With the Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard, you can earn 30,000 bonus points (enough to book this flight) after spending $1,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. As in, my flight was just the aircraft's third commercial service. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. The Premium queue comes with a document check station right at the back, so you don't have to visit two different areas for vaccine and form clearance. I think any seat width about 18 doesnt really make much of a factor. We know the journey is as important as the destination. And this flight was no different." Delta Premium Select: 21 - 25 BDGH; Delta Comfort+: 30 - 33 CDFG; Main Cabin: 34 - 39 CDFG, 41 - 54 CDFG, 55 DF * Delta One: Movable armrests require the assistance of a Delta employee. Sadly, the check-in perks don't extend to Virgin's private security channel, and it took a full 30 minutes to complete security. The card also earns 3 Virgin points per dollar spent on Virgin Atlantic tickets and duty-free items purchased directly from Virgin Atlantic. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Wi-Fi was available throughout the flight, with pricing from 2.40 pounds ($2.60) for a messaging-only option up to 16.80 pounds ($18) for the full-flight option. Review: How Good Is Virgin Atlantic A350 Premium Economy? For my main, I ordered the vegetarian meal, asparagus and ricotta gnocchi with spicy tomato sauce, sweet peppers and broccoli. All this being said, the Virgin A350 seats aren't uncomfortable in any way. She looked at my boarding pass and in an unexpected and pleasant surprise directed me to the priority lane, explaining that Virgin Atlantic Premium passengers were allowed to use it. All three courses appetizer, main and dessert were served at the same time, and I appreciated that they expedited the meal service this way. . Inside were more environmentally friendly products, such as a bamboo toothbrush, a small tube of toothpaste, paper-wrapped pen, eye mask and earplugs. Given past trips with Virgin in premium economy, I was hopeful that the A350 would set the benchmark in this competitive market. cons="Somewhat narrow seats and flimsy headphones." Based in New Delhi, India. Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy customers enjoy a dedicated Premium check in lane and are able to check two bags. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Visit delta.com to learn more. Accessibility | With new aircraft, several carriers are doing away with overhead air vents for passengers. . That small feature can make all the difference between a comfortable and uncomfortable flight. More of a wander basket. While the welcome beverages were a pleasant surprise, both meal services were not. Because it was free for everyone, I was worried that it would be on the slow side because of bandwidth issues. Not least among them is Virgin's premium economy cabin, simply called Premium, which is available on the carrier's A330-220 and A330-300 planes, its A350-1000s, and Boeing 797-9 Dreamliners. the Luxury Travel Expert 1.1M subscribers Subscribe Share 760K views 2 years ago Join me on a. [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. I chose orange juice and coffee to go with it I did at least appreciate the sturdy mug the coffee was served in. My flight departed slightly late but arrived early, as eastbound transatlantic flights often do because of strong tailwinds. That said, there were significant improvements with this product, as well as design decisions that went a long way in terms of enjoyment. The window seat allows me to doze off without anyone stepping over and the h-u-g-e A350 windows can make for fun viewing, particularly during the dusk departure we were able to enjoy leaving New York Kennedy gorgeous. There was a small slot next to the seat, underneath the armrest. And in this case, it was just about as good as it gets. Instead, Virgin let passengers connect their phone to the screen via Bluetooth and then control it from there. Two lavatories dedicated to the Premium cabin were located at the front of the seating, just behind the Upper Class social space. This was a very large cabin for what is supposed to be a more exclusive product than regular economy, and it left me feeling like I was just another number at times. It was definitely an exciting experience to see the shiny new A350-1000, registration G-VLUX, a three-year-old bird. Virgin Atlantic: Airbus A350-1000 (351) 38: 18.5: On-Demand TV: All Seats: AC Power: Yes: Recliner: Virgin Atlantic: Boeing . I took a picture of the menu for you, so that you can see whats being offered anyway. As an old gold card holder I used to love the smaller JFK lounge. Boarding took place via two entrances to the aircraft: one for Upper Class passengers and a rear door for Premium and economy passengers. 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. Personally, I've long been a fan of Virgin Atlantic, with its cheeky, fresh and fun approach to flying. The cabin crew on board was absolutely phenomenal and uniquely Virgin. Though there was some wait during peak times (after meal services and before landing), they quickly dissipated. However, with each award ticket comes a hefty amount of taxes and fees -- in this case about $250. This time around, after flying the very luxurious British Airways First to the United States to film an all-cabin video review with the U.K. team, I decided on something a little more economical for the return journey. Enjoy a 11.5 inch seatback screen, USB power, and a six-way adjustable headrest for ultimate comfort. