Seats don’t feel rock hard or paper thin like they can on some budget airlines.

Seats don’t feel rock hard or paper thin like they can on some budget airlines.

With a 3-3-3 layout, seat pitch of “up to” 31 inches (79 centimetres), and seat width of “up to” 17 inches (43 centimetres), these are not the most generous seats in the sky. While hardly lavishly padded, the seats at least don’t feel rock hard or paper thin like they can on some budget airlines – although my headrest keeps slipping down, which quickly gets annoying.

Entertainment + tech

Virgin Atlantic is one of the last hold-outs with in-flight magazines, but the on-screen offering is more engaging. The in-flight entertainment passes my usual test – are there at least 10 films I want to watch? – with ease.

There’s a strong UK slant to the TV, with bingeable full series of reality shows such as the Traitors and Race Across The World, plus a series of stand-up specials by British comedians. Parental blocking and bespoke playlist features are handy, too.

There’s a USB slot for those who prefer their tablet, but the Wi-Fi pass – offering a meagre 40 megabytes of data for £4.99 ($9.70) – just seems like throwing a credit card in the bin.

Service

Virgin Atlantic is a pioneer in the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Virgin Atlantic is a pioneer in the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

A member of the cabin crew quickly wins our seven-year-old over by saying that her dress looks really pretty, and there’s an overall vibe of humanity rather than getting service from regimented automatons. When I order a rum and ginger ale, they don’t have it in the cart. But a crew member brings one over a few minutes later, then remembers and asks if I’d like another when I’ve finished.

Food

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It takes chutzpah to say “please have another choice in mind as your first choice may not be available” when there are only two choices of meal – vegetarian pasta or chicken in barbecue sauce. Said chicken is a little dry and underwhelming, although the sauce is pleasantly smoky. Later on, a cheese and tomato toastie is doled out, followed by afternoon tea consisting of dire mozzarella sandwiches and an unappetising scone.

Carbon emissions

It’s 475 kilograms when flying in economy. Virgin Atlantic is a pioneer in the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and was the first commercial airline to operate an SAF-powered flight across the Atlantic in 2023.

One more thing

Virgin Atlantic’s fleet is about to get a significant revamp with a bulk order of Airbus A330-900s. The airline boasts that by 2028, its planes will have an average age of just 6.4 years.

The price

From about $1500 return in economy (including checked luggage)*.

The verdict

Virgin Atlantic, majority-owned by Richard Branson (who now owns a mere 5 per cent of Virgin Australia) is still the sassiest option between Europe and North America – but personable service is masking a stinginess on the seating and food.

Our rating out of five

★★★½

The writer flew at his own expense. See virginatlantic.com

*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.

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