Gatwick crowd goes premium
Virgin Atlantic has completed the upgrade to its premium class seats out of Gatwick.
The Upper Class Suite, which became available on Heathrow flights about a year ago, are now offered on all Virgin Atlantic flights out of Gatwick, which operate to Orlando, Las Vegas and the Caribbean.
The Upper Class Suite has won multiple awards for design for Virgin Atlantic and constitutes a major upgrade from the old seats. The reclining leather seat can be flipped into a fully-flat bed and topped with a mattress for sleeping.
Virgin boss Richard Branson said the airline hopes to attract both business and leisure customers with the Suite, or alternatively with its Premium Economy product, which is selling well according to Mr Branson. Consequently Virgin Atlantic has expanded the number of seats in the Premium Economy cabin from 38 to 58. Travelling in this class includes greater seat pitch, separate check-in, priority luggage and pre-flight champagne.
Another innovation from Virgin Atlantic will be the introduction of self service check-in kiosks at Gatwick from spring 2005.
Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
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