Boston will be the launch destination for the new aircraft, which feature a revamped Upper Class cabin.
The new Upper Class Suites aboard the A330neo. (All photos courtesy of Virgin Atlantic)
Travelers booking transatlantic flights between London and the northeastern United States toward the end of the year should try out Virgin Atlantic’s upcoming Airbus A330neos. Customers flying in Upper Class can look forward to brand-new seats and a redesigned social space, while passengers across all cabins will enjoy a greater number of USB connections, Bluetooth-enabled entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Virgin Atlantic’s in-house design team worked closely with Factorydesign to develop the newest Upper Class products. Consisting of two exclusive suites at the front of the cabin, The Retreat Suite is the airline’s most spacious suite yet. Passengers can expect a two-meter-long seat that converts directly to a fully flat bed, plus a 27-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity and wireless charging. An ottoman doubles as an extra seat, meaning that up to four people can comfortably dine, chat, or play games in their own private social space.
The A330neo will also offer 30 new forward-facing Upper Class Suites. These come with more space and storage alongside a fully closing privacy door with a “do not disturb” feature. Other perks include passenger-controlled mood lighting, a 17.3-inch touchscreen TV, and even a mirror. In an evolution of design from the Airbus A350, Virgin Atlantic’s onboard social space in Upper Class, The Loft, now accommodates eight people and comes with four comfortable seats, allowing guests to sit and chat or enjoy refreshments from the new self-service fridge and drinks dispenser. Customers can also connect their Bluetooth headphones to the dual panoramic 27-inch touchscreens.
Virgin Atlantic’s upcoming A330neos will soon be introduced on the London–Boston route.
An overview of The Retreat Suites in Upper Class.
The Loft, the dedicated social space in Upper Class, will have a brand-new look.
Premium Class encompasses 46 seats on the A330neo. Virgin Atlantic’s signature burgundy Premium seats with a 38-inch pitch will be accompanied by calf rests, an in-seat wireless charging pad, and a 13.3-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth audio. Customers seated further back will experience what’s billed as the largest-ever economy screen at 13.3 inches, with Bluetooth audio to connect headphones and the ability to use their phone as a controller. There’s also plenty of storage, plus AC power and USB ports to keep gadgets charged. Travelers can choose between 28 Economy Delight seats, which offer an increased 34-inch seat pitch, or 156 Economy Classic seats, providing a 31-inch pitch.
The new A330neo is expected to fly to Boston on its inaugural passenger flight in early October, with tickets going on sale later this month. From September, the airline will take delivery of three new aircraft, with the remaining deliveries following between 2023 and 2026. As part of its commitment to “fly the cleanest, greenest fleet in the sky,” Virgin says the new A330-900 neo has been designed to be 11 percent more fuel and carbon efficient than the A330-300s they’re replacing, and will emit half the noise of its predecessors, reducing their impact on airport-adjacent areas.
Premium seats in the retrofitted Premium Class aboard the A330neo.
The new aircraft will also feature a new economy class with enhanced connectivity.
Virgin Atlantic’s next-generation A330neos will be put into service from October onward.
