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 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. She looked at my boarding pass and in an unexpected and pleasant surprise directed me to the priority lane, explaining that Virgin Atlantic Premium passengers were allowed to use it. Virgin Atlantics Premium Economy offers a more a la carte service than economy, and that starts with pre-departure bubbles and drink service. I appreciated their high spirits for this early morning departure and they made me feel very welcome, but there were service gaps during mealtimes. Virgin operates its A350-1000 in two configurations. The Dreamliner gives what feels like a much bigger seat. Virgin provided the standard premium economy headphones, blanket, and amenity kit on this flight, all of which were helpful (minus the plastic headphones). Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. 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!). Meanwhile, India. Oversized entertainment screens at 13.3 rival many found in business class, seat storage is plentiful and nice foot rests help to sit back and relax. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. 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. Offer ends 5/3/23. However, the decisive factor will always be . The cheesecake was the only thing I would ever look to order again from the whole flight. I chose orange juice and coffee to go with it I did at least appreciate the sturdy mug the coffee was served in. It was a pleasant enough flight. Families, or groups of colleagues may prefer the middle four. I headed to Gate 22 about 10 minutes before boarding was set to begin. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Virgin has long been an industry leader in premium economy products, and this helps the carrier continue to make waves in offering a great experience for passengers in the Premium cabin. Accessibility | If you fly in the seat, its a benchmark premium experience, up there with Singapore Air and other leaders. I tried a bite of it and didn't go back. There was a small slot next to the seat, underneath the armrest. Well, not a joy for my hopes of a flat bed, but a joy to see the world traveling again. Use this seat map to get the most comfortable seats, legroom and recline before booking. For example, while the food for the initial meal service didn't match the menus the crew had handed out, they only seemed to discover this after passengers had finished eating it despite it being obvious the moment I opened my meal. The Booth is featured on two of our A350 aircraft: Designed with love, built for the future. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Premium passengers were entitled to a generous two pieces of baggage, each up to 50 pounds in weight. Everything was fresh, and you could feel the excitement of the cabin crew. Being in the front means you'll beat most of the plane through immigration. Pranjal is enthusiastic about new aircraft types and has his stories regularly picked up by renowned publications including Forbes. I took a picture of the menu for you, so that you can see whats being offered anyway. After we took off at about 1:49 p.m. and reached 10,000 feet, the crew quickly came around the cabin for drink service at about 2:05 p.m. Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Airlines seem to insist on having only one full meal on flights between New York and London, with a second meal being a lighter "snack." If youre looking to beat the rush at immigration, this is a prize choice. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. 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. Perhaps the personal freedoms Virgin (rightly) affords employees plays a role there. 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. Brilliant Guide To British Airways Upgrades Using Avios Or Cash. 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 entre was the exact opposite, a dense, cheesy, sloppy dish overflowing with rice. Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy customers enjoy a dedicated Premium check in lane and are able to check two bags. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. 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. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Find the right card for you. Virgin has one of the younger fleets in the skies nowadays, and if you fly frequently you can truly feel the difference. "And again, we have that Bluetooth connectivity, so at every seat, you can connect your headsets there . But what was it really like? 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. It was rated first for premium economy in the Skytrax World Airline Awards in 2019. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Given past trips with Virgin in premium economy, I was hopeful that the A350 would set the benchmark in this competitive market. I did the same journey to AUS on the 380 and back from LAX on the new plane. 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. How bad is it when the seat in front of you fully reclines? No judgement! Virgin has remastered the premium economy experience with its Premium A350 product. 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. The crew that worked the Premium cabin on my flight to London was friendly and well-meaning, but not overly polished. The carrier uses two seating configurations on the type, and both outrank the 787 and the A330. The Countries Where You'll Get The Most Bang For Your U.S. Dollar, My (Successful) Virgin Atlantic Upgrade Strategy, British Airways Tier Points: Complete Guide To Earning And Status. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). I'm torn about this. Fortunately, I realized this before opening or touching anything and I was able to give the meal back to a crew member so they could serve it to the passenger who actually ordered it. I also found a pair of headphones in the seatback literature pocket. 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 By comparison, Virgin Atlantic's A350 aircraft has 11.6-inch screens in the economy cabin. Moving toward the middle of the plane, I next entered Virgin Atlantic's premium economy cabin known as Premium. Both dishes were listed as being served with a side of overnight oats with mango and coconut. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. That wasn't the case. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying. Packed with innovation, our A350 is the new heartbeat of our fleet, and we hope you love it as much as we do. The mozzarella salad was tasty and fresh, though the portion was a little small given how light the first meal was. When I started blogging, I had one very clear pillar for what success might be. 2x points on all other eligible purchases. /]. The A330 and 787 both have 21 inch wide seats in premium, by far the best of any product out there. Thats what travel is for, right? Im a major fan of securing a window seat in the two seat, side configurations. The exterior of the kit itself was made from recyclable kraft paper, which felt like a combination of cardboard and thick paper. 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. No tears in seat upholstery, no nicked corners or stained carpets. SANspotter style. The card also earns 3 Virgin points per dollar spent on Virgin Atlantic tickets and duty-free items purchased directly from Virgin Atlantic. In total, the round-trip ticket cost $1,033 in Premium. 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). Economy Delight Premium Upper Class; Width of seat: 17.4 inches: 17.4 inches: 18.5 inches: 20 inches: Seat recline: 5 inches: 5 inches: . Once I finally arrived at the space, I saw the shiny, new A350-1000 bird waiting for us. 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 didn't have much time to enjoy the lounge, but I found it to be a nice space overall. [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" /]. Personally, I've long been a fan of Virgin Atlantic, with its cheeky, fresh and fun approach to flying. Despite boarding near the end, I was offered a welcome beverage of choice in a glass, a nice touch in premium economy. Note, 787 is on a different system,I think ipass. Boarding took place via two entrances to the aircraft: one for Upper Class passengers and a rear door for Premium and economy passengers. Virgin Atlantic has a dedicated section of the terminal area for its passengers, including a priority queue for premium economy travelers. On this flight, the sandwiches included: mozzarella with green pesto, slow-roasted tomato and arugula; and salmon, soft cheese, arugula and cucumber. Virgin operates a mix of aircraft on this important route, with Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft being used each day. 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. There was no bottle or label to be seen, but I assume it was Ayala Champagne, which has been Virgin's house brand for several years. 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. The line was so long, I couldn't even work out where to join it, so I asked a nearby security staff member. There was the standard recline, the legrest option and a footrest option. The drink was served with sour-cream-and-chive pretzels. . The seat hadn't been cleaned properly, and I found crumbs on the leather upholstery, which is an issue I've found common across almost every carrier I've flown this year. I think everyone felt valued and welcomed. There were three lavatories in the Premium cabin, which I found to be a perfect number for the number of passengers on my flight. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. 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. Taking all that into consideration, Virgin's Premium isn't a bad product just one on the same aircraft as a very solid regular economy product but costing (at least) twice the price. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Considering the value that can be had for redeeming miles for a Premium experience on this route, the product is a huge step up from standard economy and worth it on a route like this, a seven-hour jaunt between New York and London. 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. I can easily find comfort in Premium for an overnight. Virgin Atlantic has 56 Premium seats on both layouts of its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. Crew then distributed menus for the flight, which included drinks, main courses and the teatime selections. Overall, the premium economy on the A350-1000 is a competitive product, still giving British Airways a run for its money. The desks were well-staffed, and there was no queue, so I went with the more personal approach and spoke to an agent who was extremely friendly and welcoming. The Virgin A350 Premium Economy Seat Virgin's Premium cabin on the A350 offers 2x4x2 seating. The past two months have been busy ones for the commercial aviation industry in the UK. Cash fares in Premium on Virgin Atlantic currently start from $1,160 round trip, which is just over twice the price of Virgin's economy fares on the same dates. They are laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration across seven rows. