Flight Review: Virgin Atlantic UPPER CLASS on their new A350... As Good As I Hoped?

[@henrywm1451]

Loving the frequency of videos atm Matt! Keep up the great work and content! ✈️😄

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Henry. Now we can travel a little more easily I can produce interesting stuff more easily...

[@chilglish]

Very good flight review Matt. Personally, I believe that objective criticism, such as yours, is absolutely necessary and you made some good points. I thoroughly enjoyed the video... Thanks!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - you're more than welcome!

[@jasongabb1671]

Hi Matt, great video as always. Flying on the A350 on May 7th to Mumbai in Upper. I really like their 787, A330(Ok) and have flown on their A340-600's and 747's in the past, even their horrible Air Berlin 300-200's. I think being objective, with my experience with BA & VA and watching your videos, i wouldn't touch BA with a s**** stick. I recall your video on the A380 with BA from Miami, that was just horrendous. To think that BA were once the number 1 airline back in 2006, i don't even think that they even break the Top 20 these days? On top of that, the UC wing and lounge leave BA standing. Interestingly enough, Virgin have just been awarded best long haul airline, which makes my decision even easier... Hope to see you on my flight soon... Jason.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Jason, That A380 from Miami was certainly a low point! Sadly being the best airline no longer guarantees you to be the most profitable airline, but BA seems to have swerved being the best and the most profitable!

[@GLAFly]

Great video as always Matt. Upper Class is one that's on the future travel wish list and it was nice to see the newer seat on the A350. Just a shame that the crew's lack of proactivity was a bit of a let down.

[@MattsPlanet]

Virgin does differentiate themselves quite well but the out and back crew experience was like night versus day. Hey, it actually was night versus day!!!

[@GLAFly]

@@MattsPlanet i had the same issue with my BA crew but reversed - outbound day crew were doing the bare min - not proactive at all, but inbound overnight was a fantastic crew - couldn't have been more attentive from the get go.

[@IWTBF]

Awesome! Another flight review. Love it Matt. Keep it up ;)

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks! Will do... Hopefully less "pink" in the future!

[@IWTBF]

@@MattsPlanet not a fan of this mood lighting personally, well not the neon type colours

[@Locutus]

Good video, Matt. Definitely fair and constructive criticism. I'm surprised about the maintenance of their seats. I'm surprised that they let their seats get so bad.

[@MattsPlanet]

It was disappointing - the velcro suggests they weren't interested in a proper fix...

[@spg141]

Great video! Haven't flown Virgin for years but often used to have problems with the seats. They always seemed to be more style over substance.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Patrick. The outbound service was great and did meet the expectations virgin set, even if the seat is a bit odd... Coming back wasn't so great...Thanks for watching!

[@Ian-vx2xg]

Great video Matt. Didn't seem the normal Virgin style of service. I'd love to see your thoughts on the BA Club Suites product and maybe how VA new upper class and BA new Club Suites compare. I look forward to watching more of your trip reviews!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Ian. Always tricky to conclude on things like service with a sample size of one, but there was some sympathy in the comments that the crew on return flights with Virgin can be a little less perky than on the outbound... Club Suites are in my future plans but might still be a few months off - quite keen to really try them on a 10 hour + flight rather than 6 hours overnight from the East Coast though... Sure a comparison will follow. A comparison of the two virgin seats is out on Sunday, so "stick around" for that one!

[@irishinusa1615]

Great vlog. Not surprised. Experienced myself. Wanted change from BA. Needless to say, we are back to BA. Enjoy your overviews/vlogs very much 👏👏👏👏👏👍

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Elaine. Virgin can be great, but like BA they can also not be!

[@irishinusa1615]

@@MattsPlanet agree 👍

[@bowman7296]

Another good video, Matt, it's about time airlines and airports sort out all the documentation that is required to travel nowadays. Hopefully, it could be scraped soon so we get back to the old ways of travelling. Certainly did not like your Magenta colour scheme on the plane that was a big turn-off was OK on the morning landing, and to have all the faults with your seat on a fairly new aircraft should not have been.

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Peter. Was a bit disappointing... The magenta wasn't as bad in person although I was able to turn it down a bit with the editing suite's colour correction!

