Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class has a split personality, and that matters when you are traveling as a couple. On some aircraft you’ll find the newest herringbone suites with closing doors, big 18.5 to 20-inch screens, and a social space up front. On others, you’ll step into the older zigzag shell seats that tilt toward the aisle and feel more exposed. Both are sold as Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, sometimes called Virgin Upper Class or Virgin Airlines Upper Class, yet the seating layouts and the best pairs of seats are completely different.
I have flown Upper Class on the A350-1000, A330-900neo, 787-9, and the refitted A330-300. I have also played seat Tetris with waitlists, changes of aircraft the day before departure, and a delayed swap at the gate at Heathrow that took us from doors to no-doors in the span of an espresso. This guide collects what actually works for couples: which rows to pick, how to sit close without giving up privacy, and how to plan around Virgin Atlantic’s shifting fleet. I will use the phrase business class Virgin Atlantic interchangeably with Virgin Atlantic business class, because in practice that is the cabin you are booking, and Upper Class is the airline’s name for it.
Why aircraft type determines your best seats
Upper Class changed in 2019 with the A350-1000. The old layout used angled seats facing into the aisle and a bar at the back of the cabin. The new layout uses a forward-facing herringbone with privacy doors and a lounge called The Loft. The A330-900neo has an even more refined version of the suite, including two “Retreat Suite” doubles in the first row that are catnip for couples. The 787-9 and older A330-300s still carry the previous-generation shell seats on most frames, although some A330-300s have been refreshed with suites.
That split means your seat strategy depends on your aircraft. The difference is not cosmetic. In the old seat, you will be close to each other if you choose seats across the aisle. In the new suite, you are better in adjacent window or middle seats in the same row because the shells angle away from the aisle noise, and you can slide the doors shut.
If you only remember one thing: check the aircraft at booking and again 48 hours before departure. Virgin does swap planes to balance demand, and the best seat for couples on an A330neo is not the best on a 787-9.
How to check what you are flying
On the booking page, expand flight details and look for Airbus A350-1000, Airbus A330-900neo, Boeing 787-9, or Airbus A330-300. If you have already booked, open Manage My Booking or the Virgin Atlantic app and tap the seat map. Suites with sliding doors show as individual boxes and a 1-2-1 pattern. The older cabin shows a dense 1-1-1 layout on the 787 and a more staggered 1-1-1 on the A330-300. If you see “Retreat Suite” sold as an extra, you are definitely on an A330-900neo.
Seat maps on ExpertFlyer or SeatGuru can help, but the airline’s own seat map is the most reliable snapshot within 24 hours of departure.
A330-900neo: the couples’ jackpot
The A330-900neo is Virgin Atlantic’s most couples-friendly Upper Class. It has fully enclosed suites, a 1-2-1 layout, and two special pairs called Retreat Suites at the very front. These are larger seats with an ottoman that turns into a buddy bench, enough to dine face to face. They are usually in row 1, center and window side. Virgin sells them as a paid upgrade at check-in or within a few days of departure. Pricing varies, typically in the low hundreds of pounds per person each way, and they can be snapped up early by status holders.
If you do not land the Retreat Suite, aim for middle pairs in the same row. The center seats share a movable divider that comes down at a touch, so you can pass drinks and chat without leaning into the aisle. On the window side, choose adjacent rows on the same side, for example 3A and 4A, if you like more privacy and do not mind swiveling to talk during service. The aisle on the A330neo is narrow enough that across-the-aisle conversation feels intrusive, so I avoid that configuration unless the cabin is nearly empty.
Noise matters on the A330neo. The Loft lounge is just behind the first few rows, so if you are sensitive to foot traffic, avoid seats directly adjacent to it. If you prefer a little ambient buzz and easy access to a second glass of English sparkling wine, sitting near The Loft is a perk.
Small functional touches add up on this aircraft. The tray table is large enough for two coffees side by side. The suite doors are tall enough to blunt light pollution. The cushion is firm with a topper available on request. Couples who like to dine together can do it naturally in the Retreat Suite. In regular suites, cabin crew will time mains so you finish together if you ask.