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying, Breakfast did not match up to dinner. Privacy policy | Terms and Conditions Apply. Its inaugural operation was on the same route from LHR to JFK on Sept. 10, and it returned to London on the red-eye that night. is The Points Guy's Global News Editor and is based in London. Review: How Good Is Virgin Atlantic A350 Premium Economy? 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. Check here before booking an award fare. Our newest Economy seats are designed with bespoke woven fabrics inspired by fashion houses. As for service the virgin team are miles ahead. . We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Virgin's A350s come equipped Inmarsat's GX Aviation Wi-Fi. Their recruitment must be top notch. Beyond the hard product, Virgin Atlantic's service remains top-notch as usual. Service was fast and efficient, and everything appeared to be smooth. 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. Find the best seat wiht our Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350-1000 (351) seating chart. I was served a tiny, dry bacon roll with no butter, sauce or other condiments, and a small bowl of plain yogurt with some berries and kiwi on top. For larger customers it may well be a problem. Inside were more environmentally friendly products, such as a bamboo toothbrush, a small tube of toothpaste, paper-wrapped pen, eye mask and earplugs. I flew PE on the way back from JNB, no problem with space even if the person reclines. It was a bifold tray table, which was perfect for just a small plate or to rest a drink. The cabin crew on board was absolutely phenomenal and uniquely Virgin. The A350 has a slightly tighter layout with a width of 18.5" vs 17.4" and the same pitch of 38" vs 31-34". Not to be outdone, crosstown competitor Virgin Atlantic soon thereafter began taking delivery of its own A350s. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. 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. Going has found deals as low as $1,121 from DCA to London on Virgin Atlantic. Even with the new aircraft, I didn't notice any signs the crew was unfamiliar with it. Have you ever flown Virgin Atlantic in premium economy? 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. 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. The PE offering was far better than BA and the crew were amazing. 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. Every cabin has been designed with you in mind. Proving that the very best cabins in the world could be unlocked with points became an obsession. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. The blanket also appeared the same as the one that was provided to economy passengers, although this wasn't such a big deal on a relatively short daytime flight. They provided good sound quality while still feeling comfortable to wear. Flight# VS138Origin - New York, NY ( JFK )Destination - London, England ( LHR )Registration - G-VPRDSeat - 23H & 21K*Edit to Video 21K was the window seat in. 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. Two lavatories dedicated to the Premium cabin were located at the front of the seating, just behind the Upper Class social space. In its folded position, most passengers had enough room to squeeze out to use the lavatory. Airbus A330-300 (333) Airbus A350-1000 (351) Boeing 747-400 (744) Boeing 787-9 (789) Check-in; Baggage . In the evening, the Premium queue was even shorter than the one for Upper Class, and far quicker than economy, which was nearing capacity. Meanwhile, the rest of the seats in the Premium cabin had just a pedal attached to the seat in front there was no legrest. 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 meal was small and disappointing. This means you can use the drinks service time to pick one of three mains. They had amazing staff there who treated me like an old friend. There was a neither-long-nor-short queue, but it looked worse than it was, and I was through in about five minutes. Related: Watch TPG UK review all 3 cabins on Virgin Atlantic's brand-new Airbus A350. At boarding, each of the seats in the Premium cabin was stocked with all of the amenities for the flight: a plastic-wrapped blanket, pillow, amenity kit and set of headphones. Just returned from Florida. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying, Around 70 airlines will be affected by the strike. In the terminal, there were two Priority Pass lounges: No.1 Lounge and Club Aspire. Because it was purchased with the Platinum Card from American Express, directly with the airline, the flight earned 5x Membership Rewards points, for a total of 5,165 points (earn 5x points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). The Virgin Atlantic Airways Airbus A350-1000 is the flagship of the airline's fleet (July 2019). . Less than one week before launching A350 service, Virgin unveiled its brand-new amenity kits, called "Goodie Bags." This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Which is fine if your slim. However, if you have a choice, always pick the Boeing 787-9 in premium economy with Virgin Atlantic, which remains one of the best in the game. I got a glass of prosecco, which was tasty and light and fit on one of the armrests. However, my own personal issue with premium economy remains: You are seated upright for the duration of your journey. With an early morning departure and an evening arrival at Heathrow, these two meals were the only things I ate all day. Ports are easy to reach, which helps me remember not to leave anything behind. Airbus A350 seat map with The Loft. Service is one of those things that can either make or break a flight. For example, the tray table and two drink spaces on the armrest were colored in a faux-granite design. It was a feature that the crew announced prior to takeoff. 