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Flights with Virgin Atlantic

Fly Business Class with Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic, with the trading name Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited and Virgin Atlantic International Limited is a British airline with the headquarters in Crawley, West Sussex, England. The company is famous for its color palette of candy red apple, which is its distinctive feature, by which the passengers recognize and love it. Throughout the years, the carrier has grown its popularity by using a lot of attention-grabbing ads and events, all contributing to a favorable perception of this brand.

Generally, during the late 20th century, Virgin Atlantic was always considered a bit outdated due to the fact that they had older planes and cabins, and a smaller amount of routes operated. However, this has changed over the last 4 decades with the carriers swift expansion, while at the same time keeping its original charm from when they started in 1984. Now the airline offers 3 different classes, with Virgin Atlantic Upper Class seats being the business cabin, and enjoying a strong reputation.

The airline has grown its reach by partnering up with Delta Airline in 2012, and introducing innovative features like onboard bars, in-flight massages, spa facilities within the lounge areas, and very professional staff approach. These strategies have helped the whole company to create a positive name, which provokes the feelings of coziness and luxury when it comes to high-end travelers.

Virgin Air business class currently flies to over 35 destinations worldwide, across five continents, and they have recently added destinations like Maldives and the Turks & Caicos Island, showing that they are continuously growing and improving. At the same time, the carrier also has it's own loyalty program called "Flying Club" where you can earn virgin points, for any flights with the same airline or partner airlines, like Air France, Delta and KLM.

Airport Experience with Virgin Atlantic Business Class

The fantastic Upper Class experience starts at the 3rd Terminal, Upper Class Wing at London Heathrow, the carrier's main hub. This section is a private terminal for Virgin Atlantic Airways business class passengers, and Delta One travelers. Here, passengers are welcomed by staff and can drive right up to the entrance. Everything inside is set up in advance for a smooth start, starting with a big check-in area with fast access to security, leading quickly to the airline's Clubhouse.

The Clubhouses are fancy lounges that feel more like private clubs than airport waiting areas. They have waiter service, lots of food and drink options, a pool table, an outdoor area, and even a place for a quick workout or relaxation, including a Peloton bike. Virgin Atlantic has Clubhouses in major cities like London, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Johannesburg, plus shared lounges in other cities around the world.

After landing at Heathrow, Upper Class travelers can use the Revivals lounge to take a shower, get their clothes cleaned, and use free phone and Wi-Fi services.

Virgin Atlantic Business Class Cabin & Seat

Virgin Airways business class really stands out with their colorful mood lighting that fills the cabin, with vibrant reds, pinks, oranges, purples, and blues. This lighting sets up a unique atmosphere, especially during night flights , reflecting VS's flair for making traveling memorable. The cabin's white seat shells contrast beautifully with the rich red leather seats, enhanced with orange, pink, and gold touches, giving off a cool, futuristic nightclub vibe.

Virgin Atlantic offers its Upper Class Cabin across all flights, with slight differences in the seat type and layout. There are four Upper Class seat designs across the fleet, each turning into a fully flat bed, giving every passenger aisle access, and providing enough space to work or charge devices.

The Airbus A350-1000 planes feature a special 1-2-1 seating layout. The middle seats are designed so passengers face away from each other, which is great for solo travelers wanting privacy but not as convenient for those flying together. The window seats face outwards and have a feature to lower the armrest for more sleeping space. These spacious seats offer plenty of room and they do not only recline, but can be turned into a flat bed with just a press of a button. The carrier has decided against adding doors to its Business Class seats on the A350 planes, preferring to encourage more interaction between the crew and passengers. Instead, there are sliding privacy screens for a bit of solitude.

The newest Airbus A330-900neo planes boast the most exclusive seating yet – the Retreat Suites. With 16 planes joining the fleet by 2026, these cabins are outfitted with 30 new Upper Class suites that face forward and have privacy doors. The Retreat Suites at the front are the highlight, offering a huge space for up to four people to hang out or dine together, plus modern amenities like wireless charging and Bluetooth.

The Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A330-300 planes have a different Upper Class design with a 1-1-1 seat arrangement. These seats turn into beds and have an ottoman, but they're a bit narrow and offer less privacy and window views. The seats on the left side of the cabin are preferred for their reduced foot traffic.

Lastly, Virgin's A330-200s feature a unique 1-2-1 seat layout with names like Love Suites, Solo Corner Suites, and Solo Freedom Suites, each catering to different needs. Solo Corner Suites, right by the window, are great for those seeking solitude, while Solo Freedom Suites offer easy aisle access. The Love Suites, perfect for couples, are close together and embody Virgin's playful branding.

Virgin Atlantic Business Class Cuisine

Business Class food service is a key feature of the high-end cabins, and a great way to pass time on long flights. Upper Class passengers enjoy à la carte dining with menus still provided in print. The meals are tailored to the flight's destination and time, offering a four-course selection. Dining is an elegant affair, with food served on designer dishes and cutlery, all laid out on starched white linen tablecloths.

