On the Ground: Virgin Atlantic delivers an exceptional ground experience. Business-class passengers may receive limousine service to Heathrow, and as you near the airport the driver contacts the private check-in desk so your boarding pass and luggage tags are ready. You arrive at a private unloading area where staff greet you, take your bags and complete check-in indoors. From there you proceed through Virgin’s private security and into the terminal. One frustrating moment on my flight was a request for volunteers to downgrade to premium economy in exchange for an economy round-trip ticket because the flight was oversold; I found that unacceptable and declined. That kind of offer feels inconsistent with the expectations of a business-class fare.
The Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow is a genuine advantage. A hostess greeted us and explained the Virgin experience, including the frequent-flyer benefits. The Clubhouse deli is a welcome feature: in addition to cured meats and cheeses, they served three varieties of smoked salmon—beet-infused, dill and pepper—which were excellent. Small touches such as large glass jars of candy, a pool table and a library area create a relaxed atmosphere. I also took advantage of a salon haircut, one of the complimentary treatments available as part of the business-class offering.
Pre-Flight: Do not wait for the Clubhouse announcement to board; it’s smart to be among the first to board if you want overhead space. Virgin’s current business-class cabin redesign removed the central overhead bins and reduced the size of the remaining bins. Slightly overpacked rollaboards can struggle to fit, and the bins are often used to store duvets and bedding, which makes access inconvenient during the flight. The new layout squeezes in an additional center row and narrows the seats; the two aisles are tighter, so passengers with full carry-on luggage must maneuver carefully.
The crew was friendly and attentive, offering newspapers and pre-departure drinks like Champagne and orange juice. Before long we were en route to Newark.
In Flight: The menu offered sensible choices—beef, chicken and a vegetarian option—followed by a classic English sticky toffee pudding for dessert and a cheese selection. The onboard bar went largely unused and serves mainly as a snack station in practice. I watched a movie but found working onboard difficult: there’s limited room to use a laptop, and personal items must be stowed in overhead bins or lockers, which means frequent trips up and down the aisle to retrieve things.
Another drawback was the small number of lavatories allocated to the business cabin—only two—which created long lines at busy times. The open-cabin aesthetic and reduced storage may look modern, but they reintroduce the same storage challenges common in economy class. On arrival a flight attendant forgot to retrieve my companion’s coat, which added unnecessary hassle while we waited for rollaboards to be taken down from lockers.
The Experience: The current Virgin Atlantic business-class product contrasts sharply with my previous experience years ago, when seats were larger and more comfortable. Taller passengers—those over six feet—may find the new seats cramped. Service remained personable and the onboard amenities are still thoughtful, but the trend toward fitting more seats and reducing bathrooms and storage feels like a step back rather than an improvement.
GT Checklist
- Less than 10 minutes for check-in
- Friendly and helpful agents
- Priority tagged bags
- Airport lounge
- Complimentary in-lounge food
- Priority boarding
- Helpful and courteous flight attendants
- Pre-flight beverage service
- Pre-flight newspapers and magazines
- Extensive on-demand menu
- Self-serve in-flight pantry
- Amenity kits
- Slippers
- Lie-flat seat/bed
- Mattress and comforter
- In-flight menu with three entrée choices
- Top-shelf wines and liquors