We’re heading home from our UK trip with our 6 month old on Virgin Atlantic’s A350 in Upper Class. Upper Class is what Virgin calls Business Class. Unlike our trip to London (A350 Upper Class Review), this time I’m sitting in the bulkhead. I should also mention we’re traveling with our 6 month old daughter.
Virgin Atlantic uses their A350 fleet on tons of Trans-Atlantic flights, they have two different configurations with different numbers of seats for different markets. This flight to Orlando is operated by the less dense configuration Virgin A350 with 44 business class seats.
Bottom Line: Long haul flights with an infant are a little daunting, but this Virgin Upper Class flight from Manchester to Orlando was fantastic. The cabin crew as pleasant and accommodating, the food was better than expected, and I really enjoyed the lounge area on the Virgin A350.
Manchester Airport
We’re late, like actually properly late. We missed our first train, only made the second because it was running late. Made it to the Manchester airport at 9:05 for a 10:25 flight. If we missed that second train we would have missed our flight. Not great with a baby. We’re still not accustom to how slowly we move these days.
We already had boarding passes so we went right to terminal 2 security. This was very slow, no line, but our bags got flagged for more screening because we’re carrying milk and formula for Violet. After security we walked right to the gate, anyone who’s been to Manchester knows how much walking is involved with getting to a gate here at T2.
Our Virgin A350-1000 was waiting at the gate and they immediately called our names for a passport check. We did that and unfortunately we’re informed that Val’s seat tray table isn’t working properly, they gave us a 8k points voucher for the trouble. Oddly, this is the second time on Virgin we’ve had a broken tray table.
We then boarded and bagged/tagged our stroller and left it at the gate. We then headed down the glass jet-bridge to board our Virgin A350. I always enjoy these views from the jet-bridge, I wish they were more common in the US as opposed to the shipping container-esque ones we have.
Virgin Atlantic A350-1000 Upper Class Cabin and Seat
This Virgin A350 has 44 business class seats arranged into a 1-2-1 configuration. When we boarded, the purple mood lights were on full display. Once on board we were finally able to relax. We got our bags stowed overhead and settled in to our seats.
I was in seat 1K. This is the front bulkhead seat on the right hand side of the plane. When flying home from Europe, I try to sit on the right side. Sometimes you get a great view of Greenland, it’s also north facing for most of the trip so there’s no blinding sunlight.
Lots of space here in the upper class bulkhead, much more than in the standard seat I was in on the way here. So first, if you have the opportunity, take the bulk head.
The in flight entertainment slides out of the seat, it doesn’t swing like the other seats. Not really sure it makes a difference, just something to note.
This seat feels a lot more spacious than the standard upper class seats. I stowed my bedding in the footwell.
Like the standard upper class seats, the tray table is off to the side, folds down, and then slides infront of the seat. I’m not a huge fan of this design, it’s just a little too complex and blocks the seat.
Overhead Virgin does have air nozzles in upper class on the A350. I don’t like when airlines remove them in business class cabins.
Over my right shoulder there is a small storage space and reading light. Virgin uses boxed water, I kinda like that.
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class In Seat Power
Virgin has plenty of power ports in the Upper Class seats. There’s a universal AC power and USB combo port just over my shoulder.
Inside the storage compartment, there’s also a USB port long side the in-seat entertainment audio jack.
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Menu and Pre-departure Beverage
British sparkling wine was given out as the pre-departure beverage. It was fine, I’ve had better but certainly had worse.
The flight attendant then passed out the Upper Class menu for our flight to Orlando.
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Menu.
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Menu
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Menu.
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Amenity Kit
The Virgin Atlantic Upper Class amenity kit is somewhat standard. Earplugs, tooth bush, tooth paste, lotions, eyemask, and some socks. The bag itself feels a little cheap and not very re-usable.
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Departure
The safety video was shown as we pushed back from the gate on a rainy Manchester morning.
The cabin lights really bask the upper class suites in the purple light when the overhead bins are all closed. The pilot made his announcement that it will be 4000 miles and 9:05 down to Orlando.
We pushed back from the gate right on time at 10:35 on a rainy December morning. Funny enough, this Aer Lingus A330 is also going to Orlando, but 10 minutes after us, I’m sure we’ll see them on the ground at MCO.
The flight attendant informed us that the Virgin A350 has a tail and belly camera and we could use it to watch us take off, very cool. We taxied to the runway following a Cathay Pacific A350 that’s heading to Hong Kong.
