You're standing at Heathrow Terminal 3, clutching a boarding pass that promises a "Suite" on the Virgin Upper Class 787 Dreamliner. It sounds fancy. It sounds like you’re about to live your best life at 35,000 feet. But honestly? The 787-9 is the middle child of the Virgin Atlantic fleet. It’s caught between the aging A330-300s and the shiny, new A350 "Leisure" and "Icon" suites. If you go in expecting the massive sliding doors of the A350, you might feel a little bit let down.
The Dreamliner uses a layout that Virgin has basically made its signature over the last decade: the herringbone configuration.
It’s weird.
Instead of facing the window or the aisle directly, you’re angled toward the center of the plane. You’re looking at the feet of the person across the aisle. Is it private? Sorta. Is it the best way to fly across the pond? That’s what we need to figure out, because for a lot of travelers, the 787 is actually the sweet spot for a good night's sleep, even if it feels a bit tight during dinner.
The Herringbone Reality Check
Let's talk about the seat. On the Virgin Upper Class 787, you’re sitting in a Vera seat. It’s narrow. If you’re a broader human, you’ll notice the squeeze. The biggest quirk, and the thing that first-timers always struggle with, is that the seat doesn't just recline into a bed. You have to stand up. You have to flip the entire back of the chair forward to reveal the mattress on the other side.
It’s a bit of a production.
One minute you’re sipping a glass of Ayala champagne, and the next, you’re awkward-shuffling in the aisle while a flight attendant wrestles your furniture. But here’s the trade-off: because the bed is a dedicated flat surface rather than just a flattened chair, it’s actually quite comfortable. No weird lumps where the seat cushions meet. It's a flat, consistent surface.
The storage situation is... well, it’s not great. You’ve got a small pocket for your phone and maybe a book. Anything else? It’s going in the overhead bin. If you like to have your laptop, your headphones, your iPad, and your skincare bag all within arm’s reach, you’re going to feel cluttered. It's a minimalist’s dream but a maximalist’s nightmare.
Why the Dreamliner Environment Actually Matters
People obsess over the seat, but they forget the plane. The 787-9 is technically superior to the older A330s for one massive reason: altitude. The cabin is pressurized to a lower altitude (about 6,000 feet) compared to older aluminum aircraft.
You feel less like a dried-out raisin when you land.
The humidity is higher, too. You won't wake up with that "I just swallowed a desert" feeling in your throat. Then there are the windows. They’re huge. Instead of plastic shades, you have the electronic dimming buttons. They turn a deep, moody blue. It’s cool, but keep in mind that the cabin crew can centrally override them. If you want to stare at the sunrise but the crew wants the cabin dark for sleep, you’re out of luck.
The Onboard Bar vs. The Loft
On the Virgin Upper Class 787, you get the Bar. On the newer A350, you get "The Loft." There’s a big difference in the vibe.
The Bar on the Dreamliner is a social hub. It’s literally a bar with stools. If you’re a social butterfly, this is the best place in the sky. You can sit there, chat with the crew, meet a random tech entrepreneur, and drink a Virgin Redhead cocktail. It feels like a private club.
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However, if your seat is in the back of the Upper Class cabin (Rows 9, 10, or 11), the Bar is your enemy. It gets loud. People have a few drinks, they start laughing, and that sound carries right into your "suite." If you want sleep, book Row 3 or 4. Avoid the back of the bus.
The Food and the "Extra" Touches
Virgin doesn't do boring. The salt and pepper shakers are shaped like little airplanes—Wilbur and Orville. People used to steal them so much that Virgin started engraving "Pinched from Virgin Atlantic" on the bottom. It’s a cheeky move.
The dining experience is usually a high point. You’re not getting a plastic tray. You get a proper table setting with a tablecloth. The menu usually features a mix of British classics and whatever trendy fusion is happening in London at the time. Think roasted lamb or a decent butter chicken.
But here’s a tip: try the "Extra Bites" menu.
If you aren't hungry when they serve the main meal, or if you get the midnight munchies, they have things like bao buns or gourmet sliders. It’s often better than the formal dinner. And the afternoon tea? It’s a whole thing. Eric Lanlard, the famous pastry chef, designed the scones and cakes. It feels very "London" to be eating a scone with clotted cream while flying over Greenland.
Is it Better than British Airways?
This is the eternal debate. BA has the Club Suite now, which has a door. Virgin’s 787 does not have a door. If you want total isolation, BA wins on the 787-10 or the A350.
But Virgin wins on personality.
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The service on Virgin is usually less "formal" and more "friendly." The crew will actually joke with you. The lighting is purple and pink—it feels like a lounge, not a doctor's office. If you’re flying for work and just want to be left alone in a box, go BA. If you want the flight to be part of the vacation, Virgin’s Upper Class is the play.
What You Need to Know Before Booking
Don't just look at the price. Look at the aircraft type. Virgin flies the 787-9 on a lot of routes like London to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and sometimes New York.
- Check the seat map. Row A is generally better because you aren't looking directly at the people in the middle/right section. You face a wall. It’s way more private.
- Download the app. You can pre-order your meal. Do it. Sometimes they run out of the popular beef or fish dish by the time they get to the back of the cabin.
- The Clubhouse is the real star. If you’re flying out of London Heathrow, give yourself three hours. The Upper Class Wing check-in is a separate entrance for cars. You skip the main terminal chaos. The lounge has a spa, a roof terrace, and a full restaurant. Honestly, some people enjoy the lounge more than the actual flight.
Making the Most of the Experience
When you get on board, change into the "Sleep Suit" (pajamas) immediately. They’re gray, they’re comfortable, and they’re yours to keep. Don't be the person trying to sleep in a suit or tight jeans.
Also, use the Revivals Lounge if you land at Heathrow in the morning. Most people just grab their bags and head for the train. Don't do that. Go to the Revivals Lounge. You can have a full English breakfast and a hot shower while they press your suit. It’s the only way to arrive in London without looking like a zombie.
The Virgin Upper Class 787 might not be the newest product in the sky anymore, but the combination of the Dreamliner’s cabin pressure and Virgin’s service still makes it a top-tier way to travel. It’s about the vibe. It’s about the bar. It’s about not feeling like a number.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Flight:
- Seat Selection: Aim for Seats 3A, 4A, or 5A. These provide the best balance of privacy and distance from the galley/bar noise.
- Check the Aircraft: Verify on the Virgin Atlantic website or FlightRadar24 if your route is a 787-9 or the newer A350-1000. If you have the choice, the A350 is a significant seat upgrade, but the 787 is often more available for reward bookings.
- Virgin Red Points: If you’re short on cash, look for "Reward Flight Redemptions." Virgin is notoriously generous with Upper Class seat releases compared to other legacy carriers, especially if you book 330 days out or last minute (within 72 hours).
- Arrival Strategy: If landing at LHR, keep your boarding pass handy to access the Revivals Lounge in Terminal 3. It closes at 12:30 PM, so this only works for morning arrivals.