Virgin Atlantic has acquired a number of ex-Air Berlin A330-200s which will enter service in March. These aircraft will fly from Manchester to Barbados (BGI), Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), and San Francisco (SFO).
More interestingly, these planes will feature Business Class seats in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration. Each seat will have direct aisle access and are very different from Virgin Atlantic’s usual herringbone seat configuration.
Virgin Says: “The unique Upper-Class cabin introduces three new seat styles for Virgin Atlantic customers to choose from; the Love Suite, the Freedom Solo Suite, and the Corner Solo Suite, all with direct aisle access. Customers will also be able to select from a special barista-style coffee menu; receive free messaging, and an improved amenity kit featuring “Happy Socks”.
Virgin has been clever with the naming and marketing of the 3 new suites, which they are calling Love Suite, Solo Freedom Suite, and Solo Corner Suite. What honeymooner would not want to try the Love Suite? What solo traveler would not want to try the Solo Freedom or Corner Suite?
In reality, these are old business class seats, similar to those already flying on Alitalia, British Airways, and Iberia. If anything, this cabin is inferior to their normal Upper Class. The Air Berlin seats are narrow, short, and feel dated.
The Best Seat On Virgin’s A330?
As you can imagine, solo travelers should choose the Solo Freedom or Corner Suite and will find the Love Suite extremely uncomfortable as you are far too close to your neighbor.
Conclusion
These seats are very comfortable and OK to sleep in but they are not really a suite and they are not, IMHO, as good as the usual Virgin Atlantic Upper-Class Suites which I have reviewed previously.
The love seats are a complete disaster if you are a solo traveler and get accidentally booked into one of these duos. You will be painfully close to your neighbor! There will be no onboard bar is no premium economy on these A330 planes, so I would avoid the Manchester routings mentioned above where possible.
Find out how to get a free flight upgrade and if you want to pick up a travel bargain, you should read our 7 sensational secrets that all travellers should know (but probably don’t).
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