Watching the takeoff from the window and the tail camera is a very cool experience.
We took off towards the south west and into the clouds soon after. More airlines need to have tail cameras.
Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class In Seat Entertainment
The Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class in seat entertainment is very good. There’s a large selection of shows and TV. The screen itself is large and responsive.
I settled into a movie as the flight crew jumped into action. Seatbelt sign still on because it’s still a little rough.
Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class Lunch
The flight attendant came around and asked what we’d like to drink. I went with the IPA. It was served with some Bloody Mary crisps. I love chips and a beer, it’s one of my favorite snacks.
I have to take a second to talk about the tray table on the Virgin A350. It’s a little odd. It’s absolutely huge and folds down somewhat beside you.
Then it slides infront of you. Not to complain, but this just feels unnecessary and somewhat complex. It also blocks you from exiting the seat when the tray table is extended. So make sure you don’t have to pee before the meal is served.
She then confirmed my meal pre-order and asked if I’d like a starter. I went with the Chicken Taurine. It was fine, not my favorite thing, but was certainly good enough to eat.
For my main, I had the chicken two ways. So this is a chicken breast along with a chicken pie. It was actually pretty solid. I didn’t think the options for lunch were amazing, this was the least bad sounding choice but I enjoyed it well enough.
I love the little salt and pepper shakers on Virgin. I have a few sets at home…To close out the meal we were offered desert, but I declined. Lunch, as a whole, was pretty solid. Much better than on the outbound.
Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class In Flight
I settled into a movie after lunch while baby Violet sat on my lap. She’s a good little flyer and this flight was no exception.
Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class Lounge
In the rear of the upper class cabin, between the doors that separate upper class from premium economy, there’s a lounge area with a few sofa style seats. I decided to go check it out with baby violet.
The seats have seat belts so sitting here for a while is totally an option. I was here for about an hour and not a single other person came by. I loved it with the baby. Perfect spot for her to take a nap on my lap.
In this area, there’s a small selection of snacks. The flight attendants also came by and asked if I’d like anything to drink.
On the wall there’s a large screen that’s showing the in flight tail camera. This little area really made the flight feel more pleasant. Not sure why, but I was much more relaxed than had I been confined to my seat, as nice as it is.
Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class Lavatory
There are 2 lavatories at the very front of the Virgin A350. These have a fun little feature, there’s a window!
I actually really like this feature, while you cannot really sit on the toilet and look out the window, you can stand and pee while looking out at the Atlantic.
Ice Cream and Drinks
As we continued our flight, the flight attendants came around and offered ice cream and drinks. I’ll never turn down that.
The view outside was great too. And this is why I like to sit on the right side of the plane when flying west across the Atlantic.
After my Ice Cream I had a gin and tonic as I gazed out the window.
More great views as we continued our trip down to Orlando.
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Afternoon Tea
On their west bound Trans-Atlantic flights, Virgin does a tea service. This is a light snack service that’s served about 90 minutes before landing. There’s a small sandwich, tart, crumpet, and macaroons. I again very much enjoyed this.
Approach and Landing
The afternoon tea service was cleared away with a little over an hour left in flight. The flight attendants began their preparations for landing.
Looks like it’s a little cloudy here on the east coast of the US.
With about 45 minutes left in flight The flight attendant made an arrival announcement that we’d be preparing for landing soon. The doors to the lavatories would be locked once the seatbelt sign was turned back on.
Some afternoon storms here in Central Florida.
I again watched the tail camera while we were making our approach towards MCO. Very fun.
Almost there!
Finally on the ground here in Orlando, right on time.
Final Thoughts
This Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class flight was extremely pleasant. I didn’t realize how much extra space the bulk head seat has. It’s very nice to have if you’re flying with a baby, like we were. The in seat entertainment is large, easy to use, with lots of options. My only complaint about the seats in Virgin’s Upper Class is the tray table. I just don’t care for the complicated fold and slide mechanism.
The crew was also great, all of the flight attendants were fun and helpful. The in-flight meal was so much better than the outbound flight to London. Not sure why the difference in quality, but I enjoyed the meals on this flight to Orlando. The Lounge area on the plane really made the flight comfortable and special. The ability to relax on a sofa like seat for just an hour was amazing.
I would gladly ride with Virgin Atlantic again on their A350 in UpperClass.
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