It is flown by a mix of aircraft, but fortunately on my day of travel, an A350 was scheduled to operate the service. There was no bottle or label to be seen, but I assume it was Ayala Champagne, which has been Virgin's house brand for several years. Paper menus are back too! I'm a major fan of securing a window seat in the two seat, side configurations. My flight departed slightly late but arrived early, as eastbound transatlantic flights often do because of strong tailwinds. While it was nice to have the screen out when I wanted it and stored when I didn't, I had to have it stored for taxi, takeoff and landing. I really liked the sturdy tray table that folded out of the outer armrest. As the table did not slide out very far. Each of the Collins Aerospace MiQ seats featured 38 inches of pitch and 7 inches of recline. The wander wall on the 730 in comparison with the Dreamliner was also poor. The Loft is featured on seven of our A350 aircraft: G-VDOT, G-VJAM, G-VLUX, G-VPOP, G-VPRD, G-VRNB, G-VTEA. Its so quiet that you really can hear a lot. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. All information about Airbus A350-1000 Virgin Atlantic Interior First class Business class Check-in Baggage | SeatMaps . Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Because my itinerary was booked shortly after Virgin put A350 flights on sale, award availability wasn't great. With an early morning departure and an evening arrival at Heathrow, these two meals were the only things I ate all day. 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. By comparison, Virgin Atlantic's A350 aircraft has 11.6-inch screens in the economy cabin. On a recent work trip to New York, I needed a one way ticket home to London, and Virgin Premium Economy on the A350 offered the best value, just moderately priced above economy. However, compared to the 787-9, for which I only had positive words last year, this certainly feels like a downgrade. The dish covers were still on, and the cutlery was lodged inside two drinking glasses, which were laying down on their side. It was a bifold tray table, which was perfect for just a small plate or to rest a drink. Everything was fresh, and you could feel the excitement of the cabin crew. Virgin Atlantic's Airbus A350 Fleet: Everything You Need To Know I found the legrest and footrest on the bulkhead row to be useful. 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. I was reminded of how phenomenal this cabin is, with one caveat which Ill get to. 31-3417.4: 45-71: 235: Reviews. Each of the Premium-cabin seats besides the bulkhead seats featured a built-in IFE screen in the back of the headrest. Airbus A350-1000 Virtual tours Upper Class Premium Economy Economy Our newest Economy seats are designed with bespoke woven fabrics inspired by fashion houses. And in this case, it was just about as good as it gets. There was a small footrest that could be lowered so I could rest my feet on it. This means you can get a 4.5% return on these purchases based on TPG's valuations. I didn't eat anything, as I wasn't hungry and wanted to save my appetite for when I got on board. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying, Around 70 airlines will be affected by the strike. Would we fly virgin premium again. While the welcome beverages were a pleasant surprise, both meal services were not. 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. With my paid fare, I was able to select my seat for free and chose a window seat in the last row of the cabin, so I could both look out the window, and observe the service flow. I decided on the fajita. 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. ", Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The beer I had with dinner wasn't cold, and setting up the meal trays with a little care before serving them would have made a big difference in the experience. Your email address will not be published. Brilliant Guide To British Airways Upgrades Using Avios Or Cash. There are four first-class suites, 26 seats in business, 36 in premium economy, and 240 in economy. But what was it really like? compared to the 787-9, for which I only had positive words last year, giving British Airways a run for its money. I flew LHR to JNB in August. Unfortunately, no Priority Pass lounges were open prior to my 8:15 a.m. departure, either. Flight Review: Virgin Atlantic A350 Premium Economy - Not The Winner Upon boarding, crew told passengers that to celebrate the launch of the A350 into service, Wi-Fi would be free for all passengers for the flight. Virgin Atlantic A350-1000 economy class review: New York - SANspotter I quickly noticed that there was no additional remote-control option, which likely helped to open up some storage space in the seat. They provided good sound quality while still feeling comfortable to wear. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Next-generation efficiency, comfort and connectivity. Looking at dates in November 2022, most economy fares from the US East Coast were around $800-900 for Virgin Atlantic Economy Classic to London, an additional $140-180 for Economy Delight, and $1200-1500 for Premium. 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. Emotional baggage is best left at your departure point. Review: How Good Is Virgin Atlantic A350 Premium Economy? In total, the carrier offers 235 seats here. Overall, the meal service was enjoyable and tasty. [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. The drink was served with sour-cream-and-chive pretzels. Which airlines have the best premium economy? Virgin Atlantic has a dedicated section of the terminal area for its passengers, including a priority queue for premium economy travelers. There was definitely a Cajun kick to it, and the twang from the mustard made it really enjoyable. 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!). Crew then distributed menus for the flight, which included drinks, main courses and the teatime selections. Economy Premium. I chose a Brewdog Lost lager with my meal. If youre looking to beat the rush at immigration, this is a prize choice. The first row and the last row of premium make up the dreamboat seats. More by Gilbert Ott. Menus were handed out during the boarding process and I could see there was a choice between a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit or a Belgian waffle with syrup. the Luxury Travel Expert 1.1M subscribers Subscribe Share 760K views 2 years ago Join me on a. The food, however, was a comedy of errors, including the wrong items being loaded for the tiny first meal, the messy, upside-down tray for the second meal (with someone else's special order initially served), the hidden tortillas and the warm beer. The Dreamliner tables were from the back of the passengers seat in from, and seemed more flexible. 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. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. 