In 2019, Virgin Atlantic was the first UK carrier to order up to 16 Airbus A330neos, thus reaffirming its commitment to flying the cleanest and greenest fleet.
And now it is official: Starting September 2022, the airline will take delivery of three aircraft, with the remaining following by 2026.
Virgin Atlantic’s first A330neo is expected to take off to Boston in early October, and ticket sales will start later this month.
The new aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to save fuel and reduce emissions. The A330-900neos are designed to reduce fuel consumption by 11% and carbon emissions by 20%.
The airline has now revealed the hotly anticipated aircraft for the first time, with a personalized experience in every class. Connectivity, for example, is improved throughout the plane: Premium and Upper-Class passengers are offered game-changing in-seat wireless charging. At the same time, customers in every cabin can enjoy more USB connections, Bluetooth-enabled entertainment systems, and the airline’s fastest ever Wi-Fi.
Let’s see what else the new Airbus A330neo offer on Virgin Atlantic.
The Upper-Class Loft and new suites
The airline’s award-winning Loft remains a focal point as passengers board the aircraft and is a core part of the Upper-Class experience. In the new aircraft, it consists of space for eight people, with four comfortable seats, so guests can sit and chat or enjoy refreshments from the self-service fridge and drinks dispenser. They can also connect Bluetooth headphones to the two panoramic 27″ touchscreens or use the wireless charging facilities to charge their devices.
The Retreat Suite is a brand-new innovation in Virgin Upper Class, consisting of two exclusive suites at the front of the cabin. Each suite boasts an ottoman that doubles as an extra seat, so up to four people can comfortably dine, chat or play games in their own private space.
The new A330neo also offers 30 brand-new Upper-Class suites with a fully closing privacy door, passenger-controlled mood lighting, a large touchscreen TV, and even a mirror so customers can touch up before landing.
“Each customer receives a premium experience regardless of the cabin”
Corneel Koster, Chief Customer and Operating Officer at Virgin Atlantic, commented: “When it comes to innovating for our customers, we never stand still. Our desire to create memorable experiences means we’ll continue to imagine with fresh ideas. We care about every detail of the cabin design and every step of our customer’s journey. We’re proud to unveil our state-of-the-art A330neo and show the evolution of our customer experience, with each customer receiving a premium experience regardless of the cabin.
“The A330neo plays a significant role in our multibillion-dollar fleet transformation, demonstrating our commitment to the planet. 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. It’s truly a plane for the future.”
An elevated Premium experience
Many stylish touches make a big difference in Premium, consisting of 46 seats on the A330neo. The seats’ original pitch of 38″ remains, but now with calf rests in every seat and a 13.3″ touchscreen with Bluetooth audio. Virgin’s A330neo also offers its Premium customers an in-seat wireless charging pad.
Biggest Economy screen
Comfort and connection are also elevated in the new Economy cabin, with the largest ever economy screen at 13.3″, an intuitive touchscreen and Bluetooth audio to connect headphones, and the option for passengers to use their phone as a controller. Add to that plenty of storage, plus AC power and USB ports to keep gadgets energized. In addition, customers in Economy can choose between 28 Economy Delight seats, with an increased 34″ seat pitch, or 156 Economy Classic seats, providing a 31″ pitch.
