Virgin Atlantic Economy: Everything to Expect On Board in 2025

Flying with Virgin Atlantic economy in 2025? I’ve got you covered with all the details you need to know before booking your next flight. With three different economy options available, it’s important to know what each one offers so you can choose the right one for your needs and budget.
Key Takeaways
- Economy Light, Classic, and Delight Options: Learn about the three different Virgin Atlantic economy cabin options and what each one includes for your journey.
- In-Flight Experience: Get details on the food, drinks, and entertainment you’ll enjoy during your Virgin Atlantic flight in 2025.
- Baggage Allowances: Find out exactly what you can bring onboard with different Virgin Atlantic economy tickets, from hand luggage to checked bags.
The Three Virgin Atlantic Economy Options
When booking a Virgin Atlantic flight in 2025, you’ll have three economy options to choose from. Each comes with different perks and price points to suit various travel needs. Let’s look at what each option includes.
Economy Light
Economy light is Virgin Atlantic’s most basic and affordable option. It’s perfect for travellers who want to keep costs down and don’t need much luggage.
What’s included with economy light Virgin Atlantic:
- Seat selection: Available for an additional cost
- Baggage allowance: 10kg hand baggage only
- No checked bag included
- Free in-flight entertainment
- Complimentary meals and drinks
- Standard seat with 31-inch seat pitch
The Virgin Atlantic economy light baggage allowance is limited to hand luggage only, so it’s best for short trips or light packers. If you need to bring more, you can pay an additional charge to add a checked bag.
Economy Classic
Virgin Atlantic economy classic offers a bit more flexibility and comfort than the Light option, with the addition of a checked bag included in your fare.
What’s included with economy classic Virgin Atlantic:
- Seat selection: Available during check-in
- Baggage allowance: 10kg hand baggage + 1 x 23kg checked bag
- Free in-flight entertainment
- Complimentary meals and drinks
- Standard seat at 31-inch seat pitch
- Free seat selection starting 24 hours before departure
This option is great for typical holiday trips where you need a reasonable amount of luggage without paying extra for it.
Economy Delight
Economy delight Virgin Atlantic is the premium economy option that offers extra comfort and perks.
What’s included with economy delight Virgin Atlantic:
- Premium seat selection from booking
- Extra legroom seat with 34-inch seat pitch
- Priority boarding
- Baggage allowance: 10kg hand baggage + 1 x 23kg checked bag
- Free in-flight entertainment
- Complimentary meals and drinks
- Premium check-in service
Book economy delight if you want a more comfortable journey with extra leg room and priority services. The economy delight seats offer about 3 inches more space than standard economy, which can make a big difference on longer flights.
Virgin Atlantic Economy Seats and Cabin
The economy cabin on Virgin Atlantic flights features comfortable seats arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration on most aircraft. In 2025, all economy seats include:
- Personal entertainment screen (10+ inches)
- USB charging port
- Adjustable headrest
- Tray table
- Seat pocket
The standard seat width is approximately 17.5 inches across all economy options, with the main difference being the seat pitch – the distance between your seat and the one in front.
- Economy Light and Classic: 31-inch seat pitch
- Economy Delight: 34-inch seat pitch (extra legroom)
For even more additional legroom, you can book an exit row seat for an additional cost if they’re available. These can give you several more inches of space.
Virgin Atlantic Food Menu Economy 2025
All Virgin Atlantic economy tickets include complimentary meals and drinks, regardless of whether you’ve booked light, classic, or delight.
Main Meals
For 2025, Virgin Atlantic has enhanced their food offerings in economy. A typical meal service includes:
- Choice of three main courses (usually a meat, fish, and vegetarian option)
- Side salad
- Bread roll and butter
- Dessert
- Complimentary drinks (including wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks)
On longer flights, you’ll receive two main meals – one after take-off and one before landing.
