Everyone keeps asking about my ear-to-ear grin since I got back from my trip. The truth is, I recently flew Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy for the first time, and it was a fantastic experience. After hearing so many positive reviews, I had to see for myself. So, I booked a seat to Hong Kong for a quick getaway filled with shopping, sightseeing, and delicious food.
From the moment I arrived at the Virgin Atlantic counter at Sydney Airport, I was impressed. I was invited to use a special priority check-in for Premium Economy passengers. The agent was incredibly friendly and efficient, and I had plenty of time to browse the duty-free shops before boarding.
As I boarded, a member of the attentive crew suggested I get comfortable in my seat while they brought me a drink. Looking around, I quickly realized that Premium Economy offered a truly exclusive experience, with only twenty-seven other passengers sharing the cabin.
The seats were noticeably wider than those in regular economy. The two-three-two configuration provided ample personal space. Add to that the extra padding, leg rests, and generous recline, and you have a seat designed for comfort.
Before takeoff, I was offered a selection of drinks, including real French champagne served in proper glasses. It was a significant upgrade from the plastic cups of sparkling wine I’ve experienced elsewhere.
I couldn’t help but notice the well-stocked amenity kit in the seatback pocket. It included socks, eyeshades, pens, notepads, tissues – everything you could need for a comfortable flight. The bag itself was even large enough to hold your laundry on the return trip!
Once we were airborne, the crew really went above and beyond. I was offered frequent drinks, impressive meals (for airline food, anyway), refreshing hot towels, and tempting snacks like ice cream and chocolate bars.
Later, the lights were dimmed, and the window shutters were lowered. But there was no time for sleep! The flight was young, and the entertainment options were extensive. Both Premium Economy and Economy seats have large seatback video screens, offering a choice of 50 movies. The system was intuitive, with options to pause, rewind, and fast-forward. There was also a huge selection of TV shows, computer games, and audio channels.
Each seat has its own phone and email access. While I could have communicated with the outside world, I found it more amusing to prank call other passengers (until I realized my seat number was displayed on their end!). For those who prefer to work during their flight, Premium Economy also provides in-seat power for laptops.
While in-flight entertainment is great, it’s the exceptional service from the Virgin Atlantic crew that truly made the experience memorable. They were friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy their jobs. They even made an announcement over the PA system, expressing their hope that I would fly with them again.
So, that’s my Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy experience. I highly recommend giving it a try. Call your travel agent and tell them, “I want what he’s having!”