Virgin Atlantic is progressively kitting out its 747-400 fleet from London Heathrow with more Upper Class capacity.
Citing ”premium demand,” the UK carrier says one aircraft is already fitted with ten extra Upper Class seats, with further capacity to all the 747 fleet to be put in place by year-end.
”We are seeing a lot more premium demand as passengers choose to upgrade.” a Virgin Atlantic spokesman told ABTN, ”and we need capacity to do that.”
The Upper Class news comes on top of Virgin”s recent decision to upgrade its popular premium economy product on board the airline”s 747s departing Heathrow.
The ”12m ($24.4m) revamp has already seen the airline”s Airbus A340 fleet fitted out with the new premium economy seat, while the 747s are expected to be ready by Christmas this year. When finished the 747 configuration will be; 54 Upper Class, 62 premium economy and 228 economy.
Virgin”s premium economy ” that witnessed a 20% surge in passenger numbers during the past 10 months ” features a 38” seat pitch with 21” width and leather seats with lap top power.
Passengers are also able to use a dedicated check-in and have priority boarding, as well as a separate meal service.