You’re walking onto the plane and finally, you get to turn left and head to your seat in upper class (or first class, or business class – whatever the airline calls it!). Is it worth the money?
I experienced Upper Class with Virgin Atlantic in September 2023, flying during the day from London Heathrow (LHR) to San Francisco (SFO), and then an overnight flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to London Heathrow (LHR). Each flight was slightly different due to the time of day, however largely the experience was the same.
What to expect flying first class with Virgin Atlantic
Private Check In
At Heathrow Airport, you’ll find Virgin Atlantic’s check-in area in Terminal Three. If you’re travelling in Upper Class, once you arrive at the airport you’ll be able to head straight to the dedicated check-in desk. Here you’ll be able to check in up to two pieces of baggage per person, with a weight limit of 32kg per bag. You are also allowed two pieces of hand luggage.
Once you’ve checked in and dropped your luggage off, you’ll then be able to use the dedicated Virgin Atlantic lift (with its own red carpet!) to access a private security area – no stress here! You’ll then make your way into the main departures area, with shops, restaurants and bars.
Access to Virgin Clubhouse
One of the benefits of travelling Upper Class with Virgin though is access to the exclusive Clubhouse lounge. This is only included in Upper Class, and is located in the dedicated Upper Class wing in Heathrow – along with a few other premium lounges.
What do you get in the Clubhouse lounge?
There are various types of seating areas in the lounge, from tables and chairs to comfy lounge chairs and even beds. The different kinds of seating areas are all set up differently so you can find the type of area that suits your needs. You could even sit outside to watch planes if you wanted to.
The food options will of course differ depending on the time of day you are flying. There is a table service with drinks and hot food options, as well as a deli-style counter for cold foods. Tables around the lounge all have a QR code available, so you can order from the menu, and you can also get drinks from the bar, or from fridges around the lounge.
Looking to shower before your flight? There are private bathrooms that can be booked, so you can freshen up before your flight. (Or after you’ve used the Peloton bikes in the gym area!)
Onboard the Virgin Atlantic 787-9 in Upper Class
The first perk when boarding – Upper Class passengers are able to board the plane first, and can also disembark first too.
It’s time to walk onto the plane and turn left, what should you expect?
Virgin Atlantic has recently updated the seating in Upper Class on some of their planes, however, the 787-9 still has the older style seats. These seats are diagonally placed and aren’t quite as private as those in the newer layout.
When booking, we were advised that the better seat options were those in row A, as you’re facing out towards the back of seats, rather than sharing an aisle with another row.
Each pod contains a 22-inch leather seat, with a footrest/chair at the end. When the table is down, you could have a visitor sit at this chair so you can eat together. Under this chair is space to place a small bag, shoes or anything else you want within close reach. The seats can recline into a fully flat bed, with a pillow and duvet for comfort. The flight attendants will change your seat into a bed, and back to the chair whenever you are ready. They do say it can’t be done yourself, but in all honesty, it is a very simple process and definitely doable alone!
I thought both the seat and bed were comfortable – I felt like I had plenty of space. However, I can see that taller or bigger people may find it more cramped. There wasn’t much storage space, but it was plenty for what’s needed on a flight. One downside for me is that it’s very difficult to actually look out of the windows. It’s possible, but there isn’t a comfortable seating position to be able to simply sit and watch the view.
Each upper-class passenger will also find a goodie bag on their seat when they board, including things such as a toothbrush, eye mask, socks, pen, toothbrush, and small travel toiletries. On evening flights, you’ll also be offered pyjamas upon boarding if you would like them.
In your pod, you have an 18.5-inch touchscreen, filled with a wide variety of films and TV shows. There is also a gaming option, music, and a flight tracker. There is also a power outlet here to charge your devices. You will receive an over-the-ear headset to watch/listen to things, however, I found that these weren’t the most comfortable fitting.
Social / Bar Area
Upper Class has it’s own ‘lounge/bar’ area, which is simply a high table with tools. This table holds a snack bowl for those feeling peckish! This area is great for those who want to stretch their legs and sit in a different position, or even use a laptop more comfortably. In my experience, only 1 or 2 people used this area, with most choosing to stay in their seats.
Your Onboard Meal
There’s one thing for sure, you won’t go hungry when flying Virgin Upper Class!
As you’re getting settled into your seat, you’ll be welcomed with a glass of fizz or juice before the plane has even started moving.
The service is top-notch, and we found that the flight attendants were very attentive throughout. You can order drinks or snacks whenever you’d like during the flight. Food service takes place not long after take off, and you’ll have the choice of a three-course meal or a simpler speedy option. The menu has meat/fish and vegetarian food options. I had ordered a special meal option when checking in and was given a different vegan meal. This isn’t on the menu you are given.
Food is served with plates, cutlery, and a choice of drink. You’ll also be given a cute little set of Virgin plane salt and pepper shakers to take with you. You will also receive food service closer to the end of the flight. If you are on an overnight flight, you can request to be woken up for this if asleep, or request to be left alone.
I thought the food was good, but wasn’t anything super special, to be honest. I don’t think you can expect too much from food cooked on an airplane though! However, I definitely felt satisfied food-wise, and I thought the timing of each meal being served was great.
Overall Comfort in Upper Class
Before I travelled Upper Class with Virgin, I’d had a look at reviews online – just to see what to expect. There are a lot of mixed reviews out there, and in all honesty, it surprised me a little. But I think ultimately, the difference is with how you usually travel. Those who travelled business class often found Virgin’s offering to be sup-par compared to some others. For me, as a first experience, I thought it was brilliant.
I enjoyed having the space in the seat, and the option to lie down to have a good sleep. The availability of food and drink was great (having missed out on food many times in economy with it running out!), and I think all that combined just made me feel better when I stepped off the plane. It certainly didn’t feel like a 9-10 hour flight.
How to Book Upper Class on Virgin
Booking an Upper Class ticket is expensive, there’s no doubt about it. For a long flight, I think it’s worth looking at – or at least going into Premium. If you’re looking to experience a little luxury when flying with Virgin Atlantic, there are a few strategies you can use to get the premium seats at a more reasonable cost. Saving money on travel is always a plus!
Loyalty Programs/ Frequent Flyer Miles
Virgin Atlantic is part of the Flying Club, which allows you to accumulate miles through flights, shopping and spending on your Virgin Atlantic credit card. These miles can be used to upgrade your tickets, or secure them at a discounted rate.
Book Virgin Atlantic Upper Class with points
You can also use travel rewards credit cards that partner with Virgin Atlantic. Accumulate points through everyday spending using a partnered brand, and you can use these points to help offset the cost of upper class tickets. American Express cards can be used in this way.
Look Out For Sales
It is also worth keeping a close eye on any sales. Virgin Atlantic occasionally have discounted fares, and if you have flexibility with travel dates you can find some great prices.
Upgrade Paid Ticket to Upper Class
If you don’t have enough points to book Upper Class outright, you can bid for an upgrade. This is a more affordable way to experience upper class, however the success of it can vary a lot! Still, worth looking into if you don’t want to pay the full price upfront!
Have you ever flown in business class? What was your experience?