Virgin Atlantic is known as a steady contender in the long-haul market, with the bulk of its flights operating between the United Kingdom and the US. Following its unequivocally bleak days during the pandemic, the carrier has undergone a significant transformation to overhaul not only its fleet, but its passenger experience. Now, a major operator of Airbus widebody aircraft, Virgin has continued offering premium service across the pond. However, its sustainability and commitment to efficiency have only increased thanks to its fairly small and young fleet.
While the airline praises its A330-900neos, its collection of 12 A350-1000s is just as beloved. The aircraft type, which is the largest variant of the A350 series, currently operates four out of the six scheduled daily frequencies on the popular route between London and Los Angeles. Simple Flying was invited onboard an Upper Class roundtrip itinerary this summer – here’s why the experience was everything you would imagine, and more.
Check-In
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
Thanks to Virgin’s partnership and close relationship with Delta Air Lines, Upper Class passengers have access to the exclusive Delta One check-in area at 
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). It is located right on the curbside near Terminal 3 arrivals, just west of baggage claim. Outside, I was greeted by a Delta staff member who verified my flight details and then escorted me to the space’s dedicated security checkpoint.
Following security, an elevator brings passengers up to the post-security gates level of Terminal 3. Awaiting right outside the doors is the entrance into the Delta One lounge. An additional perk that Upper Class passengers have is access to the space; however, Virgin now has its own Clubhouse near its gates in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). Eligible travelers can choose which lounge they would like to visit, or perhaps visit both. I decided to visit the Delta One lounge, and was met with an elegant space, accompanied by views of LAX’s northside operations.
Lounge
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
After finding a table, a server dropped off a drink and food menu. Since I was about to indulge in Virgin’s culinary offerings onboard, I erred on the side of keeping a lighter fare. As such, the crispy fish tacos and a flute of champagne were the perfect pairing. Other dishes on the expansive menu included Caesar salad, steak frites, Italian sausage pizza, and even food catered to specific routes, such as the bento box for Delta One passengers flying to Tokyo, Japan.
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
The lounge had its own WiFi, bar, and an outside patio allowing passengers to planespot in fresh air. Near my seat, there was also a large table with several sweet treats, such as brownies, macarons, cookies, and slices of cake. Numerous single bathrooms and shower suites are down the hall. The bathroom was clean and filled with a pleasant aroma. Plus, the mirror had exceptional lighting. One of the most notable elements of the experience was my server, who provided a map with directions to my gate. Since the lounge is in Terminal 3, I had about a 10-15 minute walk to gate 132 in TBIT. This can be particularly valuable for travelers who do not frequently visit LAX.
Boarding
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
The gate agents initiated boarding a few minutes after the scheduled time of 14:40. Nevertheless, it was a swift process, as Upper Class passengers were among the first to be welcomed onboard. This particular gate had two jet bridges – one for the forward cabin door and one for the mid-cabin door. This, of course, allowed more passengers to board at a time, expediting boarding.
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
For anyone who has been onboard an A350, it is quite simple to notice the difference compared to other widebodies. The cabin is not only spacious, but the high ceiling provides somewhat of an airy feel – almost as if you are not inside a plane. Additionally, the mood lighting only enhanced the ambiance, providing a relaxing vibe as I prepared to embark on my nearly 10-hour transatlantic journey. Upon arriving at my seat, I was greeted by the Cabin Manager and was also offered a choice of champagne or orange juice.
The Seat
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
Out of 44 Upper Class suites, my throne of choice was seat 8A. Situated on the aircraft’s left side against the window, this suite provided luxury comfort paired with a nice view of the aircraft’s large engine. It has just about everything a passenger would need for a long-haul flight, including a large screen, storage, AC power outlets, and a footwell. A bottle of water was also sitting on the console, as well as a pre-order menu for breakfast in the morning.
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
Controls for the screen and seat are also located on the console. The seat itself, which transforms into a bed, is cushioned with a ruby red or burgundy leather finish. The bedding – including a pillow, duvet, and blanket were tucked inside a white bag inside the footwell. Lastly, an amenity kit was also at the seat. Plenty of essentials were inside, such as hand lotion, day cream, lip balm, toothpaste, a toothbrush, earplugs, socks, and an eye mask. The kit was a much-needed and delightful addition.
We pushed back six minutes early at 15:24. Takeoff was just 20 minutes later from Runway 24L, bound for 
London Heathrow Airport (LHR). It felt like no time before we reached 20,000 feet over the High Desert.
