Aviation
Virgin Atlantic’s new A330 Neo passengers will enjoy a luxurious experience.
- The Airbus A330-900neo will feature the latest generation Upper Class cabin, including its iconic social space and new innovation, The Retreat Suite
- Increased connectivity with in-seat wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity in all cabins and its fastest ever Wi-Fi
- The new aircraft is crucial to the airline’s fleet transformation into the cleanest in the sky
- Boston will be the A330neo’s first route.
Virgin Atlantic has revealed for the first time its much awaited Airbus A330neo, which is designed to give a premium, personalised experience for every single customer. The Upper Class cabin of Virgin Atlantic now has a brand new seat, an upgrade of its distinctive communal space, and the introduction of The Retreat Room, the most capacious suite in the airline’s history.
Customers will have more opportunities to stay connected than ever before throughout the aircraft. Customers in Premium and Upper Class may benefit from game-changing in-seat wireless charging, while customers in other cabins can enjoy an increased number of USB connections, Bluetooth equipped entertainment systems, and the airline’s fastest ever Wi-Fi.
Virgin Atlantic was the first UK airline to place a firm order for up to 16 Airbus A330neos in 2019, reiterating its commitment to flying the cleanest, greenest fleet in the skies. Following a multibillion-dollar fleet transformation investment over the last decade, the airline now operates a fleet with an average aircraft age of little under seven years and 68 percent next generation aircraft. By the beginning of 2027, this will have increased to 100 percent next generation. This means that Virgin Atlantic’s aircraft are outfitted with the most efficient engines and cutting-edge technologies to save fuel and minimize pollution. So far, this has resulted in a 20% reduction in fleet carbon emissions.
We will reduce carbon emissions by 10% over the next decade. The A330-900 neos are designed to be 11% more fuel and carbon efficient than the A330-300 they are replacing, with a 50% reduction in airport noise contour.
The first customer flight on Virgin Atlantic’s A330neo is scheduled for early October to Boston. Ticket sales will begin later this month. The airline will receive three aircraft beginning in September 2022, with the remaining deliveries occurring between 2023 and 2026.
First Class
The Retreat Suite is a fresh new addition to Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class offering, consisting of two unique suites at the cabin’s front. The airline’s largest suite to yet, with a 6’7″ direct seat to totally flat bed and a 27″ touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity and wireless charging. With an ottoman that doubles as an extra seat in each suite, up to four people can dine, converse, or play games in their own private social zone. Customers can have a romantic dinner or relax in comfort while watching a movie.
Aside from The Retreat Suite, the A330neo will feature 30 brand new Upper Class suites. The entirely forward-facing suite provides greater space and storage, as well as a completely shutting privacy door. With a “do not disturb” function. It contains passenger-controlled mood lighting, a 17.3″ touchscreen TV, and even a mirror to ensure passengers appear runway ready.
Premium
Stylish accents make a great impact in Premium, which has 46 seats on the A330neo. The airline’s signature burgundy Premium seats with a 38″ pitch remain, but they’re joined by calf rests in every seat and a 13.3″ touchscreen with Bluetooth audio. The airline is also providing an in-seat wireless charging pad to its Premium passengers.
Economy
Customers will enjoy the largest ever economy screen at 13.3″, an intuitive touchscreen, and Bluetooth audio to connect headphones, with customers able to use their phone as a controller in the new Economy cabin. There’s also lots of storage, as well as AC power and USB connections for charging devices.
The Retreat Suite
The Loft, the airline’s award-winning social space, is a focal element of the cabin design as customers enter the plane and is an essential aspect of the Upper Class experience. It has eight seats and an adaptation of the design from the Airbus A350, allowing guests to sit and speak or enjoy refreshments from the new self-service fridge and beverages dispenser. Customers can also use Bluetooth headphones to connect to the two panoramic 27″ touchscreens or use wireless charging for their devices.
Aviation
Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating
Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.
This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.
One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.
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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.
The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.
The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.
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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.
Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.
With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.
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