Earlier this month, I took a flight with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow to San Francisco in Premium Economy. This trip was by far my worst experience ever, flying in a premium economy cabin. From the dated cabin which was falling apart, to wine in a can. The Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy experience was not so premium at all! Please read my review of my shocking experience with Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy.
Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy
Virgin Atlantic was one of the first airlines – together with Eva Airlines – to introduce the Premium Economy cabin, already back in 1992! I did fly premium economy with Virgin Atlantic almost 20 years ago. It was a flight from Las Vegas to London in the iconic 747-400 and I enjoyed every minute of it. Back then, there wasn’t much Premium Economy competition. But that was almost 20 years ago. Now, almost every airline has a competitive premium economy product, so I was curious to see how these days Virgin Atlantic stacks up against the competition.
The plane for this flight was a 787-9 called Miss Moneypenny. Miss Moneypenny was delivered back in 2015. The 787-9 has 5 rows of premium economy in a 2-3-2 configuration. For this flight I had an aisle seat, 24D.
The Premium Economy Cabin
When boarding the plane and the premium economy cabin, my first impression was that the cabin looked a bit dated. But I guess it doesn’t really matter how it looks, as long as the seats are comfortable and have sufficient legroom.
And to be honest, the seats are pretty comfortable and wider than you’ll see in most other premium economy cabins; 21 inch which is a few inch more than its competitors. However, when I wanted to stretch out and put my feet under the seat in front of me, I was hitting a barrier. There was a box under the seat in front of me which was blocking me to stretch my legs. That wasn’t comfortable at all, especially since I need every inch of leg-space with my 6 feet 4!
In Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy, you do get a blanket, a little pillow and a headset but all these amenities are very basic and these are the ones you would expect in regular economy class. Unfortunately, there is no bottle of water provided and there is no amenity kit! Apparently, you’re only getting an amenity kit with Virgin Atlantic in premium economy, if you have a night flight. That’s really amazing. Virgin Atlantic assumes you don’t need lip balsam, moisturizing lotion or socks during a day flight? This is actually the first time during an intercontinental premium economy flight I’m not getting an amenity kit. Even Condor Airlines provides an amenity kit in their premium economy cabin!
You are offered a sparkling wine, water or orange juice before the flight though. Well, that’s better than a poke in the eye.
State of Cabin
Upon closer inspection, it becomes painfully clear that this cabin has seen better days. The footrest cannot be pulled down completely, the armrest of the seat in front of me is taped to the seat and my entertainment screen is hanging on a wire, and is almost falling out of the seat in front of me.
Certain equipment in the galley is also not operational anymore. I’m seeing ‘I’m Broken. Please don’t use me’ stickers all over the place. All this doesn’t give me a very warm feeling. Even though this plane is ‘only’ 10 years old, it’s certainly long overdue for a major refurbishment.
Premium Meals
Food can be pre-ordered a week before departure but none of the options seemed very attractive to me even though there is a choice out of 3 main dishes. I eventually decided to go for the sausage with mashed potato option.
Unfortunately, when the sausage with mashed potato arrived, the meal wasn’t hot at all. It was lukewarm at best. Lukewarm and very mediocre, that’s the best way to describe the meal. I really needed a good glass of premium wine to save this experience. But before I could order the wine, my neighbor got his wine served. In a can… Wine in a can! I don’t think I ever saw that before. Was this supposed to be the premium restaurant experience Virgin Atlantic promises in Premium Economy?
90 minutes before landing the last meal is served. The choice is between savory and sweet, and I choose the savory option. Both options should come with a warm scone. Of course, the scone isn’t warm, but at least the scone with the cream and strawberry jam does taste good. Finally, a positive note!
Internet
Virgin Atlantic does offer wireless internet. However, you’ll need to pay for that. Basic Surfing will set you back 13 Pounds – roughly 17 dollar – and premium surfing will set you back a whopping 30 pounds – or 39 dollar. And this premium offering doesn’t include video streaming. I guess premium is not so premium after all…
Conclusion
On the LHR to SFO route, you can choose between BA, United and Virgin Atlantic when you want to fly non-stop in premium economy. Prices are comparable. I never flew premium economy with BA, but between VA and United, United clearly has the better premium economy product. United is not flawless but definitely a lot better than what you’re getting with Virgin Atlantic. On top of that, United’s planes are a lot better maintained!
Virgin Atlantic was disappointing at every level; the state of the cabin, the food, the wine in a can, the missing amenity kit… In my opinion, Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy is a very poor product and not so premium at all.
Please also have a look at my review on YouTube and don’t forget to like the video and subscribe to the channel if you haven’t done so yet.
To end on a positive note, please read my review of ANA’s Business Class “The Room”; for me the best business class product on the market and one that exceeded my expectations!
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