Virgin Atlantic turned its nicest business seats into a 'Retreat Suite' — see inside

• Virgin Atlantic ordered seven Airbus A330-900neos to complete a $17-billion fleet transformation.

• The airline has been flying the type since 2022, complete with its exclusive new "Retreat Suite."

• It's the latest "business class plus" option from an airline targeting premium travelers.

English airline Virgin Atlantic Airways revealed the final part of its $17-billion fleet transformation at the Farnborough Airshow in July with an order for seven new Airbus A330-900neos.

CEO Shai Weiss told journalists that the more fuel efficient planes would replace company's aging A330-300s. By 2028, Virgin's transformed fleet would consist of 45 planes boasting an average age of just 6.4 years, consisting of 19 A330neos, 12 A350-1000s, and 14 Boeing 787-9

Beyond Virgin's outlined goals of having the "youngest and cleanest" fleet across the Atlantic, its A330neos boast a unique product at the front of its Upper-Class cabin: The "Retreat Suite."

The oversize seat represents a growing trend on long-haul aircraft. Think of it as "business class plus." JetBlue Airways' has its Mint Studio and there's Lufthansa's Allergris Suite, too. The strategy allows airlines to boost their premium portfolios in a highly competitive market while raking in more revenue from the upcharged seats.

For Virgin, it's easy to see the benefits of the Retreat Suite for parties traveling together. However, there are a few things people — especially solo passengers — may want to consider before spending the $385 to upgrade.

Virgin unveiled the Retreat Suite when it launched its first A330neo in 2022.

The special suites, which are exclusive to Virgin's A330neo planes, take up the two seats, 1D and 1G, in the center section of the first row of the Upper-Class cabin.

They complement Virgin's total cabin overhaul that also includes an upgraded Upper Class and "Loft" social area, Bluetooth-equipped premium economy seats, and a spruced-up coach section.

"The No. 1 [plane] for customer satisfaction across the Atlantic is the A330neo," Weiss said, noting the airline is putting the Airbus jet in particularly strong business markets, like New York.

The trendy product is a result of airlines better utilizing space at the front of the plane.

Regular business class seats are typically configured zigzag so the bed can be made by putting a footwell to the side of the seat in front. It means the footwell is small and the seat pitch is lower, but it allows airlines to cram more capacity into the high-dollar cabin.

However, this doesn't work in the front row, and airlines are mostly left with unused space, prompting the clever creation of "business class plus."

They can use that bulkhead to create a differentiated business class and charge an added fee to widen their profits.

An upgrade to the Retreat Suite can be purchased for £300 per seat one-way (about $385) starting 14 days before departure.

It's first-come, first-serve, so whoever goes online and snatches them up the quickest gets the seats.

Carriers like JetBlue, Lufthansa, Condor, and a handful of others have all done the same.

Many global airlines boast a "business class plus"-like seat. JetBlue, Lufthansa, and Condor market their front rows as an elevated product and charge extra.

By comparison, some carriers like Air France and Singapore have similar giant ottomans and extra space in their bulkhead business class seats but don't monetize them.

Instead of charging an extra fee, they are reserved for eligible loyalty members (non-status business class travelers get assigned them if any are left open).

The biggest difference between Virgin's regular Upper Class and the Retreat Suite is the ottoman.

The ottoman has several purposes. It can be a companion seat for families, couples, or colleagues flying in business class, allowing them to chat, eat, or work together.

It also acts as a bigger foot space for lounging or sleeping.

At the airshow, Virgin showed how the suite could sit 4 people together in one pod.

Virgin set up the Retreat Suite at the airshow with the two dining tables set up and the dividers down, showing how four people could dine together. They could also have meetings or play games.

It's similar to the quad-seating option on Qatar Airways' famous QSuite, which is considered the world's best business class.

The suite's bed is longer and wider than the rest of the cabin. Plus, its first-row location provides better privacy overall.

The fully lie-flat beds in the two Retreat Suites stretch six feet and seven inches, longer than the regular Upper Class beds.

Thanks to the ottoman, it also boasts a larger footwell, which gives passengers more wiggle room when sleeping compared to the smaller footwell throughout the rest of the cabin.

Privacy is also enhanced since passengers are in the first row and can close both the doors and the middle divider.

The seat also boasts a bigger TV. 27 inches versus the regular 17-inch screens.

The only problem is the screen is further away from the seat, which could be bothersome to some people.

However, that problem can be solved thanks to a handheld remote.

Moreover, the Retreat Suite has an extra storage bin big enough for a small backpack or purse.

The storage in the regular Upper Class consisted of small nooks, a cubby, and tabletops. There wasn't much space, but travelers could store their smaller electronics and toiletries there.

The Retreat Suite adds an additional large compartment beside the ottoman, which provides passengers with even more storage space. One seat even gets two, the second where the door is on the other.

The seat otherwise boasts the same amenities as regular Upper Class, including a sliding door and an amenity kit.

At each business class seat, passengers will find the same USB-A and USB-C plugs and a universal power outlet.

Further, the soft products — including the amenity kit, over-ear headphones, linens, and food — are the same for everybody in the cabin.

All business class passengers can also enjoy Virgin's signature "Loft" social area, which has self-serve drinks and snacks.

The Loft can accommodate up to eight people and is good for travelers who want to stretch their legs or socialize.

It's located behind the Upper Class cabin but still hidden from the economy sections.

The suite's benefits for couples, colleagues, and families are clear.

The advantage of parties booking the Retreat Suites is that they can be together in a larger space without blocking the aisles.

Plus, these customers are among the first people on and off the plane.

However, a few negatives about the seat couldn't go unnoticed, particularly the lack of a window option.

Unlike other airlines, Virgin installed regular Upper Class seats in the bulkhead rows instead of more Retreat Suites.

This means the special cabin doesn't have a window seat option, which could make or break a customer's decision to book the upgrade.

Further, the two Retreat Suite seats aren't exactly the same.

Looking at the seats, the right-side seat (1D) is situated further away from the middle divider, thanks to the location of its storage compartment. This could make the suite feel even more spacious.

Plus, the seat gets a giant middle console and a second storage compartment underneath it.

By contrast, the left-side seat (1G) and the person's body sitting in it are right next to the divider, potentially making some people feel cramped. The upside is passengers are further from the door and get more floor space compared to 1D, but only one storage bin.

And solo travelers may not reap all the benefits.

Because the soft product is the same regardless, solo travelers who upgrade are really just paying for more space and privacy — the ottoman largely loses its multi-purpose value.

Plus, the lack of window seat options means there's no way to avoid having a middle-section neighbor (unless, of course, you get lucky and the other Retreat Suite is empty on your flight).

For those who decide not to upgrade, Virgin's regular A330neo Upper Class is still something to look forward to.

Virgin's business class is one of the best in the industry.

Skytrax placed it among the world's top 20 best business classes for 2024. It came in 11th to beat rival British Airways but still fell behind five-star carriers like Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways.

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