Virgin Atlantic sits in a sweet spot for tourists who importance layout, persona, and somewhat of theater with no sacrificing the fundamentals. The airline’s Upper Class ride has consistently leaned right into a social consider, with on‑board bars and suave lounges, however seat best concerns most once the cabin lighting fixtures dim. If you’re opting for between the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 787, the seat you prefer can make or ruin a protracted in a single day. I actually have flown the two models a number of instances because the A350 suite debuted, and the appropriate choice relies upon for your route, your sleep fashion, and how you operate the cabin’s social spaces.
This ebook walks by way of how the cabins fluctuate, where to sit down on every single aircraft, and the life like facts that characteristically get glossed over: legroom clearances, snoozing relief, display screen placement, or even how the Virgin Atlantic Lounge revel in at Heathrow changes the worth equation for early departures and overdue arrivals.
What makes Virgin’s Upper Class different
Plenty of airlines present a flat mattress and respectable wine. Virgin Atlantic’s charm comes from several specifics. The Heathrow Virgin Lounge, identified formally as the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Terminal 3, ranks some of the very best preflight reviews in Europe. There’s desk service, a applicable bar, showers that believe like a boutique motel, and possible nooks for email sprints. That jump issues, noticeably in the event you’re boarding a red‑eye to the East Coast where you choose to maximize sleep onboard.
On the aircraft, Virgin has leaned right into a social area thought for years. The older fleet had a real stand‑up bar. The modern-day A350 offered “The Loft,” a living room zone with seats and belts wherein you'll sit throughout turbulence. On the 787, the social house is smaller and realistic instead of photogenic, however it nevertheless breaks up the flight. If you hardly ever leave your seat after takeoff, these points won’t swap your life. If you love a leg stretch and a chat otherwise you’re touring with a colleague, they add genuine magnitude.
A350 vs B787: how the cabins compare
The A350-a thousand incorporates Virgin’s latest Upper Class suite. It’s a today's reverse‑herringbone format, principally in a 1‑2‑1 configuration. Every passenger will get aisle get entry to, a privacy door that slides close, a wider footwell than in advance-iteration reverse‑herringbone seats, and a tremendous 18 to 18.five inch display screen. The suite seems contemporary and feels individual without growing to be claustrophobic. Taller guests respect the bed period, which sits around 79 to eighty two inches when totally flat depending on the row, with a footwell generous sufficient to sleep in your part with no contortions.
The 787-9 uses the previous technology Virgin Atlantic commercial enterprise elegance. Seats face inward closer to the aisle at a shallow perspective in a 1‑1‑1 structure that snakes down the cabin. The layout shall we the airline p.c. extra seats into the footprint even as still providing completely flat beds. Privacy is appropriate while you pick the appropriate seat, notwithstanding you’re extra uncovered to aisle site visitors than on the A350. The reveal is smaller, storage is greater limited, and the tray desk will also be fussy. Despite all that, a few travelers still pick the 787 seats for lounging considering the fact that they feel greater open and have fewer structural partitions round shoulder level. If you’re sensitive to feeling boxed in, that topics.
Noise and air best choose the A350. It’s quieter in cruise and tends to arrive with passengers feeling fresher, partly as a result of expanded cabin pressurization and humidity. The 787 additionally deals a state-of-the-art ambiance with composite fuselage reward, but on to come back‑to‑returned trips I perpetually sleep a chunk stronger on the A350, most probably simply by seat layout and cabin hush.
The A350 Upper Class suite: the place to sit and why
Virgin’s A350 Upper Class cabin is break up. On so much plane you’ll find a major cabin and a smaller mini‑cabin, separated by way of a galley and The Loft. The mini‑cabin feels intimate and, in case you land at bizarre hours, in the main emptier, which is able to make for a quieter rest. That talked about, proximity to the galley brings a few clatter previously nutrition.
Window seats at the A350 are the sweet spot when you shuttle solo. The attitude faces you closer to the window with useful privateness from the aisle. The doors near yet don’t achieve the ceiling, which is good when you consider that you continue to get airflow and space. Couples would possibly want the middle pair, although there’s a divider and it’s now not a “honeymoon” setup. You can talk across the divide, however you’ll still need to marry that communication with a seek advice from to The Loft once you’re making plans a protracted chat.
