virgin airbus a350 premium economy
[flight_stats ticket-class="econ" review-stat-section="Ground Experience" tpg-rating="5" tpg-rating-max="10" tail="G-VLUX" age="0.08" departure="13" departure-2="49" duration="07" duration-2="19" live-tv="0" tailcam="0" headphones="0" comp-alcohol="0" extra-pillows="0" turndown-service="0" /]. Registered as G-VLUX and nicknamed "Red Velvet," the aircraft was delivered to Virgin on Aug. 10. There was a small slot next to the seat, underneath the armrest. 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. 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. The flight is blocked at six hours and 45 minutes, though it is often much quicker than this, usually at least one hour shorter. Waiting for me on my seat when I boarded was a pillow, blanket and amenity kit. UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic has redesigned its upper class cabin to include an eight-seat lounge called "The Loft" on its new Airbus A350-1000 fleet, replacing its existing upper . 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. 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. The headphones weren't noise-canceling but were still a definite step up from the pairs being handed out in economy. This flight did not change my earlier thoughts that premium economy is currently overpriced across the industry. 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. While its new Upper Class Suite got the bulk of the addition and it is a dazzling product, indeed the carrier also gave its Premium product a facelift with the A350. As for service the virgin team are miles ahead. Cookie statement | My journey on VS300 began in the evening at Terminal 3 of London Heathrow. I had a glass of the Casa Piero sauvignon blanc from Spain, which was bright and crisp. The seat padding has also taken a hit, with slimmer leather seats being chosen for this cabin. The line was so long, I couldn't even work out where to join it, so I asked a nearby security staff member. The card also earns 3 Virgin points per dollar spent on Virgin Atlantic tickets and duty-free items purchased directly from Virgin Atlantic. Find the right card for you. 27, 2023 and then six flights daily from May 1, 2023 for the busy summer travel period. More by Gilbert Ott. Have you ever flown Virgin Atlantic in premium economy? Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. 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. They were fun and conversational rather than cold and unapproachable. 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping, 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases, Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points), Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status, Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award. In the center armrest and drinks shelf was another small storage area with a USB charger for small electronic devices. also the table came out of the armrest . Inside were more environmentally friendly products, such as a bamboo toothbrush, a small tube of toothpaste, paper-wrapped pen, eye mask and earplugs. As in, my flight was just the aircraft's third commercial service. The Booth is a luxurious spot just for two, to enjoy anything from a wine tasting experience, to a romantic dinner, a nightcap, or just a change of scene. We all know tray tables are plastic in economy and premium economy, and it's a small but noticeable decision for a carrier to either go with a basic plastic color or to add a little oomph to the aesthetics. The main was hot and tasted great, and I could have easily gone for seconds. I was reminded of how phenomenal this cabin is, with one caveat which Ill get to. If you fly in the seat, its a benchmark premium experience, up there with Singapore Air and other leaders. 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. There were three lavatories in the Premium cabin, which I found to be a perfect number for the number of passengers on my flight. Review: How Good Is Virgin Atlantic A350 Premium Economy? Observing the crew interactions with other passengers, including a couple with a young toddler, gave a really fun, attentive and caring feel. They provided good sound quality while still feeling comfortable to wear. But, depending on how you use your points, you may be able to get even more than $450 in value from them. A review of Virgin Atlantic's Premium on the A350 from New York to 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. 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. 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. Families, or groups of colleagues may prefer the middle four. Would the A350 talk be just that: talk? Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Ports are easy to reach, which helps me remember not to leave anything behind. 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!). 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. Looking at dates in November 2022, most economy fares from the US East Coast were around $800-900 for Virgin Atlantic Economy Classic to London, an additional $140-180 for Economy Delight, and $1200-1500 for Premium. Terms and Conditions Apply. I found the legrest and footrest on the bulkhead row to be useful. I counted 117 movies and 81 TV shows to choose from, including "Top Gun Maverick," "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" and "Sing 2." Each of the screens in the cabin, whether in the bulkhead row or in one of 48 other seats in the cabin, was 13.3 inches, larger than existing offerings with the carrier. I arrived at my gate an hour before departure. 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. I found the amenities on the flight to be more than enough especially on a relatively short long-haul flight like London to New York. Our newest Economy seats are designed with bespoke woven fabrics inspired by fashion houses. Virgin Atlantic: Airbus A350-1000 (351) 38: 18.5: On-Demand TV: All Seats: AC Power: Yes: Recliner: Virgin Atlantic: Boeing . I appreciated that each Premium passenger had their own personal universal charging point in the center console near their feet. /]. Economy Premium. Based on TPG's most recent valuations, those points were worth $103, not a bad return. Additionally, the seats not by the bulkhead had upper and lower seatback storage spaces primarily for literature like the new A350-1000 safety cards. Virgin calls the kit the most sustainable in the skies, and it felt like it. I chose a Brewdog Lost lager with my meal. The PE offering was far better than BA and the crew were amazing. This version features 335 seats, including 44 seats in Upper Class and 56 in Premium Economy, making it quite a . Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. While it was my fault for not realizing where the tortillas were held, I observed several passengers around me making the same mistake. BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY The breakfast offering took a noticeable hit. Crew then distributed menus for the flight, which included drinks, main courses and the teatime selections. Service is one of those things that can either make or break a flight. The tray passed to me didn't look appealing. . 