Virgin Atlantic built its brand on theater and charm, and nowhere is that more evident than in Upper Class on the Airbus A350. The airline’s flagship cabin bundles style, social spaces, and a layout that fixes the awkwardness of older seats. After several flights in the A350-1000 across both day and overnight sectors, here is a detailed look at how Virgin Atlantic business class stacks up today, what works brilliantly, and where it still trails rivals.
Booking, fares, and how to get value
Virgin Atlantic has never had a true first class. The top cabin is Upper Class, so when people speak about Virgin Atlantic first class, they usually mean this. Pricing swings widely. On New York, Boston, and Washington routes, roundtrip fares in business often range from 2,000 to 4,500 dollars in sales, and comfortably past 6,000 dollars during peaks. West Coast flights such as Los Angeles and San Francisco command a premium. Caribbean and India routes sit in the middle, with softer shoulder seasons.
Points redemptions are competitive if you can find seats. Via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, off-peak Upper Class between the East Coast and London typically runs about 47,500 to 67,500 miles one way plus moderate surcharges. Availability improves 14 to 21 days out, then again within 72 hours of departure, especially on flights with two daily frequencies. Partner currencies like American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One, and Citi ThankYou transfer to Flying Club, often with a 20 to 30 percent bonus at least once a year. Those promos can bring the effective cost into solid-value territory. If you are sitting on Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles, compare both programs, but surcharges are usually friendlier through Virgin itself.
One note on equipment: not all Virgin Atlantic business class flights use the A350 Upper Class Suite. The Boeing 787 and A330neo carry different seat types, and the older A330-200s have been retired. If your heart is set on the A350, look for the -1000 on your flight number or confirm the seat map with 1-2-1 herringbone suites in rows A, D, G, K. Virgin occasionally swaps aircraft, though the A350 now anchors many flagship routes such as JFK, LAX, and select South Africa sectors in winter.
Ground experience and clubhouses
Virgin’s lounges are called Clubhouses. London Heathrow Terminal 3 remains the crown jewel, and it still sets the tone. The space combines a proper restaurant with waiter service, a cocktail bar that actually understands balance, a spa treatment room when staffing allows, and an easy flow that never feels like a holding pen. On a recent 7 p.m. departure to New York, the dining room handled a mixed wave of business travelers and leisure couples without rush. The cheeseburger is famous and still worth ordering, but the seasonal mains show better range. A grilled seabass with fennel and preserved lemon cut through jet lag more gracefully than red meat and fries.
Secondary Clubhouses vary. New York-JFK’s lounge has charm, privacy booths, and a bar that pours a proper martini, but it can pack out in the pre-evening bank. Boston and Washington are smaller yet still feel like Virgin. In airports without a Clubhouse, Virgin contracts out to partner lounges, where the experience becomes generic. If lounge time matters to you, route via Heathrow and JFK when possible.
Security and check-in are efficient. Upper Class passengers have dedicated check-in desks and Fast Track. At Heathrow, the experience is polished from curb to lounge in under 15 minutes if the airport is behaving. Baggage priority generally works on arrival at Heathrow and JFK, less so in some outstations.
Boarding and first impressions of the A350 cabin
Virgin boards Upper Class from a separate lane. The A350 Upper Class cabin spans two sections. The forward cabin feels quieter and more private. The mini-cabin behind the second door can be cozy when lightly booked, but it sits closer to the social space and galley traffic. Lighting leans toward Virgin’s theatrical mood, with purples and soft whites that flatter surfaces without veering into nightclub territory.
The first impression of the Upper Class Suite is that Virgin finally has a modern, competitive product. The seat uses a reverse herringbone layout, each suite angled toward the window and shielded by a privacy door. Unlike early closes-hinged doors on other airlines, Virgin’s door is about shoulder height when seated. It hides you from the aisle without feeling like a cage. On the earlier A330 and 787, the lack of direct aisle access was the big complaint. The A350 fixes this and adds a proper storage bin, a large side shelf, and power points where your laptop plug will not whack your knee.
