There are airlines you fly for pure efficiency, and then there's Virgin Atlantic — an airline that has always understood flying should feel like an occasion. I travelled Upper Class back in December 2021, and looking back, I caught it at something of a sweet spot: 57,000 points plus around £400 in taxes, booked before the days of dynamic pricing and the eye-watering taxes that followed. You simply couldn't touch that value today.

The Upper Class Wing: A Grand Entrance

The experience starts before you've even entered the terminal. I used the dedicated Upper Class Wing at Heathrow, where you're dropped off at a private, discreet entrance away from the main departures chaos. Security here is exclusive to premium passengers, so you're through in minutes and delivered almost directly to the lounge. It's a small piece of theatre that instantly sets the tone — you feel looked after from the kerb.

The Clubhouse: The Best Lounge in the Game?

And then there's the Clubhouse. If Virgin is known for one thing on the ground, it's this. The space is unmistakably Virgin — sweeping curves, a striking cocktail bar as the centrepiece, and clusters of iconic mid-century Eames lounge chairs scattered across the room. It feels less like an airport lounge and more like a design-led members' club.

The bar is the heart of it. Rather than the usual self-serve counter, you've got a proper cocktail menu and bartenders mixing drinks to order — a mojito in hand while you wait for your flight is a very civilised way to begin a journey.

The food is a genuine highlight too, and a cut above most lounges. This isn't a sad buffet — it's a proper à la carte menu ordered to your table. I had the chicken katsu-style burger with a pot of fries, a glass of fizz alongside, and finished with a warm chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream. Restaurant-quality plating, and a world away from the sandwich-and-crisps offering you get elsewhere.

Onboard: The Iconic Purple Glow

Step onboard and you're bathed in Virgin's signature mood lighting — that famous purple-and-pink cabin glow that no other airline does quite the same way. It's pure Virgin personality, and it still makes boarding feel special years on.

The Upper Class seat delivers a comfortable, private lie-flat bed. The bedding is generous — a proper duvet and full pillows that make it easy to get a real sleep rather than a fitful doze. I settled in with the seat made up flat and slept well across the Atlantic.

The A350 Cabin & The Loft

Virgin's A350 marked a real step up in onboard space. The Upper Class suites are arranged in a herringbone configuration with sliding privacy doors, giving each seat a genuine cocoon feel — a proper private suite rather than just a flat seat. There's ample room in the footwell and thoughtful storage dotted around.

The showpiece, though, is The Loft — a dedicated social space at the front of the cabin with a sofa, seating for a few people, a large screen and mood lighting, designed for you to escape your seat, have a drink and socialise mid-flight. It's a lovely touch that leans into Virgin's whole 'flying should be fun' ethos, and a nice place to stretch out and break up a long crossing.

The Food Onboard

The onboard dining continued the theme. Dinner was well presented — a burger served properly on ceramic with a side of crisps, condiments in little dishes, and a slice of chocolate torte to finish. It's approachable, generous food that doesn't take itself too seriously, which is very on-brand for Virgin.