Virgin is spending $17 billion on new planes and cabins. See inside its Airbus A330neo, with niche perks like Bluetooth.

Taylor Rains,Pete SymeSep 6, 2024, 20:24 IST

Business Insider toured Virgin's new A330neo at the Farnborough Airshow in July.Taylor Rains/Business Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>Virgin Atlantic Airways has modernized its fleet with Airbus A350-1000s and Airbus A330-900neos.</li><li>The planes replace aging widebodies and come with upgraded business and economy cabins.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-virgin-atlantics-swanky-new-a330neo-complete-with-retreat-suite-2022-11">Virgin Atlantic Airways has spent $17 billion</a> to modernize its fleet and better compete with other airlines across the Atlantic.With <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/virgin-atlantic-airways-history-richard-bransons-2024-7">40 years of history behind it, the UK-based carrier</a> has seemingly found the sweet spot for long-haul travel.Its new next-generation widebodies boast thoughtful premium economy and coach seats, while its <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/virgin-atlantic-business-class-upgrade-retreat-suite-a330-neo-2024-7">business-class cabin</a> is a night-and-day difference from the original version — particularly with the adoption of sliding doors and a set of increasingly trendy "business-class-plus" seats.Virgin didn't equip its latest <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/10-rare-things-on-passenger-airlines-like-bidets-showers-bars-2023-5">cabins with the bar</a> seen on older Airbus A330-300s and Boeing 787s, but it has installed special social spaces for its highest-paying customers that put it on par with five-star competitors like <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/qatar-airways-airbus-a380-photos-first-business-economy-class-bar-2024-8">Qatar Airways</a> and Emirates.Business Insider toured a <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/virgin-atlantic-business-class-flight-experience-photos-worth-it-2023-9">Virgin A330-900neo</a>, which hosts its latest cabin upgrade, at the Farnborough International Airshow in July. It's easily one of the best products flying across the Atlantic.

Virgin plans to fly 19 A330neos by 2028.

The Virgin A330neo at the airshow.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The star of the show is the A330neo-exclusive 'Retreat Suite.'

The seats come with an amenity kit and noise-cancelling headphones.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Up to four people can share the oversized seat.

Quad-seating is also offered on Qatar Airways' famous QSuite, which is considered the world's best airline business class.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Virgin offers the suite as an upcharge to widen its profits.

The Retreat Suite has more storage than regular Upper Class.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The A330neo Upper Class largely maintains the A350 design.

The Upper Class seats in the middle sections have privacy dividers.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Sliding doors create pod-like seats that are on-trend with the industry.

Virgin's new Upper Class is a pod-style seat.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Customers have access to the 'Loft.'

The self-serve food and drinks were across from these seats and included things like chips and soda. Alcohol is also available.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Virgin's Upper Class boasts the typical long-haul business perks.

Virgin's A330neo Upper Class seat.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Between business and coach is premium economy.

The author's legroom on Virgin's A330neo premium economy.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The Bluetooth capability is less common in the airline industry.

The seatback screens on Virgin's A330neo.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Premium-economy customers get elevated meals and amenities.

Buttons on the side of the seat control the legrest and footrest.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Economy is Virgin's cheapest cabin.

The economy section has a total of 184 seats.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Coach boasts 13.3-inch seatback screens with Bluetooth.

The headphones and linens in Virgin's A330neo economy cabin. Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The cabin-wide pink lighting is staple Virgin.

Pink mood lighting bathed the cabin during BI's tour.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Virgin's A330neo is a welcome upgrade, especially for premium travelers.

Virgin's Upper Class is much better than the classic version.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Virgin customers can experience the A330neo on more than a dozen routes.

The Virgin A330neo displayed the Farnborough Airshow in July.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I stayed on a private island off the coast of Panama. Take a look at the resort, where my room cost $980 a night.

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