Tag: Upper Class

Virgin Atlantic announces new Autumn/Winter onboard menu

Virgin Atlantic has introduced its new Autumn/Winter menu across all cabins, with a focus on seasonal and destination inspired dishes.

Upper Class customers will be welcomed with a glass of Hambledon English sparkling wine paired with British raspberries and sweet rhubarb tonic, or Champagne and rosemary truffle artisan crisps. The new additions to the Upper Class menu include dishes such as thyme and garlic roasted chicken with dauphinoise potatoes, baby carrots, tender stem broccoli and peppercorn sauce; miso and sesame crusted salmon with sweet potato puree, among others.

Virgin Atlantic has also expanded its Upper Class Extra Bites menu, with the addition of cream tea with fudge scones and clotted cream, salted caramel spread and strawberry jam. Customers can also choose from a gourmet fish goujon hot sandwich served with tartare sauce, and a chicken Caesar club sandwich served with salted crisps.

Virgin Atlantic has also added to its pre-order menu, where Upper Class and Premium customers can pre-select their inflight meals between 72-24 hours of departure.

Virgin Atlantic has also introduced new beverages to its onboard menu, including Brooklyn Pilsner, Cobra lager, and Lucky Saint non-alcoholic beer. Also available onboard is the Brook Ridge Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, Diemersdal Pinotage from South Africa, and Soave and Pinot Noir from the family-owned Gianni Tessari estate.

Premium customers will have a fresh seasonal menu to choose from, with highlights including hearty chicken casserole with mustard mash and buttered savoy cabbage; classic shepherd’s pie, vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes or Thai green vegetable curry with steamed jasmine rice. For breakfast, Premium customers have a new selection of hot cooked breakfasts, served with seasonal fruit, yoghurt, and breakfast pastries.

Meanwhile the Economy class features dishes such as chicken tikka masala with saffron rice, red quinoa and green peas and creamy macaroni cheese with a panko and cheese crumb. Customers can also enjoy an on-demand pantry offering sweet and savoury snacks.

Corneel Koster, Chief Customer and Operating Officer, Virgin Atlantic said: ‘We’re pleased to announce an enhanced food and drinks service on board. By creating new dishes and working with new partners, we’re bringing a more personal, unique Virgin Atlantic experience for all our customers during the Autumn/Winter season.

‘Creating magical moments for our customers is what we do best; delighting them from the moment they step on board to when they land into their destination. We will continue to develop our inflight offering, as our customers do business, visit family, or seek winter sun for that much needed holiday.’

Virgin offers Upper Class ground service to all

Virgin Atlantic has decided to offer its Upper Class ground service to all passengers.

The company has introduced its new ‘Guest List’ product designed to offer a VIP travel experience for passengers in Economy and Premium Economy cabins before boarding the aircraft. Starting at £240 per person or from £340 per couple, passengers can enjoy ground-service benefits including limousine transfer to the airport, fast-track security and entry to Virgin’s Clubhouse lounges, services that are regularly offered to Upper Class passengers.

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Heathrow Terminal-3 was voted the world’s best airline lounge in the recent Ultratravel 100 awards. The facilities there include a spa that offers complimentary treatments and haircuts, a complimentary bar and full catering facilities.

The Upper Class ground service also includes ‘whisked through check-in’, use of the Upper Class Wing drop-off at London Heathrow or Curbside drop-off at London Gatwick, and to have passenger baggage tagged as Upper Class.

The service is available at London Gatwick, London Heathrow, New York JFK, Newark, Boston, Washington and San Francisco.

As cited by Telegraph Travel, for a November flight from Heathrow to New York, a one-way economy-class fare costs from £814.15; a premium economy-class fare costs £1,601.15. Upper Class fares for the same flight cost £4,751.15. Meanwhile, the outbound cost of a return journey between London and New York over the same period would cost from £278.65 in economy; £536.65 in premium economy; and £1,343.15 in Upper Class.

Last month, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines unveiled a code-share agreement across 108 routes across North America and the UK.