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. I arrived at London Heathrow's Terminal 3 about three hours prior to departure. The cheesecake was the only thing I would ever look to order again from the whole flight. For each of the seats in the cabin, the tray table ejected from underneath one of the armrests. Required fields are marked *. Both aircrews were fine, the outward bound flight seemed a happier bunch. [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" /]. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to God Save the Points with appropriate and specific directions to the original content. 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. The lounge also boasted shower facilities, though those were subject to an additional charge. Perhaps the personal freedoms Virgin (rightly) affords employees plays a role there. The entre was the exact opposite, a dense, cheesy, sloppy dish overflowing with rice. "And again, we have that Bluetooth connectivity, so at every seat, you can connect your headsets . For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. It was a feature that the crew announced prior to takeoff. the Luxury Travel Expert 1.1M subscribers Subscribe Share 760K views 2 years ago Join me on a. Review: Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy (Airbus A330-300) The Dreamliner tables were from the back of the passengers seat in from, and seemed more flexible. This means you can get a 4.5% return on these purchases based on TPG's valuations. I flew LHR to JNB in August. Given past trips with Virgin in premium economy, I was hopeful that the A350 would set the benchmark in this competitive market. The cabin was arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration. 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. With its A350-1000s, Virgin Atlantic actually opted for a roomier arrangement with just 335 seats total. Each of the Premium-cabin seats besides the bulkhead seats featured a built-in IFE screen in the back of the headrest. Invites will be sent 14 days in advance of the flight and booked on a first-come, first-served basis. That said, there were significant improvements with this product, as well as design decisions that went a long way in terms of enjoyment. This seat definitely felt tight around my hips. I tend to chose foreign films I cant easily stream in the UK. 31-3417.4: 45-71: 235: Reviews. The cheesecake, which both looked and tasted great, was the highlight of an otherwise mediocre meal. 2x points on all other eligible purchases. There was also an excellent interactive flight map available. Related: Delta overhauls the onboard experience, goes all-in on sustainability. 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. Virgin Atlantic A350 (new) Upper Class from London to New York: a fabulous flight experience! Meanwhile, India. Virgin Atlantic charges extra for bulkhead and other seats which have more legroom. While this is a lot, the high ceilings and straight sidewalls of the A350 give a sense of space, preventing it from feeling claustrophobic. The answers yes. Everything was fresh, and you could feel the excitement of the cabin crew. Overall, the ground experience at Virgin remains an important feature and will only become handier in the future. Arguably the highlight of the flight was the terrific inflight entertainment via the crisp and up-to-date 13.5-inch touchscreen that could also be controlled by my mobile phone once connected via Bluetooth. View the current offers here. They had amazing staff there who treated me like an old friend. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. It was served with a salted-caramel clair, passion-fruit-and-yuzu macaron and a scone with clotted cream and jam. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Because my itinerary was booked shortly after Virgin put A350 flights on sale, award availability wasn't great. 9 airlines with premium economy cabins worth splurging on That wasn't the case. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. I passed on the sparkles so that I could manage a flight without climbing over a seat mate, but many people were happily reveling. As to the food, Im the worst person to ask. On a recent work trip to New York, I needed a one way ticket home to London, and Virgin Premium Economy on the A350 offered the best value, just moderately priced above economy. Fortunately, a full-size meal was available and the food corresponded correctly to the menu. To start, there was only one option: a Cajun pasta salad of fusilli, mixed leaves and mustard vinaigrette. Though there was some wait during peak times (after meal services and before landing), they quickly dissipated. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. 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. Are you able to eat or use laptop when this happens? The best Virgin Atlantic economy seats on the A350 are without a doubt found in rows 45, 52, 53 and 54. Tell us about your experience in the comments! Both the Upper Class and Premium cabins now get a refreshed Goodie Bag amenity kit on select routes, including this A350-operated route. 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. No tears in seat upholstery, no nicked corners or stained carpets. 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. There is no one behind you. Overall, I found the lounge to be good for a rest before a long-haul flight. Virgin has one of the younger fleets in the skies nowadays, and if you fly frequently you can truly feel the difference. Obviously, everyone has their own needs, but I think people arent unaware. The other dimensions of the seat were more generous, with 38 inches of legroom and 7 inches of recline, both fairly standard for premium economy. 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. That meant I had no issues when the passenger in front of me reclined their seat. Included in the IFE system was an AvGeek favorite, the tailcam. Airbus A350 seat map with The Loft. Cheers to that. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. During boarding, the crew passed through the Premium cabin with trays of welcome drinks. It is flown by a mix of aircraft, but fortunately on my day of travel, an A350 was scheduled to operate the service. 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. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. The leather seats offer much more legroom and padding than economy a few rows behind, making for a comfortable flight. I was ravenous by the time the trolleys appeared again in the cabin for the second meal service, about an hour before landing. Related: Watch TPG UK review all 3 cabins on Virgin Atlantic's brand-new Airbus A350. Just returned from Florida. Sadly, the check-in perks don't extend to Virgin's private security channel, and it took a full 30 minutes to complete security. 