See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. But seats shrink to nearly economy sizes on the airline's Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. See more IndiGo, our newest codeshare partner. The blanket was a deep purple with gold trim. 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. If you're planning to check two bags, factor the cost into your decision between economy and premium economy. There was some issue with getting the service up and running to begin with, but once it was, about 45 minutes into the flight, it worked seamlessly. Find the right card for you. As is nearly always the case, bulkhead seats are where the bassinets are fixed. . Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Related: How to read an aircraft seat map. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Virgin Atlantic A330-900neo Premium. Book your Economy Delight seat today. The Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats feel properly premium. Find the best seat wiht our Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-300 (333) seating chart. This larger capacity has its pluses and minuses. The A330 may be narrower than a number of other aircraft that also offer Premium Economy cabins, but the presence of just 3 seats in the center section rather than the 4 seats that you'll find on, for example, the 747, gives this cabin a good feeling of space. Top picks: 20A, 20K or row 25. 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. You can select from the whole cabin - minus seats taken by other passengers and the bulkhead row, which is normally reserved for passengers with babies due to the location of bassinet attachments. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Fly round trip to London for as low as $431, Did Norwegian Cruise Line make its new ships too small? Not to be outdone, crosstown competitor Virgin Atlantic soon thereafter began taking delivery of its own A350s. However, the decisive factor will always be price. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. But is the product worth the extra cost? And that starts while still on the ground. There was definitely a Cajun kick to it, and the twang from the mustard made it really enjoyable. Boeing 787-9: 35 premium economy seats five rows with seven seats per row. So how do we make money? And the large premium economy cabins may lead to slow service. Those extra few inches of space, a glass of bubbly as you board, and a tasty meal served on china crockery with proper cutlery. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Find our best fares on your next flights to the US and beyond, with a fantastic choice of food, drinks, award winning entertainment and onboard WiFi. Premium Economy: Seat Dimensions. That means that wherever you're flying, there will be a Premium cabin onboard if you want to travel in more comfort than in economy. Registered as G-VLUX and nicknamed "Red Velvet," the aircraft was delivered to Virgin on Aug. 10. cons="Somewhat narrow seats and flimsy headphones." It's the little touches here and there that help you truly enjoy your time in the air. TPG values it at $1,600. However, passengers report that these aren't noise-canceling. As previously mentioned, the IFE screen in my bulkhead seat came out from underneath one of the armrests. While Virgin's premium economy cabin on the A350-1000 has come under fire for its compact nature, the airline has gone some way to making it up to us. The seats are still 21 inches wide and 38 inches in pitch with the same 2-3-2 configuration, but the cabin is significantly larger. The minimum bid is linked to seat availability and how far out you choose to place one. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. 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. The drink was served with sour-cream-and-chive pretzels. Should you get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? Find out how our Upper Class, Premium and Economy seats measure up, p to 27 inch touchscreen in The Retreat Suite*, Extra large, Leather, Extra legroom, Fully flat bed. Elsewhere in the fleet, the main difference across the cabins is whether or not the view from the window is obstructed by the wing. With new aircraft, several carriers are doing away with overhead air vents for passengers. Virgin Atlantic boasts over 300 hours of movies and TV shows in premium economy. Other than that, the main thing you've got to keep in mind when flying Virgin's Premium is whether you'd rather the front-row, bulkhead seats (with bassinet), or back-row seats with the ability to stay reclined throughout meal service but slower service but that choice comes down to personal preference. Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy ReviewVirgin Atlantic Premium Economy 787 ReviewThis is a full trip report and review showing Virgin Atlantic's Premium Econo. The fleece material of the blanket felt almost worn, but I liked that the blanket had a special neck cutout, which made it easier to cover yourself in an upright position in Premium or economy. Related: How to pick your perfect airplane seat. Virgin Atlantic advertises that premium economy passengers get "premium" headphones. Learn more. Fully flat beds in a comfy space to call your own. 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. Pricing is very similar. It consists of 48 seats in total; six rows in a 2-3-2 configuration, one row configured 2-2 and the front bulkhead row, 18, only has two seats, 18A and 18C. Perks start at your departure airport. . Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats might be a tight fit width-wise on some aircraft. The exterior of the kit itself was made from recyclable kraft paper, which felt like a combination of cardboard and thick paper. At just over $900, it's not the absolute cheapest premium economy fare I've seen, but it was a good value. Prior to landing, the crew came through the cabin offering water or juice as a prearrival drink. Although the A350 is Virgin's newest and most modern addition to the fleet, it might actually have the worst Premium cabin of its aircraft for two main reasons. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Tickets with Cheap Flight Tickets. 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. Learn more: Is the Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard worth its annual fee? Our seats have been carefully designed to help you fly in total comfort during the flight, no matter which cabin you're in. I traveled along with my TPG UK colleagues Nicky Kelvin (Upper Class Suite) and Jean Arnas (economy) to test out the product myself on the aircraft's third-ever passenger flight. OK92033) Property & Casualty Licenses, NerdWallet | 55 Hawthorne St. - 11th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, The Guide to Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy. The Airbus A330neo will be the first aircraft in Virgin Atlantic's fleet with a brand-new Upper Class seat, a refreshed social space, and The Retreat Suite - the most . Upgrades for infants not occupying a seat will be charged at: Economy to Premium - 1,000 points per flight Premium to Upper Class - 2,500 points per flight The airline's fleet consists of 10 Airbus A330-300, 11 Airbus A340-600, 12 Boeing 747-400 and seven Boeing 787-9 planes. Unbeknownst to me, Gate 22 was about a 15-minute trek away. Based on TPG's most recent valuations, those points were worth $103, not a bad return. If you want to try out some of the newest Premium seats that the airline has, then you'll have to be flying on very specific routes. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. The 787s (and A330s) represent a huge leap for us and our whole industry in improving our carbon footprint. And it's 4 more inches of legroom than what you'll find in Virgin Atlantic's extra-legroom Economy Delight seats. One of the airline's values is to become the "most loved travel company who delivers amazing things.". The best premium economy seats on the Virgin Atlantic A350-1000 are absolutely those in the first and last rows of the cabin in seats A,C or H,K - in pairs of two. West Coast to Europe w/ Virgin points-flying Delta metal-is no more, since Delta has virtually stopped making award seats available to Virgin for West Coast-based flights. Terms and conditions | You can watch our comparison of all three cabins on the Virgin A350 here. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. Its a luxury experience designed to make your journey extra special, from start to finish. Boarding took place via two entrances to the aircraft: one for Upper Class passengers and a rear door for Premium and economy passengers. Bookings made by credit card or debit card no longer incur a fee. 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. 9. Wearing face masks and using the hand sanitiser included in your health pack will help prevent the spread of Covid-19. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Virgin Atlantic was an early adopter of premium economy, having added the cabin in the early 1990s. The meals are designed for flavour and served on china. Though I didn't get to spend much time or indulge in the food, I'd definitely return on a future flight out of T3. Throughout the flight, crew kept the same positive attitude and smiles throughout their service a nice change from other, legacy carriers I've flown recently. And this flight was no different." For those unfamiliar, Virgin Atlantic offers premium economy (branded as Premium) on all its aircraft. I quickly noticed that there was no additional remote-control option, which likely helped to open up some storage space in the seat. Each of the bulkhead seats had the advantage of both a leg- and a footrest. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. This means that whether you're a window- or aisle-seat person, there's less chance of being disturbed or having to disturb when either person leaves their seat. Find the right card for you. On board, Virgin Atlantic offers high-quality food and drink options, starting with a glass of bubbly before departure and continuing with meals served on real dishes with metal cutlery. At the time Virgin was charging 30 per seat to reserve seating (this has changed somewhat with the new 3-tier Economy Product recently introduced) So we would be getting all the benefits of Premium economy for just 32.50 per flight. As you might expect with an iconic founder like Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic is built a bit differently from other airlines. 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). 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. For each of the seats in the cabin, the tray table ejected from underneath one of the armrests. For the month between delivery and its first commercial operation, the aircraft operated several test flights within the UK, mostly from Glasgow (GLA) to Glasgow, according to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24. Preferred seats are available at an extra charge, so if you'd really like to secure a seat towards the front of Economy or Premium, this is the way to go. Search for the latest prices and availability. The -200 offers a newer generation seat used by Singapore Air, while Virgin has its own comfy seat on the rest of its planes like the 787, A330 and A340. Serving up a restaurant experience in the sky. However, Virgin Atlantic doesnt offer leg rests in premium economy. Elsewhere in the terminal were Oneworld carriers like Qantas, American, Cathay, Japan Airlines and some British Airways flights. Plus Ups are excluded. The second reason is that the entire cabin is situated on and behind the wing, meaning that there's no real decent vantage spot anywhere in the cabin. 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. Though there are some flaws in the product, such as a narrower seat and poor headphones, I found the experience to be well worth the cost. Related reading: Virgin Atlantic reveals 5th A350 destination. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. The main difference is that these seats are newer than the Premium seats on all of Virgin's Airbus A330-300s and most Dreamliners. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. Learn more. At present, you can choose your seat for free from when you make your booking when flying Virgin Atlantic Premium. Tried ++ times to bk premium econ, quoted 721.00 went to pay told 1700.00 then 2930.00 pp round trip, tried at airport 295 !! Meanwhile, economy is laid out in a 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 configuration depending on the plane. Most airlines install no more than a couple dozen seats in their premium economy cabins. Though these are the closest to the front of the cabin, the seats are right next to one of the main galleys on the aircraft. Beat the lines, drop your bags at Premium check in. Read our detailed review of premium economy on Virgin Atlantic's 787-9 here and on the A350-1000 here! Additionally, the headrest was customizable, so you could move it up or down to your liking, as well as fold the side flaps for extra support. Flying is about to get even better - Virgin Atlantic has revealed its new Airbus A330neo, with a premium, personalised experience for every single customer. The Virgin Atlantic Airways Airbus A350-1000 is the flagship of the airline's fleet (July 2019). The minimum bid is linked to seat availability and how far out you choose to place one. On this count, Virgin Atlantic offers a more compelling product than British Airways. . See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats might be a tight fit width-wise on some aircraft. As a digital nomad for nearly five years, JT proves through experience that credit card rewards can drastically reduce the cost of travel. For example, the tray table and two drink spaces on the armrest were colored in a faux-granite design. Welcome to Virgin Atlantic. British Airways: No (for non-Silver and Gold customers) Norse Atlantic: No. 56 premium economy seats. The tray table also folded out from the left of the seat, and was a single large table that couldn't be folded over in half, or anything. I'm torn about this. Proud winner of the Skytrax "Worlds best Premium cabin" award. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. This kit contains the essentials: an eye mask, brush, pen, earplugs, toothbrush and toothpaste. If you need to stay connected with friends and family or simply can't miss your next deadline, our on board WiFi is available from 2.99. Given that moving up to this offering can be as little as 60 ($73), it gives a serious premium economy a serious run for its money. Reply. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Virgin Atlantic premium economy seats. However, I did use my Priority Pass membership, which comes as a benefit of my Platinum Card from American Express (enrollment required). Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Top picks: 20A, 20K or row 25. Virgin calls the kit the most sustainable in the skies, and it felt like it. It was a feature that the crew announced prior to takeoff. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. 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. You won't get priority security or lounge access in the airport. 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