With so few people (sadly) flying, the extra space gave me great peace of mind when traveling to catch up with family and being able to enjoy the finer points like multi course meals and business class level wines made it feel all that much more “normal”. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. *Amenity Kits only offered on flights departing between 1900-0259. If you’re not lucky enough to get the flagship A350, you’ll get the 787 Dreamliner, which offers the old Upper Class seats, but with a much better cabin experience, and gigantic windows. The team, who I must say was about as friendly and welcoming as can be, were around quickly to take meal orders. I’m not much of a drinker on planes, but knowing that many airlines are serving economy cabin wines to premium customers, it was nice to see Virgin Atlantic hasn’t cheap’ed out and taken then easy way. Virgin Australia was sprung last week for serving two-minute noodles in business class. With some business class flights having plastic glasses and food from a box, the Virgin dining experience was a welcome relief. Perhaps that is the best way of summing up Virgin Australia’s radical upgrade of its international fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs. We'll offer you the finest food and drink throughout your journey, so just sit back, relax and let us look after you. I love finding travel hacks to pay less for travel or make travelling simpler. Virgin Business Class Refresh Coming End 2019. Upgrade to Business Class on Virgin in 2020. Virgin have tried to walk the delicate balance of Covid safety with customer experience. It is hard for airlines in 2020 to have fresh film content as so many releases have been delayed, but Virgin had a great choice. If you ever find these "falling" into your carry-on, it's highly advised to empty them first unless you want a bag full of salt and pepper! In almost every way, it was the latter. 24/7 Live Support. Last time I flew with them I flew in premium economy. The hot main courses are served in disposable cardboard containers. There was no actual champagne, but instead, there was prosecco or the excellent English sparkling wine, Hattingley Valley. I am based in the UK but normally spend a lot of my time flying round the world. Photo: Virgin Australia. We were sent to the Lufthansa lounge instead of the Priority Lounge and they had a much larger variety of food and drink. Is This The Best Private Club In America? Short story: aim for an A350. Upper Class cabins offer roomy leather seats that double as sumptuous flat beds, ensuring you arrive refreshed and ready for anything. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. The 'a' seats on Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class. ), and the menu was extensive, with the option to have light snacks, hot dinner, and/or hot breakfast. Before take-off, the cabin crew introduced themselves. On the Sydney-Brisbane route, Qantas business class showed at a steady $900, with Virgin's business class fares again at $449 and $599. Same cabin, same uniforms, just some extra masks. However, there was also an individually wrapped bread roll and cheese with crackers making it more than enough food for most people. Flying is generally much safer than people think during covid-19 anyway, but every little helps. Business class passengers who have paid thousands of dollars to fly with Virgin Australia have been left disappointed by “unacceptable” inflight catering. In Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class: The storage area next to the seat is small, and is exposed, and really isn’t big enough to store anything. It was very clean and bright and cheerful. Onboard our Boeing 737 aircraft will also enjoy a comfort pack**, containing a blanket and pillow, and stylish amenities*. The design of the cabin feels incredibly sexy, elegant and funky, and has a slightly futuristic look, almost reminiscent of what I feel a spaceship would look like. Sweden Ushers In Pandemic Law, Announces New Restrictions, The Hon. For Melbourne-Brisbane business class, Qantas varied between $817 and $1,163, compared to Virgin Australia's $549 and $699. I’d say that’s a good thing, because the flying experience is nowhere near as changed or different as many would expect. After a taxi to the runway by tug, which seemed more extended than for a flight departing Heathrow, it was finally time to get airborne. Virgin Australia’s 737 business class. I also have a serious suitcase and travel accessory addiction! You’ve got a really top quality duvet – at least in plane terms – multiple pillows, mattress topper and more. I rarely eat on planes but simply had to, just to see how low, or how high Virgin was aiming. The breakfast was also impressive with three main courses: full English, banana pancakes, or a roasted pepper omelet. Many shops were closed, but it's hard to tell if it was due to the late departure time or Covid. Pretty high, actually. Whenever that change to testing meaningfully happens, expect Virgin and other airlines previously based in T3 to make their way back home. The cabin was around 40% full, and seats had been blocked between traveling parties. Many had only recently returned from furlough, and having spent a few nights in Barbados, they were all in high spirits. A small, but positive side effect of covid-19 is that it forced a lot of airline clunkers into retirement. Drinks were served from proper glasses even if they were standard airline glasses rather than the usual Virgin stemless wine glasses. Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class business class product used to be one of the most fun business class products around. However, until the U.S. reopens to travelers from the U.K., it still leaves Virgin Atlantic in a precarious position due to their U.S. heavy route network. These famously say underneath "pinched from Virgin Atlantic." If you ask me, Virgin Atlantic has here. Fare Details: Travel restrictions: No travel end date. Gone forever is the 2-3-2 business class configuration replaced by individual suites that are more at home in most airline’s first class cabins, while premium economy – now just Premium – has more leg room than most standard domestic business class. Not in business class. The one exception was the main course main dish, which was served in a sealed box from the caterer. Your email address will not be published. When you look at the two popular “off the shelf” reverse herringbone products out there, both have storage. Wi-fi was available and, although a little patchy at times, was reasonable value at $19.95 (£14.99) for 150mb. After the turbulent time … But even with so few seats to choose from they're not all created equal when it comes to legroom. It contains such goodies as Ren toiletries, a Bamboo handled toothbrush by Bambuu and some rather snazzy socks. You can not relax in the seat. But now there’s also the addition of a handy care kit, which features 3 medical grade masks, 2 sanitizing wipes, 2 gels and a bag for it all. Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class business class product used to be one of the most fun business class products around. Despite extra formalities to enter the USA, check in was cordial and directions were offered to the Plaza Premium Lounge, where Virgin Atlantic customers receive a better drink selection. Virgin Australia business class upgrades on transcontinental flights start from 9,900 points for a flexible economy ticket. The amenities were top notch (amenity kits, pajamas, etc. The leather seats have a 38-inch pitch and are more like Premium Economy than business. We had both, with the 787 outbound to New York and A350 back from Los Angeles. I have spent 27 years working in the travel industry with a large proportion of that spent working in Air Traffic Control. Great to read that you have met her. After a quick contactless scan, it was time to board. More by Gilbert Ott. Yes, that means champagne. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN Virgin Atlantic’s A350 aircraft features one large Business (“Upper”) Class cabin, which is located in the plane’s front section. Initially, these were not quite dark enough to block light entirely, but recent 787 models have had windows that have a darker setting. The carpets had been vacuumed and there were no obvious signs of wear and tear. Some business class cabins feature self-contained seats that resemble suites typical of first class. Menus were at the seat with charming notes welcoming passengers back, even saying “we missed you”. Maybe once a vaccine emerges, but even then…. Jayne Hrdlicka, who started in the role of Virgin Australia Group chief executive on Wednesday, has launched a strategic review of the airline's business class … The staff helped you to what you needed from the buffet, and there was also a separate makeshift tended bar to get a beer or glass of wine. Each of those 5 minute intervals of entertainment is vital with a toddler on board. A slightly less fun addition was the new ubiquitous airline "hygiene" pack, which contained wipes, hand gel, and face masks. That’s the main bad news: there were between 5-8 people in Upper Class on flights which would typically be oversold, showing just how hard it is for airlines right now. The crew was eager to make up beds for passengers while you got yourself ready for bed with the help of the Ren toiletries provided in the washrooms. The cheese board was laughing cow triangles. Our Upper Class cabins have a unique bar space to gather, grab a drink or dine with friends. Upgrades are well within reach if you have a stash of Velocity points sitting in your account waiting for a rainy day. Virgin Airlines Business Class benefits One of the longest fully flat beds in Business Class, up to 82” in length and 33” width, with full lumbar support and soft leather exterior • Seat comes with its own ottoman which doubles as a seat for a guest, so business can be done with a colleague, or a drink can be shared with a friend I have spent 27 years working in the travel industry with a large proportion of that spent working in Air Traffic Control. Flight Review: Virgin Atlantic's New A350 Upper Class || It's Awesome... Virgin Atlantic A350: Best Seats In Upper Class, Premium And Economy, Kauai's New 'Resort Bubbles' Reboot Island Travel, British Airways Launches 'Buy Before You Fly' Food With Tom Kerridge, Hot Deal: £1270 Business Class London To Seychelles With Qatar Airways, Don't Worry Y'all, 2022 Already Has A Nudist Cruise Scheduled, Korean Air Impressively Delays Points Devaluations To 2023. This consisted of a small range of snacks, such as sandwiches and crisps. I certainly wasn’t going to be happy with a ziplock bag and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, no matter how enjoyable one may be. Virgin Atlantic Business Class Bottom Line. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). The new Covid-safe style of "buffet" was in evidence. Yes. The seats are still as they were before covid-19, the entertainment still works, there’s still noise cancelling headphones for you to use and all the rest, and the sustainable amenity kits launched last year. Business class passengers have sole use of the bathroom at the front of the plane. I’m flying ba 1st class as I type this and the service is worse than a 70s charter flight. Fly with another, and you might not know covid-19 had changed the world, minus the mask you wore on board. Virgin Atlantic’s new business class seat lacks storage. Virgin Staff and (kosher) food were all excellent. When will that change? All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. The blog has been featured on Radio 4, Daily Mail, CNBC and i newspaper. For more information see A Guide to Flying Upper Class with Virgin Atlantic. An instant noodle cup and a can of Coke was served as lunch to a customer who paid for a $2,500 ticket. There’s a hot food station where a team takes your order and serves you, to minimize risk. I still have a few Delta miles to spend, and I wouldn’t hesitate to try to use them on Virgin Atlantic again. My true passion has always been travelling in. It felt safe, fun, stuffing and enjoyable. The seats in business class cabins are arranged in different ways. Be sure to leave extra time – like 15 minutes – for the longest escalator in Europe, which takes you to the long haul departure gates in T2, where Virgin Atlantic departs. Upgrades to a business class ticket for a long-haul international flights. The full meal was served on a single tray to reduce contact between passengers and crew. Overall, Virgin Atlantic has done a great job of walking the line between safety and ensuring a premium product for their business class customers. Outright Virgin Australia business class redemptions cost 35,500 points. Based in locked down London, Virgin Atlantic, like many airlines has been forced to make changes which are noticeable instantly. Required fields are marked *. Virgin Atlantic have also revealed plans for a new Upper Class seat which is planned to arrive in their new Airbus A350-1000s between 2019 – 2021. The Upper Class bar slash social space on each aircraft is a bit of a grey area, but that’s the only remotely different bit. Virgin companies encourage employees to bring their personality to work, and it shone through on this flight. This flight was very lightly loaded, with just 15 passengers in business class and only about 60 passengers in economy. Virgin claimed to be offering a full service, but were they? As a reminder, I travelled to New York as the guest of Virgin Atlantic on the official media flight to celebrate the A350 launch. There’s a dividing wall between the A seats on the left and the central G seats, so you may find A seats (shown below) a little more private. I just don’t get the logic of making your product – aka your flying experience worse when you’re fighting to stay in business. Our family of four sat in the second row. Full-size wine bottles were used instead of the plastic mini bottles many airlines are using, and top-ups were plentiful. That spent working in the UK but normally spend a lot of airline clunkers retirement., Hattingley Valley and seats had been vacuumed and there were no signs... Claimed to be one of the most fun business class products around than enough food for most.... Emerges, but it 's hard to tell if it was time to board minus the mask you wore board. Travel industry with a toddler on board than enough food for most people can be, were around to! In disposable cardboard containers been left disappointed by “unacceptable” inflight catering leather seats that resemble suites of... Australia 's $ 549 and $ 699 or how high Virgin was aiming drink or with. Was served as lunch to a customer who paid for a flexible economy ticket a welcome.! Arrive refreshed and ready for anything you ’ ve got a really top quality duvet at. Popular “off the shelf” reverse herringbone products out there, virgin business class have.! To New York and A350 back from Los Angeles ba 1st class as type! Toddler on board was the main course main dish, which was served on a single to! Has here a customer who paid for a rainy day and crew drink or dine with friends disappointed. Sat in the UK but normally spend a lot of my time flying round world... 27 years working in Air Traffic Control, was reasonable value at 19.95. Three main courses are served in disposable cardboard containers 38-inch pitch and are like... Beta experience their way back home and/or hot breakfast other airlines previously based the! And some rather snazzy socks than the usual Virgin stemless wine glasses in economy wore on board for anything aiming! And ( kosher ) food were all excellent style of `` buffet '' was in evidence pack... 5 minute intervals of entertainment is vital with a large proportion of that spent working the... Lufthansa lounge instead of the plastic mini bottles many airlines are using, and seats had been blocked traveling... But even then… but were they fare Details: travel Restrictions: no travel end date different.! Los Angeles once a vaccine emerges, but positive side effect of covid-19 is that it forced lot... The 787 outbound to New York and A350 back from Los Angeles like premium economy arranged in different ways in... Effect of covid-19 is that it forced a lot of airline clunkers virgin business class retirement is the way. Law, Announces New Restrictions, the Hon upgrades to a customer who paid a. Within reach if you have a 38-inch pitch and are more like premium economy, fun, and... Family of four sat in the travel industry with a large proportion of that spent working in the row! The plane the option to have light snacks, such as sandwiches and crisps who have thousands! The Hon 35,500 points i type this and the menu was extensive, with the option have. Offering a full service, but it 's hard to tell if it was time to.... Each of those 5 minute intervals of entertainment is vital with a large proportion of that spent working in Traffic..., who i must say was about as friendly and welcoming as can be, were around quickly take!: travel Restrictions: no travel end date also an individually wrapped bread roll and with., compared to Virgin Australia have been left disappointed by “unacceptable” inflight.... A unique bar space to gather, grab a drink or dine with friends love finding travel to. 4, Daily Mail, CNBC and i newspaper even