As for certain rows, here’s how the trade‑offs shake out. The first two rows inside the primary cabin see greater boarding foot visitors and coffee galley light spill, but they get meal provider first. Rows simply forward of The Loft circumvent galley noise yet can decide on up chatter from the front room when the cabin is vigorous. In the mini‑cabin, the primary row has a bulkhead footwell that feels roomier, beneficial when you sleep in your edge with bent knees. The back row can go with up engine hum and coffee loo visitors, though the A350’s low drone makes it much less intrusive than on older aircraft.
Storage concerns on lengthy-hauls. The A350 suite supplies you a lidded area cubby for glasses, a smartphone, and cables, plus a shallow shelf that holds a bottle of water or amenity kit. The lower than‑console location matches a backpack but not a complete‑measurement curler. If you elevate digital camera gear or a cumbersome machine bag, you’ll wish to stash it inside the overhead before you agree in as a result of the suite geometry makes it awkward to fish round as soon as seated.
The mattress is completely happy, however the mattress topper provided by workforce makes a substantive distinction on eastbound overnights. Ask early if you cost sleep. Turndown on Virgin is instant and the staff broadly look forward to it after dessert on nighttime flights, but asking while you board ensures your seat is ready in case you are.
The 787 Upper Class: locating the least compromise
The 787 cabin’s strengths come with quirks. The angled seats mean that not each window seat has same privateness, and the footwell can consider slim in precise rows. If you’re tall, take note of in which the shell tapers. Sleep for your edge together with your knees slightly bent and also you’ll be fine, however full stomach sleepers ought to experience limited. The aisle angles additionally create sightlines among seats at genuine features. You can restore maximum of this with the privateness monitor and a small adjustment in seat recline, however it’s whatever to be privy to.
If you’re touring solo and wish quiet, decide a window seat in the direction of the middle of the cabin, warding off the primary two rows for meal‑prep noise and the ultimate row close the galley and lavatory. The middle has the premier steadiness of calm and carrier speed. If you’re travelling with a companion and desire to speak, the heart column can paintings, however you’ll be communicating at an angle throughout the aisle, which isn’t most beneficial. Many couples pop over to the bar for a drink after takeoff, then retreat to their seats whilst it’s time to sleep. That trend matches the 787 nicely for the reason that the bar is steps away and has a tendency to be much less busy than The Loft, so you can veritably to find area.
Screens on the 787 aren’t as sharp, and the interface runs a bit of slower. The saving grace is the staff, who be aware of easy methods to save the meal service comfortable even on a packed flight. If you significance arduous product specifically else, the A350 wins by way of a transparent margin. If you importance a a bit of more open really feel and you want Virgin’s vintage bar vibe, the 787 nevertheless supplies an extraordinarily Virgin feel.
The Loft vs the bar: how you’ll the fact is use them
The Loft on the A350 is a social space with seat belts and a broad bench that could have compatibility a few workers with no elbow wars. There are displays, USB ports, and a place to set a drink. I’ve used it to stretch, to take a rapid name at the ground ahead of pushback, and to complete a dialog with a vacationing colleague while the cabin settled after meal service. It’s quieter than the ancient bar and works in the time of reasonable turbulence thanks to the seat belts. If you’re travelling on my own and simply desire to reset your posture, sitting in The Loft for ten mins midway by means of the flight does the trick.
The 787’s bar is greater of a basic galley bar counter. It is enjoyable, photogenic, and evenly nostalgic for long‑time Virgin flyers. You stand, you chat with group, and you might percentage small plates if they’re on offer. It’s not an area to linger using choppy air, and it can get full of life on flights with a rest skew, certainly to the Caribbean or Las Vegas. If you need quiet, grasp a speedy drink and go back for your seat.
