Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9: The Complete Guide to Flying This Aircraft

Are you planning to fly on a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 soon? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about this impressive aircraft, from seat options to cabin features and what to expect during your flight.

Key Takeaways

• Upper Class Experience: The Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 offers a luxurious Upper Class experience with direct aisle access and seats that convert to fully flat beds.
• Economy Options: Choose between Economy Light, Economy Classic, and Economy Delight with extra legroom seats for more comfort.
• Premium Economy Value: Premium Economy provides a great middle ground with wider seats, enhanced meal service, and more personal space.

The Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 Fleet

Virgin Atlantic currently operates a fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners that serve many of their long-haul routes. These modern aircraft offer improved fuel efficiency and passenger comfort compared to older models.

The Boeing 787-9 is known for its passenger-friendly features like lower cabin pressure, higher humidity levels, and larger windows that help reduce jet lag and make your comfortable long haul flight more enjoyable.

According to Civil Aviation Authority UK, the Dreamliner’s environmental performance is significantly better than previous generation aircraft, producing fewer emissions while in flight.

Economy Class

The Economy cabin on the Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 makes up the majority of the aircraft with 198 seats arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration.

Economy Seating Options

Virgin Atlantic offers three types of Economy tickets, each with the same basic seat but different perks:

Economy Light is the most basic fare option. You’ll get the same seat as other Economy passengers but without checked baggage allowance. This is ideal for shorter trips where you can travel with just carry-on luggage.

Economy Classic includes the standard seat with 31 inches of pitch, seat selection, and one piece of checked baggage. This is the standard economy class option.

Economy Delight gives you the same seat but with 34 inches of pitch instead of 31, providing valuable extra leg room. You’ll also get priority boarding and an additional baggage allowance. For long flights, these extra legroom seats can make a significant difference to your comfort.

Best Economy Seats

If you’re flying Economy Delight, focus on rows 40-44 which feature the coveted extra legroom seats. Row 45 has specific extra legroom seat options that are particularly good for taller passengers.

For standard Economy Classic or Economy Light, the middle of the cabin (rows 47-50) typically offers the best balance of quiet and convenience. These seats are far enough from both galleys to reduce noise and traffic.

Avoid rows 53-54 as they’re positioned near lavatories and galleys, meaning more noise and disturbance throughout your whole flight. The last few rows also tend to feel more turbulence than the rest of the aircraft.

Seats in row 60 (the very last row) have limited recline, so are best avoided on long flights if possible. Middle seats (B, E, F) in any row are generally less desirable than aisle or window seats.

Economy Food and Drink

All Economy passengers receive complimentary meals and soft drinks throughout the flight. The meal service typically includes a main meal after take-off and a lighter meal before landing on long haul routes.

Special meals can be requested in advance, and there’s usually a good selection of complimentary alcoholic beverages with meals. Additional snacks and drinks are available for purchase between meal services.

The main course options usually include a meat, fish, and vegetarian choice. According to Which? Travel, Virgin Atlantic’s Economy food ranks above average compared to other airlines on similar routes.

Economy Amenities

Each Economy seat has a personal entertainment screen with the “Vera” system offering hundreds of hours of movies, TV shows, music, and games. The screens are responsive and high-definition, making viewing a pleasure even on long flights.

You’ll find a USB port for charging your devices and standard power outlets available in all rows. The tray table is a decent size for meals or laptops, and each seat has its own reading light.

An Economy amenity kit with basic essentials like socks, eye mask, earplugs, toothbrush, and toothpaste is provided on long haul flights. The Boeing 787 mood lighting system adjusts throughout the flight to help reduce jet lag.

Economy Service

The cabin crew on Virgin Atlantic is known for friendly and attentive service even in Economy. Flight attendants typically come through the cabin regularly with water and soft drinks on long flights.

Economy Delight passengers receive priority boarding, which can make the start of your journey smoother. All Economy passengers can use the entertainment system to order drinks and snacks between regular service rounds on some routes.

Premium Economy

Premium Economy offers a step up from Economy without the business class price tag of Upper Class.

Premium Economy Seating

This cabin features 35 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, immediately giving you more personal space than Economy. The reduced number of seats per row means there’s a better chance of having an empty seat next to you on less busy flights.

The seats are wider with additional seat width compared to Economy, and they offer more recline. Legroom is generous at 38 inches of pitch, and each seat has a comfortable headrest and footrest.

Best Premium Economy Seats

Row 21 (specifically 21A and 21K) offers the most extra legroom due to the exit row position. These seats are highly sought after and often the first to be selected.

Row 22 provides a good balance, being a reasonable distance from lavatories while still having good service access. The middle of the Premium Economy cabin typically offers the smoothest ride with the least turbulence.

Avoid Row 25, as these seats have limited recline due to the bulkhead behind them. This restriction can make sleeping much more difficult on long haul routes.

