Im a Cantonese speaker (cant read Chinese), there was one film, the same film I saw flying to Antigua in April . Plus, we all have different tastes, so even if I like something, you might hate it. Families, or groups of colleagues may prefer the middle four. Boarding took place via two entrances to the aircraft: one for Upper Class passengers and a rear door for Premium and economy passengers. With the ricotta and the spiciness of the tomato sauce and zest from the sweet peppers, it was a great dish. With the sun barely up, I initially opted for an orange juice, but when the crew mentioned Champagne was also on offer, it piqued my interest. The dish covers were still on, and the cutlery was lodged inside two drinking glasses, which were laying down on their side. The cabin was arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration. The gnocchi were huge, and I soon realized that was because they were stuffed with the ricotta and asparagus. Pitch (legroom), amenity, tech, and other factors are bigger for me. I loved the amazing, customized "I (Heart) A350" pillows, which were clearly made just for the introduction of the aircraft into service. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. While this is a lot, the high ceilings and straight sidewalls of the A350 give a sense of space, preventing it from feeling claustrophobic. I'm a major fan of securing a window seat in the two seat, side configurations. Virgin Premium was the very first airline experience I reviewed for TPG roughly three-and-a-half years ago on a much older aircraft. Virgin Atlantic offers 56 seats in a 2-4-2 layout on the A350, spread over seven rows. also the table came out of the armrest . Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, Southwest unveils stunning new Hawaii-themed aircraft, How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value, IHG Rewards Premier Business card review: The annual fee is justified. 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. The line was so long, I couldn't even work out where to join it, so I asked a nearby security staff member. The headphones distributed were lightweight and insubstantial. Other main courses on this flight included stir-fried pork with vermicelli vegetable noodles and Beijing bean sauce, and chicken-and-mushroom casserole with buttered new potatoes and green beans. Now, while the -1000 is wider than the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (2-3-2 layout), there isn't really enough space to add another seat without sacrificing the experience. Wi-Fi typically costs 20.99 pounds (about $26) for the full flight. Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Fortunately, it sounds like Virgins new A330neo aircraft will. From bespoke fabrics to extra storage, USB power points to the latest entertainment system, theres so much to fall in love with. The Virgin A350 Premium Economy Seat Virgin's Premium cabin on the A350 offers 2x4x2 seating. The A350 has a slightly tighter layout with a width of 18.5" vs 17.4" and the same pitch of 38" vs 31-34". Designated toilet area . The "Cheapest" Way To Try Emirates First Class Is Back (Under $625)! Overall, Virgin Atlantic's Airbus A350 is a great aircraft to fly. Floor storage for personal effects is not available for use during takeoff and landing. . I got a glass of prosecco, which was tasty and light and fit on one of the armrests. The first row is located next to Upper Class, and also just behind Door L2, which is the primary door used to deplane the aircraft. (Photo by Emily McNutt/The Points Guy.) It was a pleasant enough flight. Flight# VS138Origin - New York, NY ( JFK )Destination - London, England ( LHR )Registration - G-VPRDSeat - 23H & 21K*Edit to Video 21K was the window seat in. 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. Related: Delta overhauls the onboard experience, goes all-in on sustainability. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying, Breakfast did not match up to dinner. Virgin has one of the younger fleets in the skies nowadays, and if you fly frequently you can truly feel the difference. Award availability on this route is usually good as there are multiple daily frequencies. Boarding commenced 40 minutes before departure with Upper Class guests invited to board as well as Flying Club Gold elites, followed by Premium and Flying Club Silver members. That meant I had no issues when the passenger in front of me reclined their seat. 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. Virgin Atlantics Premium Economy offers a more a la carte service than economy, and that starts with pre-departure bubbles and drink service. Perhaps the personal freedoms Virgin (rightly) affords employees plays a role there. It still is, sometimes. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. It was a bifold tray table, which was perfect for just a small plate or to rest a drink. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Austrian's B777-200 aircraft hold a total of 24 premium economy seats configured 2-4-2, while B767-300ERs contain 30 seats (expanded from 18) configured 2-2-2. Virgins Premium cabin on the A350 offers 2x4x2 seating. The seat width, at an impressive 18.5 inches wide is as good as it gets as a global premium economy benchmark. Review: How Good Is Virgin Atlantic A350 Premium Economy? All three courses appetizer, main and dessert were served at the same time, and I appreciated that they expedited the meal service this way. Out in UC back PE. 38: 18.5: 21-27: 56: Economy. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year. Theres something magical about tucking into great entertainment on board, and Im all for any activity to boost this. The main was hot and tasted great, and I could have easily gone for seconds. Virgin Atlantic: Airbus A350-1000 (351) 38: 18.5: On-Demand TV: All Seats: AC Power: Yes: Recliner: Virgin Atlantic: Boeing . Though there are some flaws in the product, such as a narrower seat and poor headphones, I found the experience to be well worth the cost. 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. Virgin Atlantic departs from Terminal 4 at JFK Airport, along with its partners, Delta and KLM (Air France departs from Terminal 1). For starters, it was presented the wrong way around, with the dessert in the front rather than the appetizer salad. The crew that worked the Premium cabin on my flight to London was friendly and well-meaning, but not overly polished. The flight is blocked at six hours and 45 minutes, though it is often much quicker than this, usually at least one hour shorter. The PE offering was far better than BA and the crew were amazing. And it does it well. After flying during the health crisis to mostly empty cabins, it was a joy to see that Upper Class was entirely full, and I had zero chance of an upgrade. 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. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) God Save the Points All Rights Reserved.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Instead, other passengers and I were able to FaceTime with friends and family on the ground. Virgin Atlantic has a dedicated section of the terminal area for its passengers, including a priority queue for premium economy travelers. Fast-track security and Champagne after boarding were both pleasant surprises. For each of the seats in the cabin, the tray table ejected from underneath one of the armrests. The A330 and 787 both have 21 inch wide seats in premium, by far the best of any product out there. They are laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration across seven rows. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Would we fly virgin premium again. More of a wander basket. Both aircrews were fine, the outward bound flight seemed a happier bunch. I had assumed only French airlines would be generous enough to serve actual Champagne in premium economy, so I politely asked to clarify if it was actual Champagne, or just sparking wine. Once connected, I registered speeds of an acceptable 11 Mbps download but no speed to upload anything. "And again, we have that Bluetooth connectivity, so at every seat, you can connect your headsets there . There was definitely a Cajun kick to it, and the twang from the mustard made it really enjoyable. This particular airframe, registered as G-VDOT, actually operated as a testbed for Airbus from 2017 until delivery to Virgin in September 2020, a neat trivia fact for any #AvGeek. Visit delta.com to learn more. Thats why we made sure our new aircraft is super comfortable, with the introduction of The Loft and The Booth in our Upper Class cabin, as well as super stylish. As usual, Virgin's dark cabin tones and purple mood lighting leave most awestruck upon boarding. As the table did not slide out very far. The bad news is that only some Virgin Atlantic aircraft offer a Premium Economy seat with an impressive width of 21 - the A330-200s and the new A350s both offer Premium Economy Seats that are noticeably narrower - so if lateral space is important to you make sure you check which aircraft you're likely to be flying as all are definitely not equal. Unfortunately, they were quite cramped and there were no special amenities compared with economy lavatories. [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" /]. Next-generation efficiency, comfort and connectivity. . We booked this flight using 27,500 Virgin Points plus $350.30 in fees, taxes and fuel surcharges for a one-way flight in Premium. I think everyone felt valued and welcomed. 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. Standard seat. I consistently find Virgin Atlantic crews to be among the friendliest in the business. They were fun and conversational rather than cold and unapproachable. However, this may not hold true. 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. Moving toward the middle of the plane, I next entered Virgin Atlantic's premium economy cabin known as Premium. No tears in seat upholstery, no nicked corners or stained carpets. I appreciated that each Premium passenger had their own personal universal charging point in the center console near their feet. Proving that the very best cabins in the world could be unlocked with points became an obsession. 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 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. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. The Virgin Atlantic Airways Airbus A350-1000 is the flagship of the airline's fleet (July 2019). Other than its tight width, the seat was comfortable. Virgin had dedicated check-in lanes for Premium guests (which Economy Delight, the most expensive economy class can also use). Tell us about your experience in the comments! . 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. 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. The cabin crew on board was absolutely phenomenal and uniquely Virgin. Each of the bulkhead seats had the advantage of both a leg- and a footrest. 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." What a contrast with their main UK rivals weak PE offering (& thats before the catering As an old gold card holder I used to love the smaller JFK lounge. My only minor gripe was the foreign language films. It will use 306-seat A350-900s, of which it presently has three. 