What It’s Like to Fly Virgin Atlantic 787 Upper Class

Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner might be your ideal place to relax in a lie-flat seat while sipping Champagne at 35,000 feet, if that's ever been your dream. I recently got the opportunity to experience life at the front of the cabin on a transatlantic flight, and I can tell you that it truly lives up to the reputation.

This is the actual experience of flying in Virgin 787 Business Class.

The Ground Experience: A Luxurious Start

The tone is set by Virgin Atlantic before you even board. Priority check-in, accelerated security, and entry to their renowned Clubhouse lounges are all benefits of flying Upper Class (if departing from a major hub like London Heathrow).

The Heathrow Clubhouse is not so much an airport lounge as it is a boutique hotel. A la carte meals, a complete bar, spa treatments, and even a roof deck are all available. Before boarding, I had a flawlessly poached egg breakfast, a drink of champagne, and a brief facial. It's a good way to begin a flight.

Boarding & First Impressions

Priority access allowed for a quick and easy boarding process. Because the 787's Upper Class cabin is set up in a herringbone 1-1-1 configuration, each passenger has direct aisle access and a respectable level of privacy.

The 787's unique mood lighting offers a cozy glow, and the cabin lighting seems serene and contemporary. I received a warm greeting from the team, who also offered me a welcome drink.

The Seat: Comfort Meets Style

Although the 787's Upper Class seat isn't the most recent in Virgin's fleet—the A350 and A330neo have more recent designs—it nevertheless offers plenty of room and comfort. It's spacious, quiet, and can be made into a completely flat bed.

What I liked:

• Comfortable bedding (pillow, soft duvet, and mattress topper)
• Good storage for gadgets and small goods
• For seclusion, the arrangement faces the aisle.
• Touchscreen controls and movable lighting

The sole drawback? You must flip the seat forward into bed mode; it does not recline gradually. Once everything was set up, the sleep arrangement proved reliable despite being a little less straightforward.

Entertainment & Amenities

A good selection of new films, TV series, and songs were available on the touchscreen IFE system. Wi-Fi is offered (albeit not the fastest) and noise-canceling headphones are supplied.

REN skincare items, a toothbrush, an eye mask, socks, and a pen were all included in the reusable pouch that the amenity kit came in. Everywhere there are thoughtful touches.

Sleep & Arrival

After converting the seat into a bed and putting on the included pajamas, I was able to get a solid six hours of snooze without interruption. The Dreamliner's increased humidity and lower cabin altitude significantly lessen post-flight grogginess.

It was a little easier to return to reality after waking up to a hearty English breakfast and a hot cup of coffee before landing.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Great cuisine, first-rate service, and a cozy bed in the sky are all features of Virgin Atlantic's 787 Upper Class, which is a fashionable and comfortable way to travel across the Atlantic.

The overall Virgin experience, from the Clubhouse to the excitement of the crew, makes it feel unique, even though the cabin isn't the newest in their inventory.