Virgin Atlantic unveils its new Upper Class Suite

After the very successful new British Airways business class, Virgin Altantic has just presented the replacement for its Upper Class, which will be installed on its future A350s.

The seat chosen is Safran’s Cirrus NG, the successor to the famous Cirrus found, for example, on Air France’s B777s. A “raw” product that has of course been adapted to the requirements of the airline.

It’s a 1-2-1 configuration, full access (everyone has direct access to the aisles) which turns into a real flat bed at night.

The product is called “Upper Class Suite” to be in the fashion of the moment but I find it usurped and even at the limit of false advertising: since the QSuite of Qatar, Delta’s OneSuite, and the British Airways Club Suite we know thatit is possible to make suites closed by a door in business class and that it is no longer the prerogative of the first classes. I think that from now on the term suite should be reserved for fully enclosed spaces.

The Upper Class Suite also has a “Loft”. It is neither more nor less thana “social” space where 8 people can meet and it is the improved version of the Bar of the previous cabin with the notable improvement that passengers can sit on a sofa.

This is a very successful product. Then it will be necessary to see with the use and with more photos than that of the press releases. Compared to British Airways the seat is less wide (20″ vs. 21) but the bed is longer (82 ft vs. 78) and the screen is an 18.5″ in both cases. The disappointment undeniably comes from the fact that Virgin did not go so far as to install a sliding door.

This cabin will be found on the A350s that Virgin Atlantic will receive but does not plan to retrofit its old aircraft for the moment.

Virgin Atlantic has also unveiled the economy and premium economy cabins that will equip its A350s.

First, the economy cabin.

The seat is 17.4 inches wide, the pitch varies from 31 to 34 inches, the adjustable headrest has 6 positions and the screen is 11.5 inches.

The product looks very nice but we can’t help but compare it with the recently unveiled Qatar Airways economy class.

Qatar does not do as well on the pitch (30″) but offers a 13.3″ 4K screen and two tablets. Between the two there will be a match.

A look at the premium eco now.

This is really premium. No figures given for the pitch but it looks comfortable. As for the screens, they are 13″.

In short, a very promising product that we are waiting to see “in real life”. I remind you that from now on you can fly on Virgin Atlantic under Air France flight number…I still regret that Virgin did not give as much information and pictures as British Airways or Qatar Airways.