[@saul9357]

Delighted you’ve finally tried the 350 Upper Class . Having been fortunate to have flown on it to JFK in December I too couldn’t help but wonder how long the seats will last . I can attest that the build quality is lacking and it has a flimsy feel . I also want to “challenge” your comment about not being able to view the tailcam on take off and landing at a good angle , why not simply open the screen ? 🤣 All in all a great review as always Matt . Currently earning as many virgin points as possible to experience it all over again !

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Saul. Re the screen, I'm so used to screens needing to be secured for take off and landing that I didn't even think about it! I've racked my brains as to whether there was an announcement but I don't remember one. They probably need to make an announcement that you can use the screens! Happy to be corrected though.

[@IWTBF]

Amazing footage of London coming in

[@MattsPlanet]

London behaved nicely for a January morning!

[@JosephMcGinley-ne9ni]

When filming , did you get many objections to film any airport staff, and how did you get round this. I'm traveling to New York Sept 2025, and intend to film as much as I can, airport, airplanes, cabin classes. Now what I'm filming is mostly for my own view, and something to remember my 60th birthday vacation. I may edit some of m,y videos, so i can show these to my colleagues in work, on how I have enjoyed myself

[@MattsPlanet]

I'm very discrete and usually have the camera clipped to the strap of my backpack so its hard to notice.... No-one has ever complained, although I try hard not to capture faces and if I do, I blur them out in my released videos (generally - I'm getting better!!!) A few crew have noticed and are almost always really interested. If you're filming on your phone that's entirely normal these days and I doubt anyone would think twice. There are some privacy and GDPR issues in this area but if your video is for non-public consumption I wouldn't be too worried.... Just be a bit discrete and have a great trip!

[@BillHutchensFilms]

I have recently developed a slight addiction to watching flight reviews, focussing on business class and first class. I assume Upper Class=Business Class? If so, it falls well short of other airlines. From what I have seen Qatar, Emirates, ANA and Singapore have great relatively new premium class cabins, this was well short of those in every way.

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Bill. Making these videos is quite addictive too!!! "Upper Class" is Virgin trying to be different. They want you to feel it's superior to Business Class although I don't believe they ever actually say it is... I think the 4 airlines you mention are amongst the best business class products in the world and so even if Virgin's Upper Class is superior to many European business classes (which is open to question), it will probably fall short of the best of the best on the global stage.

[@lesbrown2724]

Matt a very interesting video again, bit sad about the poor build quality of the new Virgin Upper Class seat. More surprising was the cabin service as that has always been the strongest part of the experience. I know that there were complaints about the tray table and assume that the pivoting action is the "fix" for the original problems. Maybe I have been lucky with Virgin and unlucky with BA but certainly there has been quite a gulf in service quality for me with Virgin the clear winner both on the ground and. in the air.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Les. A few comments that the crew coming back are often less "perky" than when they fly outbound, which was certainly my experience. A sample of 1 flight though - love to be able to afford to do this every week to build up more of a databank but that's not in prospect any time soon!

[@HeirJimmish]

I found VS to be a little style over substance. Yes, their product looks great on paper, and if you like magenta, your eye balls will be happy, but overall, it's nothing special. I mean, I've only flown them twice, to SEA and from LAS, neither of which blew me away and if I'm honest, I had better experiences on Wizz Air. Scratch beneath the surface (not too hard though, or something might break off again), and you've got a fairly basic airline providing a basic service. Can't really say much better for the "other flag carrier" either. Only stumbled across your channel today, Matt! Subscribed and will be watching your other reviews too! I love your honesty and sense of humour :)

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks!! I was excited to fly Virgin after 20-odd years as, as you said, it looks great on paper! Quite surprised at how many people have had issues with the hard product, and specifically with it falling to bits!!!

