- Mr Plane Guy
- Apr 21, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 16
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Flight Review 787 Dreamliner London to LA
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Tempted by Premium or Upper Class?
Here’s my full trip report flying Virgin Atlantic Upper Class on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from London to LA. As a former Virgin crew member, this one was personal, part nostalgia, part curiosity, and a proper test to see if Virgin’s flagship cabin still delivers that signature sparkle at 35,000 feet.
London Heathrow to Los Angles LHR-LAX
Flight Number: VS0023
Route: LHR-LAX
Aircraft registration: GV-NEW Birthday Girl
Aircraft typer: 787-900
SOBT (Scheduled off blocks time):10:15
Flight time: 10:50
Once upon a time, I was a jet-setting flight attendant with Virgin Atlantic, I can't help but have a soft spot for the airline. Virgin also shines bright as a customer's best friend, constantly sprucing up their services to keep up with the latest trends. I remember the endless conveyer belt of service training over the 12 years with Virgin Atlantic.
But wait, have they gone a tad overboard? Juggling various seat options has left them with a mix match of onboard products...a business class pick n mix!
a roulette of aircraft seats and products.
Let's take a look at the time I flew as a passenger onboard Virgin Atlantic's 787 in their current and older style Upper Class suite from London Heathrow to Los Angles.
What's Included with Virgin 787 Upper Class
Fully flat beds
Extra large leather seat
Select Upper Class seat anytime
2 pieces 16kg max hand luggage
2 x 32kg checked bag
Priority baggage delivery
Upgradeable with Virgin Points
Extra legroom seat
Virgin Atlantic also offer Pyjamas on all of their night time sectors, the red eye flights, usually the ones leaving the USA to the UK and London Heathrow.
Are you totally lost or a beginner with Flying Club Virgin Red? Take a look at this blog post: Guide to Virgin Red: How to Earn and Spend Virgin Points Like a Pro
Virgin Atlantic credit card Offer
If you want fast-track access to upgrades, the Virgin Atlantic Credit Cards are offering up to 18,000 bonus points right now and spending £10,000 a year gets you an upgrade or companion ticket. Use my referral link for 5000 extra points. Check if your eligible here
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by the way you only need from 6000 to fly from London to New York, or from 29000 in Upper Class! I last flew for 10500 Virgin Red points in Premium Economy, you can read all about it here.
Important: This isn’t financial advice. Credit cards are subject to status, terms and conditions, and affordability checks. Please consider your own financial situation before applying.
Virgin 787 Upper Class Pre Flight Experience
Security at London Heathrow airport was a breeze using Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class private wing, and in no time, I found myself 'winging' my way to Virgin Atlantic's fancy hangout clubhouse at Heathrow Terminal Three.
Virgin Atlantic's Airport lounge Heathrow Terminal three has such a good reputation and is loved by Virgin Atlantics passengers, offering a variety of amenities for a top-notch pre-flight experience.
With a deli counter, cocktails, smaller bite options, an outside terrace, a game of pool, places to work, be social, even a quick Peloton spin bike! They all make this place one of the best airport lounges in the business!
Although some extravagant features have been phased out such as spa treatments, free haircuts, jacuzzi, ski simulators, mini golf, train sets delivering snacks, shoe shining..... the list goes on!
LA Clubhouse News: The Virgin Clubhouse Is No Longer Just for Virgin Atlantic Business Class, Thanks to Priority Pass LAX
So the pre flight experience was flawless as it has been well designed and is always being updated and tweaked by Virgin Atlantic. No delays here and off I went.......
Once I was in the air, I kicked back with a drink and some tasty bar snacks,
then a friendly crew member took a meal order.
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Plane Tip: Don’t forget the little comforts. I never board without my noise-cancelling earbuds and travel adapter with USB-C ports both from Amazon, both worth every penny on long-haul flights. You should also get a airplane bluetooth adaptor, now you could pair your headsets on Virgin Atlantics 787, but it may not be possible on lots of other aircraft so its worth having!
Virgin 787 Upper Class Onboard Catering Menu's are refreshed every 3 months at Virgin Atlantic to reflect the seasons.
Due to waste and costs, it's usually catered to the amount of passengers, so for example 33 passengers so 33 upper class meals, in that 33 meal split is a mixture of the three entree's available! Three different starters, etc and the math doesn't math here, with numerous passengers told they need to choose an alternative.
As a former cabin crew member, managing this was quite a challenge. We prioritised gold card holders, then silver card holders, before attending to other passengers if we couldn't meet your meal choice.
After it is all eventually sorted, brace yourself for a parade of exquisite wines, a delightful dessert spread, and even a cheese trolley coming by for your indulgence, perfectly paired with a glass of rich port. Cheers to luxury in the skies!
Plane curious? Read my Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy A350 Review a closer look at one of the UK’s most loved (and debated) cabins.
Lite Bites were offered around 2 hours before landing (think like mini sliders, afternoon tea options) I skipped this as I was making room for an 'In and Out burger' in LA on arrival OBVS.
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Exclusive Offer: I was kindly given a 30% off LINK for a Priority Pass, to share with you.
Lounge Access Before You Fly
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Includes food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and comfy seats far from the gate chaos
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Virgin Atlantic 787 Upper Class Seat
This Virgin 787 Upper Class features the herringbone style layout, where seats are positioned away from the windows. First introduced on Virgin aircraft in 2002, these seats are now considered somewhat outdated compared to competitors like Qatar and the Q Suite.
Virgin Atlantic currently has no immediate plans to update these seats, so passengers can expect to encounter this configuration when flying on a 787 aircraft.
So after the meal it was time to sleep for a few hours and to convert this seat to a bed you have to jump out and press a button to watch the seat flip over and convert to lie flat mode.
Virgin Atlantic Seat Product inconsistencies
You can also saunter to the swanky bar onboard the 787 aircraft in Upper Class, a perk sadly missing on the newer Virgin Atlantic planes like the A330 Neo and A350, sporting fancy new cabins and seats. It's amusing to spot the subtle changes in business class seats on these new planes, causing a bit of a mix-up in Virgin Atlantic's business class experience.
The onboard bar and seats facing each other on the Virgin 787 Upper Class definitely set a more social tone. I see many passengers enjoying the bar area, having drinks, and sharing laughs. It's intriguing how Virgin Atlantic has transitioned to no onboard bar, opting for a social space on newer planes instead. The onboard bar was a distinctive feature for Virgin and quite British.
If you’re collecting Virgin Points or planning to upgrade your next flight, read my full guide:👉 Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy: How to Earn and Redeem Points Like a Pro
Should Virgin keep having bars onboard?
Should Virgin Atlantis keep Bars onboard its newer planes?
Yes
Ugh gosh No!
Ten hours later, I found myself at the bustling LAX airport, feeling rejuvenated and pampered after the journey.
Virgin Atlantic holds a special place in my heart, and you know what? They truly value their customers!
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class 787 Dreamliner Flight Review The Verdict
Virgin Atlantic offers one of the finest transatlantic business class services. While the 787 seat may be slightly outdated with limited privacy and the food quality varies, the overall experience, especially in the lounge, leaves a lasting impression with its wow factor!
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Virgin Atlantic Upper Class & The New LAX Clubhouse, Flying in Style
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Before you book your next Virgin Atlantic flight, check out my Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy A350 Review
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Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Virgin Atlantic Upper Class 787 Dreamliner Flight Review, do let me know in the comments if you have any questions........
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Virgin Atlantic Upper Class 787 Dreamliner Flight Review, do let me know in the comments........
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