I was one of the first people on Virgin Atlantic's A330neo, the newest aircraft to fly between NYC and London. Take a tour of the plane.

Dan KodayApr 25, 2023, 16:17 IST

The author (L), seats on Virgin Atlantic's new A330neo aircraft (R).Dan Koday

I toured Virgin Atlantic's new A330neo aircraft before it began service from NYC to London.
The aircraft has a luxe business-class cabin and impressive premium and economy seat offerings.

This month, I went to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City to board a plane — and never left the tarmac.

JFK International Airport.Skyhobo/Getty Images

Virgin Atlantic's A330neo is the latest addition to Virgin's fleet, and according to the airline, is able to fly further and faster than other planes.

Virgin Atlantic's A330neo is beginning service out of JFK.Dan Koday

The plane is named "neo" for its "new engine option," which differs from the previous A330's engine, designed by Airbus to improve fuel efficiency.

An engine on an Airbus plane.Airbus

So far, four identical A330neos have entered Virgin Atlantic's fleet to date, including the "Billie Holiday," which is the plane I saw in person.

The plane the author boarded at JFK was called "Billie Holiday."Dan Koday

I've flown Virgin Atlantic before and like the airline's whimsical approach to flying. After experiencing their newest plane, I think it will be a beautiful new addition to Virgin Atlantic's fleet.

The author enjoys flying with Virgin Atlantic.Dan Koday

I've flown Virgin Atlantic before and like the airline's whimsical approach to flying. After experiencing their newest plane, I think it will be a beautiful new addition to Virgin Atlantic's fleet.

When I entered the plane, I immediately noticed the A330neo's striking mood lighting.

The A330neo has bright mood lighting.Dan Koday

The aircraft has business class, premium economy, and economy cabins. I started my tour at the front of the plane in their business-class product known as Upper Class, and was impressed by the seats right away.

Seats in Upper Class.Dan Koday

The aircraft has business class, premium economy, and economy cabins. I started my tour at the front of the plane in their business-class product known as Upper Class, and was impressed by the seats right away.

Seats in the A330neo's Upper Class cabin appeared spacious, with a lie-flat capability.

Rows of seats in the A330neo Upper Class cabin.Dan Koday

Upper Class seat also have a private, pod-like feel thanks to a door that can be fully closed.

Sliding pod doors in Upper Class.Dan Koday

An amenity kit was waiting at every Upper Class seat.

The Upper Class amenity kit pouch.Dan Koday

I thought the addition of wireless charging mats in Upper Class was a cool new feature.

A wireless charging mat in Upper Class.Dan Koday

Each seat on Virgin's A330neo comes with a wide selection of movies and TV, which Upper Class cabin passengers can view on a 17.3" touchscreen monitor.

Virgin Atlantic's entertainment system in Upper Class.Dan Koday

Located at the front of Upper Class, The Retreat Suite is A330neo's most luxurious seat that I thought felt like sitting in the VIP section of an exclusive club.

The Retreat Suite has a expandable table at its center.Dan Koday

The Retreat Suite seats also had larger monitors and some of the best storage I've ever seen in an airline seat.

Storage in the Retreat Suite.Dan Koday

I was surprised to learn that booking the Retreat Suite seats only costs an additional £200, or $250, for passengers booked in Upper Class.

The Retreat Suite costs an additional $250 for passengers booked in Upper Class.Dan Koday

The Upper Class cabin also has a lounge space called The Loft for socializing and self-serve, on-demand beverages and snacks.

The Loft space is located at the back of Upper Class.Dan Koday

After leaving the aircraft, I researched Upper Class fares on Virgin Atlantic's website and found roundtrip fares available in May 2023 for $5,274.

An Upper Class seat.Virgin Atlantic Airways

Moving toward the middle of the plane, I next entered Virgin Atlantic's premium economy cabin known as Premium. These seats cost around $2,370 roundtrip between NYC and London.

Seats in Premium.Dan Koday

Moving toward the middle of the plane, I next entered Virgin Atlantic's premium economy cabin known as Premium. These seats cost around $2,370 roundtrip between NYC and London.

