London is one of my favorite cities, and this trip has only deepened my love for it. After an incredible week packed with unforgettable moments — reuniting with lifelong friends, seeing one of my favorite bands perform live, and staying at some fantastic hotels — it is time for me to head back to the United States.

My journey began on a high note with a stellar flight in Upper Class (aka Business Class) aboard a Virgin Atlantic A330-900neo, an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. During my stay, I had the pleasure of trying two excellent hotels: the brand-new Park Hyatt London River Thames and the Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars.

For my return flight, I choose Premium Economy with Virgin Atlantic on the same A330-900neo aircraft. Since this is a day flight, Premium Economy seems like a good fit – fewer points than business class, but more room than true economy. Plus, I am curious to see how it stacks up against Upper Class and whether it lives up to the reputation Virgin Atlantic has for offering a great travel experience, regardless of class.

Award Flight Booking (8/10)

I originally book my flight home on KLM through Air France-KLM Flying Blue award program in Economy Class, planning to fly from London City Airport (LCY) to Amsterdam (AMS) and then onward to Boston (BOS). However, about a week before departure, I come across a direct flight (LHR – BOS) in Premium Economy on Virgin Atlantic and decide to make the switch.

Although flying Business Class would be ideal, I choose Premium Economy for two reasons. First, the UK Air Passenger Duty tax is notoriously high for premium cabins, making it a costly upgrade. Second, since this is a daytime flight, I do not feel the need for a lie-flat seat. By going with Premium Economy, I also save miles for future trips with my wife, family, or friends.

For this flight, I redeem 32,000 Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles and pay about $450 in taxes and fees.

My itinerary looks like this:

• VS 157: London, United Kingdom (LHR) to Boston, Massachusetts (BOS) – departing 2:35 PM, arriving 5:30 PM

I’m thrilled to snag this direct flight so close to departure. With Premium Economy, I get extra space and comfort for the eight-hour journey—a perfect way to end my incredible trip to London.

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Airport Check-In (6/10)

I arrive at London Heathrow (LHR) via the Tube’s Paddington line about two and a half hours before my flight. Virgin Atlantic operates out of Terminal 3, and I immediately notice the large, bold Virgin Atlantic sign welcoming me as I step into the terminal. It is a nice touch that gets me excited for the journey ahead.

After entering the building, I head to a self-service kiosk to check in. Since I need to check my bag, I make my way toward the bag drop. An employee stops me to let me know I am in the wrong line and directs me to the Premium Economy bag drop area on the right. I do not see any signage for this dedicated section, which might explain why there is no line. In fact, I am the only person there! Within 30 seconds, my bag is checked, and I am on my way.

Next, I head to security. Premium Economy does not include expedited security access, but the well-staffed lanes at Heathrow keep the process moving smoothly. I am through security in less than 10 minutes.

Note: I now remember why I do not like Terminal 3 at Heathrow. The ceilings feel low, natural light is almost nonexistent, and the overwhelming focus on luxury duty-free shopping creates a cramped atmosphere. In contrast, Terminals 2 and 5 are much more spacious and far more enjoyable to navigate.

Airport Lounge (5/10)

Since Premium Economy passengers do not receive lounge access, I use my Priority Pass to visit the No1 Lounge in Terminal 3. Unfortunately, the lounge is packed — it feels like an absolute zoo. I manage to grab a cup of coffee and some snacks while catching up on a bit of work, but the chaos makes it hard to fully relax. After finishing up, I head back to the terminal to wait about 20 minutes for my gate to be announced.

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About an hour before my flight is scheduled to depart, my gate — Gate 31 — flashes up on the screen.

Terminal 3 at Heathrow uses a system of holding pens for each gate, where passengers wait before boarding. Since I have priority boarding (Group 2), I head to the priority line and have my boarding pass scanned.

Note: One detail I really enjoy about this area is the themed signage showcasing different parts of London. My gate highlights the London Zoo at Regent’s Park, with fun and colorful signs that bring a touch of local charm to the space. It is a nice reminder of the city I have just spent an amazing week exploring.

Aircraft Cabin And Layout (8/10)

The Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-900neo is a sleek and modern aircraft that I genuinely enjoy flying. The Premium Economy cabin features a 2-3-2 seating configuration, with six full rows plus one additional row that has two seats on each side of the plane. In total, there are 44 Premium Economy seats, making the cabin feel both exclusive and spacious.

