From Our Archive
This story was published before Summer 2021, when we launched our new digital experience.

Virgin Atlantic’s New Airbus Has a Lounge Where You Can Drink With Friends

And it’s got a fancy new name.

MOST READ TRAVEL

Must-Visit Tokyo Neighborhoods

Guides

Must-Visit Tokyo Neighborhoods

Excellent areas to find Michelin-starred dining, art and design, and everything in...

Objets d’Art for an Elevated Table

Home

Objets d’Art for an Elevated Table

A curated collection of five-star linens, glassware, and beautiful embellishments.

A Year in Kitchen Gear

Editors’ Picks

A Year in Kitchen Gear

The kitchen essentials you couldn’t get enough of in 2023.

Virgin Atlantic just introduced the new Airbus A350-1000, a design they’re calling “Red Velvet,” and it’s so much more than extra leg room and luxury amenities. The real gem of this new craft is an area called The Lounge, an Upper-class cabin that will house a space for travelers to drink and eat with friends.

The drink menu is similar to Virgin’s Clubhouse offerings, but it’s the cheekily named Mile High Afternoon Tea that made us giggle.

Related: Richard Branson Reveals His Biggest Travel Pet Peeve

The Upper-class seats are also notable in that each one faces a window and has two privacy screens. They also transition into a fully flat bed, 82 inches total in length, according to Lonely Planet. And the premium classes aren’t the only spaces getting upgraded: the entire plane will be outfitted in high-speed Wi-Fi, economy seats are getting new upholstery and adjustable headrests, and 31-pitch seats are being added to the Economy Light and Classic ticket levels.

Related: Suites on the Virgin Voyages Cruise Are Finally Open to Book

The first route for this new Airbus will be between London Heathrow and New York JFK, starting in August 2019. Eleven more Red Velvet Airbuses will be added to the fleet before 2021. These planes will also feature Rolls Royce engines—specifically from the Trent XWB—which measure in at 30 percent more fuel efficient than the planes that were previously serving this audience for Virgin Atlantic. Additionally, the new Airbus is a lot quieter than other airplanes: The Red Velvet airport noise footprint is reportedly going to be half that of its predecessor.

Newsletter

Let’s Keep in Touch

Subscribe to our newsletter

You’re no longer on our newsletter list, but you can resubscribe anytime.