What Is It Like to Fly Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9 in Upper Class?

I had been away on a work trip in the English countryside for several days and was looking forward to a relaxing flight back home to Los Angeles in the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class cabin to end the week on a Friday afternoon.

However, I was given an unexpected deadline at the last minute, meaning I had to work on the plane. I needed consistent Wi-Fi, access to power for my seat, and a reasonably comfortable flight. Here’s how my experience in seat 1A of the 787-9 Dreamliner went during the nearly 11-hour trip.

Boarding and Cabin

At the moment, the Upper Class Wing at Heathrow is undergoing some renovations. The dedicated drop-off and check-in area was open, but the private security channel wasn’t. Instead, I went through Heathrow Fast Track security, which still provided a seamless and easy trip through security.

After that, I headed to the Virgin Clubhouse, my favorite airport lounge because of its food, amenities, and spaciousness. I used a QR code to order a vegetarian English breakfast to my table and then ate while I worked before heading to the gate.

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, London Heathrow / Photo: Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic

I found seat 1A, part of the cabin’s one-one-one herringbone-style configuration with direct aisle access. I had chosen this seat based on what I learned from my outbound flight.

Row A feels private as it faces the back of the following row. On the other hand, the second and third rows (G and K, respectively) face each other on the same aisle and therefore afford less privacy to travelers seated there. (Pro tip.)

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

The cabin had a cheerful and stylish overall look, with on-brand mood lighting and sleek surfaces in high-shine white and matte silver tones.

When I boarded, I first noticed what Virgin calls a “social space” — essentially a bar area with stool seating for travelers to gather during the flight for food, drink, and conversation. I wouldn’t be using this space as a solo traveler, but it’s certainly a cool feature for convivial gatherings and a luxury on a commercial aircraft.

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

The cabin crew offered welcome drinks, including orange juice, champagne, and a signature tequila cocktail. I chose orange juice since I had a day of work ahead of me in the air.

The Flight

We departed on time at 10:45 am local time and had a comfortable long-haul flight. There was an option to purchase work-friendly Wi-Fi for £14.99, which I found fair.

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

I signed up for it so I could stay productive, and I was relieved that the Wi-Fi signal was consistently strong throughout the flight. In fact, we arrived at LAX ahead of schedule.

Meal Service

During the flight, lunch was served after about an hour. I opted for the vegetarian meal, which consisted of roasted red pepper soup with mixed cress, followed by a rainbow banh mi rice salad bowl with warm teriyaki tofu.

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

For dessert, I chose the rhubarb upside-down cake. All the dishes were delicious and nicely presented but not overly fancy. I even took home the cute airplane-shaped salt and pepper shakers.

Later on, I became hungry, expecting a second meal service, but instead, I was offered a choice of small plates on demand. I went for the vegetable gyozas, which were tasty but not enough for a full meal. So, I ordered another plate of gyozas and some scones, which I received somewhat reluctantly.

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

I ordered a signature cocktail called the “Virgin Redhead” but found it too sweet, so I didn’t drink it. Instead, I had the 2022 Trajarinho Vinho Verde, which the flight attendant recommended, and it was quite tasty.

The Seat

I found my seat to be reasonably comfortable, with direct aisle access, a fully touch-screen entertainment unit, a USB port, and in-seat power. However, at 22 inches, the seat felt a bit narrow.

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

Here’s the part I didn’t love: The seat can recline from 17 to 42 degrees at the push of a button during the flight. But transforming it into a lie-flat bed requires manual effort involving standing up and flipping the seat over.

There is no in-between option for a slightly deeper recline, which I found inconvenient. However, the flight attendants were helpful and assisted in making the bed with a duvet.

Photo: Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

Although I spent most of the flight working, I did ask the flight attendant to make up the bed so I could take a reasonably comfortable hour-long nap in the lie-flat position.

Verdict

I had a good experience with my Virgin Atlantic Upper Class flight. I enjoyed the stylish atmosphere, relaxed vibe, and the cool bar area. However, I was less impressed with the seat’s recline function, as it wasn’t as seamless as other products I’ve tried.