A350-1000: suites, doors, and The Loft
Virgin’s A350-1000 cabins are stylish, with rose gold accents and a low-glow lighting scheme that flatters jet-lagged faces. The seats are Forward-Plus herringbones with closing doors. The cabin is 1-2-1 and broadly similar to the A330neo, though there is no Retreat Suite. The Loft on the A350 is the largest in the fleet, an oval lounge that fits four to six people, often used by couples who want to stretch, chat, and share a nightcap.
For couples, the best seats are the center pair in any row away from galley or lavatories. The center divider lowers, TVs are on articulated arms, and the privacy doors give you a cocoon without feeling boxed in. If one person is a window chaser, pick seats on the same side, same row, so you can whisper over the doorline when needed. I prefer rows away from the bulkhead, because the galley on the A350 generates a little clatter during meal service.
One practical detail: the A350 suite ottoman is less conducive to buddy dining than the A330neo’s Retreat Suite, so keep expectations in check. You can still share dessert or try each other’s mains, just not sit knee-to-knee like a retro diner booth. The crew is adept at plating sharers and will often split a third appetizer if you ask.
787-9: the old zigzag, still serviceable for pairs
Virgin’s 787-9 Upper Class, sometimes described as upper class in Virgin Atlantic with the bar at the back, carries the airline’s previous-generation shell seats. The cabin is a 1-1-1 layout angled toward the aisle. The bar is a social highlight compared to many competitors. But privacy is thin, and the TV is fixed far off the shoulder. For couples, the best experience is to sit across the aisle in the same row or staggered by one row so you can see each other without shouting.
Classic pairs include 3A and 3G facing across the aisle, or 5K and 5G. If you want a little separation, 4A and 5A give you adjacent windows with easy eye contact across the divider when standing. Avoid the very front row if you are sensitive to galley clang. The bar draws people, so rows immediately forward of it see some foot traffic.
The 787-9 bed is narrower than the suite on the A350 or A330neo, and the shoulder cutout can feel tight if you sleep on your side. Ask for the mattress topper and an extra pillow. If you are celebrating and want to spend time together, plan for a mid-flight visit to the bar rather than trying to lean across the aisle. The crew is happy to stage a shared dessert plate at the bar counter if you give them a heads-up.
A330-300: two versions to watch for
Some A330-300s have been refurbished with the newer suite, others retain the older shell layout similar to the 787. The seat map reveals which you have. If you see a 1-2-1 with doors, treat it like the A350 playbook. If you see 1-1-1 with angled seats, use the 787 strategy. The A330-300 can be a last-minute swap for a 787-9 on some transatlantic runs, so check the map again within a day of departure.
One quirk on the older A330-300: the center column feels slightly more exposed https://soulfultravelguy.com/ than the 787 because the aisle is narrower. Across-the-aisle conversation is fine while service is paused, but not during the meal when trolleys block circulation.
What couples really value on board
After enough trips with a partner you learn that the seat is only part of the equation. Privacy, proximity, shared dining, sleep quality, and the ability to chat naturally shape the flight. Virgin Atlantic’s cabin crew generally do well with couples, especially when you give them a clear signal about how you like to fly. If you want to celebrate, tell them early. If you hope to sleep right after takeoff, ask for a tray set and a quick turn.
Glassware and lighting set the mood. Virgin keeps the cabin dim and uses warm accents. That works for privacy, less so for mid-flight reading. Seats with doors keep the ambient glow down around your face, which means you can watch a film while your partner dozes with a mask.
Booking tactics that help couples end up together
Transatlantic Upper Class availability swings with season and day of week. Friday and Sunday are busiest, midweek more forgiving. If you are using points through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, hold two seats on a midweek flight first, then watch for a weekend seat to open if your dates are flexible. Virgin will sometimes release two award seats close in, particularly on flights where Upper Class is half full seven to ten days out. If you need a school holiday departure, consider upgrading from Premium with points rather than booking Upper Class from scratch, because upgrade space can open when full awards do not.
Virgin Atlantic first class does not exist as a separate cabin. Upper Class is the top product, and it competes directly with other airlines’ business class. Keep that in mind when you search third-party engines that label products inconsistently. If a site offers Virgin Atlantic first class on a route, it is almost certainly Upper Class.