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping, 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases, Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points), Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status, Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award. There are four first-class suites, 26 seats in business, 36 in premium economy, and 240 in economy. Earlier this summer, British Airways launched its first-ever A350 routes to Madrid before launching it on long-haul flights. Totally agree with all points here. [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." The dish covers were still on, and the cutlery was lodged inside two drinking glasses, which were laying down on their side. This means you can use the drinks service time to pick one of three mains. One was soft and fluffy while the other was overcooked and as hard as a rock. 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. The Loft is featured on seven of our A350 aircraft: G-VDOT, G-VJAM, G-VLUX, G-VPOP, G-VPRD, G-VRNB, G-VTEA. Virgin Atlantic A350 (new) Upper Class from London to New York: a The dish was absolutely lovely and roaring with flavor. It still is, sometimes. 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. 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. Overall, the premium economy on the A350-1000 is a competitive product, still giving British Airways a run for its money. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying, The tighter seats take away from one of premium economy's major selling points. The meal was small and disappointing. Offer ends 5/3/23. I finished it only because I like Mexican food and was starving, but it wasn't visually appealing and not something I would serve a guest in my home. The mozzarella salad was tasty and fresh, though the portion was a little small given how light the first meal was. Virgin has remastered the premium economy experience with its Premium A350 product. 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. Both flights were far more comfortable than a standard cattle class seats. Virgin operates a mix of aircraft on this important route, with Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft being used each day. 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. Meanwhile, the rest of the seats in the Premium cabin had just a pedal attached to the seat in front there was no legrest. 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. Once I finally arrived at the space, I saw the shiny, new A350-1000 bird waiting for us. Each of the Collins Aerospace MiQ seats featured 38 inches of pitch and 7 inches of recline. Being in the front means you'll beat most of the plane through immigration. Thats not unique to any one airline, but new planes really are stellar. 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. 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. Virgin Atlantic has a dedicated section of the terminal area for its passengers, including a priority queue for premium economy travelers. A pet peeve of mine is when the crew describes prosecco or other sparkling wine as Champagne. Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350-1000 Seating Chart Most up-to-date seat map 2023. Thats a lot better than most airlines these days. 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. 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. The exterior of the kit itself was made from recyclable kraft paper, which felt like a combination of cardboard and thick paper. In addition to a new seat with a large IFE system, Virgin paid attention to details that helped improve the passenger experience. Recliner. Virgin operates its A350-1000 in two configurations. 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. The Dreamliner gives what feels like a much bigger seat. 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. TPGs valuations peg the value of Virgin points at 1.5 cents each, so this welcome offer is worth $450. Things to know about Virgin Atlantic's brand-new Airbus A330neo - The 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Personally, I've long been a fan of Virgin Atlantic, with its cheeky, fresh and fun approach to flying. However, compared to the 787-9, for which I only had positive words last year, this certainly feels like a downgrade. I did the same journey to AUS on the 380 and back from LAX on the new plane. As far as food, there was a decent selection, both hot and cold. Lufthansa adds A380 routes out of Munich - Economy Class & Beyond I loved the amazing, customized "I (Heart) A350" pillows, which were clearly made just for the introduction of the aircraft into service. Flight Review: Virgin Atlantic A350 Premium Economy - Not The Winner Our stunning new Upper Class suite is the perfect retreat at 30,000 feet. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Emotional baggage is best left at your departure point. Despite boarding near the end, I was offered a welcome beverage of choice in a glass, a nice touch in premium economy. Premium Rich, custom leather seats with a generous 7 inch recline and high end finishes. 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. Packed with innovation, our A350 is the new heartbeat of our fleet, and we hope you love it as much as we do. 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. Their recruitment must be top notch. Each of the bulkhead seats had the advantage of both a leg- and a footrest. Even at 6'3", my knees weren't even close to the seat in front. If I wanted people to take me seriously, I had to prove that every thing I was claiming could come true with points and travel savvy, could actually come true. That's why I practically gasped when I saw the massive security queue awaiting me in Terminal 4. 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. Virgin opted for the denser layout on the 350, resulting in some noticeable changes. I found the tea service to be so very pleasant and a phenomenal way to end the flight. Terms and conditions | Instead, other passengers and I were able to FaceTime with friends and family on the ground. 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. Our story; Business as a force for good; Media centre; Annual reports; Based in New Delhi, India. 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. 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. That small feature can make all the difference between a comfortable and uncomfortable flight. 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. The crew that worked the Premium cabin on my flight to London was friendly and well-meaning, but not overly polished. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying, Around 70 airlines will be affected by the strike. However, this may not hold true. I headed to Gate 22 about 10 minutes before boarding was set to begin. On this Virgin Atlantic flight, the first meal was actually the lighter one and was served an hour after departure. If youre looking to beat the rush at immigration, this is a prize choice. Brilliant Guide To British Airways Upgrades Using Avios Or Cash.
