Virgin Classes of Travel: A Guide to All Options in 2025
Flying with Virgin Atlantic can feel like a treat compared to some other airlines. Over the years, I’ve tried all their different cabin classes and thought it would be helpful to share what you can expect from each virgin classes of travel option.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the different travel classes available on Virgin Atlantic airlines in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Virgin Atlantic Classes Overview: Learn about all four cabin classes offered by Virgin Atlantic: Economy Light, Classic, Delight, Premium, and Upper Class.
- Value for Money Comparison: Find out which virgin classes of travel offer the best balance of comfort and cost for different types of trips.
- Booking Tips: Get practical advice on how to secure the best seats and potential upgrades using Virgin points or other methods.
What Are The Different Virgin Classes of Travel?
Virgin Atlantic currently offers several different cabin classes on their flights. Each class comes with its own perks, seat options, and price tags. Before booking your next trip with Virgin Atlantic airlines, it’s worth knowing what each class offers so you can choose the right one for your needs and budget.
The main virgin classes of travel are:
- Economy (with three sub-categories: Light, Classic, and Delight)
- Premium economy
- Upper class (often compared to first class on other airlines)
Let’s look at what each one offers in more detail.
Economy Class Options
Economy is the most affordable way to fly with Virgin Atlantic. But unlike some airlines, Virgin offers three different types of Economy tickets, each with different perks. Let’s break them down:
Economy Light
Economy Light is the most basic and cheapest option for Virgin Atlantic flights. Here’s what you get:
- One piece of hand luggage (plus a small personal item)
- In-flight entertainment
- Complimentary meals and drinks
- Ability to earn Virgin points
- Seat selection at check-in only (not in advance unless you pay extra)
What you don’t get with Economy Light:
- No checked bag included (you’ll need to pay extra)
- No seat selection included at the time of booking
- Less flexibility for changes
Economy Light is perfect for shorter trips where you don’t need much luggage, or for solo travellers who aren’t fussed about where they seat.
Economy Classic
Economy Classic includes everything in Light, plus:
- One checked bag (up to 23kg)
- Free seat selection at the time of booking
- More flexibility for changes (though fees may still apply)
Economy Classic tends to be the most popular choice for families and those taking longer holidays.
Economy Delight
Economy Delight is the premium economy option within the main cabin and includes:
- Premium check-in
- Priority boarding
- Extra legroom seats (34-inch pitch)
- One checked bag (up to 23kg)
- Free seat selection at the time of booking
- More Virgin points compared to Light and Classic
If you’re on a longer flight but can’t quite stretch to Premium, Economy Delight gives you some extra comfort without the Premium price tag.
Premium Economy
Virgin Atlantic premium economy sits between Economy and Upper class. It’s a significant step up from Economy but doesn’t come with the hefty price tag of Upper class. Here’s what’s included:
- Dedicated check-in and priority boarding
- Increased baggage allowance (two 23kg bags)
- Wider, more comfortable seats with more legroom (38-inch pitch)
- Premium welcome drinks
- Enhanced meal service with proper cutlery
- Larger entertainment screens
- Dedicated cabin crew for the Premium cabin
- Amenity kit
On my recent flight to Cape Town, I found that premium was well worth the extra money for a long-haul journey. The extra space and comfort made a huge difference, especially when trying to sleep. The dedicated crew for the cabin also meant quicker service.
Upper Class
Upper class Virgin Atlantic is their premium offering, equivalent to first class or business class on other airlines. It comes with all the luxuries you’d expect from a top-tier travel experience:
- Dedicated check-in and Upper Class Wing at London Heathrow (a private security channel)
- Access to the famous Clubhouse lounge at departure airports
- Fast-track security and immigration at select airports
- Increased baggage allowance (two 32kg bags)
- Priority boarding
- Spacious Upper class seat that converts into a fully flat bed
- Fine dining with multiple courses, including a cheese board
- Premium drinks and cocktails
- Bar access on board many aircraft
- Luxurious amenity kit
- Pyjamas on night flights
- Enhanced entertainment system
- Chauffeur service at some destinations (restrictions apply)
What makes Upper class Virgin Atlantic special is the overall experience. From the moment you arrive at the airport, you’re treated like a VIP. The Clubhouse lounge experience alone is worth writing about – with its spa treatments, full restaurant, and bar service.
