Information on Virgin Atlantic Flights

The flagship of billionaire businessman Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic is the aviation embodiment of Branson’s ethos of cutting-edge cool. The airline’s stylish cabins and brash branding (for example, its business cabin is called “Upper Class”) make flying Virgin Atlantic a distinct experience.

Founded in 1984, the London-based carrier is still going strong, and after joining the SkyTeam alliance in 2023, it’s poised to remain a major player in commercial aviation. Meanwhile, a recent overhaul to its highly regarded loyalty program, Flying Club, offers even more passenger perks. Here’s what to know about Virgin Atlantic for your next flight.

An increasingly modern fleet

Virgin Atlantic operates a remarkably young fleet: The average age of its aircraft is under seven years. In October 2022, the carrier welcomed its first A330-900s to the fleet, continuing a transformation to upgrade its fleet with 100% next generation aircraft by 2028.

The airline also utilizes Airbus A350-1000s, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A330-300s, which serve many transatlantic and Caribbean routes. Onboard, all planes offer a distinctly Virgin vibe, with the brand’s signature red-and-purple cabin interiors and pink mood lighting.

Cabin classes and booking on Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic offers three fare classes: Economy, Premium Economy and Upper Class (the brand’s unabashedly elitist name for its business class). Within Economy, travelers can choose from three separate categories: the bare-bones, basic economy Light, the middle-of-the-road Classic and Delight, which offers the most perks (but also is the priciest of the three).

All tickets offer a Flex option, which is slightly more expensive but comes with the added perk of refundability. If you need flexibility, I recommend spending a little bit extra ahead of time for the Flex option, which could save you a lot more in the future if your travel plans change.

Unlike some European-based carriers, Virgin Atlantic shows the full round-trip fare at the beginning of the search instead of breaking it into two segments (the latter of which is commonplace among other Europe-based carriers) – an aspect of booking that I especially appreciate. But passengers who are newer to the airline should keep a couple of things in mind during the booking process, the first of which is that prices are displayed in British pounds.

There are small quirks later in the process to be aware of. For example, if you select an Economy Light fare, the next screen will also show the Economy Classic fare – and you’ll have to check a small box indicating you want to “Accept Restrictions” before proceeding.

I suppose this could be an attempt to address those passengers who claim they didn’t know they weren’t allowed to bring more than one carry-on, but it still feels a little sales pushy. In addition, advance seat selection, which is not included in any tier of Economy fares, is pricey – and when added to both legs can significantly increase the final cost.

Economy cabins on Virgin Atlantic

One nice bonus of flying with an airline whose fleet has an average age of seven years per aircraft: Economy cabins feel fresher and sleeker, too. But Economy in Virgin Atlantic stands out in other ways. All long-haul Economy tickets, including Light, Classic and Delight, include a complimentary multi-course meal, snacks and drinks. WiFi is available for a small fee (but I wish all airlines would follow Delta Air Lines’ lead and make it complimentary for all passengers).

For both Economy Light and Classic tickets, passengers can expect an average seat pitch of about 31 inches on long-haul aircraft. Seat selection across all Economy tickets is available for free at check-in or purchase ahead of time (again, it’s pricey, but if you have your eye on a window or aisle seat, I recommend it). Passengers in Economy Classic and Economy Delight also are allowed one free 50-pound checked bag, in addition to one carry-on bag (with a 22-pound limit).

Economy Delight also offers some nice extra perks that can help justify the price tag: about three inches of extra legroom and additional recline, priority boarding and hand luggage and checked bag included. But the extra legroom makes it especially helpful for taller travelers who want some extra space without the price tag of a Premium or Upper Class ticket.

Premium cabins on Virgin Atlantic

For long-haul flights, Virgin Atlantic’s Premium cabin offers an enticing sweet spot of a superior experience at a price that’s far less steep than Upper Class tickets. Premium cabins come with cushy leather seats, hot meals served on china with real silverware, and priority check-in, security access, boarding and baggage delivery. Another touch I love: a welcome drink after boarding, as well as afternoon tea (depending on the route).