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. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. 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. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. 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. Bookings made by credit card or debit card no longer incur a fee. Seats are 2ay better than the old PE seats which I found v uncomfortable on the old plane. The Premium cabin on the Virgin A350 comprised a total of 56 seats across a single cabin. Each of the Collins Aerospace MiQ seats featured 38 inches of pitch and 7 inches of recline. . His adventures take him all over the globe, often spanning over 200,000 miles a year and his travel exploits are regularly As to the food, Im the worst person to ask. Have you ever flown Virgin Atlantic in premium economy? Virgin Premium was the very first airline experience I reviewed for TPG roughly three-and-a-half years ago on a much older aircraft. 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. 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. Earlier this summer, British Airways launched its first-ever A350 routes to Madrid before launching it on long-haul flights. I consistently find Virgin Atlantic crews to be among the friendliest in the business. 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. 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. I couldve just as easily used premium and finished in the same time. Canadian tariffs. The best Virgin Atlantic economy seats on the A350 are without a doubt found in rows 45, 52, 53 and 54. 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. As someone who struggles to sleep sitting up, I don't fancy the thought of flying this on an overnight, long-haul journey to, say, South Africa. 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. So if you're thinking about starting a film close to landing, be sure you have enough time to finish before you're required to store the screen. Unfortunately, I soon realized the wrong items had been loaded onto the aircraft and did not match the menu description at all. They were fun and conversational rather than cold and unapproachable. . Standard seat. The cabin is laid out in a 3-3-3 arrangement and is Virgin's largest economy class barring that onboard the 747. Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats recline between 7 and 8. Obviously, everyone has their own needs, but I think people arent unaware. 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. . I found the salad to be absolutely delightful. As far as the quality, I found the pillows to be perfectly reasonable with stuffing. 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. This means you can get a 4.5% return on these purchases based on TPG's valuations. That's why I practically gasped when I saw the massive security queue awaiting me in Terminal 4. Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying, The tighter seats take away from one of premium economy's major selling points. Other than that there was no storage around the seat. It still is, sometimes. 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. As an old gold card holder I used to love the smaller JFK lounge. I had assumed only French airlines would be generous enough to serve actual Champagne in premium economy, so I politely asked to clarify if it was actual Champagne, or just sparking wine. While it was small and thin, it was cleverly designed to rest with a rubber edge against the center drinks console, meaning it remained stable while being used. Here's a review of the product. Im a Cantonese speaker (cant read Chinese), there was one film, the same film I saw flying to Antigua in April . Would the A350 talk be just that: talk? Especially in a middle block of four seats, it can be hard to provide a lot of storage, but Virgin equipped these seats with about as much as I would think possible. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. 31-3417.4: 45-71: 235: Reviews. 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. BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY 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. Included in the IFE system was an AvGeek favorite, the tailcam. Originally from Australia, he is the primary points and miles writer for the U.K. site. Even for a premium economy snob which I am these seats are excellent. During the second meal service, the crew accidentally served me a special gluten-free meal that I had not ordered. My consistent feeling with premium economy is that its priced well and is a great gap bridger between economy and business class. There was also a bar with bartender service. Certain hotels have resort fees. Virgin Atlantic offers 56 seats in a 2-4-2 layout on the A350, spread over seven rows.
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