Think flying economy on Virgin Atlantic is a stock standard option? Think again! The award-winning airline takes standard air travel to new heights with the option to transform an economy class flight into a more premium experience by upgrading from Economy Classic to Economy Delight. But what’s the real difference between the two, and is it worth the extra cost? Let’s take a look…
Virgin Economy Delight is a premium option within Virgin Atlantic's Economy class. It offers an upgraded experience from Economy Classic, providing passengers with enhanced comfort and convenience.
Positioned as a middle-ground option between Economy Classic and the airline's Premium cabin (more on Premium class here), Economy Delight aims to give travellers extra perks without the full price tag of Premium seating.
Here’s a breakdown of the main features that set these two options apart:
Virgin Economy Classic: In Economy Classic, passengers can expect a seat pitch (the distance between your seat and the one in front of you) of 31 inches. The seat width typically ranges from 17-18 inches, depending on the aircraft.
Virgin Economy Delight: Economy Delight offers a more comfortable seating arrangement with 34 inches of seat pitch, giving you just that little big more legroom to stretch out. It may not seem like a lot, but on a long haul flight those few extra inches can make a noticeable difference. The seat width, however, remains similar to Economy Classic.
Virgin Economy Classic: Passengers in Economy Classic receive standard boarding and check-in services, without priority access.
Virgin Economy Delight: Economy Delight passengers enjoy priority check-in, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling. This means you’ll get through airport procedures faster and have your bags off the plane more quickly once you land.
Virgin Economy Classic: Seat selection is either an additional paid service or free during the check-in window (24 hours before departure), but by then all the prime seats are often taken.
Virgin Economy Delight: One of the biggest perks of Economy Delight is complimentary advanced seat selection. You can choose your preferred seat well in advance without paying extra fees, so there’s little worry of being elbowed into the dreaded middle seat.
Virgin Economy Classic: Passengers earn standard Virgin Points and tier points based on the fare type.
Virgin Economy Delight: Economy Delight tickets come with increased Virgin Points earnings, allowing frequent flyers to accumulate rewards at a faster rate, which is great for those aiming for higher Flying Club membership tiers.
Virgin Economy Classic: In both Economy and Economy Delight, passengers enjoy in-flight entertainment, complimentary meals, snacks and beverages, including wine, beer and soft drinks. Wi-Fi is available for purchase, and Virgin Atlantic’s award-winning cabin crew ensures that you have a pleasant flight.
Virgin Economy Delight: While the onboard amenities remain similar between the two options, the extra legroom and priority services enhance the overall experience. So you’ll likely feel more refreshed and less cramped, particularly on long-haul flights.
Choosing between Virgin Economy Classic and Virgin Economy Delight largely depends on your budget and travel preferences. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective option and don’t mind a little less legroom or the standard boarding experience, Virgin Economy Classic is a solid choice.
However, if you want a bit more comfort, the ability to breeze through the airport, and the convenience of extra legroom, Virgin Economy Delight offers great value without breaking the bank. For longer flights, the upgrade to Economy Delight can make a noticeable difference in comfort, while still keeping you within an economy-class budget.
Sure Travel partners with Virgin Atlantic to offer clients great fares for all classes of air travel, including Virgin Economy Delight. Contact your nearest Sure Travel Agent today for quotes, or visit our online booking platform now.
