BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY The pillow was thin and its cover was quite scratchy. One was soft and fluffy while the other was overcooked and as hard as a rock. I could imagine there being contention about who got the majority of it. I appreciated that each Premium passenger had their own personal universal charging point in the center console near their feet. The headphones weren't noise-canceling but were still a definite step up from the pairs being handed out in economy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Privacy policy | Everything was fresh, and you could feel the excitement of the cabin crew. Being in the front means you'll beat most of the plane through immigration. The lounge also boasted shower facilities, though those were subject to an additional charge. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Im a major fan of securing a window seat in the two seat, side configurations. Going has found deals as low as $1,121 from DCA to London on Virgin Atlantic. There was plenty to like about this particular flight in Premium from New York to London, too I especially enjoyed the large, crisp inflight entertainment screens and the numerous device charging options. As to the food, Im the worst person to ask. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. My journey on VS300 began in the evening at Terminal 3 of London Heathrow. If you are at all like me, and live for electronic devices packed with shows, its nice to know that Virgin Atlantic has both AC and USB power at every premium seat. Families, or groups of colleagues may prefer the middle four. Once connected, I registered speeds of an acceptable 11 Mbps download but no speed to upload anything. The best part was the chocolate brownie bar, cementing Virgin's prowess in making and choosing desserts. It was a pleasant enough flight. My consistent feeling with premium economy is that its priced well and is a great gap bridger between economy and business class. 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. Its so quiet that you really can hear a lot. There was a small footrest that could be lowered so I could rest my feet on it. I didn't eat anything, as I wasn't hungry and wanted to save my appetite for when I got on board. 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. The packages are as follows: Messaging - 2.99/$3.99 Chat and Surf - 12.99/$16.99 - 150MB W-Fi Max - 29.99/$39.99 - 500MB Check here before booking an award fare. For the month between delivery and its first commercial operation, the aircraft operated several test flights within the UK, mostly from Glasgow (GLA) to Glasgow, according to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24. 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. On the 787 -9, seats measure 21" in width vs 18" in economy and offer 38" in pitch vs 31" (34" in Economy Delight). I can easily find comfort in Premium for an overnight. Im a Cantonese speaker (cant read Chinese), there was one film, the same film I saw flying to Antigua in April . For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Related: Sorry, aisle-seat fans: The window seat is the best in the air. During boarding, the crew passed through the Premium cabin with trays of welcome drinks. Rich, custom leather seats with a generous 7 inch recline and high end finishes. Which is fine if your slim. Originally from Australia, he is the primary points and miles writer for the U.K. site. I went for the chicken lasagna, which was well plated and came with a vacuum-sealed bread roll, chickpea salad, and dessert. While the welcome beverages were a pleasant surprise, both meal services were not. 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. Offer ends 5/3/23. 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. The last row of premium economy is a great option for sleepers, since you can recline without having to ask or worry if the person behind you might be eating. 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. 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. Overall, I found the cabin and seat to be comfortable. The building on the left was reserved for Virgin Atlantic and its close friend Delta. As the table did not slide out very far. It was served with a salted-caramel clair, passion-fruit-and-yuzu macaron and a scone with clotted cream and jam. As usual, Virgin's dark cabin tones and purple mood lighting leave most awestruck upon boarding. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Paper menus are back too! Each of the Premium-cabin seats besides the bulkhead seats featured a built-in IFE screen in the back of the headrest. Premium check in and fast track worth . On this flight, the sandwiches included: mozzarella with green pesto, slow-roasted tomato and arugula; and salmon, soft cheese, arugula and cucumber. I flew LHR to JNB in August. Ports are easy to reach, which helps me remember not to leave anything behind. Fortunately, it sounds like Virgins new A330neo aircraft will. Taking all that into consideration, Virgin's Premium isn't a bad product just one on the same aircraft as a very solid regular economy product but costing (at least) twice the price. There is no one behind you. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. I didn't have much time to enjoy the lounge, but I found it to be a nice space overall. Pranjal is enthusiastic about new aircraft types and has his stories regularly picked up by renowned publications including Forbes. By comparison, Virgin Atlantic's A350 aircraft has 11.6-inch screens in the economy cabin. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. With an early morning departure and an evening arrival at Heathrow, these two meals were the only things I ate all day. Bookings made by credit card or debit card no longer incur a fee. VS should be entitled to compete for more slots at their base hub to provide some real competition! [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" /]. Packed with innovation, our A350 is the new heartbeat of our fleet, and we hope you love it as much as we do. Overall, the meal service was enjoyable and tasty. The Virgin A350 Premium Economy Seat Virgin's Premium cabin on the A350 offers 2x4x2 seating. 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. Throughout the flight, crew kept the same positive attitude and smiles throughout their service a nice change from other, legacy carriers I've flown recently. 38: 18.5: 21-27: 56: Economy. I flew PE on the way back from JNB, no problem with space even if the person reclines. 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. 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. Seats in Premium are roomy: They're up to 21 inches wide (four inches wider than economy), have seven to eight inches of recline, and up to 38 inches of pitch. Tell us about your experience in the comments! 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. Both flights were far more comfortable than a standard cattle class seats. I tried a bite of it and didn't go back. The "Cheapest" Way To Try Emirates First Class Is Back (Under $625)! Thats what travel is for, right? Additionally, the seats not by the bulkhead had upper and lower seatback storage spaces primarily for literature like the new A350-1000 safety cards. The Dreamliner tables were from the back of the passengers seat in from, and seemed more flexible. 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. The Dreamliner gives what feels like a much bigger seat. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying. the Luxury Travel Expert 1.1M subscribers Subscribe Share 760K views 2 years ago Join me on a. Registered as G-VLUX and nicknamed "Red Velvet," the aircraft was delivered to Virgin on Aug. 10. Observing the crew interactions with other passengers, including a couple with a young toddler, gave a really fun, attentive and caring feel. That said, there were significant improvements with this product, as well as design decisions that went a long way in terms of enjoyment. All information about Airbus A350-1000 Virgin Atlantic Interior First class Business class Check-in Baggage | SeatMaps . Virgin operates a mix of aircraft on this important route, with Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft being used each day. It will use 306-seat A350-900s, of which it presently has three. For example, while the food for the initial meal service didn't match the menus the crew had handed out, they only seemed to discover this after passengers had finished eating it despite it being obvious the moment I opened my meal. I appreciated their high spirits for this early morning departure and they made me feel very welcome, but there were service gaps during mealtimes. I quickly noticed that there was no additional remote-control option, which likely helped to open up some storage space in the seat. The cheesecake, which both looked and tasted great, was the highlight of an otherwise mediocre meal. 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. Overall, the premium economy on the A350-1000 is a competitive product, still giving British Airways a run for its money. The carrier uses two seating configurations on the type, and both outrank the 787 and the A330. Meanwhile, India. One of the many reasons I love daytime flights from New York to London is because the airport is usually quiet, with few international departures. Related: Watch TPG UK review all 3 cabins on Virgin Atlantic's brand-new Airbus A350. The A350 may be one of the quietest aircraft out there but having noise cancelling still makes a huge difference so I prefer to bring my own. I've been impressed both with Virgin Atlantic's economy and Upper Class (business class) on its flagship Airbus A350 aircraft, so I was keen to try premium economy, simply dubbed "Premium," aboard the same jet. Aside from better air quality, the cabin lighting is fun and jazzy and the higher ceilings give an added sense of space on this Airbus A350. Invites will be sent 14 days in advance of the flight and booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The tray passed to me didn't look appealing. The Premium queue comes with a document check station right at the back, so you don't have to visit two different areas for vaccine and form clearance. I'm a major fan of securing a window seat in the two seat, side configurations. 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 Premium cabin on the Virgin A350 comprised a total of 56 seats across a single cabin. 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. Though there was some wait during peak times (after meal services and before landing), they quickly dissipated. The flight is blocked at six hours and 45 minutes, though it is often much quicker than this, usually at least one hour shorter. 