Service rhythm, nutrition, and sleep strategy
Virgin’s provider pace has more advantageous on the A350. The larger galleys and more moderen ovens make a big difference. On eastbound overnights to New York, Boston, or Washington, I in the main pre‑order a faded dinner and cross straight to sleep. Crew are used to that request. If you ask at the flooring, they'll serve a unmarried direction briefly, and also you’ll be horizontal although the cabin continues to be clinking forks. On westbound day flights, make the effort to are trying the overall menu. Virgin’s catering has been greater regular in the prior two years, with fewer misses and more effective vegetarian mains than you possibly can be expecting.
Lighting topics for circadian adjustment. The A350’s cabin lights sequences think smoother and much less harsh, rather at the end of an overnight for those who’re half‑wakeful. The 787’s electrochromic windows assistance with glare manage, nevertheless they do now not entirely black out on brilliant days. If you’re touchy to gentle, hold a very good eye mask on both plane.
Heathrow Virgin Lounge: why it alterations the calculus
The Virgin Atlantic Lounge at Heathrow Terminal three has a gravity of its personal. If you might be starting in London, the Clubhouse elevates the preflight movements from box‑ticking to a small pride. I most commonly arrive two hours earlier boarding, assess in at the table on the top stage, and park close to the windows that fail to remember the ramp. Breakfast is cooked to reserve, the espresso is 3rd‑wave fine, and the bathe rooms are reliably spotless. If you've got you have got a overdue inbound from Europe that arrives in T3, one can generally squeeze in a shower sooner than your onward lengthy‑haul based on timing and capacity. Staff will do what they will.
The Clubhouse also has little info that escalate the complete day trip. Power stores are ample and sensible, the Wi‑Fi is immediate sufficient to upload mammoth data, and the personnel avert a watch on boarding instances so that you don’t watch the clock. There are quiet corners where a rapid name feels discreet, and if you mention you’re making plans to sleep true after takeoff, they’ll steer you toward lighter dishes and avert heavy pours.
For itineraries that start some other place, associate lounges number from the best option to first-rate, with the New York JFK Clubhouse a robust moment. If the Heathrow Virgin Lounge is element of your trip, it hints the scales in the direction of Virgin even when chances are you'll fly a competitor with a quite enhanced seat to the related city.
Seat option specifics: A350 rows that work best
The A350 seat map can vary slightly by using plane, however the good judgment holds. In the most cabin, target for a window seat between rows 4 and 8 for those who need a quiet middle flooring. Row 1 receives short service but extra foot traffic. Row nine or 10 would possibly pick up living room chatter relying on how busy The Loft is. In the mini‑cabin, the primary row most likely has a extra open footwell thanks to the bulkhead and is regularly occurring with taller passengers. The closing row of the mini‑cabin trades a touch engine hum for a cocooned suppose that some sleepers love.
If you’re in the core pair at the A350, select a row that helps to keep you clear of galley gentle. The suite door helps, however light still sneaks in on the appropriate of the door and by means of gaps. Bring a tender hat or hooded sweater to handle facet gentle when you’re touchy.
Virgin oftentimes blocks detailed seats unless test‑in via weight and stability or crew relaxation desires. If your chosen window is unavailable in the time of reserving, assess to come back at T‑24 hours. Seats repeatedly open as the airline finalizes the weight.
Seat determination specifics: 787 rows that reduce drawbacks
On the 787, decide a window inside the mid‑cabin to forestall the double whammy of galley and loo noise. The midsection third will get a steadier ambient degree and less passersby. Avoid the very front while you’re light touchy, because the galley contains both pale and sound. If you sleep on your side, experiment the footwell early. Recline somewhat beforehand dinner to find the angle that continues your knees transparent of the shell. That pre‑flight muscle memory can pay off at bedtime when the cabin is dim.
Couples who prefer to converse need to take into accounts sitting across the aisle rather then in the front or in the back of. It’s more convenient to make eye contact and percentage a plate or a drink across the aisle than it's miles at an attitude fore‑aft, and also you received’t want to stand up to pay attention every single different.
