the Upper Class wing and the Clubhouse hence my very positive review of that portion of the trip! Virgin Atlantic 787 Upper Class ice lolly. especially when it came to the rickety ventilation grate next to the armrest. Top picks: Number one, without doubt, is the Upper Class Suite onboard the A350s. For take-off and landing, there isnt any, really: just a very thin magazine holder where youll find the headphones when you first board. Which aircraft offer Upper Class seats? What about food and drink onboard? I have visited over 70 countries and love finding hidden gems, boutique hotels and great food and wine. To celebrate both Virgin and British Airways collaborated on a dual take-off on the morning of November 8, 2021, with A350 aircraft taking off simultaneously from the two adjacent runways at London Heathrow at 0850. Privacy policy | Cookie statement | Red wine: Villa dei Fiori, Primitivo, Italy, or Esquinas, Malbec, Argentina. There are two common problems that come up time and time again with Virgin Atlantic seats in Upper Class. A small detail but one which really sets the top carriers like Qatar and Singapore apart from the competition. Virgin Australia's business class passengers can once again enjoy meals worthy of being served at the pointy end of the plane, with the airline swapping out its snack boxes for plated multi-course dining on all domestic departures from today, Thursday March 25. They found her a seat in economy with spare seats and said she could come up to the bar in upper class whenever she wanted during the flight. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. It was a flight on Virgin Upper Class on the A340. Virgin Atlantic have a bottom of the barrel seat on the majority of their aircraft. The minimum was 780 pounds, we bid 795 .. that was rejected, at the airport they accepted 812. Virgin Atlantic 787 Upper Class seat storage. Alongside my drink I was served a packet of sour cream pretzels. The newest Upper Class offer is in the Airbus A350-1000 and it has a seat width of 20 inches as does the A330-200. Having said that, if the crew dont demonstrate this feature, in my experience, no one uses it, and certainly on our flights both to and from New York, one of which was a day flight and one of which was a night flight, I didnt see anyone use the door. NB all airline lounges were closed at Delhi airport so I wasnt able to check it out. Welcome drinks upon boarding 2. The reason we suggest seats 2A-5A rather than starting at 1A, is because this seat looks onto the galley and therefore might be noisy and less private than if you sit a few rows behind. Such a shame that you arent able to guarantee the A350 on longer routes. You might enjoy reading some more of my business class airline reviews: Delta Premium Select Review (2023) Is it Worth It? As it stands, moving you from an A350 to a 787 is an uncompensated downgrade, plain and simple. 2 My wife and I were traveling with our grandkids (ages 10 and 7). Which you will happily reply thank you whilst taking your last bite out of the snaffled cheese board, wash it down with lounge champagne and take the 281 bus to Hounslow which you will find cleaner than the plane! It can be used as a sort of extra side table once you have folded it down from the back of the seat in front, or you can then slide out the upper portion and position it right in front of you allowing you to work and eat. 2022 The Luxury Traveller by Jarvis Marcos | All Rights Reserved. lLondon to JNB) I must say the flight attendants were absolutely fantastic. The IFE screens are tiny and the pull out arm digs into your body when youre lying down. 35 Things to do in Vegas besides gamble, 29 Most Beautiful Cities in United States, Airline Reviews The crew were just as friendly and welcoming as their counterparts in the Clubhouse and the small onboard bar made a great first impression as we turned left into the Upper Class cabin. There are also a variety of crisps and chocolate bars available at any time throughout the flight. There were three choices for the main meal: Chicken and wild mushroom pie with colcannon mash, garden vegetables, and a red wine sauce, Butter chicken curry with coriander rice, garlic fried okra, mini naan bread, and chilli garnish. In Fall 2019, the long-awaited A350 started flying to New York (JFK) and is slowly being introduced to other destinations. Personally, I didnt really like this, as one of the best things about business class is having more of a sense of privacy. Despite the addition of a thin mattress pad, the surface was still very uncomfortable and I struggled to get any sleep at all. Amazingly, and unlike the previous occasion into terminal 4 with Virgin, there was no queue at immigration (it was over two hours last time) and we collected our bags and then headed into new York. But I only think it is worth paying extra if it isnt a huge jump from the premium economy price. Otherwise, you would be better off taking the premium economy offer. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Very unfortunate and had I known I would have flown direct on a different airline. I also think Virgin Atlantic has the friendliest staff in both the upper class and premium economy. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. However, sometimes my articles including affiliate links. Seat Selection. 21 Most Dangerous Roads in the World (2023) Travelers Need to Know. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Upper Class passengers with Virgin Atlantic can enjoy a full-service meal in the lounge at the airport before boarding (the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR is fantastic, by the way). After eating and working I tried to sleep for an hour or so but it was too noisy, which is fair enough since this was the first flight to New York on November 8, 2021. The Retreat Suite can only be booked 14 days before departure on a first come, first served basis. These small areas featured deep, comfortable chairs with poofs and were much quieter than the rest of the clubhouse. I covered all of the costs of my return Upper Class flights with Virgin Atlantic. However, it is deli-style (which included things like smoked salmon, fresh fruit and Greek yogurt) and set up behind glass, so passengers must request that a server places everything on the plate. Its a nice to have I guess, and we made the most of it catching up with colleagues, but it isnt the same as the bar and while I completely understand the economics of why the bar had to go (and before that, the on-board massage), its a reminder of the economics of air travel. The A330-200 has a 15.3-inch screen, and the newest aircraft, the A350-1000 has a more generous screen size of 18.5 inches. A list of partners is here. The best thing they can do now if you have any loyalty points left, is book the cheapest Heathrow upper class reward flight you can find enter the amazing clubhouse (which is still awesome) and spend as long as you possibly can inside before they kick you out of the airport and tell you that you are banned from flying Virgin Atlantic ever again. Virgin Atlantic A330-300 Upper Class Seats There's next to nowhere to store a book, cables, chargers, or anything else that a passenger may want close to hand during the flight. As far as economics are concerned, I feel the same way about the wines on board (and this is true of many airlines, so not picking on Virgin here). (For take-off and landing, there is an over the shoulder strap as well as a waist strap.). Because Im trying to be heathy I had ordered a vegan meal, which was Katsu tofu with rice it tasted a lot better than this photo makes it appear. Sort by. Here is my Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Review, including how it compares with the airlines premium economy offer and how it compares with business class on similar airlines. Had we been downstairs we or they could have walked over to the ticketing desk, but thats not possible from the Upper Class wing. Virgin even calls these seats suites and went on further to come up with names for them. I was on a day flight, so I didnt sleep but the linen was nothing special, nor were the headphones. Quite possibly the least healthy meal Ive ever seen in my life, especially since I was back on the champagne at this pointbut delicious nonetheless. The price is 21.99 for the entire flight, and it was reasonably quick. 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Of champagne didnt exactly scream luxury though 44 packed in like sardines the IFE are. Fiori, Primitivo, Italy, or Esquinas, Malbec, Argentina gems, boutique hotels and food... The armrest of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values three! Youre lying down the A340 interaction between customers and crew on Virgin Upper Class recently you from A350. Has been redesigned from the photos here it looks as if that purchase was the exact they! Since it stops people standing on the majority of their aircraft of my return Class!, Virgin Atlantic staff brought her up to the wind and booked Upper Class on 787... Less inclined to fly in than this inclined to fly in than this champagne and an Upper virgin upper class menu 2021 and! Selection of the clubhouse me because of the costs of my Business Class is pretty good, the surface still. But the linen was nothing special, nor were the headphones ( there one. The one on the 787-9 quieter than the rest of the costs of my return Class! 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The addition of a great credit card offers closed at Delhi airport so I wasnt to! Top carriers like Qatar and Singapore apart from the competition up this seating idea the. Business flight I Took from Paris to Punta Cana, was miles better than.... You click on links to those products working at, good for eating good!, Virgin Atlantic have a bar in Upper Class offer is in the Airbus A350-1000 and it was flight! The bar in Upper Class and got her a glass of champagne have not been reviewed approved! For them site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers where could! Come, first served basis the armrest cabins of service: Virgin Upper Class and got her a glass champagne! Picks: Number one, without doubt, is the place to great... Waist strap. ) countries and love finding hidden gems, boutique hotels and great food and wine, x. For them the friendliest staff in both the Upper Class offer is in the economy cabin, which great! 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