Hi! Passengers enter the cabin to find it bathed in colours including red, pink, orange, purple and blue. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. Much of my work trip this time was in Kansas - I used domestic airlines Jet Blue and Southwest to travel within the US. 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! Main meal Starter Mozzarella and tomato salad with micro basil and cress (v) Ciabatta roll with butter Main Roasted chicken breast, potato pure, sauted spinach, girolles mushrooms, Bourguignon sauce Not just 30 upper class seats but 44 packed in like sardines. These small areas featured deep, comfortable chairs with poofs and were much quieter than the rest of the clubhouse. As of May 2022 this is still not something that British Airways is able to offer. Snacks are available after the first meal is served and until 40 minutes before landing. 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. They also have sliding doors to create a feeling of privacy. especially when it came to the rickety ventilation grate next to the armrest. lLondon to JNB) I must say the flight attendants were absolutely fantastic. Extra bites rules were the same as the flight over eg after the first meal up to 40 minutes pre-landing and the following were on offer: Seabass fillet marinated in green chutney with mustard potatoes and tomato sauce, Butter chicken slider with yoghurt slaw and potato wedges, Salted caramel cheesecake with a berry compote, The wines and port available were the same as the flight from London Heathrow to Delhi. There is also a bassinet directly opposite 1A, meaning you might be seated opposite a baby for your entire flight. There are two dedicated Business Class bathrooms on the Virgin Dreamliner (for 30 seats), which meant that there was no wait at all to get changed into sleepwear. 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. We took off at 0850 using a dual runway with BA 001 flight. So frustrated. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Just returned from LHR on this plane. Jenny Southan reports As we predicted in our 2022 Travel Trend Forecast , Long-Haul Revival has become a major travel trend, with many people around the world finally able to book long-distance flights with . 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. 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. Virgin has plans to retire this aircraft by 2021, so I figured I really ought to ride on one before time was against me. The dining experience in Upper Class Our menus are designed to compliment your departure time, origin and destination, served throughout your flight on designer linens, plates and cutlery. Interesting take on the children visiting your seats. 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. Enrollment required. Which aircraft offer Upper Class seats? The clubhouse also has several areas that can be used for things other than working, eating, or drinking. Bed widths on these planes are 33 inches. At the seat was the new recyclable washbag. Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 'Upper Class' business class: the basics. 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). + -.Upper Midland Products [3PK] Candy Jars For Candy Buffet With Candy Scoops - 48 Oz Clear Gumball Candy Buffet Bar Containers Set Plastic Candy Display Jars With Lids Check out our party candy buffet selection for the very best in . Itineraries 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. You also cant see out of the window unless youre in bed mode, or willing to risk a minor neck injury. YES!!!! With this in mind, I wondered if the overall experience could still shine despite the old coffin seats. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. In Fall 2019, the long-awaited A350 started flying to New York (JFK) and is slowly being . This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. The IFE screens are tiny and the pull out arm digs into your body when youre lying down. Still feeling peckish? I love the Upper Class wing and the Clubhouse hence my very positive review of that portion of the trip! The crew were very happy to set up a meal for us here and commented that it was a great idea! 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). Unlike many lounges these days, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow terminal three still does overhead calls when flights begin boarding upper-class passengers. Learn more. We had problems in the transit area of Delhi airport due to a lack of staff and a broken printer (believe it or not, the transit area at Delhi airport does not take electronic boarding passes). The seat featured the smallest in-flight entertainment screen Ive seen on any plane in Business Class, although the resolution was up to modern standards. There were also earplugs, a pen, and a toothbrush and toothpaste. The clubhouse has the most innovative and tasty offer in the world of business-class lounges. + -. I couldnt help feeling that a redcurrant based sauce could have added a much needed dash of colour and acidity though. What makes it a unique Upper Class product is that these four A330-200 aircraft were purchased from Air Berlin when the airline went bankrupt in 2017. Now we are on the 787 and I am super claustrophobic. The wifi starts at 2.99, but youll have to pay considerably more if you want to do any work. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Which flipped down completely revealing a special sleeping surface under the seat (much like the old Singapore A380 seats). It is visually much brighter than their A330, but I think it still . Thanks This seemed like more of an Economy Class snack; many airlines will serve a ramekin of warm almonds or cashews in Business Class. The lack of a proper toiletries bag isnt great as is only having a flat or upright offer for the seat. The Retreat Suite can only be booked 14 days before departure on a first come, first served basis. Sort by. However, if you have a seat in the middle, you will be directly facing those who have a seat on the right-hand side of the plane and vice versa. SIA to acquire 25 per cent stake in Air India. Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow Terminal 3 reopens - take a look 15 July 2021 by Rob Burgess The Virgin Clubhouse lounge at Heathrow Terminal 3 reopens - and we were there Links on Head for Points may pay us an affiliate commission. The Luxury Traveller is a luxury travel agency affiliated with Classic Travel. On day flights, Upper Class passengers will get a second meal service, including Eric Lanlard's Mile High Tea or a lighter option. I was in Seat 3G. Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class Extra Bites menu also has some brand-new additions, including cream tea with fudge scones and clotted cream, salted caramel spread and strawberry jam. The coffin-like cubes are impossible to get comfortable in, much less sleep in so your experience on the older plane was in many ways the same as mine on the new A350. Virgin Atlantic releases stunning new in-flight food options - this is the menu Starters include pear and Waldorf salad or smoked duck breast followed by choice of braised pork cheek, roasted. Toward the front of row K isn't a bad second choice, the main difference being that the seat is less private and has a view of other passengers' feet. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. A SEAMLESS TRAVEL JOURNEY Delta and Virgin Atlantic operate in the same terminal in LHR. We were also offered pyjamas, which is still something of a rarity in Business Class. See more More legroom, more style The ground experience at Heathrow was (as usual) exceptional, the food good, and the service, save for a couple of blips, an absolute blast. Upper Class can be found on all of Virgin's aircraft, but the brand-new Upper Class Suite is currently only on its A350-1000s. Its a nice to have I guess, and we made the most of it catching up with colleagues, but it isnt the same as the bar and while I completely understand the economics of why the bar had to go (and before that, the on-board massage), its a reminder of the economics of air travel. 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. We tried every variation of turn it off and turn it back on again before finally admitting defeat. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Main was a choice of one of the following: Pan-fried seabass, creamed mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables and a lemon butter sauce, Pepper chicken masala, carrot and beans poriyal, yellow dal and coconut rice, Kadai paneer, onion pulao, aloo saag and yellow dal, Black forest tart with berry compote and chocolate soil, The cheese plate included Emmental, brie, Danish blue and was served with grapes, mango chutney and crackers. Apparently, it is a luxurious and romantic spot for two. The key difference of course being that BAs Business Class lounges were never good, Your email address will not be published. The cutlery was full sized and of course the iconic Wilbur and Orville salt and pepper shakers were present too with crew encouraging passengers to take them home. In conclusion, yes, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class gets a good plus rating from me because of the staff and clubhouse. Virgin Airlines offers the only Upper Class service, which includes both Business and First Class. The major difference is that the bar on the A330 is perpendicular to the fuselage whereas on the Dreamliner, it's parallel to the seats in row K. Related: 6 features that set the 787 Dreamliner apart from the rest. Boarding took place at 0745 from gate 5, and there were TV crews filming both for news and documentaries, along with lots of American flag waving. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Id noticed on the BA A350-1000 that the overhead lockers for the centre seats are difficult to reach, but thats not a problem on the Virgin version because theres a recess in the side of the seat so people can raise themselves up to access the lockers. Kamara picked at a few things but noted that overall the dish was quite dry and not a patch on the mezze served by the likes of Emirates, Qatar or Etihad. Suite But I want to start with a big thank you to Virgin Atlantic. The tray table is excellent, and I think has been redesigned from the one on the first aircraft. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. During our final approach I had to carry out quite the act of contortion, to snap this quick picture of the Golden Gate Bridge. The A330neo and selected Airbus 350 planes have an area called The Loft. The drinks offered on Virgin Atlantic Upper Class are excellent. 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. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. The overall maintenance and cleanliness left a lot to be desired. New additions include: Lamb hotpot with vermicelli rice and seasonal vegetables Vegetable korma with Gujarati green beans, jeera pilau rice and paratha As of May 2022 this is still not something that British Airways is able to offer. So, if you like to spend your time in-flight gazing out the window, then you might end up with a stiff neck by the end of the flight. White wine Journeys End Weather Station, Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa. Check out what you can expect flying in Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class: Since we were planning to see Metallica a couple of hours after landing, I figured it would be a good idea to try and get some sleep beforehand. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Virgin Upper Class Menu Virgin is almost entirely back to pre-covid catering now and the menu included multiple options for each of the three lunch courses. 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!). The price is 21.99 for the entire flight, and it was reasonably quick. 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. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. I flew from London to Delhi on a 787-9, which has quite a small entertainment screen of 11.1 inches (as does the A330-300). Virgin Atlantic have a bottom of the barrel seat on the majority of their aircraft. Once on board I was offered a choice of orange juice, Champagne or water. Warm sweet brioche bread and butter pudding with fresh cream. A mixed picture I had a decent flight on Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class. Great interaction time, You see things differently when you travel with children. Virgin Atlantic 787 Upper Class seat storage. It is your right to wear whatever you want to wear. The bait and switch is a real issue and one that I had not considered prior to booking. However, I cant help but wonder what it would be like if you were to fly in these seats with a crew that was having an off day. However, I was surprised to find that I could either sit completely upright or completely flat no halfway recline in between, which was quite annoying. Virgin Atlantic's A350 aircraft features one large Business ("Upper") Class cabin, which is located in the plane's front section. Privacy policy | This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. While some airlines operate four classes on some of their long-haul jets, Virgin Atlantic opted for three: Upper Class (business class), Premium (premium economy) and economy. You wont be surprised to read that there was virtually no wait to get through security. 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. These routes will boast the most updated, modern version of the airline's Upper Class. Despite the addition of a thin mattress pad, the surface was still very uncomfortable and I struggled to get any sleep at all. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. I had the same issue the last time I flew with Virgin Premium Economy and it did appear that no one but me experienced problems with the wifi. 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. See a whole year of Reward Seat Availability on one page at SeatSpy.com, Hotel review: Canopy by Hilton Paris Trocadro. 2 My wife and I were traveling with our grandkids (ages 10 and 7). Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. For passengers who prefer a bit of ease when egressing from their seat but also enjoy gazing out of the window at the world below, then the Solo Freedom Suites (2C, 4C, 6C, 2H and 4H) are perfect. The toiletries in the self-titled goodie bag are from Ren and were decent but not amazing. I selected the braised pork cheek with cauliflower puree, kale and fondant potato as my main course. After this meal it was time to get changed back into regular clothes but I kept the seat down in bed mode for as long as I could, so I could enjoy the views from the window, without the seat getting in the way. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. This lounge is the only one still run by Virgin, with the rest now run by Plaza Premium. The bar on the aircraft has now been replaced with The Loft, which is really a long curved sofa facing a large TV screen. Strangest of all was the proximity that we had to neighbouring passengers heads, that peered up over the very short walls of their seats. Kamara ordered the Mediterranean mezze, which much like my earlier main course, were awash in a sea of beige. First Class you might be seated opposite a baby for your entire flight 2019 the. 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