Virgin Atlantic is giving its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet a significant facelift, and this one is all about premium. As part of a broader, multi-billion-dollar investment in the guest experience, the airline has confirmed that, starting in 2028, all 14 of its Dreamliners will undergo a comprehensive cabin makeover, aligning them with the aesthetics and comfort levels of the carrier’s Airbus A330neo cabins.
A More Premium Dreamliner
The key takeaway? More space and more comfort, if you’re flying up front. The reconfigured 787-9s will introduce eight Retreat Suites per aircraft, making their debut on the Dreamliner. This will be the airline’s most luxurious product, offering a spacious suite with a 6ft 7” lie-flat bed, a 27” 4K screen with Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, and a buddy seat, allowing two to dine or work together at altitude.
Retreat Suites on the Virgin Atlantic A330-900
The Upper Class also receives a significant boost, growing from 31 to 44 seats. Premium Economy isn’t left behind either, expanding from 35 to 56 seats. These enhancements reflect strong demand for premium cabins across the board. Meanwhile, Economy will shrink from 192 to 127 seats, retaining Virgin’s Economy Light, Classic, and Delight offerings.
This refit project is expected to run from 2028 to 2030 and coincides with Virgin’s completion of its transformation to an all next-generation fleet by 2028.
Starlink Wi-Fi: Free for All
Perhaps the most headline-worthy update is Virgin Atlantic’s decision to roll out free, streaming-quality Wi-Fi powered by Starlink across its entire fleet, including the Dreamliners, A330neos, and A350S. Once completed by the end of 2027, Virgin will become the first UK airline to offer free, unlimited, high-speed connectivity from gate to gate. The only catch? You need to be a Flying Club member, though the sign-up remains free and easy.
With this move, Virgin is looking to recreate a “home away from home” experience at 38,000 feet, allowing passengers to stream, scroll, and stay connected without worrying about bandwidth or cost.
New App, Smarter Experience
In parallel, Virgin is also introducing a new mobile app, The World of Virgin Atlantic in Your Pocket, expected to be available in December 2025. It promises a more seamless travel experience from booking to boarding and will include real-time notifications and access to flights, holidays, and Flying Club updates. A voice-enabled concierge powered by OpenAI is also being rolled out, enabling hands-free travel assistance in multiple languages.
Clubhouse Investments & Signature Touches
Virgin isn’t just focused on the onboard product. Following the opening of its new Los Angeles Clubhouse, it will refurbish its flagship lounges at London Heathrow and New York JFK, continuing its investment in ground hospitality. The airline is also introducing bespoke culinary and wellness experiences, including new amenity kits in collaboration with luxury skincare brand Votary.
The Bigger Picture
The 787-9 refurbishment is one piece of Virgin Atlantic’s larger premium puzzle. The airline is also taking delivery of 10 new A330neos starting in Q3 2026, which will come equipped with six Retreat Suites, 48 Upper Class seats, and 56 Premium Economy seats—a clear nod to increasing demand for spacious and elevated travel experiences.
As Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss puts it,
In the last four decades, we’ve evolved from a challenger to a leader and a premium, long-haul flag carrier. We exist to make our customers smile, it’s that simple – obsessing over finding new ways to delight our guests, delivered by our amazing people, on our journey to become the most loved travel company. We are investing billions to fly the youngest fleet across the Atlantic; the first UK airline to have free, streaming quality, fleet-wide Wi-Fi; more premium cabins and a full retrofit of the 787 fleet; alongside a new app featuring the world of Virgin Atlantic in your pocket, all delivered by our amazing teams. The best is yet to come.
And with more Retreat Suites, faster internet, and an unmistakably Virgin flair at every touchpoint, they might be on the right trajectory.
Bottomline
These announcements are huge news for Virgin Atlantic. The airline has been through a rough patch, and now it is time to thrive again. Starlink wifi and the refurbishment of the Boeing 787s will have a significant impact. While I loved the herringbone configuration a decade ago, I’m not sure how I would feel about it today.
What do you make of the changes coming to Virgin Atlantic?
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