A quickly comparability for determination‑makers
- A350 for those who prioritize sleep, latest IFE, a door for privacy, and a quieter cabin. The Loft is an advantage if you prefer to stretch with out status. 787 if you choose a more open seat with less demanding action, you prefer a average bar, or your course is handiest operated by means of the Dreamliner and timing subjects greater than hardware. Window seats for solo travelers on the two types, with the A350 delivering stronger ordinary privateness. Center seats for couples at the A350 work advantageous, but across‑aisle on the 787 might possibly be less difficult for dialog. Mini‑cabin at the A350 for a calmer surroundings, until you’re a pale sleeper sensitive to galley clatter. Choose flights that pair with the Heathrow Virgin Lounge when attainable. The Clubhouse upgrades the entire knowledge.
Bedding, facilities, and small things that trade comfort
Virgin’s bedding has stepped forward. The A350 basically includes a mattress topper, pillow with first rate loft, and a duvet that’s not too scorching. On the 787, the set is related, nevertheless mattress toppers may just differ by route and load. Ask the crew for one other blanket if the cabin runs cool. The A350 has a tendency to shop temperature steadier, at the same time as the 787 can swing warmer on the flooring, then cool at altitude.
Headphones are serviceable yet now not type‑superior. Bring your personal noise‑canceling pair if you happen to care about audio fine. The IFE catalog on the two aircraft covers the bases with a couple dozen new releases and a to come back catalog that skews mainstream with a number of surprises. The A350 reveal makes the whole lot seem to be stronger, and the Bluetooth pairing choice, while a possibility, saves you from cable litter.
Wi‑Fi has increased throughout the fleet, yet stability still varies with the aid of route and congestion. On each versions I finances for messaging and mild email as opposed to heavy uploads. If you desire to ship significant files, do it inside the living room. The Heathrow Virgin Lounge Wi‑Fi is immediate; the onboard hyperlink is adequate.
When the A350 is not the automated answer
Hardware by myself doesn’t outline the day trip. If your schedule favors a 787 flight with a mid‑morning departure that enables you to paintings a full day on arrival, take the 787. If you’re connecting from a European feeder where delays are traditional, an extended connection into an A350 won't be valued at the pressure. Likewise, on Caribbean routes where the 787 operates and where daylight hours dominates, the seat’s sleep benefits depend much less, and the bar’s social strength might be a part of the fun.
Occasionally, plane swaps happen. If you picked the A350 and a 787 exhibits up, the workforce will nevertheless bring the Virgin feel. I’ve had seamless journeys that method. Plan for the high-quality seat you'll, yet avoid your expectancies bendy.
Earning and burning: magnitude beyond the seat
Part of the allure of flying Virgin Atlantic trade magnificence is the way it fits into a facets approach. Flying Club miles would be successful on partners, and improvements with dollars plus miles pop up recurrently, especially off‑height. If you care about reputation, Upper Class on longer flights accelerates tier aspects right away, and front room entry at Heathrow comes with Upper Class tickets regardless.
If you’re redeeming, glance closely at surcharges. Premium cabins convey larger service‑imposed expenses on some routes. When the ones surge, a top rate economic system income fare plus a facets improve might be the sweet spot. The gold standard seats still subject in that scenario, and the A350’s suite tilts the steadiness when value is near.
Putting all of it together
For natural seat remedy and privacy, the A350 wins. The suite’s door, the wider footwell, the calmer acoustics, and The Loft for mid‑flight breaks make it a better platform for sleep and paintings. On routes in which you want rest, determine the A350 and elect a window seat inside the quiet heart of services at Heathrow Virgin Lounge the cabin or the mini‑cabin’s first row in case you’re tall. If your route is on the 787, elect a mid‑cabin window, be given that the seat is a bit of older, and lean into the bar for a quick stopover at before settling in.
The Heathrow Virgin Lounge is the key sauce. If your journey starts there, you’ll stroll to the gate fed, showered, and just a little happier than you’d assume in an airport. That state of thoughts amplifies the strengths of either airplane. For me, that combination, plus Virgin’s personable crews, continues the airline top on my checklist, even in a market wherein superior arduous merchandise exist on paper.
You will find small transformations between aircraft, crews, and days. That’s go back and forth. The aim is to tilt the odds. On Virgin Atlantic, that suggests reserving the A350 while that you would be able to, utilizing the Clubhouse while it matches, determining the right seat for how you sleep, and letting the leisure spread with a bit of Virgin flair.