Hot Take: Virgin Premium Almost As Good As Upper Class

My recent review of British Airways’ Premium Economy generated a surprising amount of interest — and for good reason. It also sparked a familiar question many travellers ask when upgrading from economy: how does Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy compare to its biggest UK rival? And is Virgin Premium Economy worth it?

Virgin Atlantic, like British Airways, offers a dedicated Premium Economy cabin across all long-haul routes. Over the past three years, I’ve flown Virgin’s Premium product multiple times — and before 2019, I genuinely preferred it to their Upper Class cabin.

This review is based on a recent overnight flight from India, where I had the rare opportunity to experience Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy and Upper Class on the same route across two trips, just two months apart.

It turned out to be the perfect moment to reassess both products — and it gave me plenty of food for thought.

Flight Particulars

Route: Delhi – London Heathrow
Flight No: VS303
Date: October 2024
Departure Time: 02:05
Flight Duration: Blocked 9:50
Aircraft: Boeing 787-900
Seat: 24A

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Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy: What You Get

• Extra-wide seats (18.5–21” — genuinely generous)
• 38” seat pitch with excellent legroom
• 2 × 23kg checked bags included
• A glass of bubbly on boarding
• Pre-order dining via the Premium menu
• Dedicated Premium check-in
• Priority boarding

Check-In & Lounge Experience

Check-in at Delhi was efficient and smooth, just as it has been on previous Virgin departures from Heathrow. The experience is noticeably better than economy – calmer, quicker, and more personal.

I hold SkyTeam Elite Plus status via KLM, which would usually grant lounge access.

However, as this booking was made using my Virgin Flying Club account with upgrade vouchers, that benefit didn’t apply on this occasion. No issue, I used Priority Pass instead and enjoyed a solid Indian dinner before boarding.

Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Seating

Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy is a dedicated cabin located directly behind Upper Class.

On the Boeing 787-9, the cabin features 35 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration.

The A330-900neo features 46 Premium seats, while the A350 flagship has a much larger 56-seat cabin in a 2-4-2 layout.

Some cabin shots from this flight:

Due to the late-night departure, the cabin lighting was heavily dimmed — but there’s no mistaking you’re onboard a Virgin aircraft.

Virgin describes these as large, deeply padded leather seats — and that description is spot on.

Each seat is dressed with a contoured pillow, wrapped blanket, wireless headphones, and an amenity kit on overnight flights.

Best Seats in Virgin Premium Economy

For couples, the window pairs are ideal — no third passenger and maximum privacy. Families will appreciate the middle block.

Solo travellers should avoid the middle seats if possible.

Seat-wise, the first row offers extra legroom, while the last row has the advantage of unrestricted recline. Personally, I’m happy with either.

Prior to 2023, preferred seat selection in Premium was complimentary. Virgin now monetises this, with selected “preferential seats” requiring a fee for advance selection.

For reference, here’s how the A350 Premium cabin looks fully reclined in daylight:

And a full cabin shot of the A330-900neo:

Compared to the 787, both the A350 and A330neo feel noticeably less Premium. The 787 remains my favourite: wider seats and an 8” recline versus 7” on the A350. That inch matters — you feel it.

The newer aircraft do benefit from larger 13.3” IFE screens, but I’m still puzzled by Virgin’s decision to prioritise density over comfort on the A350. For day flights, any Virgin Premium seat works beautifully. For night flights, I’d strongly prioritise the 787 — or Upper Class.

On this nine-hour overnight flight, I still managed around four hours of solid sleep.

Virgin Premium Economy Menu & Service

Unlike British Airways, Virgin puts real effort into making Premium Economy feel genuinely premium.

The Premium Economy Difference

Boarding includes a welcome drink, and meals can be pre-selected via Virgin’s Premium menu from seven days up to 24 hours before departure.

You do feel a difference from Economy from the onset. With a much more cosy and dare I say “Premium” feel to the real estate as well as crew warmth.

The onboard menu for this flight:

And the drinks list:

For late-night departures, Virgin serves a lighter snack service.

This was a hot chicken tikka wrap — genuinely excellent — accompanied by apple crumble and drinks.

Around two hours before landing, breakfast service began — and the aromas alone were enough to wake me.

Choices included:

Cheese & pepper omelette with potato wedges
or
Paneer bhurji with palak tikka and paratha

The crew insisted I try both — and I’m glad they did.

The Omelette was good, but the Paneer bhurji was outstanding — beautifully spiced and paired with the best paratha I’ve ever had in the air.

Virgin also offers a generous selection of snacks and drinks on demand, including self-service from the “Wander Wall”.

Drinks were always served in proper crockery, often with snacks — matching Upper Class standards.

Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Pricing

Premium fares have risen sharply post-pandemic. Sale fares to the US once dipped below £600; today, £800–900 is more typical, with peak pricing exceeding £1,400.

That said, redemption value remains excellent. Off-peak awards start at 17,500 points + £360–400, with peak pricing at 27,500 points. West Coast routes range from 27,500–37,500 points.

2025 update: Since Virgin introduced dynamic pricing, Premium seats can now be booked for as little as 10,500 miles one-way in super off-peak periods — exceptional value.

What You Don’t Get vs Upper Class

The obvious omission is the fully flat bed — and access to the excellent Virgin Clubhouse lounges.

However, Flying Club Gold members still enjoy Clubhouse access regardless of cabin.

Virgin has provided amenity kits in the past, but this appears to be gone or inconsistently done in Premium now.

Final Verdict: Is Virgin Premium Economy Worth It?

So how can Premium Economy come close to Business Class?

Simple: comfort, service, and consistency.

On the 787, these seats are as wide as many business class seats and remarkably comfortable. When a light sleeper like me consistently manages four hours of rest, that’s telling.

Add Virgin’s attentive crew, excellent catering, and genuinely premium presentation — often rivaling Upper Class — and you have a product that punches well above its weight. It is true that some of the classic Virgin magic as somewhat faded over the years – but that is across the board here.

For many travellers, Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy is the sweet spot: nearly business-class comfort at a fraction of the price.

For more, check out my reviews of the Virgin A330neo Upper Class and Virgin A350 Upper Class.