Pay attention to equipment. If the A330-900neo’s Retreat Suite is a key part of your plan, pick a route with a stable A330neo schedule, for example London to Tampa or some Caribbean services where the neo regularly appears. Long-haul staples like New York and Los Angeles rotate between the A350 and 787.
How to choose seats for different couple styles
Not every pair travels the same way. Some want to lean into the social vibe, others follow a lights-out routine. Tailor your seat selection to how you fly.
- For couples who want to dine together: Target the A330-900neo Retreat Suite and check for paid access at or near check-in. On other suites, book a center pair in the same row and ask the crew to course your meals together. On 787 and older A330-300, plan a course at the bar rather than trying to share across aisles. For light sleepers: Choose mid-cabin rows away from galleys and the lounge. Suites with doors on the A350 and A330neo black out stray light and reduce aisle noise. Avoid the bar-adjacent rows on 787 and A330-300. For window lovers: Sit same-side windows in the same row on suite-equipped aircraft, or across the aisle window plus aisle on the 787 so you can talk easily. Bring a compact lens hood if you plan to photograph the wing at sunrise without glare. For tall travelers: The newer suites fit taller passengers better when sleeping diagonally with the topper. Retreat Suites have the most generous footwell. On the 787, pick a non-bulkhead row to avoid a shallower foot cubby. For last-minute seat changes: If the map is nearly full, hold any two seats together then set a seat alert with your booking reference. Virgin’s Twitter and WhatsApp teams can help move you when pairs open. At the gate, polite requests with a reason, anniversary, honeymoon, first trip since the baby, often get a sympathetic reshuffle.
The onboard social spaces: bar versus Loft
Virgin built a brand around sociable business class. In older cabins you get a bar, a curved counter with two or three stools and a few standing spots. On the 787 and many A330-300s, the bar can be a fun perch for a nightcap or a coffee away from the seat. Crews vary. Some whip up mocktails unprompted, others keep it simple. If you want to share dessert there, say so early and they will plate accordingly.
On the A350 and A330neo, The Loft replaces the bar. It is quieter, lounge-like, with seat belts so you can stay put during light bumps. For couples who spend time together in the air, The Loft is a sweet spot. You can watch a short film on the shared screen, chat without the bark of a blender, and return to your suites without feeling you have missed service. The Loft also keeps noise contained compared to a bar where clinking glassware carries down the aisle.
Soft product: what helps couples feel looked after
Virgin’s soft product has heart. The crew will personalize small things when they can. If you tell them you are celebrating, they may bring a handwritten note with dessert or a sprig of something tucked in the napkin. If you want to sync meal pacing, say so before takeoff. If one of you prefers the full dinner and the other a quick bite, they will stage it so you are not constantly interrupted.
Amenity kits shift by season and route, but you can ask for extra socks, earplugs, or a spare eye mask. Mattress toppers make a noticeable difference in the suites, especially for side sleepers. Hydration helps. Virgin usually stocks canned still water at the bar or in the galley, easy to grab for the two of you before lights out.
Wi-Fi is usually stable on the A350 and A330neo and spottier on the 787. If you plan to share playlists or watch something in sync, download it before boarding. The IFE library is decent and often includes the same new releases across aircraft, but screen sizes vary. On older seats, the screen sits off the shoulder which makes sharing a glance harder.
Ground experience that sets the tone
Part of what makes Virgin upper class memorable for couples happens before you board. At Heathrow, the Upper Class Wing with private security is as smooth as it gets. If you arrive by car, the staff takes your luggage from the curb, you stroll to the Clubhouse in minutes, and you are sipping something cold while planes taxi outside the windows. The Clubhouse is a genuinely good place for couples: comfortable booths, a relaxed dining room, and a roof terrace on rare sunny days. If you want a semi-private corner, ask for a booth near the windows. Order one shared plate to start and then split mains. Service is paced like a restaurant, not a cafeteria.
At outstations, Virgin partners with different lounges. Some are a step down, but the staff often adds a personal touch when they notice a honeymoon or anniversary on the manifest. If you want a quiet preflight moment together, ask the lounge desk for the calmest corner. Most people congregate near the buffet; the far end by the windows is usually quieter.
