Canadian tariffs. There are then nicely purple branded eye masks, socks, earplugs, toothbrushes, pen etc. TOP BUSINESS CREDIT CARD OFFERS (MAY 2023), Why Amex Gold is the best card for a points beginner. We have a range of soft drinks, including juices and fizzy drinks, and hot drinks too. The Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy service is excellent as you will read in most Virgin Atlantic premium economy reviews. Premium Virgin Atlantic tickets also earn 150% Virgin Red points and 50 tier points that count towards status, at least double that of economy flights. There are 5 rows of seats in premium economy and the configuration is 2 x 3 x 2. For mains I chose the venison stew (other options included spicy jerk chicken and vegan penne bolognese) and although it just looks like brown sludge (being a stew and all) it was very delicious. Hoping to go all the way to Upper Class? About halfway through the flight, we were all offered a hot cheese-toasted sandwich which was a nice surprise. Generally speaking, fares may decrease from the actual published difference closer to departure and you may save from the original higher fare if you hold out and hope for an upgrade. As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Virgin Points from UK credit cards. Bookings made by credit card or debit card no longer incur a fee. The packages are as follows: In general the wifi is fine for social media, emails etc but you would struggle to stream or upload video. Bookings made by credit card or debit card no longer incur a fee. 2022 Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. All rights reserved.Registered office: Registered office: The VHQ, Fleming Way, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9DF Read more. The amenities kit on Virgin Atlantic is simple but cute. 7 Best Things to do in Saint Antonin Noble Val (2022). If you are considering trading up from economy to Premium, the extra Virgin Points and tier points you earn should be factors in your decision. Regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a credit broker (FRN 690573). The upgrade can cost as little as 7,500 Virgin points plus any associated taxes and fees (up to $180-$200 depending on the route). Its not quite the same as the lie-flat seat, but those extra inches count on a long-haul flight., Slightly less expensive than Premium but more than Economy Classic, Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight rows have a few more inches of legroom, and also include priority check-in and boarding, though meals and seats (other than legroom) are otherwise standard and fabric. Discounts apply to both Economy and Premium cabins. Perks start at your departure airport. I'm only 5'8" tall, so not very tall by any means, but it was not comfortable in the least. You'll still need to cover the cost of taxes, fees and carrier-imposed surcharges, but Virgin . British Airways would offer wildly different fares for premium economy, and would end up with a mix of basic economy and premium at the booking summary. But there is a fantastic what they call Wonder Wall area which has excellent premium snacks and drinks on offer throughout the entire flight. Virgin Atlantic has a variety of alternatives to help you manage your booking effectively, whether you wish to alter your flight dates, upgrade your ticket, or add special requests. Plus, massive cabins can have slower service and longer lines for the bathrooms. Or choose your favourite tipple from our alcoholic drinks, from red, white and rose wine to spirits like Bombay Sapphire and Jack Daniels bourbon. Menus developed by Irish chef Donal Skehan (of Food Network UK fame) offer a choice of three warm entrees, plus a starter and dessert. The trays come with jam and clotted cream. The cabin crew make their first round through the cabin to serve drinks before proceeding with the meal. She has been published in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and elsewhere, and has spoken at conferences like that of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Challenging ourselves to do things better lies at the heart of everything we do. 23 Interesting Things to Do in San Sebastian Spain (2023) with Best Pintxos, 19 Best Cave Hotels in Santorini (2023) Youll Love, 17 Museums Near Rochester New York (2023) Youll Love, 10 Haunted Houses in Rochester (2023) That are Truly Spooky, 19 Most Shark Infested Beaches in USA (2023) You Need to Know. On my flight the service consisted of a three course meal served shortly after take-off followed by afternoon tea 90 minutes before landing. (Want to earn more Virgin Points? Economy Our Economy cabin provides brilliant service, great food and inflight entertainment. American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for a year and comes with 20,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 20,000 Virgin Points. A chilled glass of bubbly when you board, and a selection of delicious hot dishes served on proper plates with a stylish place setting. The in-seat entertainment (named Vera, along with the in-flight magazine) has a slightly bigger screen in Premium (13 vs 11 in most cases) with a good selection of current films, TV shows, and games. Virgin Atlantic premium