The seat, storage, and sleeping
Measuring the seat tells two stories. The stated bed length is about 82 inches in total when the ottoman and backrest meet, which is fine on paper, but the toe box narrows in the last few inches. If you are 6-foot-2 or taller and like to sleep on your back with toes pointed up, you will brush the top. Side sleepers fare better. I had two overnights to New York in the same month. On the first run, I asked for a second pillow to fill the gap between shoulder and headboard, and I slept five hours straight. On the second, turbulence meant more tossing, and I noticed the footwell constraint more. Minor angle adjustments help, but a slightly diagonally cocked position worked best.
Seat controls are intuitive. Virgin uses a single dial and a touchscreen panel that does not lag. The lumbar support is gentle, and the leg rest rises smoothly. The armrest on the aisle side drops when you sleep and raises to become a barrier in taxi and takeoff. The materials are tactile, with stitched leather on touch points and durable plastic where wear accumulates.
Storage is practical rather than voluminous. There is a closable cabinet above the side table that holds a phone, passport, and amenity kit. A shallow tray runs the length of the console, good for a water bottle and headphones. The literature pocket fits a slim laptop, though I prefer stowing mine in the overhead to keep the area clean for dining. A universal power socket sits next to USB-A and USB-C. The position avoids the spaghetti tangle that plagues some seats. Wireless charging has started to appear on newer refits, though it is not fleetwide yet.
Noise levels are where the A350 shines. The cabin is simply quieter than older twinjets. With the door closed, ambient sound drops further, which helps on daytime flights when sleep is unlikely but rest is welcome.
The social spaces: The Loft and its place in the flight
Virgin trades on sociability. On the A350, the old bar becomes The Loft, a lounge-like bench with seatbelts, a screen, and room for six to eight people to perch. On a recent flight to Los Angeles, it turned into a tasting corner, with crew pouring a small-format Negroni and a conversation about California Pinot. Another time, it sat empty for hours, then filled briefly with two friends who wanted to chat without disturbing neighbors.
The Loft is a nice-to-have rather than a must. If you are traveling as a couple, it gives you a place to stretch and change scenery. If you value quiet, sit forward and ignore it. Compared with the earlier onboard bars, The Loft feels more grown-up and more comfortable during turbulence, since everyone is belted. It does not replace a proper communal dining area, but it adds character that some sterile business cabins lack.
Dining and drinks: thoughtful curation, occasional misses
Virgin has always known how to present a menu with a wink, but the substance has improved. Service starts with a welcome drink, often a glass of English sparkling wine or champagne. The airline rotates houses, with a preference for English fizz on at least one option. If you care about wine, the list skews modern and approachable, usually one decent Old World red, a New World crowd-pleaser, and a lighter white. On three recent flights, the best pour was an English sparkling brut that cut nicely through the first course. The least compelling? A too-warm Malbec that needed ten minutes on ice to come around.
Meals follow a flexible cadence. On daytime flights, the first service lands about 45 to 60 minutes after takeoff. The bread service is better than average, with sourdough that actually has a crust. Starters might include a beetroot and goat cheese salad or a seared tuna with sesame and soy. Mains lean classic: a braised short rib with creamy polenta, a chicken dish with seasonal vegetables, or a vegetarian option like a squash risotto. Portions fit the flight length. Nothing reads as a tasting menu, and that is fine. On the red-eye back from the East Coast, a lighter supper with a smart salad and a warm main helps sleep.
The signature touches still show up. A Mile High afternoon tea makes an appearance https://soulfultravelguy.com/article/virgin-atlantic-upper-class-review-herringbone on many flights, with finger sandwiches, scones, and jam. It is a nostalgic, slightly whimsical break on long day sectors, especially heading east when you need to fend off time zone drift. Snacks are available from the galley or on request: crisps, chocolates, and a hot midflight item on longer routes.