Managing aircraft swaps without losing the plot
Aircraft swaps happen. If you booked an A330-900neo to get the Retreat Suite and you see a 787-9 appear the day before departure, you have options. You can call and ask to move to a flight that keeps the neo, though that is not always available. You can also lean into the bar experience and adjust your seat pair to sit across the aisle. If the swap goes the other way, from old to new, check for Retreat Suite purchase again. Inventory sometimes refreshes when the plane changes.
Keep an eye on your seat numbers. Swaps can reassign seats arbitrarily, spilling couples into separate rows. Log in, look at the map, and fix it early. The earlier you act, the more choices you have.
Comparing Virgin to other business class products for couples
Upper Class sits in the same tier as British Airways Club Suite, American Airlines Super Diamond, Delta One Suites on A350/A330-900neo, and Air France’s new 777-300ER business cabin. For couples, Virgin’s strengths are the social spaces, warm service, and consistently good champagne list. The newest suites with doors are competitive on space and privacy. The weak spot is the older 787-9 and non-refreshed A330-300 layout, which trails peers for privacy and storage.
If you have a choice of aircraft on the same route, Virgin Atlantic upper class on the A350 or A330neo is a top pick for couples. If only the 787 is available, it still works, especially if you enjoy the bar and the airline’s service style. The soft product helps make up for the seat’s age.
A few seat pairs that consistently work
Here are practical pairs that I have used or eyed over multiple flights, by aircraft type, keeping cabin noise and galley proximity in mind.
- A330-900neo: Retreat Suites in row 1 if available. Otherwise any center pair in rows 3 to 7, with a slight preference for the middle of the cabin to avoid lounge and galley traffic. Windows on the same side in the same row suit light sleepers who still want to converse quietly. A350-1000: Center pairs in rows 5 to 9 balance quiet and quick service. Windows same row, same side, if one of you wants views. Avoid the very front if you are sensitive to early meal prep noise. 787-9: Across-the-aisle pairs like 3A and 3G, or 5K and 5G, keep conversation easy. If you prefer windows, pick 4A and 5A to chat while standing and to avoid galley clang. A330-300 older layout: Across-the-aisle pairs in the middle of the cabin, not immediately in front of the bar. If refurbished with suites, mirror the A350 strategy.
These are not absolutes. Cabins vary by day. A row that felt noisy on a Friday night red-eye can be serene midweek.
How to ask the crew for a couples-forward service
Airlines love clarity. A quick, polite sentence after boarding sets the tone: “We are traveling together in 6D and 6G, we would love to dine at the same time and then sleep.” If you plan to spend time in The Loft, let them know you might pop up for dessert or a digestif. If it is a celebration, say the word without fishing for freebies. The acknowledgment is often enough to trigger a few thoughtful touches.
Cabin crew will offer to make your bed. If you are juggling two beds, it is easiest if you step away together for teeth-brushing while they flip both seats. That keeps the aisle clear and gets you back to dim lights and quiet quickly.
What about families or friends, not couples?
The center pairs in the suite cabins also work for a parent traveling with an older child, or two friends who do not need shoulder-to-shoulder proximity. The Retreat Suite is overkill unless you genuinely want to dine together or spread out with gadgets. If you are two colleagues, choose windows across the aisle to preserve a little boundary for sleep.
Our bottom line for couples choosing seats
Virgin Atlantic business class lives in two worlds, and couples should play to the strengths of each. On the A330-900neo and A350-1000, book the center pair in the same row for easiest conversation and privacy. If available and within budget, spring for the A330neo Retreat Suite for a date-night-in-the-sky feel. On the 787-9 and older A330-300, sit across the aisle in the same or adjacent rows and plan to use the bar as your shared space.
Check the aircraft at booking, again a day before you fly, and be ready with a backup seat plan if the plane changes. Tell the crew how you like to travel as a pair, and they will usually make it sing. That mix of thoughtful seat selection and Virgin’s personable service is why upper class in Virgin Atlantic remains one of my favorite ways for two people to cross the Atlantic.