Virgin Atlantic Retreat Suite Review: A Business Class Suite Made for Two
Virgin Atlantic has never attempted to make flying really quite formal. Its premium cabins are stylish, social, and just a bit more playful than those found on many traditional airlines.
The Retreat Suite takes that personality and adds something business class travelers are ever more frequently looking for. Expect real privacy and lots of space.
Available on certain Airbus A330neo aircraft, the Retreat Suite is located right at the very front of the Upper Class cabin. Think of it as Upper Class taken to a higher level.
You’ll be given a larger suite, a fully closing privacy door, an extremely large entertainment screen, additional storage facilities, and one feature particularly fun: quite enough space to invite another passenger over for dinner. Let’s explore.
The Premium Experience Starts at the Airport
When you’re flying out of London’s Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic, if you’re seated in Upper Class, you’ll find yourself enjoying one of the smoother airport experiences around.
Instead of losing themselves in the usual terminal crowds, eligible passengers are able to use the Upper Class Wing situated inside Heathrow Terminal 3. There, they will find a specially created check-in area and direct entry into a separate security channel.
Once you’ve crossed airside, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse will be right there as part of your experience.
Calling it merely an airport lounge actually doesn’t seem quite fair enough.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses themselves are engineered to look more like very stylish members’ clubs. Instead of having to rely solely on a traditional buffet spread, you can sit back in a comfortable chair, order some food, enjoy a cocktail, carry out work, or even just freshen up prior to your flight.
Depending on which airport you’re at, the Clubhouse facilities could include à la carte dining options, cocktail bars, showers, functional workspaces, and quieter areas for relaxation.
In airports where Virgin Atlantic itself does not operate a Clubhouse, eligible Upper Class travelers might instead use our partner lounges. For example, departures from New York will sometimes offer access to Delta’s own premium lounge facilities.
This creates a distinctly more peaceful start to that lengthy journey itself.
The Retreat Suite Is More Than a Bigger Upper Class Seat
Once on board the A330neo, you’ll discover the Retreat Suites located in the first row.
These aren’t entirely separate from Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class. Instead, they’re upgraded front-row suites making the most of the extra space available at the bulkhead itself.
And there’s a lot of space. Your seat will be about 22 inches wide and transform right into a fully flat bed measuring nearly 6 feet 7 inches – or 79 inches – in length.
Close the sliding privacy door, and your suite effectively becomes your very own little room.
Private enough to be able to retreat to sleep, yet the design doesn’t feel closed-in or claustrophobic itself. Virgin Atlantic maintains a stylishly modern cabin atmosphere rather than turning your suite into a box.
You’ll also find additional storage options like side compartments plus deeper areas around the footrest itself for keeping even more intimate items perfectly organized.
However, the footrest itself is where things get quite interesting.
Yes, You Can Invite Someone Over for Dinner
One of the Retreat Suite’s best features is its very large ottoman. Instead of just being a place for your feet, it doubles up as a buddy seat. That means another passenger can walk into your suite, sit opposite you, and dine with you face-to-face.
The larger table will make actual dual dining possible, so couples or friends won’t have to spend the whole flight separated from each other by their individual Business Class seats.
It’s a tiny detail that completely changes the feeling of the space.
Most modern Business Class suites are really designed pretty much all around isolation. Virgin Atlantic gives you that privacy if you need it, but also lets you turn the experience into a social one.
For couples traveling together, that might be one of the biggest reasons for choosing the Retreat Suite over a standard Upper Class seat.
The Loft Keeps the Social Side of Virgin Atlantic Alive
Looking for yet more company? Passengers can also exit their suites and visit The Loft, Virgin Atlantic’s onboard social area on the A330neo.
It is a space where Upper Class travelers can sit together, have a drink, chat or simply pass the time away from their seats.
There is also the Wander Wall, where passengers may pick up snacks and refreshments whilst en route.
All these features match Virgin Atlantic’s personality perfectly. The airline offers you a private suite when you’d like to disappear and a social space if you’re fed up with looking at four walls.
Dining Feels More Like a Restaurant Meal
Food is another really key part of the upper-class experience. Expect multi-course meals with starters, warm breads, a choice of main courses, desserts, and a very extensive drinks menu.
Main courses change per flight and season but might feature meat, fish, vegetarian and plant-based options amongst others.
Virgin Atlantic places a lot of focus on its drinks program too, so you can expect wines, champagnes, spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic alternatives.
If you’re traveling with someone, then this is where that buddy seat really comes into its own. Rather than eating separately, you can transform your Retreat Suite into a small private dining room.
On overnight services, passengers who place more importance on getting their rest can take things a bit easier and get themselves ready for bed much earlier.
A Huge Screen Changes Movie Night
The Retreat Suite will also receive an entertainment upgrade. Depending on the aircraft configuration, the front row setup could offer an impressive 27- to 32-inch 4K display.
That’s enormous for an airplane seat. It really does make the suite feel much more like a small, private cinema than just another standard Business Class seat.
The system comprises films, TV shows, music and other forms of entertainment – whilst Bluetooth connectivity lets you pair up compatible personal headphones yourself.
You’ll also see quite modern charging facilities, including wireless charging plus USB and AC power sockets.
Whether you’re using your laptop, charging your phone or watching numerous movies one after another, the suite has been created with the reality that almost all travelers are carrying several devices nowadays.
Votary Skincare and Premium Amenities
The softer details carry on with Virgin Atlantic’s amenity offering.
Premium skincare comes from Votary, with products really focused on hydration. It is something you will appreciate after many hours in dry cabin air.
Depending on your flight and current equipment, amenities may comprise moisturizing skincare products, nourishing balms, facial items, a toothbrush, and toothpaste, an eye mask, and earplugs. These are all those vital items for travel itself.
On overnight flights, complimentary pajamas and slippers make an extra contribution to the sleep experience.
It’s not about filling a bag with dozens of products you’ll never use. The focus is more on truly useful items that will help you arrive feeling just a little bit more human after crossing several time zones.
The Bottom Line
The Virgin Atlantic Retreat Suite is not attempting to compete as the most formal business class experience worldwide. Its appeal will be quite different.
You’ll get what counts – a fully flat 79-inch bed, a closing privacy door, an enormous 4K screen, top-of-the-line bedding, cutting-edge technology, very good food, and luxurious skincare products.
Availability is the greatest challenge. The Retreat Suite is limited to certain A330neo aircraft, and there are just a few dozen upgraded front row seats. So discovering one may need careful preparation.
Premium travel doesn’t have to involve the highest listed ticket price. Simply Business Class (SBC) will help travelers discover cheaper premium cabin fares, with possible savings of up to 50 % depending on route, dates, and how much is available.