[@davidcoker7989]

I truly home that VS is not in decline as they are the only airline I choose when traveling from LAX to LHR! I have not flown since pre-pandemic and have yet to fly on VS' A350's but honestly as unusual as the seats were in upper class on the Dreamliner I think that I will actually like these even less. I am sorry to have to say this but these seats as well as the lounge area look cheap, they could have done a much better job and if they are falling apart now just give them a few more years, wow. Thank you for this trip report and I will finish with what I began with by saying VS has always been an excellent airline no matter what class I have booked and I truly hope that this was just a one off for them and they are not in decline.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks David. Just completing a comparison of the 787 and A350 experience - should be out next weekend - and it sounds like you experiences will mirror what I say in that video... Every airline has struggled over the last 2 years and Virgin is no exception. I'd hesitate to take a long-lasting decision about whether an airline has declined beyond hope of recovery for a little while yet, although those A350 seats are cheap now and they'll be cheap in 10 years time!

[@davidcoker7989]

@@MattsPlanet indeed, interesting to see how all of the big carriers come through these past two years. I am still optimistic about their recovery.

[@shehryar_]

Great video Matt. One of the concerns I had when VS unveiled their cabins was that the seats looked slightly less sturdy and more shoddy than BAs, and a lot of early reviews seemed to agree with that. I'm loyal to BA mostly, especially since they've introduced the Club Suites on the routes that I frequent, but it seems VS might also soon start operating the 350s on those routes to compete with BA. Have always had a good experience on BA, and the Club Suites are a huge improvement. Sadly never had the chance to fly VS though. Given the choice, which would you recommend?

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for the comment... Not flown the Club Suite yet! Been booked on twice but neither trip happened... Should get on in the next few months but I can't really help right now!

[@kenlawdavis1742]

Thanks Matt for another great video. So the burning question: BA or Virgin for trans Atlantic?

[@MattsPlanet]

G'day Ken. I saw this comment about an hour ago - the fact that I can't answer after thinking about it for an hour is probably your answer!!! Both can be brilliant. Both can be mediocre. I think BA has the capacity to be more mediocre, but is that enough to make a decision from??? This question has gone on my "Ideas for Videos" list!

[@trippingontravel]

Sorry the flight seems to have been a bit of a let down. I had a mixed A350 outbound, 787 return flight coming up in a couple months. Within the last couple days the A350 was swapped for a 787, so it looks like I won’t be able to try out Virgin’s new product this time around (unless it changes back) but I’m looking forward to your comparison video!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for the comment. The comparison script isn't complete but I don't think I'll conclude that the A350 seat is 100 times better than the 787 one...

[@jamesblakestravels1088]

Hi matt we are due to fly to Vegas next month. What was the paperwork you had problems with when heading home also how did you do your covid test to get to the USA it all looks very confusing lol

[@MattsPlanet]

Hi James! Getting to the US - I used Qured (with a BA discount code even through I flew on Virgin!) A "simple" lateral flow test but buy the supervised option. You'll then schedule a webcall with someone who will watch you take the test and so can certify that the swab went up your nose, rather than the dog's. That produces a certificate which the US government will certify. Coming back, I needed to prove I was vaccinated, needed a UK passenger locator form and also needed a day 2 test, which has now been abolished. If you have the PLF that should certify you have satisfied the rest of the requirements, but the guy in Vegas didn't know that so he read every word of all 3 proofs... The PLF is a bit of a chore, not least as you can only do it within 48 (it might now be 72,,,) hours of your flight back so you have to do it when you're away. But the digital certificate on the phone is good enough, you don't have to panic about printing it off. Just make sure you have battery left on your phone!!! It is all a little daunting, but once you've done it all you'll wonder what you were worried about!

[@TravellingDT]

Uhh… I was so looking forward to my UC A350 flight on Friday. Best I rein in my expectations a little I think. 😞

[@MattsPlanet]

Don't despair! A sample of 1 flight... I am certain that this layout can provide a great experience on a day flight with a switched-on crew - like the one I had outbound (who do also crew the A350...) Would be interested to know how it goes for you

[@chrisneal18]

Just FYI you can have the screen out for take off and landing in Upper on the A350 so that’s one less thing to worry about

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers - that's really interesting as absolutely nobody did on my flight!

[@Firehotbeats803]

Thank goodness for replacing UC coffin seats with something decent.

[@MattsPlanet]

Although the new seat is far from perfect!

[@IWTBF]

I agree the table and screen should be swapped.

