The good news is that this is not a flash offer. I flew Premium Economy on Virgin most recently post covid on the Boeing 787-9 so I will begin with that flight after covering a few basics on checking fares and check-in for Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy at Heathrow. Meals created with care and consideration, with quality ingredients, sourced and served in the most responsible way possible. If youre flying with us in Premium, you can choose your meal in advance from a selection of three delicious dishes. Virgin Atlantics Upper Class is known not only for their in-seat personal spaces, but also social spaces, with exclusive onboard bars and airport lounges. The other thing I like is it is normally easier to compare if there are savings or opportunities to be had by taking an earlier or later flight. Born in Australia, she lives in London. Or choose your favourite tipple from our alcoholic drinks, from red, white and rose wine to spirits like Bombay Sapphire and Jack Daniels bourbon. Darn! Virgin Atlantic's 787 features 35 premium economy seats arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration. And you can tidy up using the linen napkin. I was planning on working on the trip so I moved to the free two seats in front of me which had bulkhead leg room and only returned to my seat to watch a movie. There are 5 rows of seats in premium economy and the configuration is 2 x 3 x 2. This usually gives me a good idea of the best options. We ended up stuck on the ground at Newark on the way out for quite some time. However, business class on Virgin Atlantic is usually at a much higher premium than on similar airlines. ALL were long haul flights. In comparison, Virgin Economy Light fares don't get a checked bag allowance. Seat width is 21 inches which is only 1 inch slimmer than business and a whopping 4 inches wider than economy. The touchscreen can have issues (we frequently were unable to operate the screen on the A330) but can also be controlled with the pullout remote control. The bad news is that the number of routes are restricted. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. Or upgrade to get 4x the deals, rare destinations, peak season tickets, and Mistake Fares. Try our chicken & leek pie with spring onion mash, chervil cream and kale. Plus a full range of soft drinks, hot drinks, and alcoholic drinks. An economy meal on board Virgin's A350. And these checked bags will hopefully arrive quickly thanks to priority baggage delivery. Sign up for free to start getting flight alerts. The Virgin Premium Economy seats plan and seats create a feeling of space and comfort. Virgin Atlantic has launched an award sale from Austin, Tampa to London Heathrow, and from Orlando to Manchester that is available for bookings through May 31. The A350 is the flagship of Virgin Atlantics fleet and carries the newest Premium cabin. Virgin Atlantic premium economy passengers get a dedicated Premium check-in and bag drop line. There is in-seat power as well as USB chargers. Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card. I highly recommend Virgin Atlantic Airlines to the world.. FIVE STARS always Just found the post, Id like to say thank you. Virgin Atlantic and other airlines soon followed with premium economy . She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. In addition to being narrower, the armrests may be slightly smaller on the A350, but this may not be an issue on a less-crowded flight or if you are sitting in one of the pairs of seats by the windows. Plus, massive cabins can have slower service and longer lines for the bathrooms. Flying in the Virgin Premium Economy cabin also gets you your own check-in area separate from economy passengers which is separate even from business class. Or there is a USD$60 charge to use the lounge which I chose not to take as even I cant drink that much champagne. Each seat is 21 inches wide and has a 38-inch recline. The food was a decent step up economy from and not much worse than some of the plates we've been served in Upper Class. What does Virgin Atlantic premium economy include? This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. The Boutique Adventurer is owned by Beyond the Horizon. Virgin Atlantic's 787 Premium Economy Seat. I was looking for a return flight to new york from London for Thanksgiving. Were working to make changes everywhere we can onboard, from removing single use plastic bottles to creating the most sustainable amenity kit in the sky. is a perfectly fine way to cross the Atlantic, and the airline's snazzy "Upper Class" business class product is considered one of the best ways to fly to London. See a whole year of reward seat availability on one page at SeatSpy.com. Back then it was called the somewhat less beguiling Mid Class and was described a revolutionary new product that will deliver the requirements of the business traveller paying full economy. However, passengers report that these aren't noise-canceling. I have flown premium economy on many airlines and in my view Virgin has one of the best Premium Economy propositions. Screen sizes vary by aircraft but this time the pattern is reversed from what you can expect with seats. Free upgrades are unlikely unless you are an elite member of their Flying Club program and your flight has overbooked your (not steeply discounted) economy fare.. The seat pitch is up to 38 inches and 4 inches more than economy. Discounts apply to both Economy and Premium cabins. We like: Priority boarding, wide reclining chairs with footrest, the enhanced menu offering served on china with stainless steel cutlery, the snack bar on the new 787 aircraft with free snacks and drinks that you can help yourself . Cabin crew come around several times with drinks so you are always topped up. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. And if youre flying with the little ones, weve got them covered too. The airline has done well to position it as a halfway house between economy and business class rather than just as economy 'plus', although clearly on a night flight there is a big jump between Premium and the flat bed in Upper Class. Good review, I try to just stick to Virgin now, (wish I had been using them on my years abroad) I do premium and love it. The headphones are nothing to shout home about I think these might be the same as in economy. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. Get your trip off to a great start with a glass of welcome bubbly or orange juice when you board. When I asked why I was told that none of the entertainment systems were working. Privacy policy | An industry disrupter since its founding in 1984, Richard Bransons flagship Virgin Atlantic has a definite Im not a regular airline, Im a cool airline vibe. SPECIAL OFFER: Until 13th June, the sign-up bonus on The Platinum Card is doubled to 60,000 Membership Rewards points (worth 60,000 Virgin Points) and you get 200 to spend at Amex Travel too! 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. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. After spending my 20s and 30s as a Marketing Director who made use of every vacation day travelling the world I am now a nearly full time travel blogger who focuses on unique adventures in interesting places which end with a high thread count on the sheets and a decent glass of wine! She has been published in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and elsewhere, and has spoken at conferences like that of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The A350s come with wifi if you choose to pay for it. Read More, 2023 The Boutique Adventurer Travel Blog . I chose the shepherds pie which was very tasty and came with a nice salad and a chocolate dessert. Its also possible to bid auction-style for a seat in a higher class before your flight using Your Bid up to 2 days before the flight. Alas, there is no access to the fantastic Virgin Atlantic Upper-Class bar sad face. Dedicated check-in desks and free seat selection for all are key benefits that set it apart from British Airways. Looks like I'm gonna love flying with Virgin Atlantic soon too! I covered the cost of my flights on Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy. Approx 90 minutes before landing Virgin serves delicious afternoon tea. Nice Drinks is a Virgin StartUp funded business that offers delicious wine in a can. It wasnt made entirely clear, but before you queue for the check-in you have to get your documents checked in a separate queue. I was able to try out both a normal seat as well as a bulkhead extra legroom seat at the front of the cabin. Continuing implies your consent to this policy. But seats shrink to nearly economy sizes on the airline's Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Cookie statement | A chilled glass of bubbly when you board, and a selection of delicious hot dishes served on proper plates with a stylish place setting. Virgin Atlantics premium economy continues to impress almost 30 years after it was first introduced. Hi Nicholas - thanks so much for sharing your experience with Virgin Premium Economy with us. Boutique Hotels No amenity kits were laid out and when I asked the crew they said these are only available on overnight flights. Accessibility | On my flight the service consisted of a three course meal served shortly after take-off followed by afternoon tea 90 minutes before landing. Let us improve how you travel. Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy has a good sized entertainment screen and high end headphones. Plus I found it helpful to have prices for Virgin Atlantic Economy cabin, Premium Economy class Virgin Atlantic and Virgin premium class next to each other for comparison. Then I like to head on to the airlines own websites. This 787 was a Dreamliner which is a noticeable improvement over pre-Dreamliner planes. I always start my search for flights with Skyscanner and then move on to Expedia. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. You can read my review of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow here. The booking process with Virgin Atlantic was also more straightforward than other airlines. Interestingly, the front row of premium economy was virtually empty. The Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy service is excellent as you will read in most Virgin Atlantic premium economy reviews. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for: Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, No annual fee: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card, Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Luxury perks: The Platinum Card from American Express, Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, About the author: JT Genter is a freelance points, miles and credit card writer formerly of The Points Guy. There are 56 seats in the cabin on both the Heathrow and leisure configured A350s. Challenging ourselves to do things better lies at the heart of everything we do. In Premium Economy we focus on offering you high quality food with some extra flair. A key thing to note is that Virgin Atlantic is now 49% owned by Delta. When you travel with us in Premium, you can choose from a selection of delicious hot dishes served on proper plates with a stylish place setting. You can choose from a selection of fresh, exciting main dishes. Virgin Atlantic economy tickets, including Light, Classic and Delight, include a complimentary three-course meal, snacks and drinks. So how do we make money? How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2023? While Delta flights can mix ComfortPlus (similar to Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight) and Premium Select (a big step up, like VA Premium) when searching for premium economy fares, Virgin Atlantic has them clearly labeled and coded with amenities. Premium Virgin Atlantic tickets also earn 150% Virgin Red points and 50 tier points that count towards status, at least double that of economy flights. And that starts while still on the ground. All but Economy Light fares include one checked bag and a carry-on. In-flight entertainment: Virgin Atlantic boasts over 300 hours of movies and TV shows in premium economy. The older 787s and A330s have some of the widest Premium seats available at 21 (nearly comparable to first or business class on many airlines) of space, and all reclining seats have a 38 pitch, giving a lot more legroom than Economy.. The Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats feel properly premium. It guarantees you'll get your first choice, and it helps us reduce waste - so everyone wins. The snacks are terrific on Virgin. The airline has done well to position it as a halfway house between economy and business class rather than just as economy plus, although clearly on a night flight there is a big jump between Premium and the flat bed in Upper Class. As you might expect with an iconic founder like Sir Richard Branson, is built a bit differently from other airlines. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. In 1992 you could check in at Victoria Station for London Gatwick flights, you only got a pre take-off orange juice and the in-flight entertainment screens were a high-tech 3 across! Alcohol, including spirits, is also included throughout the flight. Is food served in premium economy on Virgin Atlantic? Photo: Jonathan Hendry | Simple Flying The seats come with an adjustable headrest, power sockets, a large inflight entertainment system, and a generous amount of space. Privacy policy | Very good flight, 6 hrs 45 with a tail wind. Bag. The staff on Virgin were extremely friendly and fun as always. With a hub at London Heathrow Airport, Virgin Atlantic connects passengers from 10 different US cities, including Boston, New York, Orlando, and Los Angeles, with the UK cities London, Glasgow, and Manchester (and more seasonally). Virgin needs to either move their premium economy seats up an inch or two to allow for more space or limit the recline slightly as to not ruin the experience for other passengers using the premium economy seats, too. You can find out more about Virgin Atlantics Premium cabin on their website here. Seats are in a 2-4-2 configuration, with everyone just one seat away from the aisle at most. Amanda OBrien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. It is served on a single tray, albeit with proper crockery and cutlery: The starter was a feta, pea and herb frittata bite with olive tapenade and sun dried tomato. As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Virgin Points from UK credit cards. We make sure the inflight dining experience for little ones is just as considered as the one for grown ups. Bookings made by credit card or debit card no longer incur a fee. He published over 2,000 articles on The Points Guy before becoming a freelance writer. How to get free hotel elite status from UK credit cards, Get exclusive benefits on luxury hotel bookings via HfP. British Airways would offer wildly different fares for premium economy, and would end up with a mix of basic economy and premium at the booking summary. Explore Premium Upper Class Stretch out and enjoy every minute. Plus, seats offer adjustable headrests and footrests to help you get comfortable while you nap. However, premium economy passengers have reported receiving them on daytime flights across the Atlantic. Were talking a dedicated kids menu with tasty, nutritious and fun meals, and plenty of snacks. Virgin Premium was the very first airline experience I reviewed for TPG roughly three-and-a-half years ago on a much older aircraft. As usual, you will need to do a major contortion with a torch actually to get access to the power point but it is there. And it is definitely worth the extra cost relative to economy, particularly on a long flight. I didnt get priority boarding on the way to New York but I did on the way back so perhaps I should have asked. On board, Virgin Atlantic offers high-quality food and drink options, starting with a glass of bubbly before departure and continuing with meals served on real dishes with metal cutlery. The cushion is quite small and in a sort of plasticky case similar to what British Airways used to have. From personal experience, bids for premium economy usually begin . It is the one thing that felt a bit out of place in an otherwise premium-focussed cabin. Virgin Atlantic has a variety of