A standout part of Virgins's dining, is the unique Wilbur and Orville salt and pepper shakers, resembling miniature planes, available in both silver or black. These collectibles, introduced 20 years ago, are so popular that many are taken home by passengers each year, despite the crew’s watchful eyes. Special red editions have even been offered during Christmas, with passengers encouraged to keep them.

The main course typically offers meat, fish, and vegetarian options, with two dessert choices, like Pimm's summer pudding, and a cheese & port selection for those who prefer savory over sweet. Virgin Atlantic takes care to plate main dishes onboard, enhancing the meal presentation.

For snacks between meals, there's a self-service bar stocked with fruits, sweets, and savory items. For passengers wanting more sleep, there’s an express menu, and on longer flights, an Extra Bites menu including a Mile High Tea by chef Eric Lanlard. This tea features scones, éclairs, tarts, macarons, and savory rolls or wraps. Additional snack options like Ploughman's or aloo tikki are also available.

Night flights include a breakfast service with hot and cold options, like pastries, muesli, fruit, or a full English breakfast. This can be pre-ordered, similar to hotel room service. Children aged 2-12 have a special menu, which can be pre-ordered online or by phone.

Upper Class passengers can now pre-select meals from a choice of eleven dishes, including exclusive options like Lobster and Crab Tortellini from London Heathrow. This advance selection ensures first choice availability and helps reduce food waste. The menu is available from a week to 24 hours before the flight, with options like halloumi poke bowls and baked cod. Special meal requests like diabetic, vegetarian, kosher, vegan, halal, low lactose, and gluten-friendly options are also accommodated. Passengers who prefer not to dine inflight can inform them in advance to minimize disturbances and reduce waste.

Virgin Atlantic Business Class Beverages

Before takeoff, passengers in Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class are welcomed with a glass of Champagne or English sparkling wine. Along with pre-dinner drinks, the carrier serves high-quality wines chosen by Jeroboams, a famous London wine merchant. In a unique twist, Virgin often serves popcorn instead of the typical nuts provided by other airlines as a snack with pre-dinning drinks.

Virgin primarily offers Ayala Champagne, a drier type that suits tastes at high altitudes. Ayala, established in 1860 and holding a Royal Warrant since 1908, is a prestigious brand from the original Champagne region in France. If Ayala isn’t available, Virgin still stocks other fine Champagnes like Canard-Duchêne and Champagne Chanoine Frères Réserve Privée Brut NV.

Passengers can also choose Hambledon Classic Cuvée, an English sparkling wine made in the UK's oldest commercial vineyard, using the same grape varieties as Champagne. After a successful trial in 2019, it has become a permanent addition to the menu.

Virgin also offers Italian Prosecco N.V. Dea Del Mare and limited-time options like the famous Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence rosé or non-alcoholic Teapigs peach iced tea. To celebrate the King's Coronation on May 6th, Upper Class passengers enjoyed mini bottles of Lanson Black Label Champagne and a special Mile High Tea service.

The drink selection on Virgin Atlantic includes a variety of spirits, liqueurs, soft drinks, hot beverages, and a wide range of trendy teas from Teapigs.

Virgin Atlantic Business Class Amenities

When it comes to booking a business class ticket with the carrier, aside from the additional baggage allowance that you can check in, it is important to remember that the personal storage space in the cabins is quite limited. This is however compensated by the personal air nozzles, which allow passengers to adjust their own air temperature.

VS's amenity kit, called Goody Bag, is an eco-friendly made from FSC-certified recyclable Kraft paper, and filled with sustainable items. Contents include REN Clean Skincare products, a full-size toothbrush, an eyeshade, socks, earplugs in paper packaging, toothpaste, and a Kraft paper pen.

A notable feature in Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class is the provision of pajamas for passengers on night flights, even on shorter transatlantic routes. The airline also offers comfortable bedding, including a high-quality duvet and a large pillow.

A standout aspect of VS's Upper Class cabins is the dedicated social space. On the A350-1000 and A330neo aircraft, this is 'The Loft,' a large area accommodating eight passengers, featuring a 32-inch touchscreen monitor and eight Bluetooth audio jacks for shared entertainment. On the Airbus A330s and Boeing B787s, 'The Bar' serves as the social space. These areas provide a place to stretch, meet people, have a drink, or dine. The latest addition is 'The Booth,' a cozy space for two passengers on select new A350-1000s with smaller Upper Class cabins.

Interestingly, Virgin Atlantic chose not to install curtains separating these social areas from the rest of the Upper Class cabin, aiming for a more open and social environment. However, it's advisable to avoid seats near these areas if you're sensitive to noise, as they can become lively with conversation.