A330neo vs A350 Upper class

[Soso]

Hi,

I have the opportunity to fly UC for the first time on Virgin Atlantic. It would be a one way between LHR and MIA.

I can choose between an early morning A330neo flight and a late afternoon A350 flight. I would rather do the latter as it will allow me to get to enjoy the clubhouse a bit more (not really a morning food person) and I won’t have to work on the flight all day but it seems the A330neo is the latest seat available and I’m seeing rave reviews.

Wanted to see what would people that flew those products would choose !

Thanks !

[Andrew J]

The A350 seat in my opinion is one of the worst business class seats I’ve experienced – the table isn’t even in front of you. But the Clubhouse is a real pleasure, so the trade off might be worth it.

[nike85]

Go for the departure time that suits you best, it’s not unlikely that the aircraft type will change between booking and flying anyway.

[Soso]

True ! Plus I’m a foodie- so think I would enjoy more the clubhouse than the different seats

[ChasP]

IMHO The difference between the seats isnt that great – certainly compared to the gulf between BA’s old seat and their new
So maximise your clubhouse time knowing that at least you wont have to climb over anyone when on board

[AL]

Flown both a lot, and flew in to MIA yesterday on VS Upper. Not much in it, but I hated the A35K UC for ages, but eventually it won me over (I used to fly A35K Premium instead, as it was nicer experience). I loved the A339 at first sight, though. Overall, not a huge amount in it.

MIA regularly gets scheduled A35K and changes to B789 for VS5 and A333 for the midday-ish flight. Both have the older coffin style UC suites. They aren’t sympathetic if you book expecting one aircraft, and get another!

[Andrew J]

Soso wrote:

True ! Plus I’m a foodie- so think I would enjoy more the clubhouse than the different seats

You might need to manage your expectations on the food in the Clubhouse – it’s pub style food really, nothing fancy in my opinion.

[dougzz99]

AL wrote:

Flown both a lot, and flew in to MIA yesterday on VS Upper. Not much in it, but I hated the A35K UC for ages, but eventually it won me over (I used to fly A35K Premium instead, as it was nicer experience). I loved the A339 at first sight, though. Overall, not a huge amount in it.

MIA regularly gets scheduled A35K and changes to B789 for VS5 and A333 for the midday-ish flight. Both have the older coffin style UC suites. They aren’t sympathetic if you book expecting one aircraft, and get another!

What was it about the A350 seat you didn’t like?

[AL]

dougzz99 wrote:

What was it about the A350 seat you didn’t like?

It felt small and enclosed, but in a way that was annoying – the 787/333 suites didn’t feel as bad because they were utilising the available space. It just felt too enclosed.

But, I do fly them now with regularity without issue. The A339 felt better – it was more spacious.

In all, miles better than ying-yang on BA and probably on par with CS in my view (albeit with service rather than being ignored!)!

[sxparkin]

I would research this very carefully having flown on both aircraft types several times with VA – the best UC seats are on the ex Air Berlin A330 200’s x 4. Look at the ‘seat maps for your specific day of travel’ – also some of the seating means without the door (suite) you are looking directly at the person on the other side of the aisle for the entire flight….the space is quite tight on both and of some aircraft types the window seats do not look out of the window – they are positioned towards the aisle at an angle…on the A350 the seat belts are a cosy fit too. The service is fantastic and food drinks better than the other main option – Lounge at LHR is good but gets very busy and is starting to look tired but do go to the outside area which most people miss (if the weather is good) – the Loft area is a total waste of space apart from a leg stretch area….look at Youtube there are some very good detailed reviews of both aircraft type by travel agents…there was a good one on the first VA flight out to Tampa (the worst lounge I have ever been in with VA btw for the return from Tampa) – I think it was last year – Hope this helps a little !

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

I thought the ex-Air Berlin planes had all been refurbished to a VS standard now. Or retired. Either way, I am pretty sure someone ob here told me that the good layout on them is no longer available.

[nike85]

The ex-Air Berlin A330-200s are no longer in the fleet.
Broadly speaking you have three seating configurations with the 787’s and A330-300’s having the original/oldest ‘herringbone’ layout, then the A350 reverse-herringbone config with door that doesn’t quite close and finally the A330-900 with the newest config – forward facing suites, the retreat suites, and fully-closing doors. They each have their pros and cons!