When our next Airbus A350 aircraft arrives later this year it will sport a new interior, designed specifically for our leisure customers. The changes include an increased number of seats in our Economy cabin, alongside a new social space for our Upper Class customers.

The Booth

‘The Booth’ is the latest innovation in our industry leading social spaces and is exclusively available to customers travelling to sunny leisure destinations on-board the A350.  Tucked away in the Upper Class cabin, The Booth aspires to create a cosy corner, providing comfy lounge style seating for two, separated by a single leaf table.  The styling and finishes, which include luxurious leather seats and almond gold highlights, are designed to be consistent with the award winning Loft space featured across our mainline A350 fleet. 

 

The Booth is encapsulated by two 27” touch screen monitors, allowing customers a window into fully immersive experiences.  The content of the monitors will be continuously updated, tailored to the route and time of day, meaning that the look and feel of The Booth will evolve over time. Initial content will include a digital art gallery featuring up and coming artists and a tail and belly cam of the aircraft.  Additionally, there are two Bluetooth audio jacks, meaning customers can connect headsets to the monitor’s audio.  

 

Customers travelling between Heathrow and Orlando are planned to be the first to experience the newest aircraft, with the first flight currently scheduled for  December 2021*. Other leisure destinations, including Barbados, will receive the new aircraft later in 2022.  The new seat configuration offers 397 seats in total, 16 Upper Class suites, 56 Premium seats and 325 in Economy. Within the economy cabin, 45 seats will be Economy Delight, offering customers extra legroom as well as priority boarding and advanced seat selection.

 

The Booth

Alongside The Booth, the A350 features the airline’s latest Upper Class suite design, which includes all window facing seats with a 44” pitch and fully flat 82” bed.  Every cabin has the largest entertainment screens available on any Virgin Atlantic aircraft.

 

“We’re famous for our on-board social spaces and the introduction of The Booth elevates the customer proposition for our leisure travellers to new heights. We love creating brilliantly different experiences, which is why we’re always evolving our ideas to offer something different and exciting in the air and on the ground,” said Corneel Koster, our Chief Customer and Operations Officer. “I’m delighted that we’ve curated The Booth specifically for our customers jetting off on holiday to our sunny destinations, such as Orlando, offering a truly stylish start to their trips.”

 

The first aircraft in our new Airbus A350 leisure fleet will be G-VEVE, named Fearless Lady, after Sir Richard Branson’s late mother Eve.  Lady Emmeline (G-VLIB), which is inspired by the leader of the women’s suffrage movement Emmeline Pankhurst, will follow in April with the final three aircraft set to be delivered by June 2023. 

 

Our Airbus A350s are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, and continues our investment in a more sustainable fleet. They are designed to be 30% more fuel and carbon efficient than the Boeing 747s they replaced and are expected to reduce our airport noise footprint by more than half.

 

*Routes operated by the A350 are subject to change. 

 

Our main photo illustrates The Booth and looks forward to a time when we don't have to wear masks!