Virgin Atlantic A350-1K Business Class JFK-LHR
The 3rd leg of 4 to rate who has the best trans Atlantic A350 service, IMO. This on Virgin Atlantic’s new A350-1K with a new (for them) business class seat.
Many flyers love Virgin Atlantic. This flight would be my second on the carrier. The first was on their 787 which wasn’t my favorite. And this one was pretty much the same although better in some respects, especially the seat. But apart from flying one very positive thing about VS are their lounges. And the one in JFK does not disappoint. I would also visit the Revival Lounge in London upon arrival.
Upon entering, well I guess we are in the Big Apple.
A sit down ale carte menu is offered at the Virgin Clubhouse where the new TWA Hotel introduces the offerings.
The New York Chicken Burger
The lounge has full shower facilities as well.
And a nice view of the tarmac where VS 138 waited for the trip across the pond.
We boarded through door 2 and I made an immediate left to seat 1A. The cabin was drenched in a purplish mood lighting. Looking cool, but not for picture taking. My first observation was the amount of white plastic.
My next observations was just how condensed these pods are. Notice the narrowness of the space to get to your seat.
Finally, and the killer was the pod shell blocks the window!
I think this is the only row that has a true window view, back in row 10.
The seat itself is comfortable, and when it’s time to rest you can fit a mattress pad over the seat, just don’t expect a Flight Attendant to do this for you. And the footwell is large, except this is 1A and here the bulkhead seats are larger than others.
There is very little useful storage available.
Controls and outlets are easily accessible which is a plus.
There is a huge tray table that folds down from the back of the pod (or bukhead) in front of you.
Air nozzles are a plus as well!
Virgin Atlantic has been known for it’s onboard bar for years, maybe since their inception. That has been abandoned for a new Social Space or Booth. In reality it’s just some couches at the door 2 entry where galleys would normally be located.
Appears to be the standard A350 lavatories.
VS is one of the few airlines that offer pjs in business class. So another plus for them as well as an enviromently friendly amenity kit made fully from responsibly sources and recyclable materials.
The IFE system is decent, if not a little on the small side for the monitor. But Leo looked just fine. And kudos for the onboard camera.
This flight departed after 9PM so the question is do you eat in the lounge and sleep as much as possible, or do you eat in the lounge and eat on the plane. My choice…
Probably predictable:
French Cabernet - Ok
Corn Soup - Cold
Chicken Breast Salad - Dry and super small
Flourless Chocolate Cake - yummy
Salt shakers I did not pilfer.
Breakfast was served a few hours later. Are 2 meals really needed on a 6 hour flight when leaving that late?
Choices:
Bircher Muesil - Good
Crossaint - Hard
Eggs Florentine - Nice attempt and presentation. Was ok.
Very little sleep between noise in the cabin with 2 meal servings over the 6 hour flight time. Cabin was warm so I didn’t do well in that enviroment. However the seat and padding were sufficient for an overnight flight.
Upon arrival in London I headed to the Revivals Lounge. After hearing about the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in London, well I guess I was expecting something different.
But the first order of business was to shower after an overnight flight and the Revivals Lounge delivered as promised.
While the atmosphere was maybe not to my expectations, the menu was quite lively.
A menu correction should be “egg” benedict. Albeit singular tasty.
This was a nice flight on Virgin Atlantic. The FAs were their typical aloof nature I find prevalent on Virgin Atlantic. I had to ask all to often for things like, coffee refill, more wine, pjs.
So far, BA holds the lead in the cross the Atlantic A350 duel. I’m sure there are lots of VS loyalists not happy with that comment.
Flight Path