Premium seats felt roomy to me.

Virgin Atlantic's Premium Class has a 2-3-2 configuration.Dan Koday

What I appreciated most about the Premium cabin seats were the well-designed calf rests.

The author used the calf rests in Premium.Dan Koday

Premium passengers receive a similar amenity kit to Upper Class.

The Premium amenity kit.Dan Koday

Similar to Upper Class, the Premium cabin also has USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and a shared space for wireless charging.

The shared wireless charging in Premium.Dan Koday

Next, I moved on to Virgin Atlantic's Economy class, which I thought felt surprisingly comfortable and looked pretty sharp. There are three fare types here.

Seats in Virgin Atlantic's Economy cabin.Dan Koday

A crew member told me that the 13.3" seat-back screens are Virgin's biggest in Economy.

Virgin Atlantic's Economy screens can be controlled using a personal mobile device.Dan Koday

The A330neo will also have high-speed internet with full video streaming capabilities.

Wi-Fi on a Virgin Atlantic's flight will cost about $27 for the full flight.Dan Koday

After seeing the entire plane, I think flying on Virgin Atlantic's A330neo promises a comfortable flight, no matter which cabin you choose.

The author in the cockpit of the plane.Dan Koday

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I was one of the first people on Virgin Atlantic's A330neo, the newest aircraft to fly between NYC and London. Take a tour of the plane.

This month, I went to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City to board a plane — and never left the tarmac.

Virgin Atlantic's A330neo is the latest addition to Virgin's fleet, and according to the airline, is able to fly further and faster than other planes.

The plane is named "neo" for its "new engine option," which differs from the previous A330's engine, designed by Airbus to improve fuel efficiency.

So far, four identical A330neos have entered Virgin Atlantic's fleet to date, including the "Billie Holiday," which is the plane I saw in person.

I've flown Virgin Atlantic before and like the airline's whimsical approach to flying. After experiencing their newest plane, I think it will be a beautiful new addition to Virgin Atlantic's fleet.

When I entered the plane, I immediately noticed the A330neo's striking mood lighting.

The aircraft has business class, premium economy, and economy cabins. I started my tour at the front of the plane in their business-class product known as Upper Class, and was impressed by the seats right away.

Seats in the A330neo's Upper Class cabin appeared spacious, with a lie-flat capability.

Upper Class seat also have a private, pod-like feel thanks to a door that can be fully closed.

An amenity kit was waiting at every Upper Class seat.

I thought the addition of wireless charging mats in Upper Class was a cool new feature.

Each seat on Virgin's A330neo comes with a wide selection of movies and TV, which Upper Class cabin passengers can view on a 17.3" touchscreen monitor.

Located at the front of Upper Class, The Retreat Suite is A330neo's most luxurious seat that I thought felt like sitting in the VIP section of an exclusive club.

The Retreat Suite seats also had larger monitors and some of the best storage I've ever seen in an airline seat.

I was surprised to learn that booking the Retreat Suite seats only costs an additional £200, or $250, for passengers booked in Upper Class.

The Upper Class cabin also has a lounge space called The Loft for socializing and self-serve, on-demand beverages and snacks.

After leaving the aircraft, I researched Upper Class fares on Virgin Atlantic's website and found roundtrip fares available in May 2023 for $5,274.

Moving toward the middle of the plane, I next entered Virgin Atlantic's premium economy cabin known as Premium. These seats cost around $2,370 roundtrip between NYC and London.

Premium seats felt roomy to me.

What I appreciated most about the Premium cabin seats were the well-designed calf rests.

Premium passengers receive a similar amenity kit to Upper Class.

Similar to Upper Class, the Premium cabin also has USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and a shared space for wireless charging.

Next, I moved on to Virgin Atlantic's Economy class, which I thought felt surprisingly comfortable and looked pretty sharp. There are three fare types here.

A crew member told me that the 13.3" seat-back screens are Virgin's biggest in Economy.

The A330neo will also have high-speed internet with full video streaming capabilities.

After seeing the entire plane, I think flying on Virgin Atlantic's A330neo promises a comfortable flight, no matter which cabin you choose.