The amenity kit bag was made by Hershel and contained the usual items, including socks, eye mask, Virgin Atlantic-branded pen, earplugs, toothbrush, toothpaste and Rituals-branded body moisturizer, lip balm and eye cream. Virgin Atlantic business class amenity kit. Naturally, I chose a hanging swing seat facing the runway! I know you like the last (or near to last row) but you should know that in VA Upper you should be nowhere near the bar. When I asked the crew if there were any chance of a change, they took away the beef right away and offered me the hot chicken or salmon. The theft was discovered before we landed and the theft reported to the main stewards. There’s no curtain between the bar and the cabin, and the below picture was literally taken from my seat. Register here to save your space. If you are interested in trying an ex-Dublin flight you can read my beginners guide to ex EU here and … Shame on VA. To all female travelers: be aware and guard your purse! It’s actually one of the best MSW episodes. Both VS and BA had to fly me whenever I needed/wanted. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. About BenBen Schlappig (aka Lucky) is a travel consultant, blogger, and avid points collector. It was all good, And I particularly liked the roast beef-and-horseradish sandwich (just on the right side of dry) and the warm and fluffy scone. I know the A side is best but surely given the choice between 11A and 5K, row 5 has to be the winner? This does make it harder to enjoy any views during daytime flights, however, as you have to look behind you to peer out that … The seat controls were to the right of the seat, and were easy to use. was served around 90 minutes before landing. Virgin Atlantic does even offer hot breakfast, which many airlines don’t on such a short flight. Minor updates to a solid, stylish business class experience. All window seats faced into the middle, with the port seats facing a wall (i.e., the back of the middle column of seats). The cost in miles is excellent, though it goes without saying that the carrier imposed surcharges (often referred to as fuel surcharges) really sting. Had a great time but not a fan of the seats . Every time I sat down in a different area, the staff were with me to take an order in seconds. Every other time I’ve flown Virgin Atlantic the flight attendant has introduced themselves by name and asked if I was familiar with the seat, though they didn’t do that this time around. Virgin Atlantic business class dinner service — dessert. Virgin Atlantic 787 Upper Class TV monitor with USB and headphone ports. That was your foolish decision to leave in your purse. @ Ben — It is remarkable that they have these horrible seats on this beautiful aircraft. I asked the crew if they could flip the bed for me. 3. Virgin Atlantic’s 787. Virgin Atlantic 787 Upper Class. At the rear of the cabin was a bar, for use of Upper Class passengers during the flight. As far as service goes, I appreciated the efficiency of it all, though I’ve had more enthusiastic Virgin Atlantic crews. “Mood lighting” doesn’t fix this major Business Class flaw. I was seated very close to the bar and worried that passengers would congregate there and be loud during the flight. I had chosen a seat in the middle of the Upper Class cabin away from the galley, toilets and bar. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. iIRC the beds in the A350 are full recline with no need to flip? Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Thankfully (and oddly), the bar was left practically deserted for most of the flight. They are sassy and unique. For instance, 2A is … While the cabin is woefully outdated, you cannot deny it’s an extremely classy cabin! Virgin Atlantic doesn’t have any immediate plans to introduce their new business class seats on the 787, so how does the “old” seat compare on a very short overnight flight? I booked the following one-way ticket for just 47,500 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles plus $674 in taxes, fees, and carrier imposed surcharges: 01/24 VS12 Boston to London departing 9:50PM arriving 9:30AM (+1 day) [Business]. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. I liked the Brit Pop music that was played for boarding and disembarking too. 10 Airbus A330-300s; 4 Airbus A330-200s; 4 Airbus A350-1000s; 17 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners; Upper Class can be found on all of Virgin’s aircraft, but the brand-new Upper Class Suite is currently only on its A350-1000s. And finally, I hate this seat so much. The flight attendants were personable and the cabin was great. To round off dinner, I had the cheese plate, and finally a peppermint tea. All in all, this is a solid product to cross the Atlantic. Friday, January 24 Somehow the bus ride to the terminal took 15 minutes, and even from where we were dropped off it was still a long walk to immigration. While that was being done, I went to the lavatory, of which there are two behind business class. One of the onboard amenities that is a staple of every Virgin Atlantic Upper Class cabin is a bar. So there’s an episode of Murder, She Wrote (The Corpse Flew First Class) where Jessica is flying BOS-LHR in first on the “Champagne Supper Flight” and of course, someone gets killed. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. This flight was on Birthday Girl, the airline’s first Dreamliner and it was my third flight on the larger 787-9 variant of the high-tech aircraft and my 15th or so Dreamliner flight. Virgin Atlantic charges extra for bulkhead and other seats which have more legroom. Which aircraft offer Upper Class seats? That’s incredible, and exactly how it should be (though all too often it’s not). 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. Virgin Atlantic has solid bedding, with a nice duvet and a large pillow. I’m just gobsmacked with the amount you eat , “Virgin Atlantic does even offer hot breakfast, which many airlines don’t on such a short flight.”