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I Was a Virgin Virgin Until I Read About This

Virgin Atlantic Airways' New Upper Class Takes Flight

Virgin Atlantic Airways’ Upper Class (business class) service takes flight with a nearly $100 million package of product and service improvements, featuring a stylish new business class cabin complementing a new aircraft livery painted in metallic silver, purple and red. The crown jewel in the new service is the revolutionary fully reclining sleeper seats, which convert into full-length beds, boasting more than six feet of sleeping space. The Upper Class service premiered on the airline’s New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco routes and has been completed on all of the US to London Heathrow routes.

The all new Upper Class also features an expanded stand-up bar; “Freedom” menu, allowing passengers to eat what they want, when they want to; a state-of-the art lighting system that simulates dusk and dawn; a new private Inflight Beauty Treatment area complemented by five new massage and manicure treatments; exclusive Drive-Thru Check-In at all airports; and a new wider ranging door-to-door limousine service.  

Themed around ‘The Modern Romance of Flight,’ the cabin makeover gives Virgin Atlantic a striking new look. The seat and cabin interior uses metallic silver and chrome with red leather, complemented with warm purple textured fabric reflecting the romantic era of flying in the 1930s.  Every detail onboard has been reviewed adding more than 100 new products, from teapots to duvets.  Even the swizzle sticks, shaped like propellers, reflect airline images.

Virgin Atlantic’s new seat, which was designed by Reynard Aviation in the U.K., electronically transforms into comfortable flat beds, utilizing the latest technology. To complement the sleep experience, Virgin Atlantic now offers passengers fleece blankets, full-sized pillows and duvets, as well as sleeper suits and socks to create a Snoozezone on overnight flights.

David Tait, executive vice president of Virgin Atlantic Airways, North America, commented: “Our Upper Class has been winning every kind of award for years, but we have always taken the view that ‘if it ain’t broke, fix it.’  We think that the completely redesigned cabin and service really raises the bar for our competitors and gives a more comfortable bar to our passengers.”

And, the bar in question is Virgin Atlantic’s unique onboard bar, which is now bigger and better allowing more passengers to sit, relax, drink and eat in comfort.  There are seven soft leather fixed stools surrounding a streamlined bar with integrated lighting.

A new lighting system spotlights eight different moods, reflecting the different stages of the flight experience – from dawn to dusk, and from restaurant to lounge.  Interior lighting plays a key role in restaurants, bars and hotel reception areas, yet previously no airline has taken it seriously as part of the flying experience.

The revamp complements the new family of uniforms for cabin crew and ground staff recently introduced, and designed by John Rocha, and the airline’s distinctive new silver livery unveiled this past summer.

Upper Class affords passengers the most innovative culinary experience available in air travel, allowing them to order what they want, when they want it from the new ‘Freedom’ menu. The individually prepared menu items can be ordered at any time from the extensive menu featuring everything from healthy light bites to more sumptuous entrees. If a passenger wants chocolate cake to start – so be it!

The airline’s newly revamped Inflight Beauty Therapy service ensures Upper Class passengers arrive at their destination feeling rejuvenated with a choice of five new treatments, including manicures and stress busting massages for the back, face, hands, head and shoulder. A new designated treatment area allows beauty therapists to treat each passenger in total privacy.

Upper Class passengers are invited to revitalize themselves upon arrival at “Revivals,” the airline’s new Heathrow arrivals lounge. The lounge has 18 state-of-the-art shower rooms, each fully stocked with life’s bath and beauty necessities. Business facilities are also featured.

On departure from Heathrow or Gatwick airports, passengers will also enjoy Virgin Atlantic’s famed Clubhouses, which feature a health and beauty salon named “Virgin Touch,” with complimentary beauty treatments, business facilities, library, music room, video games room, study, bar and a restaurant style dining menu.

Virgin Atlantic is one of the world’s most acclaimed carriers and most recently was named “Airline of the Year” 2001 by OAG.  For the third consecutive year, the airline was voted “Best Transatlantic Airline” by Conde Nast Traveler’s readers and also received top honors in 2000 as “Best of the Best” airlines by the Robb Report.

Virgin Atlantic Airways serves London from 9 U.S. gateways: New York (JFK), Newark, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco, Washington (Dulles), Miami, Boston and Las Vegas.  From London, the carrier serves South Africa, Greece, Japan, Hong Kong, the Caribbean, China, and India.  For reservations and inquiries, call Virgin toll-free at 800-862-8621, or visit the Virgin Atlantic web site at www.virgin.com/atlantic.

EDITED BY MADELYN MILLER

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