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. I chose a Brewdog Lost lager with my meal. While this is a lot, the high ceilings and straight sidewalls of the A350 give a sense of space, preventing it from feeling claustrophobic. 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. cons="Somewhat narrow seats and flimsy headphones." The best Virgin Atlantic economy seats on the A350 are without a doubt found in rows 45, 52, 53 and 54. . On the A350, The Loft occupies the area in front of the door, giving all passengers a view of the social space reserved for passengers at the front of the plane. Instead, Virgin let passengers connect their phone to the screen via Bluetooth and then control it from there. 2x points on all other eligible purchases. I loved the amazing, customized "I (Heart) A350" pillows, which were clearly made just for the introduction of the aircraft into service. Along with a choice of food from the menu. Service was fast and efficient, and everything appeared to be smooth. 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. They provided good sound quality while still feeling comfortable to wear. As I wiggled around sitting upright on that narrow seat, just one inch wider than economy and with no leg rest not to mention those out-of-whack meal services I couldn't help thinking I'd save the cash or Virgin Points and just choose economy next time. Though I didn't get to spend much time or indulge in the food, I'd definitely return on a future flight out of T3. (Photo by Emily McNutt/The Points Guy.) As they could be adjusted in and out more easily. The answers yes. It was a feature that the crew announced prior to takeoff. Award availability on this route is usually good as there are multiple daily frequencies. Because my itinerary was booked shortly after Virgin put A350 flights on sale, award availability wasn't great. After we took off at about 1:49 p.m. and reached 10,000 feet, the crew quickly came around the cabin for drink service at about 2:05 p.m. The entre was the exact opposite, a dense, cheesy, sloppy dish overflowing with rice. The A330 and 787 both have 21 inch wide seats in premium, by far the best of any product out there. Along with 38 . Given past trips with Virgin in premium economy, I was hopeful that the A350 would set the benchmark in this competitive market. By comparison, Virgin Atlantic's A350 aircraft has 11.6-inch screens in the economy cabin. 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. 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. The crew that worked the Premium cabin on my flight to London was friendly and well-meaning, but not overly polished. Unlike passengers in Virgin's Upper Class cabin, those in the Premium cabin weren't entitled to enter the lounge, so my lounge experience isn't factored into the score of this section. I was ravenous by the time the trolleys appeared again in the cabin for the second meal service, about an hour before landing. If you happen to find space in Upper Class and want to use Virgin Points, booking premium is a strategic way to upgrade to the top cabin. Both dishes were listed as being served with a side of overnight oats with mango and coconut. The meal service was quick, the crew was attentive and, most importantly, I didn't have anything that I thought was bad except for the tough roll. That also meant that I had extra legroom and a slightly different product than the rest of the cabin. I consistently find Virgin Atlantic crews to be among the friendliest in the business. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Designated toilet area . Upper Class travelers (a cabin we reviewed recently too! See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. There was also a bar with bartender service. compared to the 787-9, for which I only had positive words last year, giving British Airways a run for its money. Premium economy is located right behind the second door. And in this case, it was just about as good as it gets. These seats are referred to as Extra Legroom Seats. I also found a pair of headphones in the seatback literature pocket. Pitch remains the same, but the seat did lose some points due to the standard footrest in front, which doesn't offer the most room to stretch out when sleeping. I had a glass of the Casa Piero sauvignon blanc from Spain, which was bright and crisp. The crew insisted it was the real deal, so I tried a small glass and it did indeed taste like real Champagne. Unfortunately, no Priority Pass lounges were open prior to my 8:15 a.m. departure, either. The cabin was arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration. /]. Additionally, I was a fan of some of the small design features of the seat. In April, Simple Flying had the chance to fly Virgin Atlantic's flagship Airbus A350-1000 from London to New Delhi. [tpg_rating tpg-rating-score="85" ground-experience="5" cabin-seat="21" amens-ife="12" food-bev="23" service="24" pros="Fast Wi-Fi, great crew, solid food and a fun experience overall." Terms and Conditions Apply. Have you ever flown Virgin Atlantic in premium economy? . At boarding, each of the seats in the Premium cabin was stocked with all of the amenities for the flight: a plastic-wrapped blanket, pillow, amenity kit and set of headphones. Virgin Atlantic charges extra for bulkhead and other seats which have more legroom. 