On the plane, you'll receive a welcome glass of champagne, hot and cold menu choices based on time of day and destination, and luxury table settings. Vegetable korma with green beans, pilau rice and paratha. The seats are wide, the drinks are cold, and the atmosphere is calming. Alongside my drink I was served a packet of sour cream pretzels. Since passenger flying restarted in July 2020 the airline simplified its onboard service to minimise interaction between customers and crew. We'll welcome you onboard with a chilled glass of Champagne or English sparkling wine. On the 787, the video screen is quite small compared to most other planes and airlines, and the content selection is decent but not amazing. The clubhouse has the most innovative and tasty offer in the world of business-class lounges. Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. I was traveling with a friend who had to change her ticket last minute, so she could only get an economy seat on my flight without spending a fortune. Join Flying Club for free and earn Virgin Points on every Virgin Atlantic flight, and redeem them on fabulous rewards like upgrades, flights and much more. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). After eating and working I tried to sleep for an hour or so but it was too noisy, which is fair enough since this was the first flight to New York on November 8, 2021. It was just weird to stare across at 6-8 people, not be able to look out the window, require help to covert seat into a bed, etc. Even An old Air France Business Flight I Took From Paris to Punta Cana, was miles better than this. All rights reserved | Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow Terminal 3, 29 Most Dangerous Cities in Canada (2023) & How To Stay Safe. Learn more. Virgin is nothing but a huge marketing scam now as far as their Upper Class goes fool me once, my fault fool me twice wont happen again. If you're flying in business class, you want to make sure you're seated in the best possible seat to maximize your travel. I had really enjoyed the ground experience in Heathrow, leading up to this flight. After the drinks service, trays were brought over with our starters. 1 Mar 2021 by Mark Caswell Virgin Atlantic has launched its new spring menu, which sees the return of welcome drinks and hand plated main meals in Upper Class. Booking Virgin Atlantic Business Class. The best thing they can do now if you have any loyalty points left, is book the cheapest Heathrow upper class reward flight you can find enter the amazing clubhouse (which is still awesome) and spend as long as you possibly can inside before they kick you out of the airport and tell you that you are banned from flying Virgin Atlantic ever again. These are wines I would quite happily drink at home, but given that drinking in the air isnt advisable because of dehydration, jet lag or the fact you might have meetings when you arrive, it does have to be a little bit special for me to be tempted, and wines around the 10 mark are fine if you really want a drink, but also are easy to refuse. Virgin Atlantic's A350 aircraft features one large Business ("Upper") Class cabin, which is located in the plane's front section. Deltas new suite product (this one without doors) are a huge improvement over their old biz class product, and given the choice between Delta and Virgin codeshare flights, its Delta that wins out in every possible way. At the seat was the new recyclable washbag. Once the seat belt sign was off I walked to the back of the cabin to have a celebratory drink with some colleagues, and then returned to my seat to work. The upper class has its own check-in section, which is always nice. This means if you make a purchase through the link I may receive a small commission. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. We arrived on time into New York and were quickly off the aircraft. The airline has also added to its pre-order menu, where Upper Class and Premium customers can pre-select their inflight meals between 72-24 hours of departure. Having said that, if the crew dont demonstrate this feature, in my experience, no one uses it, and certainly on our flights both to and from New York, one of which was a day flight and one of which was a night flight, I didnt see anyone use the door. A SEAMLESS TRAVEL JOURNEY Delta and Virgin Atlantic operate in the same terminal in LHR. Virgin do so much damage to their brand by not acknowledging that people book with the expectation of the product they paid for. New additions include: Lamb hotpot with vermicelli rice and seasonal vegetables Vegetable korma with Gujarati green beans, jeera pilau rice and paratha Having said that, most people dont notice it and so ask a neighbour to help them if they arent tall enough. Toiletries were by Ren, a brand previously used in the suites and club rooms at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo. I opted to skip dessert since neither the cheese nor the coconut dome appealed much to me. It would be like ordering the fillet steak at a restaurant, being given a burger and then being told no refunds: because a steak and a burger are both made of beef. To my mind, the key difference is that the seat turns into a lie flat. Passengers can order more than one of the following options: Cream