The onboard Upper class experience has evolved over the years. The newest aircraft in the fleet feature “The Suite” – a private area with a sliding door for complete privacy. On older planes, you’ll find the more traditional herringbone layout.
The Famous Virgin Clubhouses
One of the biggest perks of flying Upper class (or being a Gold member of the Flying Club) is access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses. The flagship Clubhouse at London Heathrow is particularly impressive, offering:
- Full restaurant with à la carte dining
- Cocktail bar with experienced mixologists
- Spa treatments (some complimentary, some paid)
- Shower facilities
- Quiet areas for working
- Entertainment areas
- Amazing views of the airfield
There are also Clubhouses at other airports including New York, Washington, and several other destinations. While they’re smaller than the Heathrow flagship, they still offer great service and comfort.
How Much Do Virgin Classes of Travel Cost?
The price difference between the different virgin classes of travel can be significant. Here’s a rough guide to what you might expect to pay (though prices vary greatly depending on route, season, and how far in advance you book):
| Class | Short Haul (e.g., London to New York) | Long Haul (e.g., London to Cape Town) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Light | £300–£500 | £500–£800 |
| Economy Classic | £350–£550 | £550–£850 |
| Economy Delight | £450–£650 | £650–£950 |
| Premium | £700–£1,200 | £1,000–£1,500 |
| Upper Class | £1,500–£3,000 | £2,500–£4,000+ |
Is Virgin Upper Class Worth It?
Whether Upper class Virgin Atlantic is worth the cost depends on several factors:
- Length of flight: For a short overnight flight, you might not get the full benefit of all the Upper class perks, whereas on a long-haul to Cape Town or Asia, the fully flat bed becomes invaluable.
- Purpose of travel: For business travellers who need to hit the ground running after landing, Upper class can be worth every penny.
- Budget: If paying cash, Upper class is a significant jump in price from Premium.
- Points: Using Virgin points for an Upper class redemption can offer excellent value.
On my first time flying Upper class to New York, I was travelling for a special occasion and found the experience magical. The Clubhouse before the flight, the onboard bar, and waking up refreshed after sleeping on the fully flat bed all made for a memorable start to the holiday.
However, for regular travel, I find Premium offers the best balance of comfort and price.
Flying with Virgin Using Points
The Flying Club is Virgin Atlantic’s loyalty program. You can earn Virgin points through:
- Flying with Virgin Atlantic
- Using a Virgin Atlantic credit card
- Transferring points from partner programs
- Shopping through the Virgin portal
Redeeming points for flights offers good value, especially for Upper class. A typical redemption might be:
- Economy: 20,000-30,000 points one-way
- Premium: 35,000-50,000 points one-way
- Upper Class: 70,000-100,000 points one-way
Taxes and fees apply on top of these and can be substantial when flying from the UK due to Air Passenger Duty.
Tips for Choosing the Right Virgin Class
When deciding which of the virgin classes of travel to book, consider:
- Flight length: For short daytime flights, Economy might be perfectly adequate. For overnight or ultra-long-haul, consider Premium or Upper class.
- Budget vs. comfort: Premium often offers the sweet spot between price and comfort.
- Sleep needs: If you need to sleep well on the flight, the fully flat bed in Upper class makes a huge difference.
- Lounge access: If airport time is important to you, Upper class with its Clubhouse access could be worth the upgrade.
- Points availability: Check if you can use Virgin points for an upgrade or redemption.
- Flight timing: For overnight flights, comfort becomes more important.
What’s it Like to Fly Virgin?
Beyond the specific cabin classes, the overall Virgin Atlantic experience has some distinctive features:
- Aircraft: Most long-haul routes use either the Boeing 787 Dreamliner or the Airbus A350, both modern aircraft with good cabin pressure and humidity levels to reduce jet lag.
- Entertainment: The Vera entertainment system offers a good selection of films, TV shows, and music.
- Service: Virgin is known for friendly, less formal service compared to some competitors. Their crew often bring a sense of fun and personality to the flight.
- Food and drink: Even in Economy, the food is generally a cut above many airlines. In Premium and Upper class, it becomes a real highlight.
- Richard Branson’s influence on the brand gives it a slightly quirky, more relaxed feel than some of the more traditional airlines.