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. Thats not unique to any one airline, but new planes really are stellar. There are four first-class suites, 26 seats in business, 36 in premium economy, and 240 in economy. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. On an overnight flight where speed is key, this did strike me as slower than usual. For the newest seats on its newest aircraft, look for A350-operated flights. Related: Delta overhauls the onboard experience, goes all-in on sustainability. My flight departed slightly late but arrived early, as eastbound transatlantic flights often do because of strong tailwinds. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This means you can use the drinks service time to pick one of three mains. Waiting for me on my seat when I boarded was a pillow, blanket and amenity kit. 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. Virgin operates its A350-1000 in two configurations. 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 passed on the sparkles so that I could manage a flight without climbing over a seat mate, but many people were happily reveling. Fortunately, I realized this before opening or touching anything and I was able to give the meal back to a crew member so they could serve it to the passenger who actually ordered it. 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. The gnocchi were huge, and I soon realized that was because they were stuffed with the ricotta and asparagus. For each of the seats in the cabin, the tray table ejected from underneath one of the armrests. While not a huge space, and definitely not enough to store a laptop, it was sufficient for my passport, AirPods and my phone. I found the salad to be absolutely delightful. The only negative was the roll, which was plastic-wrapped and incredibly tough and dry. As far as the quality, I found the pillows to be perfectly reasonable with stuffing. "Starlux is a premier global airline offering world-class service and amenities," said Nap Pieper, senior vice president of fleet, finance . Note: some photos from this review are from a previous flight, where it was easier to snap the cabin. The dish covers were still on, and the cutlery was lodged inside two drinking glasses, which were laying down on their side. Shortly thereafter, it was time for tea service. Premium Rich, custom leather seats with a generous 7 inch recline and high end finishes. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. 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 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. 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 because it's a wider aircraft. Once I finally arrived at the space, I saw the shiny, new A350-1000 bird waiting for us. The PE offering was far better than BA and the crew were amazing. . Unfortunately, they were quite cramped and there were no special amenities compared with economy lavatories. I did like the cute little airplane-shaped salt and pepper shakers. As far as food, there was a decent selection, both hot and cold. Virgin Atlantic offers 56 seats in a 2-4-2 layout on the A350, spread over seven rows. No judgement! With the Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard, you can earn 30,000 bonus points (enough to book this flight) after spending $1,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Obviously, everyone has their own needs, but I think people arent unaware. 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. With the ricotta and the spiciness of the tomato sauce and zest from the sweet peppers, it was a great dish. Totally agree with all points here. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Everything from nose to tail feels fresh, contemporary and new. 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 They were fun and conversational rather than cold and unapproachable. Virgin Premium was the very first airline experience I reviewed for TPG roughly three-and-a-half years ago on a much older aircraft. Overall, the premium economy on the A350-1000 is a competitive product, still giving British Airways a run for its money. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. but the movie and television selection on board is good, but not great. 31-3417.4: 45-71: 235: Reviews. My TPG UK colleague Dan Ross has reviewed all of LHR's lounges, and he's determined that, between the Priority Pass options in T3, Club Aspire is the way to go. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Even with the new aircraft, I didn't notice any signs the crew was unfamiliar with it. Find the best seat wiht our Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350-1000 (351) seating chart. I found the footrest to be rather close in, but the added support was a huge win, especially on a long-haul flight. 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. This was a great perk and made my security wait time much shorter (I'm unfortunately ineligible for TSA PreCheck or Clear with an Australian passport). Seat 14 A is a standard recliner-style Premium Economy Class seat located at an Exit Row.
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