economy passengers get more than just extra legroom and better food. It is the one thing that felt a bit out of place in an otherwise premium-focussed cabin. The seats are made of a chocolatey-burgundy leather, whilst the tray table and other flat surfaces have stoney texture. On the Heathrow A350 fleet the Premium cabin is to the right of boarding, in a cosy seven row cabin. With British Airways premium economy I still felt like I was in economy just with more leg room. I flew Premium Economy on Virgin most recently post covid on the Boeing 787-9 so I will begin with that flight after covering a few basics on checking fares and check-in for Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy at Heathrow. You can choose from a selection of fresh, exciting main dishes. During meal service, wines are a choice of (respectable-tasting, but still in a can) red (Malbec) or white (Sauvignon Blanc) from UK brand NICE. The airline has done well to position it as a halfway house between economy and business class rather than just as economy 'plus', although clearly on a night flight there is a big jump between Premium and the flat bed in Upper Class. How to get free hotel elite status from UK credit cards, Get exclusive benefits on luxury hotel bookings via HfP. Have you flown with Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy? Privacy Policy, Hi! Our opinions are our own. Which new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard is best? These days Virgin Atlantic calls premium economy Premium (not to be confused with Economy Delight, which is the extra legroom section of the Economy cabin). Economy Premium An elevated inflight dining experience that feels well, Premium. You can find out more about Virgin Atlantics Premium cabin on their website here. Get more smart money moves straight to your inbox. Seat selection: Virgin Atlantic premium economy passengers can choose their seat free of charge up to 331 days before departure. To put this in comparison, in 2022/3 you will need 300 tier points for Virgin Flying Club Silver status and 800 for Gold. Lounge access is not included with Premium unless you are Flying Club Gold or have your two Clubhouse passes as a Silver, as I did. Premium travelers also have Priority boarding after Upper Class.. I have a flight coming up this month from SFO to TLV with one stop at London Heathrow. One of the airline's values is to become the "most loved travel company who delivers amazing things.". Were working to make changes everywhere we can onboard, from removing single use plastic bottles to creating the most sustainable amenity kit in the sky. 787-900 Dreamliners: The most energy efficient of Virgin Atlantic's fleet has 35 Premium seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. Fortunately another lovely passenger held my spot in the queue whilst I dashed off to do so, but it could have been a lot better sign-posted. The Virgin Atlantic premium economy headphones are ok but better if you bring your own if you have a good pair. I chose the Coq au Vin and it was pretty good. with economy and premium economy customers . I loved the pillow offered in premium economy. Each plane offers a mix of Economy (Light, Classic, and Delight), Premium, and Upper Class. A culinary adventure of flavourful dishes to nourish and excite, drinks to relax and unwind, and snacks to surprise and delight. The Virgin Atlantic Economy food is much lower caliber and is not noteworthy, so Premium Economy definitely provides a much nicer dining experience. Please note, menus can vary by route and we reserve the right to change the menu without prior notice. This article is closed to new comments. Note that only these . After working as a tax accountant for a decade, JT turned his analytical skills to points, miles and credit cards. However, this is a far cry from the flat back of business class but that is the cost difference. The Virgin Atlantic loungecalled the Clubhouseis only for Upper Class passengers, or certain gold and platinum card holders or elite status members (such as Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion or Flying Blue Platinum) flying between the UK and US. The headphones are nothing to shout home about I think these might be the same as in economy. Once in the air, Virgin Atlantic premium economy flyers enjoy a meal with an appetizer, dessert and choice between three main dishes including one vegetarian option. While all Virgin Atlantic seats come with touch-screen, in-seat entertainment, headphones, a pillow and blanket, and USB power port, Premium seats also have an AC port (110V for US or UK plugs) and premium headphones (though hardly a step up from economy and probably not as good as what you may have brought from home). COVID-19 COVID-19 UPDATE ECONOMY AND PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS On Virgin Atlantic long haul services passengers can expect a simplified meal service delivered in a meal box. EVA Air may often be credited as the first airline to introduce a premium economy cabin, but in fact, several other airlines also introduced the cabin around the same time. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. How does Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy compare with British Airways Premium Economy? "With economy, we've actually uplifted screen size to 13.3-inch monitors, so it's a really healthy screen size compared to other economy offerings on the market," said Henry Buckley, Virgin Atlantic's senior manager of experience design. Virgin Atlantic introduced it in 1992, and British Airways soon after. Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy has a good sized entertainment screen and high end headphones. Frequently Asked Questions about Flying Virgin Premium Economy. Your dedicated cabin crew serve your meals on china crockery with glassware, for a personal, more restaurant style experience. Screen sizes vary by aircraft but this time the pattern is reversed from what you can expect with seats. Back then it was called the somewhat less beguiling Mid Class and was described a revolutionary new product that will deliver the requirements of the business traveller paying full economy. While theres no special security area for Premium passengers, you may find some airports may allow you to use an expedited lane. In terms of Virgin Points, you earn 100% of miles flown on a non-refundable ticket or 200% if you book a fully flexible ticket. We want everyone to have a truly tasty meal, no matter what they can (or cannot) eat. You can read my review of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow here. Virgin Atlantic has launched an award sale from Austin, Tampa to London Heathrow, and from Orlando to Manchester that is available for bookings through May 31. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. When it comes to eating onboard, we know you want more choice, and to know what food is available onboard in advance. Boutique Hotels Mine were free LFTs ! Plus a full range of soft drinks, hot drinks, and alcoholic drinks. With dedicated check-in, priority boarding, more space to relax and a free glass of bubbly on board, when you upgrade to Premium Economy, your journey will fly. As a digital nomad for nearly five years, JT proves through experience that credit card rewards can drastically reduce the cost of travel. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. Customers travelling in the Economy cabin will dine ontasty options to please the whole family such as: Chicken tikka masala with saffron rice, red quinoa and green peas Assigning Editor | Travel, SEO, Travel Loyalty Programs. theboutiqueadventurer.com - Amanda OBrien. 60,000 points AND a 200 Amex Travel voucher until 13th June! If you're flying with us in Premium, you can choose your meal in advance from a selection of three delicious dishes. The team continued to serve drinks and turned the in-flight entertainment on to keep us occupied. The leather seats are the biggest in their class: 21" wide (up from 17" in economy), with a 8" recline (compared with 5" in economy), and 38" pitch (from 31" or 34"). It is always worth asking what the issue is with an empty seat and seeing if it is actually a problem to you. And that starts while still on the ground. On most flights, Virgin Atlantic premium economy passengers get a "goodie bag" amenity kit. Virgin Atlantic provided the flight for free, but I paid all other costs relating to the trip myself. These contain three masks, some hand sanitiser and a wipe. Virgin Atlantic premium economy gets you priority check-in, two free checked bags and impressive in-flight meals. Heres what you need to know about Virgin Atlantic premium economy so you can decide whether it's worth booking for your next international flight. Enjoy Economy Premium Our Premium passengers enjoy an award-winning cabin, superior service and gloriously comfy, roomy seats. Airbus A330: 48 premium economy seats six full rows with seven seats per row, plus two partial rows. Read this article and my article on British Airways Premium Economy to find out why. Im pleased to see these are now in paper packaging as they were plastic-wrapped previously. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Seat width is 21 inches which is only 1 inch slimmer than business and a whopping 4 inches wider than economy. Whats the value of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points? Throughout the flight, Virgin has the Wander Wall for premium economy. These include London, San Francisco, New York, Glasgow and Hong Kong. Sign up for free to start getting flight alerts. Were the UKs most-read source of business travel, Avios, frequent flyer and hotel loyalty news. Instead of standard packets of crisps or kit kats they offer cute little brands like Popchips and I had some great cheese popcorn. No, access to the Virgin Clubhouse lounges are only for Upper Class passengers or high-level elite Delta or other partner status. British Airways World Traveller Plus (2022) Review: Is it Worth It? Click for details. I was planning on using the wifi for about 6 hours of the flight and was only able to get access for about two hours. However, passengers report that these aren't noise-canceling. All Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats measure 38 inches of pitch. Very good flight, 6 hrs 45 with a tail wind. But what about the middle ground between the two: Virgin Atlantic premium economy? So how does their mid-priced premium