[@MattsPlanet]

Neither layout would be perfect but at least you could see the screen if they were swapped.

[@IWTBF]

Ridiculous. Imagine needing binoculars on a plane in first class too lol

[@derisleybrittain]

Excellent 👍👍👍👍👍👍🍾🍾🍾🍾🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks

[@Mark.Claughton]

The layout looks like KLM business class. We never got offered a pre flight drink in January on KLM which really gave me the arse ache. To be honest I can't help but think cabin crew in them masks in a vacuum tube at 35 thousand feet does any good for moral and I think lowers it for both them and passenger. On the experience you want to be greeted with a nice smile, personally I find it a little stressful. I have 2 virgin companion tickets and after watching that I'm thinking I may as well just upgrade to premium economy

[@MattsPlanet]

The outbound flight was pretty good so I'm not giving up on Virgin... Its unfortunate that there seems to be such volatility in the quality of the experience. And masks do really get in the way of good service

[@doveronefoxtrot4417]

That lighting would bring on a migraine attack for me.

[@MattsPlanet]

Indeed... It didn't seem quite so bad at the time but it really shows up in the footage. Cheers!

[@IWTBF]

The meals too look awful. What’s going on! I dread to think how much a ticket for this experience is. Seems better value in economy

[@MattsPlanet]

The cauliflower was a challenge...

[@laurabaden-powell1484]

Yes the meal looked awful/woeful.

[@heyimJaxin]

good morning

[@MattsPlanet]

Hello!

[@IWTBF]

Definitely not tough. Just honest :)

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks! I try to highlight the positives too!

[@IWTBF]

@@MattsPlanet yes that’s why I enjoy your honest reviews.

[@wingitoneworld]

Oh dear, expectations shattered again, when will these airlines learn. It’s not all about money. Good old customer service😀😀😀

[@MattsPlanet]

Other comments suggest that its the flights back from the USA that are problematic!

[@paulstannard3994]

Should have used sellotape not Velcro. Good old Branson everything on the cheap 😂

[@MattsPlanet]

Double sided tape might have worked...

[@paulstannard3994]

@@MattsPlanet true. Bet it’s still like it now. Emirates business class puts them to shame.

[@IWTBF]

The mood lighting is awful. It’s like a brothel. Also a bit underwhelming in regards to storage, even more so as this is newly installed

[@MattsPlanet]

Storage was a disappointment - I'll take your word re the similarities to a brothel!

[@IWTBF]

@@MattsPlanet do you find the mood lighting relaxing? I don’t get the vibe they are going for.

[@IWTBF]

Wow the sear defects and the pathetic little door for privacy! Wow. And this is upper class! Jesus

[@MattsPlanet]

The "door" is daft...

[@IWTBF]

@@MattsPlanet although as you did point out the seat is rather private anyway. Good position unlike they other aircraft were everyone I’d at an angle and looking at everyone

[@steveholland1252]

Clearly Virgin are taking us for a Ride not giving us the experience we all crave.

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Steve - capital R on Ride so I think you are correct on a couple of levels!

[@moraimon]

BA and VS were good competitors in terms of business class product. Both were innovative 20 years ago. But they are not any more. They are just buying seat products from seat vendors. No innovation or no originality.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - I think you've hit the nail on the head with that one! An interesting case study on how long a company can carry a reputation for innovation without actually doing any innovating!

[@moraimon]

@@MattsPlanet Their lounges at LHR are still very uniquely competitive. If I had to fly transatlantic, I would choose DL for its Delta One Suite product with an access to VS lounge.

[@papi8659]

Don't think much of the seats to be honest

[@MattsPlanet]

They just felt cheap....

[@tb3177]

I've always flown Virgin Atlantic. That seems kinda unacceptable that you have broken parts on a newly built plane thats only a few years old. Upper class on Etihad, Emirates or any non British or American airline would be much better along with the service. Any british upper class would be better than their American counterparts. We've been used to crap in America and have been fed it by these airlines.

[@MattsPlanet]

I think I have to agree with everything here! A sample of one seat on one plane so its hard to conclude that everything is shoddy on the new A350s, but a couple of comments did suggest that this was not an isolated issue. Thanks for watching!