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. Emotional baggage is best left at your departure point. When prices are competitive with economy, that alone can make the cabin worth the upgrade for anyone with lots of baggage. I'm torn about this. Our stunning new Upper Class suite is the perfect retreat at 30,000 feet. The Virgin A350 Premium Economy Seat Virgin's Premium cabin on the A350 offers 2x4x2 seating. 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. Lufthansa is adding routes to India, with the airline adding Munich to Bangalore, to be served with an Airbus A350 three times a week on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The first row and the last row of premium make up the dreamboat seats. Premium Rich, custom leather seats with a generous 7 inch recline and high end finishes. I didn't eat anything, as I wasn't hungry and wanted to save my appetite for when I got on board. The best part was the chocolate brownie bar, cementing Virgin's prowess in making and choosing desserts. All about the price. Related: Choose this, not that: JFK Priority Pass lounge edition. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying. 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. Both flights were far more comfortable than a standard cattle class seats. As far as food, there was a decent selection, both hot and cold. Fortunately, a full-size meal was available and the food corresponded correctly to the menu. Virgin Atlantic includes premium economy passengers in the Priority boarding section, right after status holders and Upper Class travelers (a cabin we reviewed recently too!). Economy To Premium Economy On Virgin Atlantic: Is The Upgrade - MSN 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. The best Virgin Atlantic economy seats on the A350 are without a doubt found in rows 45, 52, 53 and 54. 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. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window). [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." Sadly, the check-in perks don't extend to Virgin's private security channel, and it took a full 30 minutes to complete security. Virgin provided the standard premium economy headphones, blanket, and amenity kit on this flight, all of which were helpful (minus the plastic headphones). 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 If youre looking to beat the rush at immigration, this is a prize choice. The fleece material of the blanket felt almost worn, but I liked that the blanket had a special neck cutout, which made it easier to cover yourself in an upright position in Premium or economy. I arrived at my gate an hour before departure. Once connected, I registered speeds of an acceptable 11 Mbps download but no speed to upload anything. 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. Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy customers enjoy a dedicated Premium check in lane and are able to check two bags. If you hate feeling groggy after a flight, youll absolutely love the Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350. It would have been great if the crew members could have mentioned how the meal should be eaten when they served it. In the center armrest and drinks shelf was another small storage area with a USB charger for small electronic devices. On this Virgin Atlantic flight, the first meal was actually the lighter one and was served an hour after departure. 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. first airline experience I reviewed for TPG, Watch TPG UK review all 3 cabins on Virgin Atlantic's brand-new Airbus A350, vocal supporter of jetlag-free daytime flights, Sorry, aisle-seat fans: The window seat is the best in the air, Choose this, not that: JFK Priority Pass lounge edition, Delta overhauls the onboard experience, goes all-in on sustainability, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. A review of Virgin Atlantic's Premium on the A350 from New York to Virgin Atlantic Upper Class aboard A350-1000 is breath of fresh air The line was so long, I couldn't even work out where to join it, so I asked a nearby security staff member. Once I finally arrived at the space, I saw the shiny, new A350-1000 bird waiting for us. Required fields are marked *. Meanwhile, India. 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. For example, the tray table and two drink spaces on the armrest were colored in a faux-granite design. I chose orange juice and coffee to go with it I did at least appreciate the sturdy mug the coffee was served in. Find the right card for you. How bad is it when the seat in front of you fully reclines? 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. Like, a lot. For a day flight, its a total no brainer. Moving toward the middle of the plane, I next entered Virgin Atlantic's premium economy cabin known as Premium. Instead, I opted to pay cash for the round-trip itinerary from London (LHR) to New York-JFK. It didn't have the luxurious feeling of a leather or solid kit, but it does the trick for me knowing that it was helping to reduce single-use plastics and be less harsh on the environment. On an overnight flight where speed is key, this did strike me as slower than usual. Service is one of those things that can either make or break a flight. I haven't found my premium economy experiences in the past to be twice as good as economy but was willing to give Virgin a chance. I did the same journey to AUS on the 380 and back from LAX on the new plane. They provided good sound quality while still feeling comfortable to wear. The screen tilted slightly up and down for easier viewing by folks of different heights, and it also had a USB charging point at its base. 