The centre seat (E) in each row might be less desirable for solo travellers but can work well for couples traveling together who book the centre pair. The 2-3-2 configuration means there are fewer middle seats than in Economy.

Premium Economy Food and Drink

Premium Economy passengers enjoy a welcome drink (usually champagne or orange juice) shortly after boarding. The meal service is enhanced with printed menus and higher-quality food options served on real China with metal cutlery.

The meal selection is more extensive than Economy, with three main course options typically available. A cheese course and better dessert options are also included. The wine selection is superior to Economy, with options you’d find in Upper Class sometimes available.

Pre-landing meals are more substantial than those in Economy, and snacks are available throughout the whole flight.

Premium Economy Amenities

Each seat comes with a premium amenity kit that, while not as extensive as the Upper Class version, contains comfort items for your journey including premium skincare products, socks, eye mask, earplugs, pen, and dental kit.

The entertainment screen is slightly larger than those in Economy, and noise-reducing headphones are provided. Each seat has its own power outlet and USB port in an easily accessible location.

The storage space around these seats is improved, with more room for personal items. The central console between seats provides additional space for drinks and small items.

Premium Economy Service

Dedicated cabin crew for this section ensures more attentive service throughout your journey. The higher crew-to-passenger ratio means more personalized attention than in Economy.

Premium Economy passengers enjoy priority check-in and boarding after Upper Class passengers. The baggage allowance is more generous than Economy Class, allowing you to pack more for your trip.

According to ABTA, the UK’s leading travel association, premium economy products like Virgin Atlantic’s represent one of the fastest-growing segments in air travel as passengers seek more comfort without business class prices.

Upper Class

The Upper Class cabin is Virgin Atlantic’s premium offering, equivalent to business class on other airlines.

Upper Class Seating

The cabin features 31 Upper Class seats arranged in a 1-1-1 herringbone configuration. Every seat has direct aisle access, which means you never have to climb over anyone to get out of your seat.

The seats face outward toward the windows, offering good privacy from other passengers. What makes these seats special is their ability to convert to fully flat beds approximately 33 inches wide. This makes sleeping much easier on long haul routes, especially when flying overnight.

The lie flat position is truly horizontal, unlike some other airlines that offer angled flat beds. Each seat has multiple storage compartments for your personal items, keeping essentials within easy reach during your flight.

Best Upper Class Seats

Seats 1A and 1K offer extra privacy as they’re at the front of the cabin, away from the busier bar area. They’re ideal if you want to sleep undisturbed for most of the outbound flight. However, they may experience more noise during takeoff and landing.

Seats 5A and 5K provide good window views while being a reasonable distance from the lavatories. These are great all-round choices for both day and night flights, offering a balance of privacy and service access.

The Row G seats in the center offer good privacy despite being in the middle section. Seat 7G in particular balances privacy with service access. These center seats don’t have windows but offer the most stable ride during turbulence.

Avoid seats 10A, 10K, and 11G as they’re closest to the bar area and may experience more noise from socializing passengers.

Upper Class Food and Drink

When flying Upper Class on a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787, your journey starts with welcome champagne or orange juice upon boarding. The full-service bar offers Virgin Atlantic’s signature cocktails and a range of other beverages.

The meal service features multi-course dining with restaurant-quality food prepared by professional chefs. You can choose when to dine with the “Dine When You Want” service, allowing flexibility to maximize sleep or work time.

The wine selection is premium, with multiple options of red, white, and sparkling wines. The bar remains open throughout the flight, and you can visit the bar area to socialize with other passengers or enjoy a change of scenery.

Upper Class Amenities

Each seat comes with noise-cancelling headphones and a luxurious amenity kit containing premium skincare products and other travel essentials. The entertainment screen is the largest offered on the aircraft, with an extensive selection of content.

Pyjamas are provided on night flights to enhance sleeping comfort when the seat is in bed mode. The mood lighting system gradually adjusts to help reduce jet lag, particularly useful on long haul flights.

The social space with its bar area is a standout feature not found on many other airlines flying similar routes. This space allows you to stretch your legs and socialize during long flights.

Upper Class Service

Perhaps most importantly, the direct aisle access for all passengers means you never have to disturb anyone when getting up, unlike some other airlines where window seat passengers must climb over their neighbours.

The dedicated cabin crew for Upper Class provides attentive, personalized service throughout your journey. The crew-to-passenger ratio is high, ensuring prompt attention to your needs.

Ground Experience

Before you even board, the Upper Class Wing at London Heathrow Airport provides a streamlined check-in experience that enhances your overall ground experience. This private entrance allows you to go from car to lounge in as little as 10 minutes.

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow is their flagship lounge and widely regarded as one of the best business class lounges in the world. It offers full-service dining with restaurant-quality food, complimentary spa treatments, and premium bar service.

According to Which? Travel, Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class consistently ranks among the top business class products for transatlantic travel.

