Virgin Atlantic has opened up its Upper Class ground service to all passengers.
The carrier's new "Guest List" product has been designed to offer economy and premium economy customers a VIP travel experience before boarding the aircraft.
From £240 per person, passengers can enjoy benefits such as a limousine transfer to the airport, fast-track security and entry to Virgin's Clubhouse lounges.
Other benefits include getting "whisked through check-in", use of the Upper Class Wing drop-off at London Heathrow or Curbside drop-off at London Gatwick, and baggage tagged as Upper Class.
The service is available at London Gatwick, London Heathrow, New York JFK, Newark, Boston, Washington and San Francisco.
Business Traveller took a look at the price difference aboard a mid-October flight from LHR to JFK. A premium economy ticket costs £648.65, while an Upper Class one is going for £1,343.15, a difference of £694.50.
So for those happy to sit in premium economy, all Upper Class ground benefits can be had for £454.50 less than the cost of a full business class ticket.
An economy booking on the same flight costs £278.65 - therefore, an economy passenger opting for the Guest List product would pay £824.50 less than buying an Upper Class ticket.
Last month, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines unveiled a codeshare agreement across 108 routes across North America and the UK (see online news, June 24).
Graham Smith
