Virgin Atlantic Launches Airbus A330neo Featuring Airline’s Largest Suite Ever

In 2019, Virgin Atlantic placed an order for 16 brand-new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. And while the subsequent two years were a difficult time for travel, the industry is finally rebounding — just in time for the U.K.-based airline to receive the first three aircraft in the order.

The highly efficient A330neo will eventually replace Virgin Atlantic’s older A330-900 aircraft, reducing fuel burn and carbon emissions by 11% from the older model — something that aligns closely with Virgin Atlantic’s mission to fly “the cleanest, greenest fleet in the sky,” according to a press release.

Innovative Design and Features

For this aircraft, which has slimmer proportions than other wide-body planes like the Airbus A350, Virgin Atlantic had to design a new business-class product — a collaborative project between the company’s in-house design team and London creative agency Factorydesign. They riffed on Virgin Atlantic’s existing Upper Class suites, which are currently found on its A350 aircraft. However, on the A330neo, the 30 Upper Class suites will feature fully closing doors instead of partially closing ones, and each of the seats will be forward-facing rather than a mix of backward and forward. Moreover, they have been kitted out with the latest tech, including bluetooth connectivity to the in-flight entertainment system and wireless charging ports.

Virgin Atlantic is well-known for having social spaces onboard each of its aircraft, and this trend will continue with the A330neo. Called the Loft, this space is a small onboard lounge for the exclusive use of Upper Class passengers, featuring communal seating for up to eight, as well as a self-service refrigerator and freezer stocked with treats like alcoholic beverages and ice cream. Consequently, it also includes wireless charging ports, similar to the Upper Class suites.

Premium Seating Options

The star of the show is an even more premium seat that’s making its debut on the A330neo: the Retreat Suites. This upgrade over the traditional Upper Class suite provides even more space for passengers, featuring a six-foot, seven-inch lie-flat bed. Additionally, they have some of the largest screens in the business, measuring a massive 27 inches. However, the most innovative feature of the Retreat Suites is the fact that the ottomans for each seat can be configured as sitting space for guests — a fold-out table situated between the main seat and the ottoman allows guests to dine together or enjoy a private social setting.

The first A330neo aircraft will have two Retreat Suites onboard in the Upper Class cabin, positioned in front of the cabin in the center of the two aisles. The seats can be combined into a two-person suite, or a divider can keep them separate for solo travelers. These will be available for Upper Class passengers to upgrade to starting 14 days before the flight at a relatively low price point of £200 (about $240).

Behind Upper Class, the A330neo will have 45 Premium seats, the airline’s premium-economy product, which offer extra recline and leg room, enhanced leg rests, and wireless charging ports. In economy, the 184 seats will be arranged in a 2-4-2 layout, thereby reducing the number of middle seats compared to many other wide-body aircraft, which often feature 3-3-3 arrangements. Economy will be divided into two categories: Economy and Economy Delight, which provides three extra inches of leg room compared to the standard economy seat.

“The A330neo plays a significant role in our multi-billion dollar fleet transformation, demonstrating our commitment to the planet,” stated Corneel Koster, chief customer and operating officer at Virgin Atlantic. “We know the most impactful thing we can do as an airline is to fly the cleanest, greenest, youngest fleet possible and the A330neo is integral to achieving this goal, reducing the average age of our fleet to just seven years by 2026. It’s truly a plane for the future.”

Virgin Atlantic’s A330neo will make its debut on the airline’s Boston to London route in October 2022; tickets will go on sale this month.