Virgin Atlantic's A330-300s have seven rows of Premium, mostly in a 2-3-2 configuration. The Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 aircraft features a three class configuration with 31 lie-flat bed Upper Class seats, 35 Premium Economy seats, and 198 standard Economy class seats. I headed to Gate 22 about 10 minutes before boarding was set to begin. Virgin has remastered the premium economy experience with its Premium A350 product. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Meanwhile, the UK flag carrier features a 2-4-2 layout on its 777s and 2-3-2 . That's 7 more inches of legroom than what's installed in most long-haul economy seats including Virgin Atlantic's. The better seats, with more recline and legroom, offer a better chance of a good night's sleep on tiring red-eyes. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. I think that even with a full cabin of 56 passengers, the three lavs would've sufficed. The second reason is that the entire cabin is situated on and behind the wing, meaning that there's no real decent vantage spot anywhere in the cabin. Virgin only flies long-haul routes and as such, only aircraft able to fly long-haul routes. Virgin Atlantic's trademark burgundy Premium seats, with a 38" pitch remain, but they're accompanied by calf rests in every seat and a 13.3" touchscreen with Bluetooth audio. Book your Economy Delight seat today. The Airbus A330neo will be the first aircraft in Virgin Atlantic's fleet with a brand-new Upper Class seat, a refreshed social space, and The Retreat Suite - the most . Other aspects of the "soft" product are also improved, such as priority service in the airport, an amenity kit and better headphones. Elsewhere in the fleet, the main difference across the cabins is whether or not the view from the window is obstructed by the wing. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. And this flight was no different." Read our detailed review of premium economy on Virgin Atlantic's 787-9 here and on the A350-1000 here! . But, if you'd rather maximize your recline time to get as much sleep as possible, then you're best off in row 18. The gnocchi were huge, and I soon realized that was because they were stuffed with the ricotta and asparagus. Virgin Atlantic: Yes, although you can pay for 'Preferred' seats. In addition to the tailcam was a selection of 104 movies and about 140 TV shows, as well as games and videos that explored Virgin destinations. In-flight entertainment: Virgin Atlantic boasts over 300 hours of movies and TV shows in premium economy. Related: How to read an aircraft seat map. This is changing from 23rd August. Each of the bulkhead seats had the advantage of both a leg- and a footrest. These seats have built-in power outlets to charge your gadgets and are more spacious than any of the seats in Economy. Virgin Atlantic premium economy passengers get more than just extra legroom and better food. The best premium economy seats on the Virgin Atlantic A350-1000 are absolutely those in the first and last rows of the cabin in seats A,C or H,K - in pairs of two. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. Bidding is rarely the cheapest way to upgrade so try to avoid overpaying here. Seats are 18-21 inches wide; recline 7-8 inches, and pitch up to 38 inches. is The Points Guy's Global News Editor and is based in London. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. Additionally, the headrest was customizable, so you could move it up or down to your liking, as well as fold the side flaps for extra support. There was some issue with getting the service up and running to begin with, but once it was, about 45 minutes into the flight, it worked seamlessly. She has been published in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and elsewhere, and has spoken at conferences like that of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Soon after trays were collected, flight attendants came through once more to offer liqueurs: Amarula cream, which retails for around $20 per bottle, or Baron Otard Cognac, which retails for around $40 per bottle. Baggage 1 x 10kg hand luggage 2 x 23kg checked bag* Priority baggage delivery. Upgrades for infants not occupying a seat will be charged at: Economy to Premium - 1,000 points per flight Premium to Upper Class - 2,500 points per flight On this flight, the sandwiches included: mozzarella with green pesto, slow-roasted tomato and arugula; and salmon, soft cheese, arugula and cucumber. And these checked bags will hopefully arrive quickly thanks to priority baggage delivery. 