Virgin Atlantic has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330 neo aircraft, which will debut on the carrier’s Heathrow-Boston route.
As previously reported the aircraft features a new version of Virgin’s Upper Class product, with a sliding privacy door and two ‘Retreat Suites’ at the front of the cabin which can be combined to create a social space for up to four people to dine together.
In total the aircraft is configured with 262 seats – 156 in standard economy, 28 in Economy Delight, 46 in Premium (premium economy) and 32 in Upper Class including the two Retreat Suites.
Virgin Atlantic will be the first UK operator of the A330 neo, and has 13 of the aircraft on order (six on lease from Air Lease Corporation), with “an intention to expand the fleet to 16 eventually”.
The aircraft also marks the 50th Airbus delivery for the carrier.
Airbus said that the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-powered aircraft “, brings double-digit lower operating costs per seat and has 25 percent less fuel burn and carbon emissions compared to previous generation competitor aircraft”.
It also features Airbus’ Airspace cabins, with larger overhead bins and a new lighting system.
Virgin took delivery of the aircraft over the weekend, with the flight from Toulouse to London Heathrow being operated with a 35 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel blend.
Roll out the red carpet, we’re at the @Airbus Delivery Centre to pick up the keys for our very first #A330neo ✈️
Follow Billie Holiday home with flight code VS839P on @flightradar24. Planned departure from Toulouse Blagnac at 15:00 GMT+2, arriving at Heathrow at 16:00 GMT+1. pic.twitter.com/jUXp2zKGLk
— virginatlantic (@VirginAtlantic) October 14, 2022
TAP Air Portugal was the launch customer for the A330 neo back in 2018, with Delta also a notable operator of the aircraft.