For this flight, I choose seat 23D, the left aisle seat in the center section of the plane. I pick this seat specifically because, on the day of departure, the middle seat next to me shows as unoccupied — and I luck out, as it stays that way throughout the flight!

Having the extra space makes the journey even more comfortable and enjoyable.

Premium Economy Seat (7/10)

As I board the plane, I am directed to the right, toward the left side of the aircraft. When I enter the Premium Economy cabin, the first thing I notice is the generous 38 inches of pitch between seats. It is comparable to the legroom you would find in Business Class on many domestic flights within the United States. The seat width, however, is only 18.5 inches — only an inch wider than standard Economy Class seats. I find them to be quite more narrow than I would expect for a premium economy seat.

While it is comfortable, it feels a bit narrow compared to Premium Economy seats on some other airlines.

Waiting for me at my seat are a pillow, a blanket, and a pair of basic headphones. The headphones come wrapped with a note encouraging passengers to donate spare change to a charitable cause. I usually contribute if I am carrying foreign coins — it is a great way to put them to good use rather than leaving them to collect dust at home.

 

The tray table is tucked neatly into the left armrest. It lifts up and folds in half, revealing the full table. I appreciate the small cupholder, which is handy when the tray is only partially extended.

 

On the right armrest, I find a wireless charging tray, which I love. It is so convenient to keep my phone charged throughout the flight. That said, it could feel a bit awkward if someone were sitting in the middle seat, as we would have to share the space. Just below the charging tray are controls for reclining the seat and extending the footrest.

In front of me, there is a 13.3-inch high-definition touchscreen, complete with Bluetooth audio connectivity. Under the screen, I find a USB-A port and a headphone jack. Directly below that is a literature holder and a seat back pocket for extra storage.

Each seat includes a drop-down footrest, while the bulkhead seats feature footrests that extend out from under the seat itself. Between each seat, there is an AC power outlet — every passenger gets their own, which is a nice touch. My row, for instance, has one power outlets for each seat in my section.

Overhead, I spot individual air nozzles and reading lights, which are always useful for a customized in-flight experience.

Considering how cutting-edge the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class cabin is, I wish the Premium Economy seats offered a touch more space and elegance to match the otherwise modern vibe of the airline.

On-Board Entertainment (7/10)

The onboard entertainment system on Virgin Atlantic is the same throughout the plane, including Upper Class. In Premium Economy, the TV screen measures 13.3 inches — the same size as in Economy Class — and delivers a crisp, clean picture. While the content library is not the largest I have seen, it offers a solid selection of movies, TV shows, audio albums, and games. During the flight, I alternate between working on my laptop and watching a classic comedy show I have not seen in years.

The headphones provided at my seat are quite basic and honestly not great in terms of quality. Thankfully, the screen has a Bluetooth audio connection option, which lets me pair my own headphones – this significantly improves the sound experience.

Wi-Fi is available for £18.99 (about $24) for the entire flight, but I also discover an option for 20 minutes of free access by watching an ad. Even better, I can watch two ads per device, meaning I get 40 minutes of free Wi-Fi per device. With my laptop, tablet, and phone, I manage to rack up two hours of free in-flight internet.

With that said, I do not need much Wi-Fi on this flight, though. Between eating, watching movies, and relaxing, I only do a little bit of work on this journey.

Lavatory (7/10)

On this flight, there are three lavatories shared between the Upper Class and Premium Economy cabins. These are accessible to all passengers in these two sections. As is typical on a wide body plane, I have no trouble standing upright in the lavatory, which is always appreciated.

One feature that stands out to me is the full-length mirror inside the lavatory. It is perfect for checking my appearance before leaving the restroom, and honestly, I do not think I have ever seen this on an airplane before. It is a small but thoughtful touch that adds a bit of convenience.

The lavatories stay reasonably clean throughout the flight. I suspect this is because they do not get as much traffic as the Economy Class lavatories. That said, I do not notice any flight attendants cleaning them during the journey, so it seems to be more a matter of lighter usage rather than proactive maintenance.