IFE & Connectivity
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
As mentioned, the suite features a large screen. When stowed, it is locked up against the interior wall on the right. Before pushback, the flight attendant instructed passengers to ensure screens were popped out to view the safety video. Virgin has a wide variety of inflight entertainment (IFE) options with hundreds of TV shows and movies. The screen, which is also touch-enabled, has a map showing the flight’s progress. Perhaps one of the most innovative features was the ability to enjoy IFE while viewing the flight map simultaneously. My movie of choice was the live-action reimagining of Disney’s Snow White.
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
WiFi is available for purchase. On this particular flight, it cost $26 to have access for the entire duration. Notably, the connectivity was fast, with minor outages. While surfing the web, I was also able to stay connected on social media and watch TikToks. Streaming music and messaging were also a breeze.
Meals & Beverages
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
On select flights, Virgin allows passengers to pre-order meals online up to 72 hours before departure. However, the option was not available on this flight. As such, I provided my appetizer, entree, and dessert order when the crew came around before departure. Since this was an overnight flight, I was also encouraged to fill out the breakfast pre-order card to minimize any disruptions when sleeping.
Not long after takeoff, the crew began to prepare meals. First, I was offered a warm bread roll with butter and a beverage of choice, which was a glass of white. A small cup of delicious kettle-cooked potato chips was also served. For the appetizer, I selected the spiced shrimp. Served cold on a bed of seaweed, it was packed with flavor and light. For the entree, I chose the Teryaki Salmon. This dish was truly excellent, as the fish was cooked to perfection, paired with a satisfying ratio of sauce. The rice was also the perfect accompaniment, prepared nicely.
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
For dessert, I indulged in, quite frankly, the best flourless chocolate cake I’ve ever had. It was served with a single blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry, along with a raspberry puree. The light and decadent dessert was a sweet conclusion to the onboard dining experience – or so I thought.
Shortly thereafter, one of the flight attendants came by to offer port wine along with a fruit and cheese plate. The former, which I have never had before, was spiced and delicious. It paired perfectly with the crackers, grapes, and assortment of cheeses.
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
Following a few hours of rest, the sun began to creep up over the horizon. As it signaled breakfast time, the crew started preparing orders that had been requested on the cards prior to departure. Thanks to my never-ending sweet tooth, I ordered the French toast. It was topped with macadamia nuts and served with strawberry puree. A small fruit plate accompanied the dish. I also ordered a cup of coffee to help me wake up.
The coffee and fruit were enjoyable. However, I regret ordering the French toast as other dishes on the menu appeared more appetizing. The portion of macadamia nuts was slightly overwhelming for my liking.
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
Before I knew it, the sun was completely up, and we had started our initial decent after just crossing over Liverpool Bay. The flight path brought us directly over Birmingham before the final descent was initiated. In a typical London approach fashion, the flight entered a brief holding pattern, circling Chesham and Amersham. During that time, I spotted another Virgin A350 from the window.
Airport Arrival Experience
Photo: Flightradar24
At around 08:51 local time, we exited the holding pattern and maintained about 9,000 feet. The flight path passed LHR to the north before turning back around right over London at approximately 08:57. Six minutes later, we gracefully touched down on Runway 27L.
Due to the somewhat early arrival, we waited for the gate to open. Virgin utilizes Terminal 3 at LHR. We arrived at gate 307 at 09:25, which was 35 minutes before the scheduled arrival time of 10:00.
After a short walk through the terminal, I discovered the customs and immigration process was much faster than my experience in the same terminal over a decade ago. It was clear that the airport was focused on processing passengers quickly to avoid long queues. Overall, it was a seamless experience from disembarkation to baggage claim.
The Flight Details
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
The aircraft operating the flight was G-VPOP – a six-year-old airframe, according to ch-aviation. It performed its first flight in May 2019 and was officially delivered to Virgin on August 29, 2019. Although G-VPOP wears Virgin’s standard livery, it is affectionately named Mamma Mia, thanks to the airline’s tradition of naming each of its aircraft. As of May 2025, G-VPOP had accumulated over 24,670 flight hours across more than 3,310 flight cycles.
This particular flight took place on July 6, 2025. The total duration was 10 hours and one minute, with cruising altitudes of 37,000 feet, 34,000 feet, and 37,000 feet, respectively, according to Flightradar24 data. It corresponded with Simple Flying’s invitation to Virgin’s exclusive Summer Showcase, where the carrier unveiled a range of passenger experience improvements that will be introduced over the next few years.