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. Additionally, because Virgin Atlantic is a partner of Delta, I was able to input my SkyMiles number in order to earn me valuable Medallion Qualification Miles on my journey to Platinum Medallion status. Overall, I found the cabin and seat to be comfortable. The leather seats offer much more legroom and padding than economy a few rows behind, making for a comfortable flight. Depending on your aircraft, premium economy is laid out in a 2-3-2 or 2-4-2 arrangement. 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. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. The 730 seemed narrower. They had amazing staff there who treated me like an old friend. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. will join Delhi and Mumbai, which are served by the . Inside, they were pretty standard economy-size lavatories with no special features or extras. 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. There was a literature pocket in the seatback in front of me as well as a thin open storage shelf below the inflight entertainment screen, which was handy for storing a phone or small tablet. In the terminal, there were two Priority Pass lounges: No.1 Lounge and Club Aspire. Lead Journalist - India - Pranjal is an experienced journalist with a strong focus on Indian aviation. My bulkhead seat came with three preset options for reclining the seat. Unbeknownst to me, Gate 22 was about a 15-minute trek away. 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. Certain hotels have resort fees. I headed to Gate 22 about 10 minutes before boarding was set to begin. Overall, I found the lounge to be good for a rest before a long-haul flight. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Personally, I've long been a fan of Virgin Atlantic, with its cheeky, fresh and fun approach to flying. It was rated first for premium economy in the Skytrax World Airline Awards in 2019. Airbus A350 seat map with The Loft. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. I couldve just as easily used premium and finished in the same time. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. [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" /]. 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. Here's how my Virgin Atlantic Premium experience rated. I found the tea service to be so very pleasant and a phenomenal way to end the flight. I flew LHR to JNB in August. To start, there was only one option: a Cajun pasta salad of fusilli, mixed leaves and mustard vinaigrette. It was served at room temperature, and I had to call the crew to ask for a cup of ice to try and cool it down. I arrived at London Heathrow's Terminal 3 about three hours prior to departure. The lounge also boasted shower facilities, though those were subject to an additional charge. A pet peeve of mine is when the crew describes prosecco or other sparkling wine as Champagne. I'm torn about this. Going has found deals as low as $1,121 from DCA to London on Virgin Atlantic. I flew PE on the way back from JNB, no problem with space even if the person reclines. There's USB power and a 13 inch screen for our next-gen entertainment system, plus a lot more storage for your bits and pieces. 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. Related: Choose this, not that: JFK Priority Pass lounge edition. The desks were well-staffed, and there was no queue, so I went with the more personal approach and spoke to an agent who was extremely friendly and welcoming. Accessibility | These seats are referred to as Extra Legroom Seats. The seat padding has also taken a hit, with slimmer leather seats being chosen for this cabin. 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. Required fields are marked *. I got the mozzarella and an English breakfast tea. Your email address will not be published. There was a neither-long-nor-short queue, but it looked worse than it was, and I was through in about five minutes. Enjoy a 11.5 inch seatback screen, USB power, and a six-way adjustable headrestfor ultimate comfort. However, one point to note is that dinner took a full two hours from takeoff to table. There was the standard recline, the legrest option and a footrest option. Waiting for me on my seat when I boarded was a pillow, blanket and amenity kit. Virgin operates its A350-1000 in two configurations. I did like the cute little airplane-shaped salt and pepper shakers. Virgin is still finalizing the exact process but it's expected that Upper Class passengers on revenue fares will be invited to upgrade to the Retreat Suite for around $230 per person per flight. Find the right card for you. Each has the same configuration. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. The blanket was a deep purple with gold trim. Nonetheless, I managed to work productively for most of the journey to London, another advantage of daytime flights. 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. 31-3417.4: 45-71: 235: Reviews. . I did the same journey to AUS on the 380 and back from LAX on the new plane. The fees, taxes and surcharges were paid with The Platinum Card from American Express, which earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on purchases made directly with airlines (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), picking up a further 1,751 Membership Rewards, worth $35 by TPG's current valuation. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Based on TPG's most recent valuations, those points were worth $103, not a bad return. SANspotter style. Each of the Premium-cabin seats besides the bulkhead seats featured a built-in IFE screen in the back of the headrest. Here's a review of the product. But what was it really like? A Virgin Atlantic A350 review from the depths of economy SANspotter 87K views 3 years ago Almost yours: 2 weeks, on us 100+ live channels are waiting for you with zero hidden fees Dismiss Try. I am a vocal supporter of jetlag-free daytime flights from New York to London in any cabin, so I immediately focused on flight VS26. Offer ends 5/3/23. The Loft is featured on seven of our A350 aircraft: G-VDOT, G-VJAM, G-VLUX, G-VPOP, G-VPRD, G-VRNB, G-VTEA. There was also an excellent interactive flight map available. By comparison, Virgin Atlantic's A350 aircraft has 11.6-inch screens in the economy cabin. /]. Flyers have plenty of options to hop across the Atlantic, especially on the busy route between New York and London. Virgin tends to release plenty of award tickets, especially in economy. The salad was frozen cold and needed a while longer to defrost, but this was made up for by the delicious mango and passion fruit slice, which was the highlight of the meal. Cheers to that. On this flight, the sandwiches included: mozzarella with green pesto, slow-roasted tomato and arugula; and salmon, soft cheese, arugula and cucumber. [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. It was the small side, and I found it to be somewhat difficult to find an open seat., but there was an entire area, the Quiet Area, that I didn't get the chance to explore. As to the food, Im the worst person to ask. 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 Along with a choice of food from the menu. However, compared to the 787-9, for which I only had positive words last year, this certainly feels like a downgrade. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. The crew insisted it was the real deal, so I tried a small glass and it did indeed taste like real Champagne. However, if you have a choice, always pick the Boeing 787-9 in premium economy with Virgin Atlantic, which remains one of the best in the game. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Premium economy is located right behind the second door. Emotional baggage is best left at your departure point. With its A350-1000s, Virgin Atlantic actually opted for a roomier arrangement with just 335 seats total. As they could be adjusted in and out more easily. The appetizer was a tomato, mozzarella and pesto salad and the dessert was a raspberry swirl cheesecake. cons="Somewhat narrow seats and flimsy headphones." Your email address will not be published. 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. Virgin Atlantic has 56 Premium seats on both layouts of its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. Additionally, because I was in the bulkhead row, my inflight-entertainment screen could be ejected from underneath the armrest. Virgin operates a mix of aircraft on this important route, with Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft being used each day. Not only was the service fantastic, but the crew members seemed equally as excited about the new A350 as I was. Eight places abreast in each row meant the Premium seats were just 18.5 inches wide, only one inch wider than Virgin Atlantic's economy seats, and narrower than those on low-cost airline Norse Atlantic, which operates the same class of service on the same route. The only negative was the roll, which was plastic-wrapped and incredibly tough and dry. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Virgin has remastered the premium economy experience with its Premium A350 product. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Though Sept. 11 wouldn't be the date of the inaugural flight, our thinking was the day following the first would be a more accurate representation of what the Premium experience would be like. The first row and the last row of premium make up the dreamboat seats. Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats recline between 7 and 8. Because it was purchased with the Platinum Card from American Express, directly with the airline, the flight earned 5x Membership Rewards points, for a total of 5,165 points (earn 5x points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). Every cabin has been designed with you in mind. While not a huge space, and definitely not enough to store a laptop, it was sufficient for my passport, AirPods and my phone. It wasn't a long trek from the duty-free maze to the gate, which was helpful considering I didn't leave much time for leisure at the airport. For this route, you need just 10,000 miles for a ticket in the off-peak season. While it was small and thin, it was cleverly designed to rest with a rubber edge against the center drinks console, meaning it remained stable while being used. 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. Virgin Premium Economy - Airbus A350 DoorsToAuto 3.15K subscribers Description 17K views 5 months ago See the Virgin Premium Economy experience in this review of Virgin Atlantic. Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. Less than one week before launching A350 service, Virgin unveiled its brand-new amenity kits, called "Goodie Bags." Additionally, the headrest was customizable, so you could move it up or down to your liking, as well as fold the side flaps for extra support. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values.
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