Virgin Atlantic is to add another 30 seats to premium economy cabins on its 747
aircraft – nearly double the current capacity of 32 seats. The move follows a 20
per cent increase in passengers flying in the carrier's revamped premium economy
cabin in the last ten months.
The new seats will be added by the end of this year, and will equate to a 10 per cent increase in premium economy seating across Virgin's entire fleet. The airline says it has flown around 950,000 passengers in premium economy since its redesigned offering was introduced last year.
And it's not just the carrier giving its premium economy seating the thumbs up – you the reader voted the offering the Best Premium Economy Class at this week's Business Traveller Awards, ahead of BA, Air New Zealand and SAS (for a full rundown of results click here). Virgin's premium economy seat includes a 38' seat pitch and a 21' wide leather seat, while passengers enjoy dedicated check-in, and a separate cabin and meal service.
To read Business Traveller's Tried and Tested review of the new Virgin seat, see our March 2007 edition, and for more information visit virgin-atlantic.com.
Report by Mark Caswell