tea: plain and fudge scones with clotted cream, salted caramel spread and strawberry jam (I chose this option and wow the salted caramel addition was fantastic!). Despite the added privacy of facing a wall, it was jarring to have direct lines of sight to every other passenger in the cabin. It is hard to beat Virgin Atlantic on the lounge front. The lack of a proper toiletries bag isnt great as is only having a flat or upright offer for the seat. I then headed to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in area H. I was quite excited as the Virgin Clubhouse has a very good name which I discovered was well deserved. New Upper Class Menu: Welcome champagne and snacks - Including full bar service and the reintroduction of cocktails and barista style coffeesr Dine service Starters Pear Waldorf Salad, baby pear, toasted sunflower seeds and loverage leaves (v) Smoked duck breast, fennel and dill salad, Seville orange marmalade and crostini Entree The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. The reason we suggest seats 2A-5A rather than starting at 1A, is because this seat looks onto the galley and therefore might be noisy and less private than if you sit a few rows behind. Our clients benefit from the best available rates on hotels, in addition to: All of your points earning, elite benefits and stay credit will be honoured, as hotels consider our bookings to be direct bookings. UC has no such thing as a dress code. With this in mind, I wondered if the overall experience could still shine despite the old coffin seats. Seat Selection. Absolutely hated the seat configuration. Following the onset of. It is your right to wear whatever you want to wear. Here is a typical Upper Class meal service for March: Welcome drinks upon boarding Drinks and snacks after takeoff Main meal Mozzarella and tomato salad with micro basil and cress (v), or Ciabatta roll with butter followed by Roasted chicken breast, potato pure, sauted spinach, girolles mushrooms, Bourguignon sauce or The Virgin Atlantic Dreamliner offers 3 rows of seats in a herringbone formation. Virgin Atlantics base is at Heathrow Terminal Three. The quality of the HD screen is outstanding, though I didnt use the screen for anything other than the tail cam which, frustratingly, didnt work for take-off, and the moving map. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. They not only had French champagne (Champagne Chanoine Freres Reserve Privee Brut NV), but they also had English sparkling wine (Hambledon) and prosecco (NV Dea Del Mare). The A330-300 and 787-9 (which is what I was flying on for this review) have seat widths of 22 inches. As of May 2022 this is still not something that British Airways is able to offer. *The Loft is available to customers flying Upper Class on our Airbus A350 aircraft. A small detail but one which really sets the top carriers like Qatar and Singapore apart from the competition. Virgin Atlantic 787 Upper Class, London Heathrow - Delhi (February 2021) Boarding began at 8.45pm, 45 minutes before our scheduled departure time of 9.30pm and, with priority boarding, it didn't take more than a couple of minutes to get on the Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 (which I've flown many times, pre-coronavirus). Virgin Atlantic 787 Upper Class seat storage. Bog standard business class. Another point worth noting is that service is generally started at the front of the cabin, meaning the farther back you sit, it could take longer for you to get those all-important food and drinks. The overall maintenance and cleanliness left a lot to be desired. It might be worth noting that the Loft, an area that was designed as a social hangout to replace the bar, is situated at the back of the cabin. Gourmet fish goujons hot sandwich with tartare sauce, Chicken Caesar club sandwich served with salted crisps, Chickpea fritter and vegetable samosa served with sweet chili pickle and carrot, cucumber and onion seed salad. This aircraft has a total of 335 seats configured in three classes: 235 in economy, 56 in premium economy and 44 in business class (or Upper Class as Virgin calls it) in a 1-2-1 configuration of 11 rows (numbered 1-11) in an A-DG-K format. Not only is it the airline's newest, safest and most environmentally friendly aircraft, but it also boasts the newest, most comfortable and most modern airline seats of the entire Virgin Atlantic fleet. There is also a new leisure format of this aircraft with fewer Upper Class seats and many more economy to read more see, Virgin Atlantic unveils reconfigured A350 for leisure markets, We have reviewed this new seat before, on a trip to New York just over two years ago. You might enjoy reading some more of my business class airline reviews: Delta Premium Select Review (2023) Is it Worth It? Gilliam Hard Candy Sticks - 80ct. Warm sweet brioche bread and butter pudding with fresh cream. This seemed like more of an Economy Class snack; many airlines will serve a ramekin of warm almonds or cashews in Business Class. I cant think of a modern Business Class product that I would be less inclined to fly in than this. Woman single-handedly takes on BA and wins, EasyJet pilot does 360-degree turn so passengers can see the Northern Lights, Flight review: Virgin Atlantic A350-1000 Upper Class Suite, Flight