alternatives to help you manage your booking effectively, whether you wish to alter your flight dates, upgrade your ticket, or add special requests. Whats the value of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points? British Airways has upgraded its soft product in the past few years and now actually offers a better (and more stylish) amenity kit, pillow and blanket. There is also a pull-out footrest - or if you are in the front row the attendant brings a footrest all of your own. I passed on the sparkles so that I could manage a flight without climbing over a seat mate, but many people were happily reveling. Flew club BA there and premium back absolute garbage serviceno one looking to serve breezing through cabins so they dont look up and see the call bell ..which you shoudnt have to keep using. Available now in Premium and Upper Class. We want everyone to have a truly tasty meal, no matter what they can (or cannot) eat. Virgin Atlantic Premuim Economy seats onboard the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Frequently Asked Questions about Flying Virgin Premium Economy. Its not quite the same as the lie-flat seat, but those extra inches count on a long-haul flight., Slightly less expensive than Premium but more than Economy Classic, Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight rows have a few more inches of legroom, and also include priority check-in and boarding, though meals and seats (other than legroom) are otherwise standard and fabric. Should you find a way in at London Heathrow, youll find it in Virgins exclusive Upper Class wing, which gives you skip-the-line express check-in, a Peloton gym, and top-notch food and drinks. Trust me I tried to do that on my last flight with the synchronised take-off. Their premium economy is usually quite reasonably priced relative to their economy seats. There was a good selection of movies and tv but not as good as I have seen on other airlines like American. A couple of points on an older plane there was no 'wonder wall' and only on one trip did I get the red bag of accessories they didn't seem to give it out. Read our full review. You won't get priority security or. The experience definitely justifies the price and I will be happily flying Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy again. You'll still need to cover the cost of taxes, fees and carrier-imposed surcharges, but Virgin . Comfortable seat, busy in PE but less than half full in economy 181 passengers onboard. Megan Lee joined the travel rewards team at NerdWallet with over 12 years of SEO, writing and content development experience, primarily in international education and nonprofit work. Premium travelers also have Priority boarding after Upper Class.. I stopped for a few years because the flights exceeded my budget however, I am gett I ng back to VA because yhe fares are affordable once again. Virgin Atlantic economy class passengers get to look at a menu for meals. Such a simple thing but such a nice human touch. Flying back from Atlanta tonight in PE on the A350 so hopefully will be good, PE cabin is totally full but hopefully not much moving around. Learn how your comment data is processed. Is Marriott Bonvoy the best hotel loyalty scheme? But there is a fantastic what they call Wonder Wall area which has excellent premium snacks and drinks on offer throughout the entire flight. Virgin Atlantic advertises that these amenity kits are only for overnight flights. On the ground, the attendant serves Prosecco or soft drinks. The starter on Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy a330 was an orange and walnut salad followed by a choice of 3 mains Linguine pasta with meatballs, Coq au Vin and Wild Mushroom Risotto. You won't get priority security or lounge access in the airport. Lady ahead of me at check in had paid $450 for pre departure covid tests for her and her husband. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. Also, whenever they moved or readjusted, the seat back flexed up and down more and on more than one occasion hit my knees. However, it was more than sufficient. Read this article and my article on British Airways Premium Economy to find out why. Click for details. Premium passengers on Virgin Atlantic are served a hot meal with a choice of three entrees, plus antipasti and dessert, with a second breakfast or afternoon tea meal for long-haul flights. And the large premium economy cabins may lead to slow service. Whether youre veggie or vegan, halal, gluten free (and beyond) weve got you covered. Terms and conditions | Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy gets 5 stars in this review Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy. Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats might be a tight fit width-wise on some aircraft. I was highly disappointed in this experience. Premium meals also come with Virgin Atlantics adorable, highly covetable, and often-stolen (some come stamped pinched from Virgin Atlantic) salt and pepper shakers, Wilbur and Orville, shaped like planes., In between meals, peckish Premium passengers can find the self-service Wander Wall in the galley in front of their cabin, filled with snacks like popcorn and gummy bears, along with beverages., Starting in summer 2022, Premium passengers will be able to pre-select their meal choice up to 72 hours before their flight., As with most international flights, alcoholic beverages are complimentary for all Virgin Atlantic passengers.