Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class provides travelers with top-of-the-line upgraded services for long haul flights. These services include fully flat bed seating on applicable aircraft, lounge access, additional checked baggage, priority airport services, and meal upgrades. Like with all flight upgrades, prices depend on the ticket you buy, the route you take, the availability at the time of your purchase, and the date of travel.

Upper Class passengers can also benefit from priority services at the airport. These may include priority check-in, security or boarding where available, and access to Virgin Atlantic’s premium airport lounges. Lounge access gives travelers a quieter place to relax before departure, with refreshments, seating areas, and other facilities depending on the airport.

Is Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Worth Considering?

If you have ever tried to sleep in an economy seat on an overnight flight, you already understand why people consider paying more for a premium cabin.

The main attraction of Virgin Atlantic Upper Class is the bed. On aircraft equipped for the full Upper Class experience, the seat turns into a fully flat bed, giving you a much better chance of arriving rested.

But the seat is only part of it.

Starting with priority check-in, access to Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse or partner lounges, and a cabin dedicated to you during the flight, Upper Class passengers receive service tailored to their comfort. You also get to enjoy elevated service as compared to the economy section during meals and drinks. Passengers flying long haul and business passengers appreciate the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class experience.

What Upper Class Perks Do Virgin Atlantic Offer?

The upper class passenger perks commence with the Virgin Atlantic check in at the airport.

Depending on the airport and the flight, Upper Class passengers are eligible for priority checking in, exclusive boarding, and priority baggage services. The airport amenities differ and can vary for a particular flight, so it is prudent to check what is offered for your flight.

On the plane, the biggest benefit is the flat-bed seat on applicable aircraft. You also receive an upgraded meal service and access to drinks during the flight.

There is another advantage that often gets overlooked: time.

You spend less time standing in ordinary check-in lines, waiting at the gate, or collecting bags. For someone traveling for work, those small improvements can make a long trip feel considerably less tiring.

How Much Baggage Can You Take in the Upper Class?

The Virgin Upper Class baggage allowance is generally two checked bags, with each bag weighing up to 32 kg.

That can be useful for travelers carrying business equipment, several outfits, or luggage for a longer stay.

Hand baggage rules are separate, and allowances can depend on the itinerary and current Virgin Atlantic conditions. If your journey includes several flights, don’t assume the same baggage allowance automatically applies to every sector.

This becomes particularly important when you upgrade only one part of a trip.

For example, you might book an itinerary from the United States to London and then continue elsewhere in Europe. If the long-haul section is upgraded but the connecting flight remains in another cabin, the baggage rules may not be identical.

Not sure what your ticket includes?
Before paying for an upgrade, call +1-833-894-5333 with your itinerary details and check the baggage conditions for each flight.

Can You Choose Your Upper Class Seat?

Yes, passengers can select an available Upper Class seat through their booking, subject to the fare and seat availability.

This is worth doing sooner rather than later.

If you are traveling with another person, waiting until check-in can leave you with very few choices. The same applies if you have a preferred window seat or want a particular location within the cabin.

The aircraft configuration should also be checked before choosing a seat. Virgin Atlantic uses different aircraft, and the Upper Class cabin is not identical across every plane.

Are There Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Seat Selection Fees?

Searches for Virgin Atlantic Upper Class seat selection fees can be confusing because seat rules can vary by booking and fare.

Rather than relying on a general price found online, open your reservation and look at the available seats and any charges shown for your specific flight.

If you are booking for several passengers, this is especially important. A small seat-related charge multiplied across a family or group can change the final cost of the trip.

What Is the Upper Class Dining Experience Like?

The Virgin Upper Class menu and lounge access are two reasons many travelers feel the difference before the aircraft even leaves the ground.

Passengers belonging to the Upper Class on eligible flights can use the Clubhouse at certain airports where they can dine, drink, work, use showers, and relax before their flight.

Food for Upper Class passengers is served from their cabin before the economy service is used.

There is variety in the menus, so different flights will offer different food. Anything from seasonal or route-related decisions may affect what is available to eat on the flight.

Some passengers may also be provided with the ability to choose a main meal prior to the flight.

Since food quality may vary at different restaurants, it is recommended to check what meals are available on your flight before booking to see if it is worth it for you.

For travelers comparing premium cabin perks across multiple airlines, checking dedicated options for business class makes it much easier to weigh lounge access, seat configuration, and overall pricing. 

How Much Does a Virgin Upper Class Upgrade Cost?

The cost of an Upper Class upgrade is determined on a case by case basis.

That’s because an upgrade is tied to your individual reservation. Virgin Atlantic can make different offers depending on the flight, remaining Upper Class seats, original fare, route, and travel date.

You may encounter different types of upgrade opportunities, including fixed-price offers, bidding options, or upgrades using Virgin Points when the booking qualifies.

The price can therefore be very different from one traveler to another.

A sensible approach is to compare three numbers:

1. What you already paid for the existing ticket.
2. What Virgin Atlantic is asking for the upgrade.
3. What an entirely new Upper Class ticket costs.

Sometimes the upgrade is clearly the better deal. Other times, buying Upper Class from the beginning makes more sense.

Can Virgin Points Be Used To Upgrade?

There are times when Virgin Points can be used to upgrade Virgin Atlantic flights. Again, depending on your circumstances, this may not occur.

If the amount of points that you’ve accrued is not enough to guarantee that you have upgraded Virgin Points, then it will have no effect on the ticket that you booked.

You have to consider if spending points is really worth it.

Compared to the cash ticket value, it can make a difference in the long run.

What Happens If Only One of My Flights Is Upgraded?

This is something people tend to forget about.

Let’s say you’ve booked flights where you have three segments and you only upgrade one of the segments, the transatlantic flight, and the rest of the flights do not have your Upper Class status.

In this case, in the upgraded flight you may have the baggage and cabin benefits, but the other flights don’t.

This may affect seating, lounge access, baggage benefits, etc.

Don’t Forget to Make Sure Which Flight Segments Are Being Upgraded Before Accepting Your Upgrade!

What Are The Differences Between Upper Class and Standard Cabin?

What Should You Check Before Buying?

Don’t make the decision based only on the word “business class.”

Look at the actual aircraft operating your flight. If your main reason for choosing Virgin Atlantic Upper Class is the flat bed, this is one of the first things worth confirming.

Then check the fare conditions.

A flexible ticket may cost more initially but could be more useful if your plans are likely to change. A cheaper restricted fare might look attractive until you need to move the flight.

Also check the baggage allowance, seat map, lounge availability, and upgrade conditions before paying.

For an overnight flight, the extra cost may be easier to justify. For a short daytime sector, the calculation can be very different.

Final Word

There are few airlines that can boast offering customers a more comfortable long haul travel experience than Virgin Atlantic Upper Class. They’ve thought of everything from the flat bed seating that gives passengers much needed rest during long haul travel to the many added services that contribute to an easier connection experience including priority services, dining, and an expanded luggage allowance.

Even if you’ve already booked a coach airfare ticket, don’t assume that you would save the most money by opting for an upgrade to Upper Class. Always cross check the cost for upgrading to Upper Class in the individual travel sectors against the cost of a new ticket purchase.

For assistance with booking or upgrades, feel free to call Grouptripo. Their travel specialists are available to take your calls at +1-833-894-5333.

Disclaimer: We are an independent travel assistance agency, not officially affiliated with any airline, but here to help you with your travel queries and support you every step of the way.