economynow called just Premiumcompare? Ask them in our forums. Highlights of our tasty dishes this season include a spinach & ricotta tortellini with sage butter sauce, roasted pumpkin and caper panko crumb and a passion fruit and mango cheesecake. Do you get lounge access with Virgin Atlantic premium economy? You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. What is the best Virgin Atlantic credit card? While Delta flights can mix ComfortPlus (similar to Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight) and Premium Select (a big step up, like VA Premium) when searching for premium economy fares, Virgin Atlantic has them clearly labeled and coded with amenities. This is our review of Virgin Atlantics premium economy experience on the A350 from London Heathrow to New York JFK. Points newbie . You can check in up to two bags when flying Virgin Atlantic Premium and they are given a priority bag tag. Canadian tariffs. An economy meal on board Virgin's A350. Virgin Atlantic boasts over 300 hours of movies and TV shows in premium economy. Economy Delight means you can speed through the airport by using Premium check in desks, enjoy priority boarding, and get first dibs on overhead storage before settling into your extra legroom seat with 34" seat pitch. Virgin Atlantics leather Premium seats are quite a bit roomier than most of their Economy seats, with an extra inch or more in width, 2-3 in recline, and up to 7 in pitch/legroom than standard economy. However, all Virgin customers can purchase entry to the No 1 lounge (Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Birmingham Airports). And the large premium economy cabins may lead to slow service. I also would like to commend you on your transparency that you paid for the your own ticket and that you receive a small commission if we buy from a link off the post, what was written is believable and helpful, thank you again for this information. The seat pitch is up to 38 inches and 4 inches more than economy. The minimum bid is linked to seat availability and how far out you choose to place one. There is plenty of leg room too, with 38 of seat pitch. Quality, tasty hot meals served with a starter, your choice of wine, spirits, beer or soft drinks and pudding, of course. Either way, youll never overpay on flights again. Premium economy seats feature lots of extra legroom, a deeper recline, larger in-flight entertainment screens and a footrest. I was looking for a return flight to new york from London for Thanksgiving. Obviously that never happened, but better late than never! The whole experience is way better than Economy. The Boutique Adventurer is owned by Beyond the Horizon. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The UK's biggest frequent flyer website uses cookies, which you can block via your browser settings. The staff on Virgin were extremely friendly and fun as always. The A350s come with wifi if you choose to pay for it. You can access this offer on Virgin Atlantic's website here. The other thing I like is it is normally easier to compare if there are savings or opportunities to be had by taking an earlier or later flight. They normally guarantee the best price. The Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy seating plan on the a330 is 2 x 3 x 2. You also get individual air vents in Premium: Waiting for me at my seat was a small cushion, a set of headphones and a purple fleece blanket. Terms and conditions | The airline's premium economy seats measure 21 inches wide on its Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Each seat features 38 of pitch, which is sufficient, though not amazing, for premium economy. I was able to try out both a normal seat as well as a bulkhead extra legroom seat at the front of the cabin. On the way back to London Heathrow was quite a nice breakfast before landing. The Woodland Trust creates and manages forests in the UK in accordance with the Woodland Carbon Code. Whether youre veggie or vegan, halal, gluten free (and beyond) weve got you covered. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses. Bags are tagged with priority handling which theoretically makes them first off the plane on arrival. What are the most valuable credit card sign-up bonuses? I always start my search for flights with Skyscanner and then move on to Expedia. See a whole year of reward seat availability on one page at SeatSpy.com. In-flight entertainment: Virgin Atlantic boasts over 300 hours of movies and TV shows in premium economy. Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. In addition to being narrower, the armrests may be slightly smaller on the A350, but this may not be an issue on a less-crowded flight or if you are sitting in one of the pairs of seats by the windows. Would definitely do it again. My ticket was $1300 including connection from CHS. Once the trays are down a staff member then brings out scones for everyone. A key thing to note is that Virgin Atlantic is now 49% owned by Delta. But seats shrink to nearly economy sizes on the airline's Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Id love to help you find your next memorable vacation. Nice Drinks is a Virgin StartUp funded business that offers delicious wine in a can.