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Privacy policy | Virgin has remastered the premium economy experience with its Premium A350 product. compared to the 787-9, for which I only had positive words last year, giving British Airways a run for its money. View the current offers here. "Starlux is a premier global airline offering world-class service and amenities," said Nap Pieper, senior vice president of fleet, finance . I'm all for sustainability with these kits, but I was not a fan of the crumpled and battered "goodie bag" pouch the items were presented in, as it is not something I would ever use again. Virgin Atlantic includes premium economy passengers in the Priority boarding section, right after status holders and Upper Class travelers (a cabin we reviewed recently too!). The entre was the exact opposite, a dense, cheesy, sloppy dish overflowing with rice. The seat definitely felt on the narrow side. On an overnight flight where speed is key, this did strike me as slower than usual. His background in political science and economics gives him unique insight into issues surrounding international travel and governmental regulations. Are you able to eat or use laptop when this happens? Premium Rich, custom leather seats with a generous 7 inch recline and high end finishes. By comparison, Virgin Atlantic's A350 aircraft has 11.6-inch screens in the economy cabin. What a contrast with their main UK rivals weak PE offering (& thats before the catering Going has found deals as low as $1,121 from DCA to London on Virgin Atlantic. While this is a lot, the high ceilings and straight sidewalls of the A350 give a sense of space, preventing it from feeling claustrophobic. Offer ends 5/3/23. I'm torn about this. . 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping, 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases, Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points), Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status, Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award. Perhaps the personal freedoms Virgin (rightly) affords employees plays a role there. The Virgin A350 Premium Economy Seat Virgin's Premium cabin on the A350 offers 2x4x2 seating. Certain hotels have resort fees. By contrast, on the carrier's old A340s, 747s, 787s and A330-300s, Premium seats have 21 inches of pitch in a 2-3-2 configuration, though the 747 is also a 2-4-2 because it's a wider aircraft. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying, Breakfast did not match up to dinner. The building on the left was reserved for Virgin Atlantic and its close friend Delta. Would the A350 talk be just that: talk? Unbeknownst to me, Gate 22 was about a 15-minute trek away. Once I finally arrived at the space, I saw the shiny, new A350-1000 bird waiting for us. Even for a premium economy snob which I am these seats are excellent. For example, while the food for the initial meal service didn't match the menus the crew had handed out, they only seemed to discover this after passengers had finished eating it despite it being obvious the moment I opened my meal. Oversized entertainment screens at 13.3 rival many found in business class, seat storage is plentiful and nice foot rests help to sit back and relax. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying. /]. The A350 may be one of the quietest aircraft out there but having noise cancelling still makes a huge difference so I prefer to bring my own. Airlines seem to insist on having only one full meal on flights between New York and London, with a second meal being a lighter "snack." With the ricotta and the spiciness of the tomato sauce and zest from the sweet peppers, it was a great dish. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying, The tighter seats take away from one of premium economy's major selling points. They were fun and conversational rather than cold and unapproachable. I passed on the sparkles so that I could manage a flight without climbing over a seat mate, but many people were happily reveling. Virgin Atlantic has 56 Premium seats on both layouts of its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. Is The White Lotus breaking up with Four Seasons ahead of Season 3? Just before landing, the cabin crew came around with a final treat: Swizzels Love Hearts. Cookie statement | 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. AUSTRIAN AIRLINES. I counted 117 movies and 81 TV shows to choose from, including "Top Gun Maverick," "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" and "Sing 2." If you are at all like me, and live for electronic devices packed with shows, its nice to know that Virgin Atlantic has both AC and USB power at every premium seat. Would we fly virgin premium again. It was a pleasant enough flight. Virgin Atlantic currently flies from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to its home at London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) four times daily, increasing to five daily flights from Mar. Thats what travel is for, right? Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. The last row of premium economy is a great option for sleepers, since you can recline without having to ask or worry if the person behind you might be eating. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Theres something magical about tucking into great entertainment on board, and Im all for any activity to boost this. The only negative was the roll, which was plastic-wrapped and incredibly tough and dry. 2x points on all other eligible purchases. The other dimensions of the seat were more generous, with 38 inches of legroom and 7 inches of recline, both fairly standard for premium economy. It was a bifold tray table, which was perfect for just a small plate or to rest a drink. Virgin partners with celebrity ptissier Eric Lanlard for a tea service as a prearrival meal. I was able to quickly find something Id happily nod off to, but US airlines including Virgin partner Delta tend to offer wider selections. You'll find the largest, 13.3-inch screens on Airbus A350 aircraft, but only 10.5-inch screens on Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Every seat is window facing with adjustable moodlighting, an 18.5 inch screen, enhanced privacy and plenty of space and storage. For a day flight, its a total no brainer. While not a huge space, and definitely not enough to store a laptop, it was sufficient for my passport, AirPods and my phone. It's worth noting that taxes and fees can sometimes reach or exceed $500. UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic has redesigned its upper class cabin to include an eight-seat lounge called "The Loft" on its new Airbus A350-1000 fleet, replacing its existing upper . 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. There was no wait for check-in and I was helped immediately. The Loft is featured on seven of our A350 aircraft: G-VDOT, G-VJAM, G-VLUX, G-VPOP, G-VPRD, G-VRNB, G-VTEA. Because Virgin and Delta had an entirely different entrance for Upper Class/Delta One passengers, the check-in space for those passengers in the main check-in area was fairly limited. The vegetable samosas came out of a plastic packet, giving them a distinctly un-premium feel, with no standout flavors. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Flying from South Africa to the Uk in October 2021 my food tray broken when I told the cabin crew I was told we dont have the tools onboard to fix this problem economy class on my return in February 2023 I decided to check my seat and food tray and get comfortable food tray fine seat broken as I was told on my way out of Africa we dont have tools onboard I did not contact cabin crew needless to say when I could not put my seat in an upright position cabin not impressed with me my thinking was they dont have the tool to fix it Economy class not very impressed, I think a lot of people dont realise that Virgin actually shrunk the size of their premium economy seat when they brought out the A350. Like, a lot. There is no one behind you. Gilbert Ott is an ever curious traveler and one of the world's leading travel experts. The tray passed to me didn't look appealing. Registered as G-VLUX and nicknamed "Red Velvet," the aircraft was delivered to Virgin on Aug. 10. "And again, we have that Bluetooth connectivity, so at every seat, you can connect your headsets there . If you hate feeling groggy after a flight, youll absolutely love the Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350. The seat padding has also taken a hit, with slimmer leather seats being chosen for this cabin. Meanwhile, the rest of the seats in the Premium cabin had just a pedal attached to the seat in front there was no legrest. It was rated first for premium economy in the Skytrax World Airline Awards in 2019. The blanket also appeared the same as the one that was provided to economy passengers, although this wasn't such a big deal on a relatively short daytime flight. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. [flight_stats ticket-class="econ" review-stat-section="Cabin and Seat" tpg-rating="21" tpg-rating-max="25" configuration="2" configuration-2="4" configuration-3="2" width="18.5" pitch="38" lavs="3" live-tv="0" tailcam="0" headphones="0" comp-alcohol="0" extra-pillows="0" turndown-service="0" /]. Next-generation efficiency, comfort and connectivity. 3/1/2020, seat 22D. Virgin Atlantic offers 56 seats in a 2-4-2 layout on the A350, spread over seven rows. Or connect your bluetooth headphones to the32 inch TV and watch a show or our live tailcam. While it was my fault for not realizing where the tortillas were held, I observed several passengers around me making the same mistake. I flew LHR to JNB in August. Each of the Collins Aerospace MiQ seats featured 38 inches of pitch and 7 inches of recline. ", Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. That also meant that I had extra legroom and a slightly different product than the rest of the cabin. One was soft and fluffy while the other was overcooked and as hard as a rock. I loved the amazing, customized "I (Heart) A350" pillows, which were clearly made just for the introduction of the aircraft into service. For the month between delivery and its first commercial operation, the aircraft operated several test flights within the UK, mostly from Glasgow (GLA) to Glasgow, according to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24. Virgin Atlantics Premium Economy offers a more a la carte service than economy, and that starts with pre-departure bubbles and drink service. Proving that the very best cabins in the world could be unlocked with points became an obsession. Both flights were far more comfortable than a standard cattle class seats. There was plenty to like about this particular flight in Premium from New York to London, too I especially enjoyed the large, crisp inflight entertainment screens and the numerous device charging options. Bookings made by credit card or debit card no longer incur a fee. You can also transfer American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Capital One miles at a 1:1 ratio to Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club program. I found the tea service to be so very pleasant and a phenomenal way to end the flight. We've replaced our Upper Class bar with a unique space to gather, grab a drink or dine with friends. Check here before booking an award fare. Overall, the meal service was enjoyable and tasty. Overall, I found the cabin and seat to be comfortable. About Virgin Atlantic About Virgin Atlantic. On the 787 -9, seats measure 21" in width vs 18" in economy and offer 38" in pitch vs 31" (34" in Economy Delight).