Travel plan idea blog

Virgin Atlantic upper class experience

So returning to New York from London was interesting. We first did our tax free shopping refund stuff at the airport. Unlike our experience in France it was very easy in Heathrow - no problems at all.

Check-in was also no problem. We were there 6 hours before our flight I think but certainly there were other flights as well. The check-in area was not crowded at all. We asked about upgrading to premium economy. Over 200 GBP each. We said we'd fly economy but that on the way over we got a 2 for 1 upgrade special. If they could do that for us we'd like to upgrade. The lady made a phone call and got us the special deal so we paid $360 or so to upgrade the two os us.

So instead of spending $1,000 on the 2 round trip tickets we spent more like $1700 - a big difference but we liked the premium economy seat width and comfort.

We decided to have lunch before going through security so we opened up the bag that had our sandwiches from the Costa Pure Coffee I mentioned earlier. To our surprise the Italian owner had given us 4 instead of 2. 2 parma ham on rolls and 2 parma ham, sun dried tomato and provolone on white bread.

We were definitely leaving England with a good feeling thanks to that nice, old Italian guy. I'll probably do a whole entry on his coffee shop later.

We did some shopping in the airport's duty free stores. I saw an Armani sweater I liked on sale but it was an XL. I usually wear small or medium. I tried on a large (different color, same design) just for fun and it fit like a small. It had some damage so I didn't consider that one but I figured I might as well try the XL since the large was so tight. So I tried on the XL and it fit like a medium. My first Armani sweater!

We also bought a Harrod's tea bag tidy for my parents (there were actually lots of Harrod's shops in the airport). That and a coffee used up the last of our British currency.

Then we headed to gate 40 and on entering the gate were told we had been upgraded to 15k and 16k. With only one seat per row I knew it would be good so I put on my Armani sweater. With all that extra room I knew I could manage not to spill anything on it.

We ended up in Virgin Atlantic's upper class. The seats were the new kind some airlines are advertising that can be made into beds. It was a glorious 7 hours from Heathrow to JFK. The food was excellent (choice was roast vegetables, lamb, Indian chicken), laying down was nice. Sitting at the bar (eating fresh fruit and drinking a balck russian at no extra cost) and chatting with the flight attendant Virgin had recruited in Japan was great. We loved it. It was far superior to JALs business class - our only other comparable experience. That was closer to premium economy although the JAL business seats were bigger / cushier and there was free Hagen Das or Ramen whenever you wanted.

They didn't have the ice cream on Virgin Atlantic's upper class but the seats were way better and the bar was a very cool touch. They flight attendants were not actual bartenders so I had to tell them how to make a black Russian (I said equal Kalua and Vodka which was a little strong but not bad).

It was by far the best flight experience of my life. I just wish I had the money to throw around to do it again. I guess I'll be hoping for more upgrades in the future...

By the way I was going to link to my JAL business class review but I can't seem to find it. I did accidentally find this old one about problems on Virgin Atlantic. Even without the upgrde I'm certain I'd have been happy with them (because I was on the way to London).

Posted by James Trotta at January 7, 2009 9:27 PM