Virgin Atlantic Unveils Airbus A350 Cabin Interior

Virgin Atlantic has unveiled a new cabin that will be onboard incoming Airbus A350-1000s, with the first due to arrive this summer.

Business class, or Upper Class, will have a lie-flat bed facing towards the window in a 1-2-1 configuration. The seats will be 20 inches wide and stretch to a length of 82″. In front of the passenger will be an 18.5″ touchscreen tv providing the inflight entertainment (IFE) which can be controlled via Bluetooth on a phone.

Upper Class seating on Virgin Atlantic’s A350-1000 (Photo: Virgin Atlantic)

Passengers wishing to use their own entertainment devices will discover two USB ports as well as outlets configured for UK/US/EU plugs.

Virgin has also redeveloped the common area on board. Current fleet includes a bar area allowing Upper Class passengers to socialize together, but onboard the A350s passengers can enjoy the new social area, known as “The Loft.”

This area is “designed for customers to gather, chat, enjoy a drink or dine with friends.” There is a huge 32″ touchscreen monitor which can be controlled via eight Bluetooth ports and seating capacity for eight passengers which are equipped with seatbelts.

Premium economy passengers will discover custom 18.5″ wide leather seats, with more storage for belongings and USB ports whilst facing a 13.3″ touchscreen. The seat has a seven-inch recline ability while the leather headrest can be adjusted in four different ways.

Those in the economy section will be seated in new woven fabric and wool blended seats with a width of 17.4″. USB ports are also included in every seat and an 11.6″ screen for IFE purposes.

The new seats appear to only be kitted out on the incoming A350-100s with the carrier not stating any plans to retrofit their current fleet.

The airline is due to receive a total of 12 A350s over the next three years, with the first four due to arrive by the end of the year. Red Velvet, the first, is due to enter service towards the end of this summer and will begin operating the London Heathrow to New York-JFK route.

The new aircraft will replace the outgoing six Airbus A340-600s and eight Boeing 747-400s. Virgin operates out of London’s Heathrow and Gatwick Airports and Manchester Airport with another four A330-200s, eight A330-300s and 17 Boeing 787-9s.

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Jack Dawin

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