We couldn’t resist Virgin’s enticing status match to Gold, which just required a quick flight on their wings to seal the deal. Enter Virgin’s Upper Class—London Heathrow Terminal 3 to Boston Logan, courtesy of a fantastic fare we found. Now, we’ve been down this transatlantic route in Virgin’s premium cabin before, specifically to Los Angeles, where our experience landed somewhere between “meh” and “did we miss something?” But hey, we’re open-minded folks. So, here we are again, giving Virgin another shot to win us over… and let’s just say, expectations are not exactly soaring. Read on to see how our experience in the Upper Class Virgin Atlantic 787 flight went this time around.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: VS12
From/To: London (LHR) to Boston (BOS)
Departure time: 15:10
Aircraft: 787
Ticket Class: Upper Class
Seat: 4A / 5A
Flight time: 8 hours 20 mins
Flying Club Tier Points: 100
Airport Experience
Checking in through Virgin’s exclusive Upper Class Wing at Heathrow Terminal 3? It’s like zipping through your own private airport. From check-in to the Virgin Upper Class lounge, we breezed through security in under 10 minutes—now that is seamless. The experience kicked off with dedicated staff on hand to assist with our luggage, a thoughtful touch that made the process feel special… at first. But that initial excitement soon deflated. Only one check-in counter was open, and a line began snaking its way backward pretty quickly. It was all “Check-check, here’s your boarding pass… NEXT!” rather than the Upper Class welcome we were hoping for.
The Virgin Clubhouse at London Terminal 3 is arguably one of the best airport premium lounges out there. It’s spacious, stylishly designed, and well-staffed, creating an atmosphere that feels more like an upscale members-only club than an airport lounge. It also had a good selection of food and beverages. Read our full review for the Virgin Clubhouse. Our experience this time was during one of its quieter moments—only two flights were scheduled, so service was on point.
Boarding & Welcome
Our flight started on a high note, with a warm greeting and immediate escort to our seats, where a pre-departure drink appeared almost as soon as we sat down—never a bad way to kick things off. Maximizing our champagne intake in the lounge meant that we were one of the last to board and there was no queue to get on.
Seat
At first glance, the Upper Class Virgin Atlantic 787 seat promises a cozy, comfortable journey, set in a 1-1-1 configuration that feels intimate, with a bar conveniently tucked at the back of the cabin. However, the seat design has its limitations. It’s strictly either “sleep” or “sit”—leaving little room for adjustment, which might not suit travelers who prefer a more flexible setup. So if you decide to ask the crew to make up your bed in hopes of a cozier movie-watching experience… well, think again. It’s somehow even less comfortable. To top it off, all seats face inward, meaning you’ll be sharing those awkward glances across the aisle.
Window gazers, beware: once you’re in sleep mode, gazing out at the clouds is a no-go. The cabin is showing their age and looking increasingly outdated against competitor products and Virgin’s own newer A350 setup.
What is the best seat on the Upper Class Virgin Atlantic 787 flight?
The best seats are mid-cabin away from the bar at the back. If you’re seated near the bar, it can get very noisy, especially if you’re on the flight to Los Angeles! Also seats in row 7 has no windows, See the seating plan on SeatGuru.
Onboard Experience
There are three toilets serving both Upper Class and Premium Economy passengers. The toilets feel quite cramped, offering barely enough space to change into pajamas—though, in Virgin’s case, that’s a moot point since pajamas aren’t provided.
It’s commendable that Virgin is championing sustainability with their amenity bags made from recyclable kraft paper. The contents of the kit featured some practical toiletries, and the hand and face moisturizers were particularly useful during our skiing trip. However, I couldn’t help but feel that the new kraft paper bags are more likely to end up in a landfill than the previous Herschel amenity bags, which I still use for everyday storage. And while we appreciate the thoughtful touch of the amenity kit, a small bottle of hand sanitizer and some anti-viral wipes would have been a welcome addition—especially considering how grimy the seats are.
General and seat cleanliness was a real issue
I’ll let the pictures do the talking… worryingly dirty which is really unappealing! We found remnants from previous passengers including used towels and used boarding passes. We spoke to the cabin crew who were apologetic about the cleanliness.
Food & Drink
Drinks service started promisingly, with beverages promptly served soon after takeoff. If you’re not particular about your wine and spirits, Virgin’s bar selection might suit you fine; however, as fans of tasting premium wines and champagnes in business class, we found the limited wine list a letdown.
Moving on to the main meal, expectations sank even lower. The presentation was underwhelming, and the dish itself was heavily seasoned to compensate for lack of actual flavor. The standard three-course format was there, but when I requested a cheese course after dessert, I was met with an expression of utter confusion from the cabin crew. To their credit, they brought both courses at once—no points for timing, but at least they tried.
By the time the second meal rolled around before landing, our hopes weren’t high, but credit where it’s due: the afternoon tea was genuinely enjoyable. We decided to have it at the bar, which allowed us to share a nice spread in a change of scenery. With a satisfying tea selection and accommodating service, the second meal salvaged an otherwise lackluster dining experience.
In-flight Entertainment
The in-flight entertainment on Virgin’s 787 offers a commendable selection of movies and series, ensuring you have plenty to keep you occupied during the flight. The screen size is decent, providing a clear view of your chosen content. However, the joy of entertainment is somewhat dampened by the poor positioning of the screen, which, combined with an awkward seating layout, can make it challenging to find a comfortable viewing angle.
BG1 Verdict
Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class on the 787 presents a mixed bag of experiences. While the warm welcome and prompt drink service set a positive tone, the seating arrangement and dining offerings leave much to be desired. The amenity kit is a nod toward sustainability, but the lack of practical additions, coupled with a limited wine selection, detracts from the overall premium experience. Despite these shortcomings, the spacious Virgin Clubhouse and a solid selection of in-flight entertainment provide some redeeming qualities. If you’re seeking a lavish experience, you might want to consider other options, but there are still moments to enjoy along the way.
BG1 Tip
To make the most of your Virgin Upper Class experience, consider maximising your time in the Virgin Clubhouse before your flight. Arriving early allows you to indulge in the lounge’s amenities and enjoy a leisurely drink, which can help offset any potential disappointments once you’re on board.
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