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. To start, there was only one option: a Cajun pasta salad of fusilli, mixed leaves and mustard vinaigrette. Economy Premium. All three courses appetizer, main and dessert were served at the same time, and I appreciated that they expedited the meal service this way. As the table did not slide out very far. More by Gilbert Ott. I could imagine there being contention about who got the majority of it. Here's how my Virgin Atlantic Premium experience rated. 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. I passed on the sparkles so that I could manage a flight without climbing over a seat mate, but many people were happily reveling. 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. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). [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. I'm all for sustainability with these kits, but I was not a fan of the crumpled and battered "goodie bag" pouch the items were presented in, as it is not something I would ever use again. His background in political science and economics gives him unique insight into issues surrounding international travel and governmental regulations. 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. During the course of the flight, crew members left out a small bin of chips and snacks for the taking in the galley. 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. My seat, 21A, was a bulkhead window seat, meaning there was no one seated in front of me. Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club program offers some tremendous value especially on Premium itineraries. Being Virgin Atlantic's largest passenger-carrying aircraft by length (73.8 meters long vs 62.8 for the 787-9 and 63.7 for the A330-300), the Airbus A350-1000 correspondingly has the largest capacity in the airline's fleet. . Not only was the service fantastic, but the crew members seemed equally as excited about the new A350 as I was. Starlux Launches Its Los Angeles Airbus A350 Flights On Wednesday I really liked the sturdy tray table that folded out of the outer armrest. Virgin Atlantic's A350 in all three classes | Upper Class vs Premium vs Things to know about Virgin Atlantic's brand-new Airbus A330neo - The The cabin crew on board was absolutely phenomenal and uniquely Virgin. Waiting for me on my seat when I boarded was a pillow, blanket and amenity kit. 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. I appreciated that each Premium passenger had their own personal universal charging point in the center console near their feet. Virgin Atlantic's new plane raises flying standards | The Sacramento Bee Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. And so begins an extremely thorough review of the Virgin Atlantic A350-1000. Many business class seats are circa 18-19 width. Review: Virgin Atlantic in an A350 in economy from London to New York VS138 New York, NY (JFK) - London, England (LHR) Monday, September 16, 2019 Aircraft: A350-1042 Registration: G-VLUX Duration: 6 hours 57 minutes Seat: 50D (economy class) Virgin Atlantic A350-1000 side view illustration by Norebbo.com Virgin Atlantic A330neo Plane From NYC to London, Review With - Insider The Premium cabin on the Virgin A350 comprised a total of 56 seats across a single cabin. The 730 seemed narrower. (Photo by Emily McNutt/The Points Guy.) Not such a wander wall. Just before landing, the cabin crew came around with a final treat: Swizzels Love Hearts. In addition to a new seat with a large IFE system, Virgin paid attention to details that helped improve the passenger experience. It was rated first for premium economy in the Skytrax World Airline Awards in 2019. That meant I had no issues when the passenger in front of me reclined their seat. Families, or groups of colleagues may prefer the middle four. Related: Sorry, aisle-seat fans: The window seat is the best in the air. On this flight, the sandwiches included: mozzarella with green pesto, slow-roasted tomato and arugula; and salmon, soft cheese, arugula and cucumber. 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. 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. Premium Economy Class Comparison Chart - SeatGuru Virgin Atlantic: Airbus A350-1000 (351) 38: 18.5: On-Demand TV: All Seats: AC Power: Yes: Recliner: Virgin Atlantic: Boeing . The Booth is featured on two of our A350 aircraft: Designed with love, built for the future. Taking off at 7PM in New York, its already midnight UK time, so im desperate to conk out ASAP and did exactly that on this flight. There was also a bar with bartender service. For larger customers it may well be a problem. However, I did use my Priority Pass membership, which comes as a benefit of my Platinum Card from American Express (enrollment required). However, this may not hold true. The beer I had with dinner wasn't cold, and setting up the meal trays with a little care before serving them would have made a big difference in the experience. This crew was no different, at least as much as I could tell from my 20 minutes of interaction with them. The vegetable samosas came out of a plastic packet, giving them a distinctly un-premium feel, with no standout flavors. Gilbert Ott is an ever curious traveler and one of the world's leading travel experts. My flight was on the emptier side, so most passengers who were seated in the middle section of four seats had empty seats between them. During boarding, the crew passed through the Premium cabin with trays of welcome drinks. Terms and Conditions Apply. As an old gold card holder I used to love the smaller JFK lounge. The dish covers were still on, and the cutlery was lodged inside two drinking glasses, which were laying down on their side. Offer ends 5/3/23. Given past trips with Virgin in premium economy, I was hopeful that the A350 would set the benchmark in this competitive market. On the 730. Included in the IFE system was an AvGeek favorite, the tailcam. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Upon entering, I definitely got that new-plane smell. I had a glass of the Casa Piero sauvignon blanc from Spain, which was bright and crisp. but the movie and television selection on board is good, but not great. The meal was small and disappointing. 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. Out in UC back PE. Nonetheless, I managed to work productively for most of the journey to London, another advantage of daytime flights. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. 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. I did not realize until I had finished the meal that there were two small tortillas folded up in the foil lid to enjoy with the meal. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. While this didn't matter as much in the last two years due to low flight loads, this was a busy day for the airline. Tip: Not well publicised, if you have the paid version of the Virgin Atlantic Credit Card, you can sign up for free Boingo WiFi to use onboard, unlimited. Recliner. 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. Other than that there was no storage around the seat. Offer ends 5/3/23. Designated toilet area . The cabin is laid out in a 3-3-3 arrangement and is Virgin's largest economy class barring that onboard the 747. Enjoy a 11.5 inch seatback screen, USB power, and a six-way adjustable headrestfor ultimate comfort. The exterior of the kit itself was made from recyclable kraft paper, which felt like a combination of cardboard and thick paper. It would have taken the crew only a few seconds to tidy up the trays before serving them, but instead, passengers had to do it themselves. I traveled along with my TPG UK colleagues Nicky Kelvin (Upper Class Suite) and Jean Arnas (economy) to test out the product myself on the aircraft's third-ever passenger flight. The large check-in area had dedicated lines for Upper Class/Delta One, as well as one for Premium and a large section for economy. Cheers to that. Pitch (legroom), amenity, tech, and other factors are bigger for me. 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. Inside, they were pretty standard economy-size lavatories with no special features or extras. 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. Premium check in and fast track worth . Enjoy a 11.5 inch seatback screen, USB power, and a six-way adjustable headrest for ultimate comfort. [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" /]. Wi-Fi typically costs 20.99 pounds (about $26) for the full flight. I went for the chicken lasagna, which was well plated and came with a vacuum-sealed bread roll, chickpea salad, and dessert. Fortunately, it sounds like Virgins new A330neo aircraft will. The PE offering was far better than BA and the crew were amazing. The Loft is featured on seven of our A350 aircraft: G-VDOT, G-VJAM, G-VLUX, G-VPOP, G-VPRD, G-VRNB, G-VTEA. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. /]. 31-3417.4: 45-71: 235: Reviews. Virgin had dedicated check-in lanes for Premium guests (which Economy Delight, the most expensive economy class can also use). Overall, I found the cabin and seat to be comfortable. The seat width, at an impressive 18.5 inches wide is as good as it gets as a global premium economy benchmark. Positioning itself as a luxury yet affordable . I believe in personal privacy, and on this night flight I was among the last to board, so I did not take cabin shots which included anyone. I appreciated their high spirits for this early morning departure and they made me feel very welcome, but there were service gaps during mealtimes. As previously mentioned, the IFE screen in my bulkhead seat came out from underneath one of the armrests. 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. 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. Hot options seemed to be carb heavy: rice, two kinds of penne pasta and what appeared to be a chickpea dish. Airbus A330-300 (333) Airbus A350-1000 (351) Boeing 747-400 (744) Boeing 787-9 (789) Check-in; Baggage . . The Dreamliner gives what feels like a much bigger seat. They had amazing staff there who treated me like an old friend. Unfortunately, they were quite cramped and there were no special amenities compared with economy lavatories. The breakfast offering took a noticeable hit. Virgin Atlantic was one of the first airlines to introduce a premium economy cabin, back in 1992. The crew insisted it was the real deal, so I tried a small glass and it did indeed taste like real Champagne. 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 airbus a350 premium economy