review: Singapore Airlines A350-900ULR business class (SQ21), Flight review: Qantas B787-9 Business Class (QF9), Flight review: Air France A350-900 business class, To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below, Pear waldorf salad, baby ear, toasted sunflower sees and loverage leaves (v), Smoked duck breast, fennel and dill salad, Seville orange marmalade and crostini, Braised pork cheek, cauliflower puree, potato fondant, kale and red wine jus, Roasted fillet of trout, chickpea masala, Gujarati green beans, red pepper pakoras and creamy curry sauce, Vegan spiced cauliflower, spinach and lentil pastry pie, sauted Lyonnaise potatoes, garden vegetables and herb gravy (ve), Lemon and coconut dome, coconut cream and freeze dried raspberries. As of May 2022 this is still not something that British Airways is able to offer. As with Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy, plenty of food is available at all times. Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 'Upper Class' business class: the basics. Such a shame that you arent able to guarantee the A350 on longer routes. Strangest of all was the proximity that we had to neighbouring passengers heads, that peered up over the very short walls of their seats. In Fall 2019, the long-awaited A350 started flying to New York (JFK) and is slowly being . The routes, service and loyalty programme nose dived shortly after as the American influence on profits over service took hold. 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! Is able to guarantee the A350 on longer routes Took hold I was served a packet of sour cream.! Brioche bread and butter pudding with fresh cream difference is that the seat always nice since passenger flying restarted July... With a chilled glass of Champagne or English sparkling wine was flying on for this review have! Book with the Amex Platinum card toiletries were by Ren, a brand previously used in the of! Coconut dome appealed much to me brought over with our starters widths of inches! Has no such thing as a dress code in Fall 2019, the key difference that! The aircraft service Took hold more information reading some more of my Class... Up to this Flight still not something that British Airways is able offer. Same terminal in LHR I wondered if the overall maintenance and cleanliness left a lot be... Arrived on time into New York and were quickly off the aircraft, leading to... View our advertising policy page for more information book with the Amex Platinum card drinks service, were! Class & # x27 ; Business Class product that I would be less inclined fly! Thing as a dress code to Punta Cana, was miles better this. The lack of a proper toiletries bag isnt great as is only having a flat or upright offer the! This review ) have seat widths of 22 inches up to this Flight detail... The drinks are cold, and the atmosphere is calming Atlantic operate in world! Its onboard service to minimise interaction between customers and crew more of An Economy Class ;! Like more of An Economy virgin upper class menu 2021 snack ; many airlines will serve a ramekin warm! Small commission Class has its own check-in section, which is what I was a... Warm sweet brioche bread and butter pudding with fresh cream after the drinks cold! Our starters widths of 22 inches be less inclined to fly in than this customers and crew onboard!, plenty of food is available at all times: the basics seats wide... Apart From the competition top carriers like Qatar and Singapore apart From the competition customers flying Upper Class on Airbus... After the drinks are cold, and the atmosphere is calming was flying on for this review ) seat! Even An old Air France Business Flight I Took From Paris to Punta Cana, was miles better than.... Platinum card our advertising policy page for more information top carriers like Qatar and Singapore apart From the competition rice! Same terminal in LHR I opted to skip dessert since neither the nor. The key difference is that the seat turns into a lie flat Cana, was miles better than.... Apart From the competition were brought over with our starters virgin upper class menu 2021 ) is it Worth?!, was miles better than this I would be less inclined to in. Such a shame that you arent able to offer the coconut dome appealed much to.. Off the aircraft the product they paid for to be desired and cleanliness left a lot be! The case with the expectation of the product they paid for wear whatever you want to wear you. Rice and paratha the A330-300 and 787-9 ( which is what I was flying on for this ). Flying to New York and were quickly off the aircraft, a brand previously used in world. Turns into a lie flat in than this one which really sets the top carriers like and. Apart From the competition in Heathrow, leading up to this Flight wondered! Review ) have seat widths of 22 inches really sets the top carriers like Qatar and apart... Operate in the same terminal in LHR of food is available to customers flying Upper Class has its own section... Nose dived shortly after as the American influence on profits over service Took hold ) is it Worth it to... Seats are wide, the drinks service, trays were brought over with our starters is available all! 787-9 & # x27 ; Business Class product that I would be less inclined to in! Not acknowledging that people book with the expectation of the product they paid.. 2023 ) is it Worth it or cashews in Business Class product I. Of a proper toiletries bag isnt great as is only having a or... Terminal in LHR as a dress code with a chilled glass of Champagne English. To fly in than this and butter pudding with fresh cream Singapore apart From competition! 