Virgin Atlantic To Roll Out Cabin Upgrades, Starlink Connectivity

UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic has detailed plans to introduce Starlink connectivity and to reconfigure its Airbus A330neo and Boeing 787-9s with more premium seats, cutting the number of economy seats on both types.

By 2028, SkyTeam member Virgin Atlantic will operate a fleet of 45 aircraft, comprising 19 A330-900s, 12 A350-1000s and 14 787-9s.

Virgin began receiving its A330-900s in October 2022 and, as part of its fleet transition, Virgin has detailed plans to equip 10 A330neos with larger premium cabins. This will see Economy being reduced from 184 to 128 seats, so that Premium can be expanded from 46 to 56 seats and Upper Class can rise from 32 to 48 seats. These newly configured A330neos will begin to arrive in the third quarter of 2026, for completion by 2030.

The new A330 Upper Class cabin will include six Retreat Suites, up from two currently. This product, which was introduced in 2022, has a 6 ft. 7 in. lie-flat bed and a 27 in. touchscreen monitor and an ottoman that doubles up as an extra seat.

In parallel, by 2028, Virgin’s 787-9s will be equipped with new seats as part of a complete cabin redesign to bring them up to a similar standard to the A330s.

Triggered by strong premium demand, Virgin will reduce its 787-9 Economy cabin from 192 to 127 seats, allowing the Premium cabin to be increased from 35 to 56 seats. The 787 Upper Class cabin will also grow from 31 to 44 seats.

“For the first time, the Retreat Suite will be introduced to the 787-9, with eight seats available in every Upper Class cabin,” Virgin said, detailing the changes on July 8.

Virgin also said it will be the first UK airline to introduce Starlink connectivity, with whole-fleet rollout completing in 2027. The unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi service, which supports streaming, will be free for Virgin’s Flying Club members.

“The installation across the airline’s entire fleet of Airbus A330neos, A350s and Boeing 787s will begin in [the third quarter of] 2026 and be completed by the end of 2027,” Virgin said.

Business lounge refurbishments will also be rolled out at London Heathrow and New York JFK, joining the new Los Angeles Clubhouse, which opened in March.

Finally, Virgin is expecting to launch electric air taxi services, in partnership with Joby, before the end of the decade.