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. I found the salad to be absolutely delightful. Enjoy 3 more inches than the rest of economy. On the 787-9, seats measure 21" in width vs 18" in economy and offer 38" in pitch vs 31" (34" in Economy Delight). It's up to 21in (over 53cm) wide, with a footrest, headrest and 38in (over 96cm) seat pitch. As in, my flight was just the aircraft's third commercial service. For my main, I ordered the vegetarian meal, asparagus and ricotta gnocchi with spicy tomato sauce, sweet peppers and broccoli. Welcome to Virgin Atlantic. Virgin Atlantic charges extra for bulkhead and other seats which have more legroom. Passengers get a welcome drink upon sitting, usually sparkling wine or orange juice, and a paper menu to choose their meals. Shortly thereafter, it was time for tea service. Premium: Virgin Atlantic's Premium Class is their Business Class equivalent. The cabin is comprised of 35 seats in a slightly staggered 2-3-2 configuration. Should you get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? Immediately upon boarding, cabin crew came around the Premium cabin with a choice of water or prosecco. Based in New Delhi, India. Features of the aircraft include: - 44 Upper Class open suites with partial sliding doors. Tickets with Cheap Flight Tickets. Just before landing, the cabin crew came around with a final treat: Swizzels Love Hearts. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. Once I finally arrived at the space, I saw the shiny, new A350-1000 bird waiting for us. The new tool can search both Virgin Atlantic and Delta reward availability for direct flights from the UK. Still, Virgin Atlantic premium economy doesn't check all the boxes. The upgrade can cost as little as 7,500 Virgin points plus any associated taxes and fees (up to $180-$200 depending on the route). In a similar way to the Dreamliner and the A330-300, for extra legroom and easier egress with a side of baby bassinet, row 14 is the one for you. There was the standard recline, the legrest option and a footrest option. TPG's Emily McNutt reviewed the Virgin A350 Premium seat in 2019 and noted: Though I found the pitch and recline of the seats to be on the generous side, Virgin cramped up the cabin and seat by shrinking the width of its Premium seats to just 18.5 inches.The seat definitely felt on the narrow side. The headphones distributed were lightweight and insubstantial. Virgin Atlantic economy is a perfectly fine way to cross the Atlantic, and the airline's snazzy "Upper Class" business class product is considered one of the best ways to fly to London. Let us know your thoughts in the comments. I'm torn about this. Virgin Atlantic's premium cabin features cozy leather seats with headrests and footrests. From the pre-boarding experience in the lounge or Club House, to your spacious seat and bed during your flight, long-haul journeys will . The fleece material of the blanket felt almost worn, but I liked that the blanket had a special neck cutout, which made it easier to cover yourself in an upright position in Premium or economy. This can shave off 30-45 minutes from arriving at the airport to sitting in the aircraft, although you still have to use regular security. Virgin Atlantic, Upper Class, Bed. The seats are still 21 inches wide and 38 inches in pitch with the same 2-3-2 configuration, but the cabin is significantly larger. [flight_stats ticket-class="econ" review-stat-section="Food and Beverage" tpg-rating="23" tpg-rating-max="25" live-tv="0" tailcam="0" headphones="0" comp-meal="2" comp-alcohol="Yes" extra-pillows="0" turndown-service="0" /]. One of the airline's values is to become the "most loved travel company who delivers amazing things.". $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. The A350 is the flagship of Virgin Atlantic's fleet and carries the newest Premium cabin. Virgin has long been an industry leader in premium economy products, and this helps the carrier continue to make waves in offering a great experience for passengers in the Premium cabin. Privacy policy | The best seats depend on whether you want more legroom and speedier service, albeit with the risk of the bassinet being used at the front of the cabin (row 21) or you'd rather be able to recline for the entire flight and have at least some kind of view from behind the wing at the back of the cabin (row 27). Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. However, Virgin Atlantic doesnt offer leg rests in premium economy. There were three lavatories in the Premium cabin, which I found to be a perfect number for the number of passengers on my flight. The first is that instead of the usual 2-3-2 configuration on most of its own aircraft and many other premium economy cabins around the world, the airline decided to go for a more tightly packed 2-4-2 config. Flying Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic . Use this seat map to get the most comfortable seats, legroom and recline before booking. Two rows back in 20, the legroom is going to be less than the bulkhead seats but at least you're slightly farther away from the noise and traffic of the galley. During the course of the flight, crew members left out a small bin of chips and snacks for the taking in the galley. Instead, other passengers and I were able to FaceTime with friends and family on the ground. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. If you need to stay connected with friends and family or simply can't miss your next deadline, our on board WiFi is available from 2.99. The AA 700 300 seat pitch is 38 inches - quite a bit more than the standard economy seats, which have a pitch of 31-32 inches (Main Cabin extra offers 36 inches). When not traveling, Megan adventures around her Midwest home base where she likes to attend theme parties, ride her bike and cook Asian food. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Considering the value that can be had for redeeming miles for a Premium experience on this route, the product is a huge step up from standard economy and worth it on a route like this, a seven-hour jaunt between New York and London. . Less than one week before launching A350 service, Virgin unveiled its brand-new amenity kits, called "Goodie Bags." The seat had direct aisle access but the armrests couldn't be raised. Hot options seemed to be carb heavy: rice, two kinds of penne pasta and what appeared to be a chickpea dish. Instead, Virgin let passengers connect their phone to the screen via Bluetooth and then control it from there. His background in political science and economics gives him unique insight into issues surrounding international travel and governmental regulations. But what was it really like? In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. /]. Similar to the Upper Class cabins, the layout and comfort you might experience in each aircraft differs slightly. Find the best seat wiht our Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 (789) seating chart. Service was fast and efficient, and everything appeared to be smooth. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. With 35 seats in total in a slightly staggered 2-3-2 configuration, the cabin is cozy and compact. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Virgin also offers Economy Delight, which will give you 3" extra of pitch and access to priority boarding and check-in. Top picks: 20A, 20K or row 25. Fully flat beds in a comfy space to call your own. Step 2: Contact Virgin Holidays to confirm that your trip has been ticketed. That wasn't the case. This handy table shows the seat width, pitch and legroom in each of our cabins. Service is one of those things that can either make or break a flight. Though there wasn't a ton of storage in the seat, I found there to be about as much as expected for a premium economy seat. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Virgin Points earn percentage is for base flown miles. The premium economy 777 AA seats themselves are 19 inches wide - 2 more than AA economy, so a substantial difference. Reply. Premium passengers were entitled to a generous two pieces of baggage, each up to 50 pounds in weight. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Enrollment required. And the large premium economy cabins may lead to slow service. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Ron says: March 5, 2020 at 3:51 am . SeatSpy Pricing. Prior to landing, the crew came through the cabin offering water or juice as a prearrival drink. Enrollment required. In this regard, Virgin Atlantic premium economy mostly delivers. However, premium economy passengers have reported receiving them on daytime flights across the Atlantic. All A330-300 aircraft are powered by two Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines. The drink was served with sour-cream-and-chive pretzels. It was the small side, and I found it to be somewhat difficult to find an open seat., but there was an entire area, the Quiet Area, that I didn't get the chance to explore. After a seamless bag-check experience and obtaining my boarding pass, I ascended the nearby escalator to the security checkpoint. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. The Premium cabin of the A330-300 is quite similar to the Dreamliner. In comparison, Virgin Atlantic premium economy cabins are massive: Airbus A350: 56 premium economy seats seven rows with eight seats per row. In comparison, Virgin Economy Light fares don't get a checked bag allowance. This seat has an additional 4" of legroom compared to Economy Class seats. The Vi. Each of the Collins Aerospace MiQ seats featured 38 inches of pitch and 7 inches of recline. Virgin Atlantic's A330neo will make its debut on the airline's Boston to London route in October 2022; tickets will go on sale this month. TPG values it at $1,600. In addition to the USB port with the IFE screen, there was a universal power outlet on the side of the seat next to the seat controls. 787-900 Dreamliners: The most energy efficient of Virgin Atlantic's fleet has 35 Premium seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. Was a bit nervous whether it would really recline fully. In comparison, Virgin's Economy offers a "generous" width of up to 17 inches, with seat pitch or legroom of up to 31 inches. About 20 minutes later, the crew came around the cabin with meals. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Top picks: 20A, 20K or row 25. Terms and conditions | We've written extensively about the premium economy offerings on Virgin's Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A350-1000s in the last year. That means that wherever you're flying, there will be a Premium cabin onboard if you want to travel in more comfort than in economy. As a digital nomad for nearly five years, JT proves through experience that credit card rewards can drastically reduce the cost of travel. There are at least two Premium (premium economy) award seats; There are at least eight economy award seats; This is a valuable feature, given how many airlines don't open any award space when the schedule opens. This is a good rule of thumb to follow when looking at fares, especially considering that seats can cost two to three times an economy fare as well. Top picks: Similar to the best economy seats, before the aircraft went into early retirement due to the coronavirus pandemic, the winner in this category was, without doubt, the tiny, exclusive Premium cabin on the upper deck of the legendary 747. . The exterior of the kit itself was made from recyclable kraft paper, which felt like a combination of cardboard and thick paper. One of the airline's values is to become the "most loved travel company who delivers amazing things.". Upper Class: Virgin Atlantic's First Class is the ultimate in luxury travel. Depending on your aircraft, premium economy is laid out in a 2-3-2 or 2-4-2 arrangement. In premium economy, the experience goes beyond just the seats. To start, there was only one option: a Cajun pasta salad of fusilli, mixed leaves and mustard vinaigrette. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Bookings made by credit card or debit card no longer incur a fee. Instead, I opted to pay cash for the round-trip itinerary from London (LHR) to New York-JFK. My TPG UK colleague Dan Ross has reviewed all of LHR's lounges, and he's determined that, between the Priority Pass options in T3, Club Aspire is the way to go. This works out at just 62.50 per person per flight. Canadian tariffs. Seat Selection. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. Virgin's A350s come equipped Inmarsat's GX Aviation Wi-Fi. Extra legroom with 34" seat pitch. Virgin Atlantic A330-900neo Premium. 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. Seats are in a 2-4-2 configuration, with everyone just one seat . We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Economy Delight allows you to check in at Premium Economy check in desks, enjoy priority boarding, and get first dibs on overhead storage. A small decision goes a long way, in my eyes. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. At just over $900, it's not the absolute cheapest premium economy fare I've seen, but it was a good value. If you're feeling peckish during the flight just pop along to our onboard Wander Wall. Meanwhile, the rest of the seats in the Premium cabin had just a pedal attached to the seat in front there was no legrest. Additional baggage allowance can be purchased at check in. is a perfectly fine way to cross the Atlantic, and the airline's snazzy "Upper Class" business class product is considered one of the best ways to fly to London. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. You emailed me saying the 2 business class Avios seats I wanted . It consists of 48 seats in total; six rows in a 2-3-2 configuration, one row configured 2-2 and the front bulkhead row, 18, only has two seats, 18A and 18C. The most recent Airbus A350-1000 that Virgin Atlantic took delivery of featured an all new configuration, intended for leisure routes. As far as food, there was a decent selection, both hot and cold. Each one is 21 inches wide and has 38 inches of pitch. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). 22 D: None: No Power On board, Virgin Atlantic offers high-quality food and drink options, starting with a glass of bubbly before departure and continuing with meals served on real dishes with metal cutlery. Find our best fares on your next flights to the US and beyond, with a fantastic choice of food, drinks, award winning entertainment and onboard WiFi. Assigning Editor | Travel, SEO, Travel Loyalty Programs. West Coast to Europe w/ Virgin points-flying Delta metal-is no more, since Delta has virtually stopped making award seats available to Virgin for West Coast-based flights. Beat the lines, drop your bags at Premium check in. Stylish touches make big differences in Premium, in a cabin consisting of 46 seats on the A330neo. They were fun and conversational rather than cold and unapproachable. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. The upgrade can cost as little as 7,500 Virgin points plus any associated taxes and fees (up to $180-$200 depending on the route). All Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats feature universal power and USB outlets, as well as an in-flight entertainment touch screen. I traveled along with my TPG UK colleagues Nicky Kelvin (Upper Class Suite) and Jean Arnas (economy) to test out the product myself on the aircraft's third-ever passenger flight. Virgin Atlantic premium economy passengers are served a choice of water, orange juice or bubbly as a pre-departure drink. While Virgin Atlantic premium economy passengers get airport perks like priority check-in and priority boarding, they don't get priority security or lounge access. Premium Class. Virgin Atlantic received its first-ever Airbus A330-900neo aircraft on Friday, which will replace its aging A330ceos. Perks start at your departure airport. Virgin Atlantic Premium flyers can check two bags up to 23 kilograms (50 pounds) each for free. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. In addition to a new seat with a large IFE system, Virgin paid attention to details that helped improve the passenger experience. Just enough to give you a big lift before you get to your destination. Should you get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? From personal experience, bids for premium economy usually begin around 200 ($240) and can rise to up to 500 ($605) at the maximum. There was a small slot next to the seat, underneath the armrest. The leather seats are the biggest in their class: 21" wide (up from 17" in economy), with a 8" recline (compared with 5" in economy), and 38" pitch (from 31" or 34"). Overall, the meal service was enjoyable and tasty. 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. With new aircraft, several carriers are doing away with overhead air vents for passengers. I got the mozzarella and an English breakfast tea. It's worth noting that taxes and fees can sometimes reach or exceed $500. Premium economy allows access to a dedicated queue at check-in, early boarding, and extra baggage allowance. The Virgin Atlantic Airways Airbus A350-1000 is the flagship of the airline's fleet (July 2019). Accessibility | You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. Additionally, the seats not by the bulkhead had upper and lower seatback storage spaces primarily for literature like the new A350-1000 safety cards. Learn more. Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats might be a tight fit width-wise on some aircraft. Virgin Atlantic bucks the trend here, letting you select your own seat for free, although they have recently introduced 'Preferred Premium' seating which reserves c. 30% of the cabin (typically . This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Your first checked bag will run you $75 out of pocket, while the second is $100. He published over 2,000 articles on The Points Guy before becoming a freelance writer. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class seat entertainment controller. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. Advanced seat assignment . It's the little touches here and there that help you truly enjoy your time in the air. . 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. Find out how our Upper Class, Premium and Economy seats measure up, p to 27 inch touchscreen in The Retreat Suite*, Extra large, Leather, Extra legroom, Fully flat bed. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. It comes with . For example, the tray table and two drink spaces on the armrest were colored in a faux-granite design. I arrived in Europe 9 days earlier via SWISS' solid business class throne seat. It's also the farthest back you can sit before your view out the window starts getting too obstructed by the wing. AA 777 Premium Economy Cabin. Each of the screens in the cabin, whether in the bulkhead row or in one of 48 other seats in the cabin, was 13.3 inches, larger than existing offerings with the carrier. But is the product worth the extra cost? Best Premium seats on a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-300. [flight_stats ticket-class="econ" review-stat-section="Service" tpg-rating="24" tpg-rating-max="25" live-tv="0" tailcam="0" headphones="0" comp-alcohol="0" extra-pillows="0" turndown-service="0" blurb="I've flown with Virgin quite a few times, and I've never have a bad experience when it comes to service. Headphones: Virgin Atlantic advertises that premium economy passengers get "premium" headphones. It consists of 48 seats in total; six rows in a 2-3-2 configuration, one row configured 2-2 and the front . . Or, if you're a Flying Club or Virgin Red member, you can use your Virgin Points to upgrade. With the ricotta and the spiciness of the tomato sauce and zest from the sweet peppers, it was a great dish. At boarding, each of the seats in the Premium cabin was stocked with all of the amenities for the flight: a plastic-wrapped blanket, pillow, amenity kit and set of headphones. The best time to pay for an upgrade is on overnight flights. Premium economy features pretty much the same seat on all Virgin Atlantic aircraft, with the exception of the Airbus A330-200. The Premium cabin on the Virgin A350 comprised a total of 56 seats across a single cabin. Only 1 seat available , not good when 2 of . This means that whether you're a window- or aisle-seat person, there's less chance of being disturbed or having to disturb when either person leaves their seat.

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