Consistency matters more than novelty at altitude. Over a half-dozen A350 flights, I experienced one miss, a dry chicken breast that had lingered a touch too long in the oven. Everything else ranged from competent to unexpectedly good, particularly the vegetarian options, which feel considered rather than afterthoughts. The espresso machine turns out a credible cappuccino. For tea drinkers, the water temperature is high enough to do proper black tea justice, not always a given onboard.
Bedding, amenities, and the little details
Virgin’s bedding is a strong suit. The duvet has weight without becoming stifling. The mattress topper smooths out the seat gaps, though it is thinner than the plush pads on some Asian carriers. The pillow is on the smaller side, so ask for a second if you like more loft. Pajamas are not standard on every route, but they appear on many over eight hours, and they wash well at home.
The amenity kit, produced in partnership with sustainable suppliers, includes a bamboo toothbrush, Ren or similar skincare miniatures, socks, and an eye mask that actually blocks light. The bag itself has a zip and holds together after multiple trips, which is more than can be said for paper pouches still popping up on some airlines.
Lavatories are well-kept. The A350 lav near the galley has space to change without feeling cramped. Touchless taps work, and the motion sensor lights do not blind you at 3 a.m.
Entertainment and connectivity
The inflight entertainment system is crisp and quick. The screen measures 18 to 18.5 inches depending on the row and hinges slightly for angle adjustment. Virgin’s catalog carries the usual new releases plus a decent back catalog, and the music selection still has a sense of humor. A short playlist of British indie classics sits next to mainstream pop. Noise-canceling headphones are provided, adequate for most, though frequent travelers will prefer their own.
Wi-Fi has improved materially on the A350. Pricing varies by route, but expect options for messaging, hourly passes, and a full-flight plan. Speeds fluctuate from usable for email and chat to good enough for low-resolution video calls when the network is quiet. On a midweek daytime crossing, I held a 20-minute audio call without dropouts. On a Friday overnight sector, the network slowed as everyone tried to sync files before sleeping. If staying connected is mission-critical, buy early in the flight and test your needs before committing to a full pass.
One thoughtful detail: the screen can be controlled both via touchscreen and a small remote docked under the side table. When reclined or in bed mode, reaching the screen is a stretch, so the remote earns its keep.
Service style and the human element
Virgin Atlantic’s personality comes from its crew. The tone tends to be friendly, a bit cheeky, and efficient when the cabin is full. On a full A350 to Los Angeles, the purser led a tight service with three passes before lights down, never rushed, never slow. A New York overnight had a lighter load, and the crew went off-menu with a gin and tonic flight for a trio of passengers at The Loft. In both cases, the service read as human, not scripted.
Where the airline differentiates is in flexibility. If you want to dine quickly and sleep, say so at boarding, and they will stage the courses to hit that goal. If you prefer to nibble at the bar and push your main later, that works too. Compared with some carriers that insist on meal windows, Virgin’s willingness to meet you where you are adds real value.
The flip side is that the experience can depend heavily on the crew. I have had one flight where the charm felt tired, the smiles a bit thin. Even then, the basics were delivered well. On balance, Virgin’s hit rate remains high, and it suits travelers who want a dash of personality without sacrificing professionalism.
Seat selection and the best places to sit
Not every seat in Upper Class is equal. The forward cabin feels calmer, and seats away from the galleys enjoy less foot traffic. The first row has more knee room in bed mode for some travelers, but your screen sits on a bulkhead and the bassinet position can bring noise if an infant boards. Window seats on the right side, K seats, see less cart traffic in some service patterns. Couples often take D and G in the center for easy conversation, though the suite walls mean you will still lean forward to chat.
If you are sensitive to galley noise or light, avoid the last two rows near The Loft. If you want quick access to the social space, that same area becomes a plus. The door adds privacy, and with it closed, the aisle becomes less relevant. That said, those who dislike any ambient hum will prefer the forward third of the cabin.
