Virgin Atlantic A330-300 Premium Economy. [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" /]. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Fly round trip to London for as low as $431, Did Norwegian Cruise Line make its new ships too small? Virgin Points earn percentage is for base flown miles. Fully flat beds in a comfy space to call your own. 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. This was a brand-new aircraft for Virgin. - A new onboard Upper Class lounge named "The Loft". Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-200 economy seat map (Image courtesy Virgin Atlantic) Best economy seats on a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350-1000. Seats are in a 2-4-2 configuration, with everyone just one seat . 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. No tears in seat upholstery, no nicked corners or stained carpets. 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. Additionally, I was a fan of some of the small design features of the seat. Overhead storage in Virgin Atlantic premium economy. She might be old, but she offered the most private Premium experience of all of Virgin's aircraft. 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. - 56 recliner-style Premium Class seats. From the pre-boarding experience in the lounge or Club House, to your spacious seat and bed during your flight, long-haul journeys will . Virgin Atlantic A330-900neo Premium. TPG values it at $1,600. Check here before booking an award fare. Passengers can choose their seat online as soon as they book . You'll find the largest, 13.3-inch screens on Airbus A350 aircraft, but only 10.5-inch screens on Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Extra legroom with 34" seat pitch. Even the extra-legroom Economy Delight fares get only one free checked bag. Premium economy features pretty much the same seat on all Virgin Atlantic aircraft, with the exception of the Airbus A330-200. Book now . Or, if you're a Flying Club or Virgin Red member, you can use your Virgin Points to upgrade. There were three lavatories in the Premium cabin, which I found to be a perfect number for the number of passengers on my flight. Economy Classic: Free; 30 ($38) for preferred seats, 59-89 ($75-$114) for an exit row seat, or 49 ($63) for an exit row seat with reduced legroom. Virgin has remastered the premium economy experience with its Premium A350 product. As far as food, there was a decent selection, both hot and cold. As is nearly always the case, bulkhead seats are where the bassinets are fixed. However, the decisive factor will always be price. After a seamless bag-check experience and obtaining my boarding pass, I ascended the nearby escalator to the security checkpoint. Bidding is rarely the cheapest way to upgrade so try to avoid overpaying here. That said, there were significant improvements with this product, as well as design decisions that went a long way in terms of enjoyment. Just before landing, the cabin crew came around with a final treat: Swizzels Love Hearts. Upgrade your cabin with Manage My Booking. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. Our opinions are our own. During the course of the flight, crew members left out a small bin of chips and snacks for the taking in the galley. Virgin Atlantic A330-900neo Premium. 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). BERLIN Lufthansa's new Allegris generation of business class seats Allegris being the internal Lufthansa-mainline brand for this Lufthansa Group-wide generation of longhaul cabins, referred to across the airlines as FICE, for Future Inter-Continental Experience are a paradox of contrasts, both familiar and novel, an old story and a new approach. Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats. Depending on your route, an upgrade might just make sense. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. At the time Virgin was charging 30 per seat to reserve seating (this has changed somewhat with the new 3-tier Economy Product recently introduced) So we would be getting all the benefits of Premium economy for just 32.50 per flight. In the terminal, there were two Priority Pass lounges: No.1 Lounge and Club Aspire. The Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats feel properly premium. Virgin Atlantic charges extra for bulkhead and other seats which have more legroom. TPG U.K.'s Emily McNutt flew the product from London (LHR) to New York (JFK) on the A350 and noticed the two-and-a-half inches less of seat width is really quite noticeable and means the armrests are not really big enough for two to share. 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. It's up to 21in (over 53cm) wide, with a footrest, headrest and 38in (over 96cm) seat pitch. Both the Upper Class and Premium cabins now get a refreshed Goodie Bag amenity kit on select routes, including this A350-operated route. Given that moving up to this offering can be as little as 60 ($73), it gives a serious premium economy a serious run for its money. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. It's worth noting that bulkhead seats, while they offer more space, are also where baby seats or bassinets are fixed. However, passengers can also choose to bid for an upgrade. Hot options seemed to be carb heavy: rice, two kinds of penne pasta and what appeared to be a chickpea dish. I arrived at London Heathrow's Terminal 3 about three hours prior to departure. 