Review / We review Virgin Atlantic’s ‘Upper Class’ on its new A350 luxury jets – is Richard Branson flying high?
While Richard Branson’s quirky airline is a style icon, the seats in its business class had been starting to show their age before the revamp
Virgin Atlantic is a masterpiece in branding.
Richard Branson’s plucky airline, the centrepiece of his aviation and Virgin portfolio, is thought of outside the UK as a major player, a global behemoth taking travellers all around the world via London and in style.
Despite its small size, the airline has been strategic and nimble. It’s 49 per cent owned by Delta and is in a joint venture across the Atlantic with Delta and Air France-KLM, offering it an outsized footprint.
In its relatively young life, Virgin Atlantic has become an icon of style, quirk and luxury, from its luxurious business class lounges to its on-board bar, and its game-changing on-board style that’s set a new standard for long-haul luxury.
Virgin’s business class – it brands it as “Upper Class” – has been a top product for years, but the seats were beginning to show their age and starting to lag behind some competitors’ offerings. The cabin’s configuration was great for sleeping, but it was pretty much impossible to look out the window, and there was virtually no storage room near the seats.
Similarly, the premium economy – now called “Premium” – and economy cabins were due for a refreshed look.
Virgin recently took delivery of two brand new Airbus A350 aeroplanes, which made for a perfect opportunity to revamp its on-board offering.
Business Insider had a chance to tour one of the planes, and we were impressed by the stylish ride that’s already bringing passengers to and from London.
Take a look below for more on the cutting-edge new plane:
On the way to see the plane, we stopped in Virgin Atlantic’s JFK Clubhouse lounge …