Premium ticket prices can vary greatly, so it helps to stay flexible and choose connecting flights if needed. For example, a recent search turned up a direct flight whose fare was nearly double of those that included a connection at a US airport.

Upper Class: What to expect

For lucky passengers in Virgin Atlantic’s cheekily named Upper Class, a true VIP experience awaits. The perks start at the airport, with a dedicated check-in area, fast-track security and access to the carrier’s coveted lounges, called The Clubhouse.

The flagship lounge at LHR is especially impressive, with cool perks like Peloton bikes and a mixologist-created signature cocktail (the Virgin Redhead). In 2025, the carrier’s seventh Clubhouse lounge is scheduled to open at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), featuring local artwork, showers, private pods and even a VIP booth called “The Royal Box.”

Onboard, the upscale experience continues with a welcome glass of bubbly (or whichever drink you prefer), extra large seats that transform into lie-flat beds and a four-course meal (which you can also pre-order). On some aircraft, passengers can also enjoy The Loft, a small bar in the sky for socializing at 30,000 feet.

However, keep in mind that as Virgin Atlantic continues to roll out its newer Upper Class cabins on next-generation aircraft, some aircraft in its current fleet have older cabins​. Newer models like the Airbus A330-900neo and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will have the most recent product. But on some Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A330-300 planes, passengers may find themselves in older versions of the Upper Class cabin.

Flying Club and Virgin Red: What to know

Especially for travelers who haven’t flown much with Virgin Atlantic, the fact that the airline has two points programs – Flying Club and Virgin Red – can be confusing. Flying Club is the airline’s frequent flier program, while Virgin Red is the brand’s comprehensive rewards program that also includes Virgin Hotels, Virgin Voyages and more.

You’ll need both for transferring points to use for Virgin Atlantic flights. So If you’re even considering flying with the carrier, I highly recommend opening and linking your accounts right away so you can be verified as soon as possible. This way, you’ll be ready to take advantage of deals as soon as they’re available.

Why Flying Club is so popular

Among points enthusiasts and frequent flyers, Flying Club earns high marks for several reasons. First of all, availability just got even better, thanks to an overhaul of the program that was announced in September 2024. Perhaps most notable among the new changes: As of October 2024, every seat on a Virgin Atlantic-operated flight will be made available for Flying Club members to purchase using their Virgin Points, including for upgrades. This availability makes reward travel much easier – even last minute.

In addition, the carrier is launching new Saver reward seats, which offer the lowest point prices ever available on thousands of routes – as low as 6,000 for transatlantic flights, according to the airline.

Flying Club has three membership tiers. Red is entry-level, followed by Silver, which comes with perks including extra baggage and priority check-in. Gold is the highest tier, which comes with lounge access, priority benefits, and additional points earned. There are a number of ways to earn Flying Club Virgin Points, the most straightforward of which is flying with the airline. The number of points earned is based on the ticket class and the number of miles flown.

You can also earn points by flying with partner airlines, including Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM (as well as other codeshare partners; check the Flying Club website for a full list). Points earned through Flying Club can be used for a number of redemptions, most notably reward flights on Virgin Atlantic and partner airlines and cabin upgrades. You can also use points to buy companion tickets for Flying Club members. Other perks include lounge access and hotel stays.

Beware of high fees for redemption travel

One aspect of reward travel on Virgin Atlantic that can catch travelers unfamiliar with the airline off guard: high taxes and fees. Depending on the class of service, route and availability, those extra costs can range from a couple hundred dollars to the cost of an international ticket.

The reason for the high fees: fuel surcharges, taxes and airport fees – all of which are especially problematic at Virgin Atlantic’s hub at LHR (which is a much-discussed issue on traveler forums that affects other airlines, too). Fees for Upper Class redemptions can be especially steep, so be sure to do a careful analysis ahead of time to make sure the redemption is worth it.