. I was wanted to be a little more propped up, but otherwise think I could have slept well here. The way the cabin is configured, there are 11 seats along the left windows. Flying a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 soon? Virgin Atlantic 787-9 Upper Class Bar. Upper Class; Width of seat: Up to 17 inches: Up to 17 inches: 21 inches: 22 inches: Seat recline: 5 inches: 5 inches: Up to 8 inches: 17-42 degrees and flat once in bed mode: Seat pitch: Up to 31 inches: Up to 34 inches: Up to 38 inches: n/a That being said, these herringbone seats barely cut it anymore as far as business class seats go — they have no storage, they’re hard as a rock in bed mode, and the TVs are small. Last September, Hubby and I took a VA flight from Las Vegas to London on a 787 with the exact seat configuration. In this configuration I’d choose the “A” seats (left) as my first choice, followed by the “K” seats (right), followed by the G seats (center). I also checked out the nearby bathrooms, which looked good and were large and stocked with Cowshed products. Now, if AM would just improve their food (and tear down MEX and start over). @ Frederik — To be clear, I was saying that they *do* offer hot breakfast, unlike some other airlines. seat nk beta. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class turndown service. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. There’s no denying that the cabin looks incredibly swanky with the mood lighting. Lastly, I should mention that I could have avoided the carrier surcharges by booking through Delta, as they don’t impose surcharges for Virgin Atlantic awards originating in the US. The first story covered the British Airways First Class experience on a 747-400 from Seattle to London. Help us fund therapy sessions for black women and girls, What You Need to Know About Airline Partnerships & Alliances, The Latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates & Policies, The news, resources, & information you need. The entertainment screens can be extended from the side of the seat for better viewing. The good news is that Wilbur and Orville, the Virgin salt and pepper characters, returned in 2013: I still have the set that I stole back in 1997. Virgin Atlantic 787 … Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. It’s expected that 787s and A330s will be getting new Upper Class seats, though that’s likely to happen in “the early 2020s,” and will be a different product. Airline: Virgin AtlanticFlight: VS23Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 G-VYUMFrom: London (LHR)To: Los Angeles (LAX)Departure: 15:53Arrival: 17:58Flight Time: 10:05Seat: 6A Virgin Atlantic are an airline I’ve been wanting to … The tray table also folded out from the left of the seat, and was a single large table that couldn’t be folded over in half, or anything. This site is for entertainment purposes only. I bought 150 MB. There were over 150 movies and over 40 TV shows to choose from. Phenomenal ground experience at LHR, fun and attentive crew and plentiful redemption options. It’s a staggering amount to pay on top of a mileage redemption, but when you consider that round-trip business-class tickets between the two cities regularly sell for anywhere from $2,700 to over $8,000, it doesn’t seem so bad. Each seat had an ottoman, so at least your feet aren’t in a tight footwell, though at the same time your feet basically feel like they’re in the aisle. I’m not sure how you could’ve proved you had that much money with you. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners. Here are a few ways to make the most out of your next Upper Class Virgin … Which aircraft offer Upper Class seats? “For the main course I ordered the cauliflower steak”, Basically, grilled cauliflower But that bowl does look good…. Amenities abounded in this lounge: a spa, a pool table and, most incredibly, a roof terrace looking out over the Terminal 3 apron and the Heathrow runways. However, the insane brownie with squeeze tube of salted caramel made up for any faults. The bread in the sandwiches was a bit dry and the croissant a bit sad. Now that’s rare! While not super premium, I like it a lot. I was on the inaugural flight a few years ago from LHR to Bos on this plane . Those were the days. I just wish Virgin would become a full SkyTeam member, although with the new Flying Blue CodeShare they are almost de facto. Trendy looks, completely nonfunctional design and lukewarm service. There didn’t seem to be any availability issues, although I did arrive at the lounge four hours before my departure time. Why didn’t you have a lockable bag to put it in? This was just a short walk from the lounge, and I had a good view of the 787-9 from the gate area. Like NZ these seats are just not good enough in 2020,heck they weren’t even good when they first introduced them – it’s like a dormitory and at biz fares it’s just not on – they obviously know how bad they are and try to excel in other areas so that’s great but when there’s a choice – NO!!! I booked my Upper Class ticket directly through Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club program just a day before departure. There was a lovely sunrise as we approached London. She opened the door to the car and welcomed me to the Upper Class wing. To me, the seats just look like the love child of a Japanese capsule hotel and a shop window in Amsterdam’s red light district. Wow: Amex Adds Dining & Wireless Credits To Select Cards For 2021. However, as the flight went on and rapport built up, I ended up having a great time and feeling positive about the service. You’re not an Albanian mobster boss to carry $4500 cash in a purse. I like that they serve the meal directly on the tray table, rather than bringing it out on a tray. The B787 has mood lighting which Virgin used to good effect throughout the flight. That's enabled by having seats which aren't directly forward-facing – rather, each passenger is angled towards that aisle, yet away from the window. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class 787-9 Review. Someone got an upgrade! 1. Can’t stand those seats pointing away from the windows. So tacky. It’s not like their fares are discounted for the bad seats or anything. Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 'Upper Class' business class: the basics. @Frederik @Lucky The wording of that sentence is odd. Stay connected via social media, or subscribe to our free email newsletter for tips on upgrading your travel and maximizing your miles! One-way Upper Class tickets cost 47,500 miles plus about £445 tax. Starters on offer were edamame salad, tomato soup or Balik salmon. Seat 6A looked like a better choice for window positioning, whilst still away from the galleys and toilets at either end of the cabin. The bad part of sitting in 11A is that you might as well be sitting at the bar, because it’s that close. On top of that, service was quick, which is important on these flights. I’m usually someone who finds pillows to not be substantial enough, though Virgin Atlantic’s was almost too thick for me. View seat details . This announcement started with “on behalf of Richard Branson,” which I don’t recall hearing before on Virgin Atlantic. Five minutes after takeoff the seatbelt sign was turned off. A dark, cramped cabin, and the seat configuration doesn't allow for looking out the window. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Just 20 minutes after takeoff my table was set, and I was brought the appetizer, which was a goat cheese and orange salad. It was a short walk to Gate 19, and there were no queues when I arrived. As we climbed out I browsed the entertainment selection. It looks like you were eating under a blacklight. Instagram? Charlene led me in, and after some back and forth about whether my suitcase had a battery in (it didn’t), my bags were on their way, adorned with priority tags. The rest of the experience wasn’t, though. If your goal is to fly an airline with a good bar, the Virgin Atlantic 787 is not for you. As we pulled round the roundabout at the top of the driveway, the wonderful Charlene, dressed in glorious Virgin red, was waiting at the door. Potato chips were served along with the first round of drinks. To the side of the seat was a small tray that could be folded down, where there was a bottle of water. It’s really a shame because Virgin does a fantastic job with the end to end experience otherwise. Going into this flight, I knew that Virgin doesn’t have the best seat around installed for its Upper Class product, but its Clubhouse at Heathrow gets a lot of praise, and generally the onboard experience is positive and fun — would this be enough to overcome its outdated hard product? It’s impressive that Virgin Atlantic offers pajamas in business class on all redeyes, even these short sub-six hour flights. View our latest valuations here. If you are going to lie it should be more plausible. The 'a' seats on Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class. New York Newark - London Heathrow, Boeing 787-900, Upper Class (Business Class) 15th December 2016 . Not sure I could handle that seating. I am pretty sure that the ‘bacon butty’ shown on the Breakfast Menu will be hot Lucky. While we were boarded quickly, we only ended up pushing back at 9:55PM. Learn More. Also at 9:30PM the main cabin door closed, at which point the flight manager made his welcome aboard announcement. We built a spreadsheet to help you track Amex credits, U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card. Insist the VS cabin crew have the police meet the plane? These airplane salt and pepper shakers have to be the cutest little things I’ve seen in a while. I found that this was the perfect opportunity to pitch Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class product on its newer 787-9 Dreamliners against the crustier — but four-engine — Airbus A340s. My only reservations is that I find SWISS to have better food and larger restroom. 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Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 By 9:30PM boarding was complete (a full 20 minutes before scheduled departure), and around this time the captain made his welcome aboard announcement. And no other airline that I was on this route gives snacks. Required fields are marked *. The seats had a relatively small IFE screen compared to other products, a power outlet and USB socket. The Upper Class cabin looks super swanky in the dark, but much less so during the day. WELCOME OFFER: 75,000 Points Terms Apply. What are the best seats for a couple on the 787 in Upper Class? I did, and went to take my seat. Virgin Atlantic also has Wi-Fi on the 787-9. On my latest trip to London I decided to try and get on the 787-9 of both major British carriers — the British Airways 787-9 in first class, and then a nice revisit to Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic’s 787-9.. Not necessarily a fair comparison between the two airlines given that I flew in two different cabins, … Note that in order to extend the tray you have to push the button on the right, which is something that seems to confuse many. I will be travelling to Africa soon and will be going Upper class, so I shall surely feedback on my experience. The one closest to my seat was a decent size and had Noble Isle hand wash and hand lotion without any other indication of it being the premium cabin’s lav. I also don’t like these herringbone seats because they have to flipped over to turn into beds, and this also means that you can’t slightly incline your bed, which I otherwise like to do.