Boeing 787-9 Special Features

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has special features that benefit all passengers regardless of cabin class:

Enhanced Cabin Environment

The aircraft maintains a lower cabin pressure equivalent to 6,000 feet altitude instead of the typical 8,000 feet on older planes. This higher pressure means your body absorbs more oxygen, reducing headaches and fatigue.

Higher humidity levels (around 10-15% versus 5-10% on conventional aircraft) help prevent the dry skin, dry eyes, and dehydration common on long haul flights.

The mood lighting system gradually changes throughout the flight to help reduce jet lag by gently preparing your body for the destination time zone.

Improved Design Elements

The windows are approximately 30% larger than on standard aircraft and feature electronic dimming instead of physical shades, giving every passenger better views regardless of seat location.

The advanced air filtration system completely refreshes cabin air every 2-3 minutes, maintaining a cleaner environment throughout your whole flight.

The generous overhead bins provide more storage space for carry-on luggage than older aircraft, reducing competition for space among passengers.

According to UK Civil Aviation Authority data, the newer Boeing 787 aircraft have shown improved passenger satisfaction scores across all metrics compared to older aircraft types.

Virgin Atlantic Lounges

If you’re flying Upper Class or hold elite status with Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club, you’ll have access to their exceptional lounges before your flight.

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow is their flagship lounge and widely regarded as one of the best airline lounges in the world. It offers:

• Full-service dining with restaurant-quality food
• Complimentary spa treatments (including haircuts and massages)
• Premium bar service with champagne and cocktails
• Shower facilities for freshening up before your flight
• Various relaxation areas for different moods
• Work spaces with high-speed Wi-Fi

The entire experience is designed to start your journey in style and makes arriving early for your flight a pleasure rather than a chore.

Other Clubhouse Locations

Other notable Clubhouses are located at major airports including:

• London Heathrow Airport Terminal 3
• New York JFK
• San Francisco
• Boston
• Johannesburg
• Washington DC

Partner Lounges

For airports where Virgin Atlantic doesn’t operate their own facilities, they partner with other premium lounges. If you have a Priority Pass membership, you may also have access to partner lounges at various airports in the Virgin Atlantic network.

LoungeBuddy rates the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow as one of the top ten airline lounges globally.

Overall

The Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 offers a solid flying experience across all cabin classes. The Upper Class cabin provides luxury with its fully flat beds and bar area, while Premium Economy offers good value for those looking for extra comfort without the business class price tag. Even in Economy Class, the extra leg room seats in Economy Delight provide a meaningful upgrade.

The modern features of the Boeing 787 aircraft, including better air quality, larger windows, and mood lighting, make for a more comfortable journey even on long haul routes. Virgin Atlantic’s service culture and amenities generally receive positive reviews, with the cabin crew often praised for their attentiveness.

Whether you’re using Virgin Points or paying cash, the Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 is worth considering for your next transatlantic or long-haul journey, especially for routes from London Heathrow to destinations like New York, San Francisco, or Seattle Tacoma International Airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many seats are there on a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9?

The Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 typically has 31 Upper Class seats, 35 Premium Economy seats, and 198 Economy seats (including Economy Delight with extra legroom).

What is the difference between Virgin Atlantic’s Economy Light, Classic and Delight?

Economy Light is the basic fare with the same seat as Classic but no checked baggage allowance. Economy Classic includes a checked bag and seat selection. Economy Delight offers all Classic benefits plus extra leg room seats with 34 inches of pitch and priority boarding.

Do all seats in Upper Class have direct aisle access?

Yes, all Upper Class seats on the Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 have direct aisle access due to the 1-1-1 herringbone configuration.

Is Premium Economy worth it on Virgin Atlantic?

Many passengers find Premium Economy worth the upgrade from Economy Class due to the wider seats, enhanced meal service, increased baggage allowance, and dedicated cabin crew.

What amenities do Upper Class passengers receive?

Upper Class passengers receive a luxury amenity kit, noise-cancelling headphones, welcome champagne, multi-course dining, and access to the bar area and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounges.

Can I use Virgin Points to upgrade my seat?

Yes, you can use Virgin Points to upgrade from Economy Class to Premium Economy or from Premium Economy to Upper Class, subject to availability.

How does Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class compare to British Airways Club World?

Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class offers a more social experience with the onboard bar, while British Airways Club World has a more private feel. Both offer fully flat beds, but Virgin Atlantic is generally rated higher for service and ground experience.

What’s the best way to book Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 flights?

Booking directly through Virgin Atlantic or using Virgin Points often provides the best value. Virgin Atlantic is also a transfer partner with several major credit card rewards programs.

Do all Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 aircraft have Wi-Fi?

Yes, all Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 aircraft are equipped with Wi-Fi, available for a fee during the flight.

What routes does Virgin Atlantic operate with the Boeing 787-9?

The Boeing 787-9 is used on many long-haul routes from London Heathrow to destinations including New York, Seattle Tacoma International Airport, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Delhi, and Johannesburg.