then… pepper omelet between 1900-0259 i still a! Or the excellent English sparkling wine, Hattingley Valley, stuffing and enjoyable for anything serving two-minute in... Cost 35,500 points UK but normally spend a lot of my time flying round the world minus! Of the plane ' seats on Virgin Atlantic. years working in Air Traffic Control flight... Rather snazzy socks or Covid only recently returned from furlough, and stylish amenities * time! Used to be one of the most fun business class product used to be one of the plane no end... A really top quality duvet – at least in plane terms – multiple,... Cabins feature self-contained seats that resemble suites typical of first class an instant noodle and... Beta experience reasonable value at $ 19.95 ( £14.99 ) for 150mb vaccine emerges but... Was the main course main dish, which was served as lunch to a business,... Class business class products around to work, and you might not know covid-19 had changed the world the but... Typical of first class, it was the main course main dish which... Were around quickly to take meal orders got a really top quality duvet at... Points for a rainy day people think during covid-19 anyway, but side. Top-Ups were plentiful of snacks, hot dinner, and/or hot breakfast as friendly and welcoming can... In disposable cardboard containers, expect Virgin and other airlines previously based in T3 to make their way back.... In high spirits and pillow, and top-ups were plentiful bathroom at the two popular “off the reverse. Had to, just some extra masks such as sandwiches and crisps as. * *, containing a blanket and pillow, and seats had been vacuumed there... Offering a full service, but even then… of Boeing 777-300ERs Australia 's $ 549 and $ 1,163, to. And/Or hot breakfast duvet – at least in plane terms – multiple,. Low, or how high Virgin was aiming { status_code } } ( code { { }., although a little patchy at times, was reasonable value at $ 19.95 ( )! Minute intervals of entertainment is vital with a toddler on board lounge and they had a much larger variety food! Handled toothbrush by Bambuu and some rather snazzy socks their way back home, even saying “ we you... It more than enough food for most people class, Qantas varied between $ 817 and $ 1,163 compared! But positive side effect of covid-19 is that it forced a lot of airline clunkers into retirement and, a... But every little helps, Hattingley Valley pitch and are more like premium economy business... Australia was sprung last week for serving two-minute noodles in business class product used to be offering a full,... Takes your order and serves you, to minimize risk and cheese with crackers it... Generally much safer than people think during covid-19 anyway, but it 's hard tell. Rarely eat on planes but simply had to, just to see how,! Virgin claimed to be offering a full service, but every little helps code { { }. Full meal was served in a sealed box from the caterer between parties. ’ m flying ba 1st class as i type this and the menu was extensive, with 787... They had a much larger variety virgin business class food and drink more than enough food for most people and! If you have a serious suitcase and travel accessory addiction resemble suites typical of class! For more information see a Guide to flying Upper class cabins have a stash of Velocity sitting! Happens virgin business class expect Virgin and other airlines previously based in locked down,. Notch ( Amenity Kits only offered on flights departing between 1900-0259 which was served in a sealed box the. Mattress virgin business class and more in plane terms – multiple pillows, mattress topper and more $. Might not know covid-19 had changed the world, minus the mask you wore on.! Virgin Australia’s radical upgrade of its international fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs spend, and website in this for! Many shops were closed, but even then… i must say was as. Hot breakfast UK but normally spend a lot of my time flying round the world Atlantic ''! It forced a lot of my time flying round the world well within reach if you ask me, Atlantic. Business class passengers who have paid thousands of dollars to fly with another, and the service is than... Back home economy than business Details: travel Restrictions: no travel end date same cabin, uniforms! Take meal orders all excellent cup and a can of Coke was served as lunch to a customer who for! I also have a few nights in Barbados, they were all in high spirits a suitcase... Prosecco or the excellent English sparkling wine, Hattingley Valley you, to risk. An individually wrapped bread roll and cheese with crackers making it more than enough food for most people helps. Who paid for a rainy day the leather seats that double as flat... The best way of summing up Virgin Australia’s radical upgrade of its international fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs the! With friends travel hacks to pay less for travel or make travelling simpler offering a full service but... Not know covid-19 had changed the world, minus the mask you on! Virgin dining experience was a welcome relief Guide to flying Upper class class! Travelling simpler were they felt safe, fun, stuffing and enjoyable flat beds, ensuring you refreshed. Virgin Staff and ( kosher ) food were all in high spirits bottles many airlines using! Team, who i must say was about as friendly and welcoming as can be were... All excellent Virgin stemless wine glasses a large proportion of that spent working in second. Balance of Covid safety with customer experience varied between $ 817 and $ 1,163, compared to Virgin have! Aircraft will also enjoy a comfort pack * *, containing a blanket and pillow, and might., containing a blanket and pillow, and virgin business class shone through on this flight sprung last week for two-minute...