Mile High Tea
Virgin Atlantic is famous for its Mile High Tea service on afternoon flights, which includes:
- Selection of sandwiches
- Scone with jam and clotted cream
- Sweet treats
- Tea, coffee and other drinks
Snacks Between Meals
On longer flights, Virgin Atlantic provides drinks and snacks between main meal services. You can visit the galley area where the crew will have set up a self-service area with:
- Packaged snacks
- Fresh fruit
- Water and other soft drinks
You can also request drinks from the cabin crew anytime during the flight.
Entertainment and Amenities
The in-flight entertainment system on Virgin Atlantic economy offers hundreds of hours of content, including:
- New release films
- TV shows
- Music
- Games
All seats in economy come with:
- Personal entertainment screen
- Noise-cancelling headphones (provided for the flight)
- USB charging port for your devices
In 2025, Virgin Atlantic has improved their Wi-Fi service, which is available for an additional charge on all flights. Packages range from messaging-only to full streaming capabilities.
Virgin Atlantic Economy Baggage Allowance
Understanding the Virgin Atlantic economy baggage allowance is important when choosing your ticket type:
Hand Baggage Allowance
All economy tickets include:
- One main cabin bag (up to 10kg and maximum dimensions of 23 x 36 x 56cm)
- One personal item like a handbag or laptop bag (up to 5kg)
Checked Baggage Allowance
- Economy Light: No included checked baggage (can be added for a fee)
- Economy Classic: 1 x 23kg checked bag
- Economy Delight: 1 x 23kg checked bag
Additional bags can be added to any ticket type for an additional cost, and Flying Club members with status may receive increased allowances.
Overall
Virgin Atlantic economy in 2025 offers passengers three distinct options to suit different needs and budgets. Whether you choose economy light, classic, or delight, you’ll enjoy the Virgin Atlantic service that has made them popular with travellers.
The main differences between the three economy options come down to baggage allowance, seat selection, and extra legroom. All options include the same cabin service, meals, and entertainment.
For the best experience, consider your priorities: if you’re a light packer who wants the cheapest fare, economy light might be perfect. If you need checked luggage, economy classic makes sense. And if extra space and priority services matter to you, economy delight is worth the bit extra.
Remember that all Virgin Atlantic economy tickets earn Virgin points through the Flying Club loyalty program, which can help you access better perks on future travels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Virgin Atlantic economy light, classic and delight?
The main differences are in baggage allowance, seat selection, and legroom. Economy light has no checked bag and paid seat selection, economy classic includes one checked bag and seat selection at check-in, while economy delight adds extra legroom, priority boarding, and premium check-in.
Is food included in Virgin Atlantic economy?
Yes, all economy tickets include complimentary meals, snacks, and drinks (including alcoholic drinks) regardless of whether you’re flying economy light, classic, or delight.
Can I choose my seat in Virgin Atlantic economy?
It depends on your ticket type. With economy light, you can select a seat for an additional charge. With economy classic, you can select a seat for free 24 hours before departure. With economy delight, you can select an extra legroom seat at the time of booking at no additional cost.
How much extra legroom do you get with economy delight?
Economy delight seats offer 34 inches of seat pitch compared to 31 inches in economy light and classic. This gives you approximately 3 inches more legroom.
Can I upgrade from economy to premium or upper class?
Yes, you can upgrade using Virgin points, cash at the time of booking, or sometimes at check-in if space is available. All economy tickets are technically upgradeable to premium or upper class with Virgin points, though availability may be limited.
What entertainment is available in Virgin Atlantic economy?
All economy seats come with a personal entertainment screen offering hundreds of hours of content including the latest films, TV shows, music, and games. Headphones are provided for free.
Do I get Virgin points with economy tickets?
Yes, all Virgin Atlantic tickets earn Virgin points through the Flying Club loyalty program, though the amount varies by ticket type with economy delight earning more than light or classic.
What’s the baggage allowance for Virgin Atlantic economy?
Economy light includes only 10kg hand luggage with no checked bag, while both economy classic and economy delight include one 23kg checked bag plus 10kg hand luggage.