THE BRIEF
Virgin ordered 16 A330neo-900 aircraft back in 2019. Always with an eye to the future, they decided that the interior would be a step up. Upper class, that is, in Virgin Airlines’ lingo. The new aircraft should be flying in October 2022.
There will be 30 seats in the Upper Class(business class) with a 1-2-1 arrangement. The seats are customized for Virgin by VANTAGE XL. They will feature mood lighting, 17.3″ touchscreen TVs, mirrors, Bluetooth and wireless charging. Each seat features a privacy door with Do Not Disturb Mode for added seclusion when working or relaxing. Nice!
Virgin is introducing something called the Retreat Suite. These are two premier suites at the front center of the cabin and will feature 6’7″ fully flat beds, 27″ touchscreen TVs with Bluetooth and wireless charging as well. This exclusive section will, of course, sell for slightly more than Upper-Class seating.
Back by the second set of exit doors is something Virgin calls the Loft and is meant to be a social space. Up to eight people can gather here and enjoy a self-serve fridge plus a drinks dispenser. They can use Bluetooth headphones to connect to the dual panoramic 27″ touchscreens or use wireless charging here.
Seat dimensions
| Economy Light and Classic | Economy Delight | Premium | Upper Class | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width of seat | 17.9 inches | 17.9 inches | 18.5 inches | Up to 22 inches |
| Screen size | 13.3-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth audio | 13.3-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth audio | 13.3-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth audio | 17.3-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth audio |
| Seat pitch | Up to 31 inches | Up to 34 inches | Up to 38 inches | Fully flat bed, up to 6 feet 7 inches |
The Premium Economy section has 46 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. The seats have 38″ of pitch and feature 13.3″ touchscreens with Bluetooth audio and in-seat wireless charging ports.
The Economy section has 184 economy seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. There are 28 extra legroom seats with 34″ of pitch and standard seats with 31″ of pitch. Passengers can enjoy 13.3″ personal televisions, Bluetooth audio and AC and USB power ports.
THE DEBRIEF
This new aircraft in Virgin’s fleet should be a crowd-pleaser on those long-haul flights across the pond. The Upper-Class section looks like a real treat with very comfortable seats in a private section. I also like the Loft concept of a social area to stretch your legs and mingle. It reminds me of the stand-up bar that EMIRATES has. I look forward to boarding one of these someday soon.