Amenity Kit (0/10)

Unfortunately, Virgin Atlantic does not provide an amenity kit in Premium Economy. While it is not “industry standard” for Premium Economy, I have noticed that more airlines are starting to include an amenity kit, even if it is just a small pouch with basics like socks, an eye mask, or a toothbrush.

In my opinion, skipping the amenity kit feels like a missed opportunity. A simple kit would go a long way in elevating the experience and setting the Premium Economy experience on Virgin Atlantic apart from competitors.

Food And Beverage (8/10)

On this flight, there are two meal services: lunch (served shortly after takeoff) and an afternoon high tea (served before landing). Additionally, about halfway between these two meals, popsicles are distributed.

Lunch

Lunch begins about an hour after takeoff. To start, the flight attendant hands me a moist towelette to clean my hands, followed by a drink service. I opt for a glass of rosé, which is served in a can alongside a bag of Smokehouse BBQ Crunch Corn nibbles — a savory and satisfying snack — and a sparkling water served in real glassware.

When it is time to choose my main course, the flight attendant recommends the Honey Mustard Chicken over the other options: Cumberland Sausage or Thai Vegetable Curry. I take her advice and go with the chicken.

The meal is presented on a single tray. For starters, there is a soft bread roll with butter and a Caprese salad made with rocket (arugula) and pesto. My main dish is the honey mustard chicken, served with potato gratin, green beans, and peas. For dessert, I receive a lemon posset slice, along with a cheese plate featuring blue and cheddar cheese, crackers, and grapes.

While the presentation leaves something to be desired (particularly the chicken), the food itself is surprisingly tasty. I polish off the entire meal — not because I am especially hungry, but because the flavors are genuinely good. Some effort on the plating would elevate the experience even further.

Afternoon High Tea

About two and a half hours before landing, it is time for the famous Virgin Atlantic British High Tea. Interestingly, the flight attendant offers me a choice between the classic “high tea” and a “high picnic.” I am not entirely sure why there are two options, but I stick with the traditional high tea.

For this service, I receive a selection of finger sandwiches, including dill and caper cream cheese with cucumber and spinach on turmeric bread, as well as cheddar and chutney on malted bread. The patisserie selection includes a raspberry and white chocolate choux and a calamansi macaron. Rounding out the meal is a warm scone served with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Note: Yes, I put the cream on before the jam — because that is the proper way!

I skip the finger sandwiches, as they don’t appeal to me, but the patisserie and scone are absolutely delicious. I enjoy them with a cup of coffee, served in a charming Virgin Atlantic coffee mug. As with lunch, I feel that some attention to presentation could make the experience even more memorable.

Staff And Service (8/10)

Every time I fly with Virgin Atlantic, I notice something special about their staff. Unlike many other airlines that focus purely on professionalism, Virgin Atlantic encourages their employees to let their personalities shine while still maintaining a high level of service.

This flight is no exception. I get the sense that the flight attendants genuinely enjoy their jobs. They are professional yet approachable, and their authenticity makes interactions feel more personal. While no one goes out of their way to deliver an above-and-beyond experience, every request I make is handled promptly and with a friendly attitude.

What stands out most to me is the down-to-earth vibe of the crew. For example, the lounge area between the Upper Class and Premium Economy cabins is technically reserved for Upper Class passengers. At one point, I ask a flight attendant for a Coke and take a seat in the lounge for about 15-20 minutes. Another flight attendant, who served my lunch earlier, walks by and does not say a word — not because she does not care, but because she sees it is not harming anyone.

I think Virgin Atlantic strikes a great balance by allowing their flight attendants to be themselves. The relaxed yet attentive service creates a positive and enjoyable atmosphere, which is a big part of why I keep choosing to fly with them.

Final Thoughts

Do I think Virgin Atlantic offers a truly unique Premium Economy experience? Not quite…

Overall, I feel that the soft product on Virgin Atlantic sets it apart from other airlines flying between the United States and the United Kingdom. The attentive service, thoughtful touches, and well-executed meal services all contribute to an enjoyable experience. However, while the seat is comfortable, it does feel a bit narrow compared to some competitors.

For a daytime flight like this one, the seat works perfectly fine. That said, I would only choose this cabin for an overnight flight to Europe if it is truly the best option available. Virgin Atlantic does many things well, but a bit more space and refinement in the seat design would elevate their Premium Economy offering to a standout experience.

But would I fly this cabin again? Absolutely.