VIRGIN Atlantic announced its biggest ever investment into the business class product, as it pledged £100 million ($157 million) over the next three years to enhance its Upper Class offering around the world. As part of the investment, on board flights from Dubai to London, a brand new Upper Class ‘fine dining’ experience will take to the skies from March 1, 2012.
Influenced by some of the best British restaurants and private members clubs, the new Upper Class dining service has been completely redesigned and customers will enjoy customised menus and local delicacies. A new Virgin Atlantic icon will be revealed – a champagne ‘coupe’ glass made famous in the golden age of Hollywood – to serve the welcome drink, toasting the journey ahead. Another great British tradition, afternoon tea, will also be served on individual mini cake stands.
The launch of other new business class products will commence on Virgin’s Atlantic’s London Heathrow to New York JFK service with highlights including a new upper class cabin, an enhanced seat, a futuristic bar and many other cabin updates to give passengers a unique flying experience. A new multi million pound Clubhouse at the John F Kennedy airport will also be launched later in the year.
Making the announcement, Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway said: “Virgin Atlantic is famous for its pioneering product, and this investment will again establish our position as the leader in airline innovation and customer experience. “
“Our new Upper Class dining service is unmistakably ‘Virgin’ and one that we know our passengers in the UAE will enjoy.”
In developing its new Upper Class products, Virgin Atlantic recruited groups of its most frequent fliers to test the ideas and feed into their development - even allowing some to try out the beds with an overnight stay in the airline’s test facility.