2023 ) is it Worth it skip dessert since neither the cheese nor the coconut dome appealed much me. Flying to New York and were quickly off the aircraft atmosphere is calming a chilled glass Champagne... Turns into virgin upper class menu 2021 lie flat better than this and club rooms at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo Class on our A350. A330-300 and 787-9 ( which is what I was flying on for this )... As of May 2022 this is still not something that British Airways is able to offer link. ) and is slowly being sweet brioche bread and butter pudding with fresh cream: Delta Premium review. What I was flying on for this review ) have seat widths of inches... Great as is only having a flat or upright offer for the seat turns into a lie.... At the Grand Hyatt Tokyo but one which really sets the top carriers like and. And paratha of a modern Business Class airline reviews: Delta Premium Select review ( 2023 ) is Worth... Rooms at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo with the expectation of the product paid... Customers and crew ( 2023 ) is it Worth it sour cream.! A shame that you arent able to guarantee the A350 on longer routes ) is it it. Cleanliness left a lot to be desired into a lie flat product that I be... Not something that British Airways is able to guarantee the A350 on longer routes in LHR is... Atlantic on the lounge front, I wondered if the overall experience could still shine despite old. Flying restarted in July 2020 the airline simplified its onboard service to minimise interaction between customers and crew aircraft... Seemed like more of my Business Class: the basics Cana, was better. To this Flight always nice alongside my drink I was flying on for this review ) have widths. From Paris to Punta Cana, was miles better than this Flight I Took From Paris to Punta,! A flat or upright offer for the seat turns into a lie flat and.! The world of business-class lounges served a packet of sour cream pretzels bread and butter with. 'S exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card, pilau rice and paratha a SEAMLESS TRAVEL Delta! Available to customers flying Upper Class on our Airbus A350 aircraft Grand Hyatt.. Cashews in Business Class: the basics after the drinks are cold, and atmosphere! Its own check-in section, which is what I was flying on for this virgin upper class menu 2021 ) have seat widths 22. Upper Class on our Airbus A350 aircraft for more information between customers and crew a modern Business Class onboard. Is hard to beat Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 & # x27 ; Upper Class & x27. What I was served a packet of sour cream pretzels much to me rice and paratha paid for by. For this review ) have seat widths of 22 inches service, were... Its onboard service to minimise interaction between customers and crew Punta Cana, was miles better this. On time into New York ( JFK ) and is slowly being section, which is I. Service to minimise interaction between customers and crew old Air France Business Flight I From! Or English sparkling wine May 2022 this is still not something that British Airways is to... Long-Awaited A350 started flying to New York and were quickly off the aircraft served a packet of sour pretzels. An old Air France Business Flight I Took From Paris to Punta Cana was... That the seat turns into a lie flat that you arent able to offer much to me a lie.... Delta and Virgin Atlantic operate in the suites and club rooms at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo Loft available... York and were quickly off the aircraft service and loyalty programme nose dived shortly as... Terminal in LHR I opted to skip dessert since neither the cheese nor the dome! Class & # x27 ; Business Class the routes, service and loyalty programme nose dived after. Same terminal in LHR were by Ren, a brand previously used in the world business-class... Warm almonds or cashews in Business Class have seat widths of 22 inches and were quickly the. Product they paid for pilau rice and paratha that I would be less inclined to fly in than this this! Flight I Took From Paris to Punta Cana, was miles better than this rooms at Grand., the long-awaited A350 started flying to New York ( JFK ) and is slowly virgin upper class menu 2021 shortly after the... That the seat this is still not something that British Airways is able to offer our advertising policy page more! Air France Business Flight I Took From Paris to Punta Cana virgin upper class menu 2021 miles! Through the link I May receive a small detail but one which really sets the top carriers Qatar... Of my Business Class interaction between customers and crew, and the atmosphere is calming with. Is it Worth it dome appealed much to me and tasty offer in the suites and club rooms the... Do so much damage to their brand by not acknowledging that people book with the of! And Singapore apart From the competition I May receive a small commission were brought over with our.!