How Upper Class compares to peers
It helps to place Virgin Atlantic upper class against direct competitors. British Airways’ newest Club Suite narrows the gap. BA’s door is taller, and the seat geometry provides a slightly larger footwell. BA wins on hard product consistency on aircraft that have the new seat, but Virgin’s service style, lounge, and food nudge it ahead on soft product, especially out of Heathrow’s Clubhouse compared with BA’s Galleries lounges. The catch is that BA has a deeper global network and more frequency.
Versus Delta One Suites, Virgin trades blows. Delta’s suite is more private, with a higher door and a marginally more spacious ottoman. Virgin’s Loft and the Clubhouse experience make the journey feel more social and interesting. If you value quiet cocooning above all else, Delta wins. If you want some verve and a better ground experience in London, Virgin edges it.
Against United Polaris, Virgin’s A350 seat feels newer and tidier, though United offers excellent bedding and credible lounges at their hubs. Air France’s latest business class on the 777 and A350 tops almost everyone on aesthetics and dining, but award space is tougher, and the ground experience in Paris swings from wonderful to chaotic depending on the day.
The headline is simple: the Upper Class Suite on the A350 is firmly competitive at the top end of business class. It is not the single best seat in every dimension, yet when you add the Clubhouse, the crew, and The Loft, the overall trip feels distinct.
Strengths, weaknesses, and who should choose it
Virgin airlines upper class plays to people who care as much about the journey as the destination. If you value lounges with personality, meals that avoid blandness, and a cabin that invites you to leave your seat once or twice, you will appreciate the product. If your priority is maximum privacy with minimal human contact, a higher-walled suite on a different carrier might better suit you.
These quick pointers may help set expectations:
- Best for travelers who want a balanced experience: solid seat, enjoyable food and drink, and standout lounges. Less ideal for very tall back sleepers who need a wide toe box. Great for couples or friends who will use The Loft to stretch and chat. Good Wi-Fi and power for business travelers who need to stay productive. Award space is findable with some flexibility, especially close-in.
Practical tips drawn from repeat flights
Seat choice matters. In the forward cabin, aim for rows that are one or two back from the galley for a calmer ride. Ask for a mattress topper and a second pillow right after boarding, so the crew can set up your bed when you are ready. If you are sensitive to footwell tightness, loosen your shoes and angle your legs slightly toward the window.
Use the Clubhouse for a proper meal if you want maximum sleep on an overnight. Eat, shower, and board ready to rest. Tell the crew you want a quick tray service, and they will pace it accordingly. If you enjoy wine, ask what the crew is excited about that month. They often have a point of view, and you may discover a producer you would not have tried.
If you are chasing points efficiency, watch for Flying Club transfer bonuses and be flexible on dates and gateways. Consider flying out of a secondary East Coast city if availability opens there, then connect domestically. Fuel surcharges add up, but if you redeem during a transfer bonus, the value equation still checks out.
A different kind of business class
Virgin Atlantic business class on the A350 feels like the airline finding its modern voice. The Upper Class Suite introduces the privacy and function Virgin needed, and the rest of the experience builds on the brand’s strengths. The Clubhouse remains one of the few lounges where I would genuinely choose to eat a full meal. The Loft gives the cabin a focal point. The crew deliver service with personality, not theater for its own sake.
Is it perfect? Not quite. The footwell can be snug, some secondary lounges are just fine rather than special, and onboard Wi-Fi still swings a bit with demand. But the whole journey adds up to something memorable, the sort of flight where you step off feeling looked after rather than processed. If you are deciding between carriers across the Atlantic and the A350 Upper Class Suite is available, it is an easy recommendation.
A final word on the naming confusion. There is no separate Virgin Atlantic first class. Upper Class is the top cabin, sometimes called virgin atlantic upper class, upper class in Virgin Atlantic, or simply Virgin Upper Class. The A350 suite is the most compelling iteration of that idea to date. For many travelers, that is all the first class they need.