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. Im a Cantonese speaker (cant read Chinese), there was one film, the same film I saw flying to Antigua in April . You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. For starters, it was presented the wrong way around, with the dessert in the front rather than the appetizer salad. I tried a bite of it and didn't go back. My flight was on the emptier side, so most passengers who were seated in the middle section of four seats had empty seats between them. As someone who enjoys spending as little time in airports as possible, I was happy to whisk through, enjoy a quick dash through security and hop on board. We've replaced our Upper Class bar with a unique space to gather, grab a drink or dine with friends. As someone who goes from being hot to cold and vice versa quickly, I'm a huge fan of being able to control the air flow at my seat. I had a glass of the Casa Piero sauvignon blanc from Spain, which was bright and crisp. Note: some photos from this review are from a previous flight, where it was easier to snap the cabin. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying, Breakfast did not match up to dinner. Premium, upgraded: A review of Virgin Atlantic's new Premium product on the A350, This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. The recline function was operated by a single metal lever on the side of the center console. 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. Features of the aircraft include: - 44 Upper Class open suites with partial sliding doors - All Upper Class seats face toward the aircraft windows - A new onboard Upper Class lounge named "The Loft" - 56 recliner-style Premium Class seats The dish was absolutely lovely and roaring with flavor. Virgin Atlantic's new plane raises flying standards | The Sacramento Bee 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. According to their website, in addition to the A330neo, Virgin Atlantic's current fleet includes the Airbus A350-1000, Boeing's 787-9, and Airbus A330-300. If I wanted people to take me seriously, I had to prove that every thing I was claiming could come true with points and travel savvy, could actually come true. As previously mentioned, the IFE screen in my bulkhead seat came out from underneath one of the armrests. The Booth is a luxurious spot just for two, to enjoy anything from a wine tasting experience, to a romantic dinner, a nightcap, or just a change of scene. [flight_stats ticket-class="econ" review-stat-section="Amenities and IFE" tpg-rating="12" tpg-rating-max="15" screen="13.3" movies="104" tv-shows="140" live-tv="No" tailcam="Yes" headphones="Yes" comp-alcohol="0" extra-pillows="0" turndown-service="0" /]. As in, my flight was just the aircraft's third commercial service. "Starlux is a premier global airline offering world-class service and amenities," said Nap Pieper, senior vice president of fleet, finance . Discover our brand new A350 aircraft, and see the passion we poured into creating it in this behind the scenes video. Both aircraft offer improved cabin specs, with a more natural humidity, pressurization and noise reduction compared to older aircraft on the route, like a Boeing 767 or 777. There was also a bar with bartender service. These seats cost around $2,370 roundtrip between NYC and London. With the ricotta and the spiciness of the tomato sauce and zest from the sweet peppers, it was a great dish. In the evening, the Premium queue was even shorter than the one for Upper Class, and far quicker than economy, which was nearing capacity. Review: Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy (Airbus A330-300) The line was so long, I couldn't even work out where to join it, so I asked a nearby security staff member. The building on the left was reserved for Virgin Atlantic and its close friend Delta. Required fields are marked *. Both flights were far more comfortable than a standard cattle class seats. [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" /]. Totally agree with all points here. Related: Watch TPG UK review all 3 cabins on Virgin Atlantic's brand-new Airbus A350. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Being in the front means you'll beat most of the plane through immigration. On an overnight flight where speed is key, this did strike me as slower than usual. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Thats not unique to any one airline, but new planes really are stellar. That breaks down to 44 seats in Upper Class, 56 in premium economy, and 235 seats in. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Virgin Atlantic departs from Terminal 4 at JFK Airport, along with its partners, Delta and KLM (Air France departs from Terminal 1). What Is Premium Economy? Is It Worth The Extra? - Simple Flying Certain hotels have resort fees. Families, or groups of colleagues may prefer the middle four. There were three choices for an entree fajita chicken, red Thai curry, or vegetarian shepherd's pie. Alaska Airlines has welcomed Starlux into its fold as its latest airline partner. Things to know about Virgin Atlantic's brand-new Airbus A330neo - The My seat, 21A, was a bulkhead window seat, meaning there was no one seated in front of me. Earlier this summer, British Airways launched its first-ever A350 routes to Madrid before launching it on long-haul flights. Privacy policy | 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. Virgin recently took delivery of two brand new Airbus A350 airplanes, which made for a perfect opportunity to revamp its onboard offering. All three courses appetizer, main and dessert were served at the same time, and I appreciated that they expedited the meal service this way. "And again, we have that Bluetooth connectivity, so at every seat, you can connect your headsets there . Two lavatories dedicated to the Premium cabin were located at the front of the seating, just behind the Upper Class social space. The seat hadn't been cleaned properly, and I found crumbs on the leather upholstery, which is an issue I've found common across almost every carrier I've flown this year. To me, the extra width is a massive bonus and I would always try NOT fly on a Virgin A350 in premium for this reason. A review of Virgin Atlantic's Premium on the A350 from New York to Nonetheless, I managed to work productively for most of the journey to London, another advantage of daytime flights. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. The main was hot and tasted great, and I could have easily gone for seconds. Row 45 is the first row of economy and isn't a "delight" seat, which means it can be acquired even on lower fares. Designated toilet area . The Booth is featured on two of our A350 aircraft: Designed with love, built for the future. It still is, sometimes. Though the seat was on the narrower side, because I didn't have anyone seated next to me, it felt rather spacious. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Less than one week before launching A350 service, Virgin unveiled its brand-new amenity kits, called "Goodie Bags." Offer ends 5/3/23. AUSTRIAN AIRLINES. Booking Virgins premium economy on the cabin is a cant go wrong feeling. 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. Related: Sorry, aisle-seat fans: The window seat is the best in the air.