Virgin Atlantic Routes
Virgin Atlantic primarily operates from the UK to destinations worldwide. Their main hub is London Heathrow, with additional services from London Gatwick, Manchester, and occasionally other UK airports.
Key destinations include:
- USA: New York, Washington, Boston, Miami, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and more
- Caribbean: Barbados, Antigua, Jamaica
- Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg
- Asia: Delhi, Mumbai, Shanghai, Hong Kong
- Australia: (via Hong Kong)
Booking Advice for Virgin Flights
When booking Virgin Atlantic flights, keep these tips in mind:
- Book directly through the Virgin Atlantic website for the best service and options.
- Sign up for the Flying Club even if you don’t fly regularly – it’s free and gives you more options.
- Look out for sales, which typically happen several times a year.
- Consider Premium Economy for long-haul – it’s often not that much more expensive than Economy Delight but offers a significantly better experience.
- For Upper class, booking well in advance (11 months if possible) usually gets the best cash prices.
- If using points, be flexible with dates as availability can be limited.
- If you’re tall, avoid the bulkhead seats in Premium as they have fixed armrests that reduce width.
Overall
Virgin Atlantic classes of travel offer options for most budgets and preferences, from the basic Economy Light through to the luxurious Upper class experience. While Upper class provides the ultimate in comfort with its Clubhouse access and fully flat bed, Premium offers an excellent middle ground for those looking for extra comfort without the first class price tag.
For shorter trips or when budget is the priority, the three Economy options provide flexibility depending on your needs. The Virgin Atlantic brand delivers a consistently good experience across all cabins, with friendly service, good food, and modern aircraft.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer earning and spending Virgin points, or an occasional traveller looking to make your journey as comfortable as possible, understanding the different virgin classes of travel helps you make the right choice for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Virgin Upper Class and First Class?
Virgin Atlantic doesn’t offer a first class cabin – Upper class is their top cabin offering. It’s equivalent to business class on most other airlines, though the service and amenities are often comparable to first class on some carriers. The key differences compared to traditional first class would be slightly less personal space and fewer crew members per passenger.
Does Virgin Atlantic Premium include lounge access?
No, Virgin Atlantic premium doesn’t include lounge access. Lounge access is reserved for Upper class passengers and Flying Club Gold members. However, Premium passengers can purchase access to partner lounges at some airports or use a Priority Pass if they have one.
How do I upgrade to Premium or Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic?
There are several ways to upgrade:
- Pay for an upgrade at the time of booking
- Use Virgin points to upgrade (availability permitting)
- Look for upgrade offers that are sometimes sent via email
- Check for paid upgrade availability at check-in
- Occasionally, operational upgrades happen at the gate (though you can’t count on these)
Is there a big difference between Economy Delight and Premium?
Yes, there’s a significant difference. While Economy Delight offers extra legroom within the main Economy cabin, Premium is a separate cabin with wider seats, better food, increased baggage allowance, and a generally more exclusive experience. The seat pitch in Economy Delight is 34 inches compared to 38 inches in Premium, and Premium seats are also wider.
What amenities are provided in Virgin Upper Class?
Upper class Virgin Atlantic provides amenity kits with toiletries, socks, eye masks, earplugs, pens, and skincare products. On night flights, passengers also receive pyjamas. Upper Class also features a bar area on most aircraft where you can enjoy drinks and socialise during the flight.
Can I use Virgin points to book Upper Class tickets?
Yes, you can use Virgin points to book Upper class tickets. This is often one of the best value uses of Virgin points, though availability can be limited on popular routes. A typical one-way Upper class redemption requires between 70,000 and 100,000 points plus taxes and fees.
What food is served in Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy?
Virgin Atlantic premium economy offers an enhanced dining experience compared to Economy. You’ll receive a welcome drink upon boarding, a choice of three main courses served on china with proper cutlery, a dessert, and a cheese board. The quality and presentation are significantly better than in Economy, though not quite at the Upper class level.
Is alcohol free on Virgin Atlantic flights?
Yes, alcohol is complimentary in all cabin classes on Virgin Atlantic flights. Even in Economy, you’ll be offered beer, wine, and spirits as part of the standard service. Premium and Upper class offer a wider selection of alcoholic beverages, including champagne in Upper class.