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. Our runner-up option is the premium economy cabin on the A330-300. Learn more. 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. Just enough to give you a big lift before you get to your destination. 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. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. ", Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. Learn more. The airline's premium economy seats measure 21 inches wide on its Airbus A330-300 aircraft. There are 56 seats in the cabin on both the Heathrow and 'leisure configured' A350s. The dish was absolutely lovely and roaring with flavor. Accessibility | From personal experience, bids for premium economy usually begin . Overall, the meal service was enjoyable and tasty. The screen itself was completely touchscreen, and, as you would hope with a brand-new aircraft, I found the responsiveness to be great. . Each of the bulkhead seats had the advantage of both a leg- and a footrest. If there is no availability on the alternative Virgin Atlantic flight or passengers are re-protected on another airline, a full refund including any taxes paid will be given. Virgin Atlantic premium economy passengers can choose their seat free of charge up to 331 days before departure. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. After being one of the first carriers to introduce a proper premium economy cabin, Virgin launched its A350 with new seats, larger inflight-entertainment screens and a supposedly more comfortable experience. Once in the air, Virgin Atlantic premium economy flyers enjoy a meal with an appetizer, dessert and choice between three main dishes including one vegetarian option. One of the airline's values is to become the "most loved travel company who delivers amazing things.". Additionally, the seats not by the bulkhead had upper and lower seatback storage spaces primarily for literature like the new A350-1000 safety cards. Virgin Atlantic boasts that its premium economy seats are up to 21 inches wide . There are 48 seats, which is an increase of 13 seats compared to the 787-9. While Premium class offers plenty of perks, Upper Class really goes to the next level. Premium economy passengers can choose from a selection of packaged sweet and savory snacks at the cabin's Wander Wall. Plus, you'll get perks like priority check-in, priority boarding and two checked bags. Airbus A330: 48 premium economy seats six full rows with seven seats per row, plus two partial rows. Though I didn't use it to sleep, I think it would have been more than sufficient. Here are our picks for the. These seats can be reclined even during meal service making 25A and 25K the most undisturbed seats in the house. Elsewhere in the terminal were Oneworld carriers like Qantas, American, Cathay, Japan Airlines and some British Airways flights. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Megan Lee joined the travel rewards team at NerdWallet with over 12 years of SEO, writing and content development experience, primarily in international education and nonprofit work. I liked the purple, though it did make the cabin feel dark even at midday. Here is a list of our partners. 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. By contrast, on the carrier's old . Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for: Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, No annual fee: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card, Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Luxury perks: The Platinum Card from American Express, Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, About the author: JT Genter is a freelance points, miles and credit card writer formerly of The Points Guy. Is the upgrade worth it? Overall, I found the lounge to be good for a rest before a long-haul flight. Meanwhile, economy is laid out in a 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 configuration depending on the plane. Executives hint at an answer. Premium. Premium comfort. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. There are more Dreamliners in Virgin's fleet than any other aircraft, so you're more than likely to encounter it on your route. 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. The carrier hopes to add a little bit more comfort to long-haul flights, offering priority services, a smaller cabin, and better seats. Premium economy seats feature lots of extra legroom, a deeper recline, larger in-flight entertainment screens and a footrest. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. 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. 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 . The seats are wide, the drinks are cold, and the atmosphere is calming. Especially in a middle block of four seats, it can be hard to provide a lot of storage, but Virgin equipped these seats with about as much as I would think possible. I found the amenities on the flight to be more than enough especially on a relatively short long-haul flight like London to New York. Cookie statement | So if you like a seat with a view, sitting in row 21 will give you the best vantage point in the cabin. That breaks down to 44 seats in Upper Class, 56 in premium economy, and 235 seats in economy. Enjoy 3 more inches than the rest of economy. However, your experience will vary between aircraft types. Book your Economy Delight seat today. The Premium cabin on the Virgin A350 comprised a total of 56 seats across a single cabin. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. The Premium cabin of the A330-300 is quite similar to the Dreamliner. Screen sizes vary by aircraft but this time the pattern is reversed from what you can expect with seats. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. The airline's fleet consists of 10 Airbus A330-300, 11 Airbus A340-600, 12 Boeing 747-400 and seven Boeing 787-9 planes. . There was also a bar with bartender service. If you want an undisturbed sleep and aren't too bothered about being near the front, then you should pick row 25. Premium passengers were entitled to a generous two pieces of baggage, each up to 50 pounds in weight. A 46-seat Premium cabin is located behind the Upper Class section . Baggage 1 x 10kg hand luggage 2 x 23kg checked bag* Priority baggage delivery. If you're looking to travel in style, this is the way to do it. 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. Unbeknownst to me, Gate 22 was about a 15-minute trek away. Accessibility | For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. While not served by course, meal options are the same as Upper Class and come plated in glass dishes, a big step up from economy. Other than that, the main thing you've got to keep in mind when flying Virgin's Premium is whether you'd rather the front-row, bulkhead seats (with bassinet), or back-row seats with the ability to stay reclined throughout meal service but slower service but that choice comes down to personal preference. If there isn't one on your flight, then a selection of snacks will be available at the front of the galley. Its inaugural operation was on the same route from LHR to JFK on Sept. 10, and it returned to London on the red-eye that night. See the Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy class experience in 2022 in this flight review of flight VS107 from London Heathrow to Nassau in the Bahamas. My seat, 21A, was a bulkhead window seat, meaning there was no one seated in front of me. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Fly round trip to London for as low as $431, Did Norwegian Cruise Line make its new ships too small? It's also the farthest back you can sit before your view out the window starts getting too obstructed by the wing. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Wi-Fi typically costs 20.99 pounds (about $26) for the full flight. On this route specifically, you can often find round-trip award flights for just 35,000 Flying Club miles plus taxes and fees. Virgin has added some of its own touches to premium economy as well, such as the snack wall behind Upper Class and a sustainable amenities kit for all passengers. Virgin Atlantic premium economy passengers get a dedicated Premium check-in and bag drop line. 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. As far as recliner seats go, we found the Virgin Atlantic 787 premium economy seat comfortable enough to sleep in . But seats shrink to nearly economy sizes on the airline's Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. It was a feature that the crew announced prior to takeoff. Fully open, it was somewhat flimsy, though my 15-inch laptop could fit on it. Bookings made by credit card or debit card no longer incur a fee. My bulkhead seat came with three preset options for reclining the seat. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Less than one week before launching A350 service, Virgin unveiled its brand-new amenity kits, called "Goodie Bags." Earlier this summer, British Airways launched its first-ever A350 routes to Madrid before launching it on long-haul flights. The Virgin Atlantic Airways Airbus A350-1000 is the flagship of the airline's fleet (July 2019). Austrian . Have you flown Virgin Atlantic in economy or premium economy? Find the right card for you. Inside, they were pretty standard economy-size lavatories with no special features or extras. Virgin Atlantic Premium flyers can check two bags up to 23 kilograms (50 pounds) each for free. Upon entering, I definitely got that new-plane smell. Economy To Premium Economy On Virgin Atlantic: Is The Upgrade Worth It. There was a neither-long-nor-short queue, but it looked worse than it was, and I was through in about five minutes. 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 . This is because Virgin had to install an entire new Premium cabin on the A330-200s that it bought from Air Berlin after it went bankrupt. Stylish touches make big differences in Premium, in a cabin consisting of 46 seats on the A330neo. Find reward seat availability for British Airways and Virgin Airlines. Virgin Atlantic: Yes, although you can pay for 'Preferred' seats. $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. Our Premium passengers enjoy an award-winning cabin, superior service and gloriously comfy, roomy seats. 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. With dedicated check in and bag drop, we'll fast track your airport experience. 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